The resources shared below are meant to help language teachers in the classroom. We are sharing resources developed by reputable colleges, universities, nonprofit organizations, and like-minded organizations, and ones that are made available to the public for free. However, the act of sharing the resources below is not necessarily an endorsement of the materials nor the opinions of the creators. If you are aware of resources that would help other language teachers worldwide and you would like to share them with us, please write to [email protected].
Rating guidelines from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) to describe the levels of beginning, intermediate, and advanced level learners. Link: http://www.actfl.org
The agenda is intended to serve as a guiding framework for the TESOL profession at the local, regional, national, and international levels. The full report is downloadable from this website. Link: http://www.tesol.org/summit-2017/action-agenda-for-the-future-of-the-tesol-profession
Open access to picture storybooks in the languages of Africa. Link: http://africanstorybook.org/
Build a customizable rubric that can be used for any writing activity your class might be completing. Follow the steps to complete the rubric. Once you have finished, you can print your rubric, save it on your own computer, or email it. Link: Writing Rubric Maker
Many of the materials are delivered as full length courses but each component of the course is standalone and can be studied on its own. This means the learner can choose the best way to study for them; by following a full course or by following the individual materials most appropriate to them. Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/
Adapted news stories for students at different levels. Includes pre-made lesson plans and spelling, grammar, exercises based on many of the readings. Link: https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1710/171003-veils.html
This site provides information and training in issues of language assessment. The short, animated introductions give you an insight into some of the main topics in Language Assessment. The practical skills topics also have accompanying worksheets and answer keys for you to work through if you wish. All videos also have transcripts of the spoken text. Link: https://www.britishcouncil.org/exam/aptis/research/assessment-literacy
Assess your teaching now and choose the right training to take your teaching to the next level. Use our self-assessment tool to reflect on your teaching and receive a recommended individual course of study. Link: https://teachingenglish.english.britishcouncil.org/ContentPage.aspx?PageID=14757eeb-d55e-44c6-de84-d1b200227f8e
Via current research, CUP connects teachers and learners from around the world. This approach allows individuals to learn from one another, constantly improve teaching materials, and unlock real-life opportunities for those involved. Link: https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/
The CNN 10 news program explains global news to a global audience. The show’s priority is to identify stories of international significance and then clearly describe why they’re making news, who is affected, and how the events fit into a complex, international society. Link: http://www.cnn.com/cnn10
contains two billion words of data. Link: http://www.corpusdelespanol.org
Too often, ESL/EFL students spend time reading about topics that they normally wouldn’t use in daily conversation. This site presents short conversation starters or readings that you can study and then try to apply in everyday situations. Link: http://www.dailyesl.com/
Selected excerpts (some audio, some pdf) of the book by the same name. Link: https://www.bloomsbury.com/cw/education-and-technology-second-edition/
Learn U.S. Civics and ESL with pictures and easy words. Access lessons, worksheets, PowerPoint presentations, lesson plans, videos, and other printables. Links: http://www.elcivics.com/ and http://www.elcivics.com/esl-ebook-worksheets.pdf
Ellii, formerly ESL Library, is an innovative online platform for English language educators. Ellii provides English language teachers with meaningful and engaging lessons, customizable flashcards, and assignable digital tasks for students of all ages and English levels. Ellii’s tools allow teachers to monitor student progress and provide feedback in real time, and they do provide many free resources on their blog. Link: https://ellii.com/blog
Audio and video resources with vocabulary/comprehension exercises and conversation starters. Teachers can search for materials based on topic, level, resource type, or English accent (from all over the world). Link: http://www.elllo.org/index.htm
Here you can listen to a very wide variety of real opinions and English accents talking about different topics, and you can even record your own opinion. Be sure to check the FAQs to get more ideas about how teachers and students can use this website. Link: http://www.englishvoices.org/index.htm
