Online Teaching Resources
These websites are a great place to start if you are looking for new teaching tools, fresh classroom ideas and lesson plans to use with your English language students. I have tried to organize them by category or skill, but you will find multiple applications for each one.
Classroom Management
Evernote
This program organizes and stores all your teaching ideas, lesson plans, web clippings, and additional references in one place, accessible and synced on your phone, tablet or computer. Check out this great tutorial for ideas about how to integrate Evernote in your ESL teaching.
Dropbox
Use cloud storage to organize all your research, lesson plans and TESOL content in one place that can be accessed anywhere with internet. Plus, students can share course files and upload assignments to you remotely. Dropbox is an essential resource for teachers on the go. Never forget a lesson file at home again!
Rubrics | Edudemic
Check out three time-saving rubric websites with free, pre-made rubrics and templates for a wide variety of subjects and projects.
Toggl
An app and internet-based time-logging program to help you keep track of the time you spend prepping, grading and researching materials for your classes. Instead losing countless hours into the abyss of lesson prep, log and monitor your time so you can see how it is actually spent. Then you can make adjustments and refocus to make your time investment the most effective. (Free and paid program options)
This program organizes and stores all your teaching ideas, lesson plans, web clippings, and additional references in one place, accessible and synced on your phone, tablet or computer. Check out this great tutorial for ideas about how to integrate Evernote in your ESL teaching.
Dropbox
Use cloud storage to organize all your research, lesson plans and TESOL content in one place that can be accessed anywhere with internet. Plus, students can share course files and upload assignments to you remotely. Dropbox is an essential resource for teachers on the go. Never forget a lesson file at home again!
Rubrics | Edudemic
Check out three time-saving rubric websites with free, pre-made rubrics and templates for a wide variety of subjects and projects.
Toggl
An app and internet-based time-logging program to help you keep track of the time you spend prepping, grading and researching materials for your classes. Instead losing countless hours into the abyss of lesson prep, log and monitor your time so you can see how it is actually spent. Then you can make adjustments and refocus to make your time investment the most effective. (Free and paid program options)
Grammar & Vocabulary
AzarGrammar
The companion website to the Azar Grammar series, with invaluable resources for all English language teachers, whether or not you use the textbook series. Helpful resources include the blog discussing current teaching concerns and research-based solutions from ESL/EFL teachers around the world, downloadable classroom materials, and downloadable Azar textbook teacher's guides which offer clear explanations and step-by-step practice activities for every grammar structure you can imagine.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
An online, learner's dictionary with words, phrases, and meanings. Includes a dictionary search with clear and easy-to-understand definitions, audio pronunciation, and sample sentences. Great resource for teachers and students.
Online Etymology Dictionary
An extensive dictionary that explains the root and history of words. Includes links to other dictionaries for further vocabulary study.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
A learner's dictionary based on the Oxford 3000 and academic word lists. Word entries include audio pronunciation, definitions using only the Oxford 3000 key words, illustrations, and word usage notes. A vital resource for academic English teachers and students.
On the Tables
Academic vocabulary lessons with downloadable worksheets and audio.
Piclits
Allows you to choose from a gallery of interesting pictures, add creative text from a unique word bank or in free form, save your picture, and then share and comment on other people's pictures. It is particularly useful for creative writing and vocabulary practice. Here's a sample activity you can try with your students.
The companion website to the Azar Grammar series, with invaluable resources for all English language teachers, whether or not you use the textbook series. Helpful resources include the blog discussing current teaching concerns and research-based solutions from ESL/EFL teachers around the world, downloadable classroom materials, and downloadable Azar textbook teacher's guides which offer clear explanations and step-by-step practice activities for every grammar structure you can imagine.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
An online, learner's dictionary with words, phrases, and meanings. Includes a dictionary search with clear and easy-to-understand definitions, audio pronunciation, and sample sentences. Great resource for teachers and students.
Online Etymology Dictionary
An extensive dictionary that explains the root and history of words. Includes links to other dictionaries for further vocabulary study.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
A learner's dictionary based on the Oxford 3000 and academic word lists. Word entries include audio pronunciation, definitions using only the Oxford 3000 key words, illustrations, and word usage notes. A vital resource for academic English teachers and students.
On the Tables
Academic vocabulary lessons with downloadable worksheets and audio.
Piclits
Allows you to choose from a gallery of interesting pictures, add creative text from a unique word bank or in free form, save your picture, and then share and comment on other people's pictures. It is particularly useful for creative writing and vocabulary practice. Here's a sample activity you can try with your students.
