Beginner reading material for the languages you teach

Frequently asked questions

Pedagogy & methodology

Is Stichos suitable for complete beginners with zero prior knowledge (A0)?

Yes. A0 is a primary focus, designed for readers with no prior knowledge. A1 then adds basic everyday vocabulary and simple connected clauses as your foundation grows.

What is the A0 level?

A0 is Stichos's own level for absolute beginners. The CEFR scale starts at A1, so A0 isn't an official CEFR level. It sits just below it. At A0, stories use very short sentences (typically 3–5 words), mostly in the present tense, with a lot of repetition and everyday concrete words. You can start reading on day one without studying grammar first.

Are Stichos levels the same as CEFR levels?

Not exactly. Stichos levels use the familiar CEFR names, from A0 to B2, and are modelled on the CEFR (the Common European Framework of Reference), so a Stichos B1 is meant to feel close to a B1 in your course book. They aren't an official CEFR rating, and different books and exams draw the lines in slightly different places. A0 is Stichos's own addition, just below the framework's first level.

How closely does Stichos keep to the verb tenses for my level?

Each level has its own grammar limits. At A1, for example, stories use the present and the everyday past (such as the French passé composé or the German Perfekt) but leave out conditionals, the subjunctive and complex subclauses, so you should rarely meet structures beyond your chosen level. The stories are written with AI, so an occasional slip is possible.

Are the stories written by AI, and how accurate are they?

Yes. Stories are generated by AI and then checked by further automated steps against the grammar and vocabulary rules for your level. That catches most problems, but it isn't a human editor, so an occasional unnatural phrase or slip can get through. Treat Stichos as practice material, and check anything you're unsure of with a teacher or a reference.

Are stories translated from English, or generated natively in the target language?

Every story is generated natively within the grammatical structure of the target language. Translating texts from English often results in awkward idioms and unnatural syntax ("translationese"). Stichos constructs narratives directly from the target language's structural patterns and your level's limits.

Why not just use ChatGPT or generic AI tools to write stories?

General AI chatbots can write a story, but a plain prompt doesn't hold a level. They can slip in tenses, cases or idioms a beginner hasn't met, and a beginner can't spot the mistakes. Stichos writes each story to your level's grammar and vocabulary, and checks every line automatically before you see it.

How is Stichos different from apps like Duolingo or LingQ?

Course apps like Duolingo teach words and phrases in short lessons. Reading apps like LingQ let you import real-world text to read. Stichos writes a new story at your level every time, so you meet the words you've learned in context.

Does Stichos teach grammar, or is it reading practice?

Mostly reading. Stichos doesn't stop to teach grammar tables. Each level uses a set range of grammar, so you meet the same patterns again and again in new stories, and you can tap any word to see what it means in that sentence. It works well alongside a course or a tutor for the explanations.

Reader & platform features

Can I read stories with explanations in my native language?

Yes. Stichos allows you to pair any target language with any native support language. You can read a Croatian story with French glosses, or a German story with Spanish explanations.

How does word lookup work while reading?

Tap or click any word for its meaning in that sentence, explained in your own language. In the full version, you can save any word to your Vocab Bank for later review.

Does Stichos support non-Latin scripts?

Yes. Languages written in non-Latin scripts appear in their native script: Greek, Cyrillic (Russian, Ukrainian, Serbian and others), Arabic script (Arabic, Persian), Hebrew and Korean Hangul, right-to-left where the language calls for it. Word-by-word glossing at the A0–A1 bands helps you build script literacy without getting blocked by unfamiliar lettering.

Can I choose specific topics or themes for the stories?

In the current preview, you can generate stories by selecting from curated reading scenarios or generating a random narrative to try out the levels. In the full release, you will be able to input custom subjects — from history and science fiction to professional themes — while keeping to your level.

Do stories include audio or narration?

Story narration isn't part of the preview. At launch, the Premium Audio add-on reads every story aloud in a natural-sounding AI voice, in 39 of our 40 languages (Esperanto doesn't have audio support yet).

For educators & tutors

Can teachers or tutors use Stichos for their students?

Yes. Tutors can try the A0 and A1 reader now and get 3 free sample stories (with a PDF) by joining the Reading List. At launch, Educator Studio adds word lists, tense controls, printable worksheets and share links for your students.

Can I use Stichos with students under 18?

Not yet. Stichos is for adults 18 and over, including tutors and teachers, who can print stories to use with their own learners.

Do you offer C1–C2 texts or exam prep?

Not yet. Stichos covers A0 to B2. If your students need advanced texts, for C1 exam prep for example, email info@stichos.com and tell us what you teach, so we know what to build next.

Preview scope & offline formats

Is the preview free, and what happens to my email?

Yes. The preview is free and needs no account. If you join the Reading List, we use your email to send your 3 free sample stories (PDF, after you confirm your address) and to let you know when we fully open. Our Privacy Policy explains how we handle it.

Will Stichos stay free after launch?

Yes, there will be a free plan: 20 stories a month (up to 2 a day), levels A0 to B2. Learner Plus ($10 a month or $89 a year) adds more stories, exports and a Vocab Bank with no word cap. Educator Studio ($19 a month or $179 a year) adds the tutor tools. Prices are in US dollars and may change before launch.

When does the full version open?

We're aiming for later in 2026, once the full reader and Premium Audio are ready. Reading List members hear first, by email.

Do Reading List members get anything at launch?

Yes. The first 500 people to join the Reading List and confirm their email get their first month of Learner Plus (or Educator Studio, for tutors) free at launch, with Premium Audio included. We email you a personal code when Stichos opens. No card needed, and it doesn't renew. The full terms are on the founding member offer page.

Which levels are available during the preview phase?

The preview focuses on the foundational levels (A0 and A1), where the grammar limits are tightest and easiest to hold. A2, B1 and B2 open with the full release, once the engine has been tuned with early reader feedback.

How long are the preview reading selections?

Preview stories are short on purpose: about 50 to 75 words at A0 and 120 to 160 at A1, usually around 20 lines. Most readers finish one in a few minutes.

Can I export or print stories for offline reading?

In the preview, you can get 3 free sample stories as a PDF by joining the Reading List. At launch, Learner Plus and Educator Studio add PDF and EPUB exports, for printing and for e-readers like Kindle or Kobo.

How does Stichos support learners with visual impairments or reading accommodations?

The reader is built with high contrast, adjustable text size, and screen readers in mind. Our Accessibility page has the details, and we welcome reports of anything that gets in your way.

What do you keep when I make a story without an account?

No name and no email. To keep the free daily limit fair, we store a scrambled code made from your connection and device, never the address itself, and delete it within a few days. A story that passes our quality checks may be kept, with nothing that identifies you, as a sample for other readers. Analytics run only if you allow them in the cookie banner.