Online study guide for English language learners. Audio files of vowel sounds of different varieties of English (including British, Australian, Welsh, Irish, Canadian, American, and more). Link: http://www.fonetiks.org
Grammar rules explained (somewhat) clearly with practice and quizzes afterwards. Includes information and practice about the writing process and sentence mechanics. Link: http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/
Discussion questions for teachers and learners
This resource is provided by the NFLRC (National Foreign Language Resource Center at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa) is a series of seven episodes based on the book Enacting the World of Language Instruction: High-Leverage Teaching Practices by Eileen Glisan and Rick Donato (2017). The episodes are designed to enhance the book contents. Each episode features interviews with world language professionals who share their insights and experience in relation to each of the HLTPs. All interviews are hosted by Nicole Naditz (2015 ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year) for the NFLRC. The first two episodes are already available, and a new episode will be released each day this week. The lessons linked to each episode contain a video of the interview, additional information with links, a quiz, and question prompts for discussion or reflection. Link: https://nflrc.hawaii.edu/events/view/120/
Real stories from people living in New York City and all around the world. Great resource that can be adapted for reading, vocabulary, or writing practice – even classroom discussions. Link: http://www.humansofnewyork.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/honytheseries/
iRubric allows teachers to build rubrics and other assessment tools that can then be shared with others or connected to digital grade books. Designing rubrics with this tool is free and can be used by teachers for a variety of subjects. Must create an account. Link: http://www.rcampus.com/indexrubric.cfm
http://iteslj.org/
A comprehensive and useful resource from Dr. Virginia P. Rojas. Link: https://www.nesacenter.org/uploaded/conferences/FTI/2014/handouts/Virginia_Rojas_handout.pdf
A range of language assessment resources from Professor Glenn Fulcher. Link: http://languagetesting.info/
- (Eds.) (2015). Opportunities and challenges in the multilingual and multicultural learning space. Retrieved from http://intluni.eu/uploads/media/The_opportunities_and_challenges_of_the_MMLS_Final_report_sept_2015.pdf
This site provides three suites of new evidence-based resources. Each suite contains an issue brief, online learning modules, and a companion learning resource. Use these resources as a professional development tool or to help you plan and deliver lessons. Link: https://lincs.ed.gov/programs/eslpro
A teacher resource site to help language teachers instruct their students who are learning English or improving their literacy skills. Link: http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/ESOL/
Online reading resources that help build learners’ fluency and comprehension skills. Readings are leveled and topics include civics, employment, housing, health, school, money, and government. Link: http://resources.marshalladulteducation.org/reading_skills_home.htm
A project to explore how effective teaching can be identified and developed. Link: http://www.metproject.org/
http://www.myenglishpages.com/
This website provides links to free text analysis tools and free corpus linguistics tools. Link: https://www.linguisticanalysistools.org/tools.html
Offers literacy-oriented lesson plans focusing on text complexity, nonfiction and informational texts, literacy as a shared responsibility, and using evidence to inform practice. Link: http://www.ncte.org/lessons
Provides summaries of “research articles that have been published in peer-reviewed journals of language learning, language teaching, and multilingualism.” Some of the journal summaries for include Second Language Research, Studies in Second Language Acquisition, TESOL Quarterly, and The Modern Language Journal. By creating summaries, the goal of OASIS is to provide more physically and conceptually accessible research results to stakeholders and others both within and outside the language learning and teaching field. All summaries have been approved by the original author(s) of the journal articles, and in some cases they are co-authored by these individuals. The summaries primarily address “the study’s goals, how it was conducted, and what was found” using non-technical terms. In some cases findings that are relevant to language educators are also noted. Link: https://oasis-database.org
Make videos more engaging by embedding comprehension questions wherever you want. Be sure to click the “See it in action” button for a quick demonstration. Link: https://www.playposit.com/#!
Links to full-text copies of articles and publications on various topics of interest to language educators. Link: http://www.professorjackrichards.com/work/publications/
This website provides professional help and resources for those interested in teaching pronunciation in all educational contexts. Link: http://www.pronunciationforteachers.com/
Quizlet is a free online resource that allows teachers to create study tools (like flash cards, quizzes, and games) for their students. Paid subscriptions are offered with more options but teachers can also develop many tools for free. Link: https://quizlet.com/teachers
Easy, fun videos to help students understand and practice aspects of English pronunciation, stress, intonation, and more. Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/rachelsenglish
Listening materials for different levels from different topics from different voices. Most listenings include quick pre-listening and comprehension exercises, along with transcriptions and vocabulary explanations. Link: http://www.esl-lab.com/
Offers classroom resources including pre-made (adaptable) lesson plans, student interactives, date-based activities (ex. Sep 10 – Grandparent’s Day), and printouts. Target ability range is K-12 for native English speakers. Link: http://www.readwritethink.org/
published by the British Association for Applied Linguistics, has long been used as a source of information and guidance relating to research practices and ethics in Applied Linguistics, by researchers and students alike. Link: http://www.baal.org.uk/public_docs.html
Rubistar is a free tool that allows teachers to design different kinds of scoring rubrics for a variety of project-based learning assignments (e.g., interviews, writing assignments, digital storytelling, role-plays, etc.). Link: http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php
Use general, pre-made rubrics for different contexts or create your own. Link: http://rubric-maker.com/
Listening/speaking practice for Business English. Link: http://www.skesl.com/
Information on teaching pronunciation, pronunciation issues, links to resources, and activities. Link: https://www.soundsofenglish.org/
Stephen Krashen on all things language. Link: http://www.sourcesandmethods.com/podcast/2015/9/14/sources-and-methods-20-stephen-krashen
Storybooks Canada is designed specifically for teachers, parents, and community members. It makes 40 stories from the African Storybook available with text and audio in English and French, as well as the most widely spoken immigrant and refugee languages in Canada. Link: http://storybookscanada.ca/
StoryCorps’ mission is to preserve and share humanity’s stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world. Teachers can access stories from English speakers who talk about all kinds of human experiences. Good for listening, vocabulary, or speaking practice. Link: https://storycorps.org/
Easy site for making your own rubrics. Link: Teach-nology Rubric Maker
- A small detail but more important than you think! Link: https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/52183/teachers-strategies-for-pronouncing-and-remembering-students-names-correctly?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20180923
Watch a practitioner give a lesson in a short video. Then you can reflect on the themes and questions related to the video. Link: https://bloomsbury.com/cw/teaching-and-learning-the-english-language/lesson-videos/video-test/how-to-improve-your-academic-essay/
Suggested readings on Teaching Pronunciation from John Murphy, University of Georgia. Link: http://www2.gsu.edu/~esljmm/ss/furtherreading.htm
ESL discussion material based on TED Talks. Link: https://tedxesl.com/ (Search Google for other websites that use TED Talks for ESL purposes)
Ready-made ESL song lessons. Link: https://tefltunes.com/
A resource for English language professionals to use at all levels to connect with families and build strong communities, including other community advocacy resources. Link: http://www.tesol.org/advance-the-field/advocacy-resources/community-and-family-resources-for-elps
The 6 Principles provide teachers with the knowledge to make informed decisions to improve instruction and assessment, so curricula and courses for English learners are rigorous, relevant, and designed and delivered with second language acquisition in mind. Link: http://www.tesol.org/the-6-principles/
This resource helps students learn English creatively while raising awareness of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It brings together a range of innovative ideas for teaching creatively and addressing these key issues. This publication is free to download below. Link: http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/integrating-global-issues-creative-english-language-classroom
The UCLA Language Materials Project is an on-line bibliographic database of teaching and learning materials for over 150 Less Commonly Taught Languages. Link: http://www.lmp.ucla.edu/Default.aspx
Free web apps from The University of Iowa about the sound systems of English, Spanish, and German. Contains explanations and demonstrations of how sounds are produced along with audio recordings of the sounds of spoken English. Link: http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics
This tool allows teachers to take notes on online videos and have their comments link to certain points in the video. Works with several video platforms. Link: http://www.videonot.es/+
Learning English is VOA’s multimedia source of news and information for millions of English learners worldwide. Their audio programs and captioned videos are written using vocabulary at the intermediate and upper-beginner level. Their programs are read one-third slower than normal English speed. Online texts, MP3s and podcasts let people read, listen and learn American English and much more. Link: https://learningenglish.voanews.com/
This comprehensive website from Yale’s Center for Language Study contains a variety of technological resources for language teachers that allow them to incorporate different forms of media into their classes. Link: http://cls.yale.edu/online-teaching-tools-resources