Ice Breakers & Fun Activities
RAY English
Download the "Fat Warmer's Pack" for a new collection of warm-up ESL exercises. Break up your class routine and try something different. Activities are good for various group sizes.
ESL Games World
This site contains ESL/EFL games for online interaction, print use, or PowerPoint download. Games include Wheel of Fortune and TV-like betting games to practice grammar, vocabulary, reading and other skills.
ESL Partyland
This website contains resources for ESL students and teachers. Teachers will find teaching articles, quizzes, games and lesson plans (with multi-media options) to teach conversation, grammar, vocabulary, and integrated skills. Additional resources are available for teaching with internet (such as reproducible and adaptable scavenger hunt worksheets), film, video and music.
Download the "Fat Warmer's Pack" for a new collection of warm-up ESL exercises. Break up your class routine and try something different. Activities are good for various group sizes.
ESL Games World
This site contains ESL/EFL games for online interaction, print use, or PowerPoint download. Games include Wheel of Fortune and TV-like betting games to practice grammar, vocabulary, reading and other skills.
ESL Partyland
This website contains resources for ESL students and teachers. Teachers will find teaching articles, quizzes, games and lesson plans (with multi-media options) to teach conversation, grammar, vocabulary, and integrated skills. Additional resources are available for teaching with internet (such as reproducible and adaptable scavenger hunt worksheets), film, video and music.
Inspiration, Teaching Trends & Current Research
Ditch That Textbook
A blogging Spanish teacher talks about how he went paperless in the classroom, ditched his textbooks, and has integrated creative uses of technology to engage his students. Endless teaching ideas and inspiration here, plus a free e-book when subscribe to the email updates. Yes, please!
English Banana ESL Blog
This blog highlights news, resources, how-to tips and videos for English language teachers. You can also download free course books and worksheets to use in the classroom. It is a great source for new ideas and continuing teacher education.
Robyn's TESOL Pinterest Board
As I mentioned in this blog post, Pinterest is a great place to collect and share teaching ideas. My TESOL Pinterest board has various activities, movie clips, and links to more links to inspire your lesson plans.
Teaching Channel | English Language Learners
This education site contains videos and articles about creative and inspiring K-12 education in general, with 12 specific videos on teaching ELLs. While techniques are geared for younger learners, there are really great ideas for teaching academic ESL. I blogged about one video that talked about using podcasts for personalized writing feedback.
A blogging Spanish teacher talks about how he went paperless in the classroom, ditched his textbooks, and has integrated creative uses of technology to engage his students. Endless teaching ideas and inspiration here, plus a free e-book when subscribe to the email updates. Yes, please!
English Banana ESL Blog
This blog highlights news, resources, how-to tips and videos for English language teachers. You can also download free course books and worksheets to use in the classroom. It is a great source for new ideas and continuing teacher education.
Robyn's TESOL Pinterest Board
As I mentioned in this blog post, Pinterest is a great place to collect and share teaching ideas. My TESOL Pinterest board has various activities, movie clips, and links to more links to inspire your lesson plans.
Teaching Channel | English Language Learners
This education site contains videos and articles about creative and inspiring K-12 education in general, with 12 specific videos on teaching ELLs. While techniques are geared for younger learners, there are really great ideas for teaching academic ESL. I blogged about one video that talked about using podcasts for personalized writing feedback.
Lesson Plans
BogglesWorld
This site contains an archive of lesson plans to use or to inspire class preparation. It includes resources for survival English, task-based learning activities, role plays and more all-skills practice.
BreakingNewsEnglish
Download free lesson plans (7 levels) based on news articles on all topics. Lessons include all-skills options with quizzes, handouts and tons of interactive practice activities.
CBC Manitoba
This Canadian site has over 50 ready-to-use lessons for four skills, including sound clips from Best of Information Radio for in-class listening. Topics include social issues, culture, and general interest.
English Banana
Find over 3200 resources (worksheets, books, podcasts, resources and games) to plan your lessons. All materials are covered by a free license that allows you to download, print, copy or share materials without cost. Resources even include tutorials for creating your own coursebook so it is completely adapted for your teaching context.
Turklish TEFL
This blog has 35 ESL lesson plans created with Turkish students in mind, but usable for most cultures. Appropriate for beginning to upper-intermediate students and includes eight video lessons.
This site contains an archive of lesson plans to use or to inspire class preparation. It includes resources for survival English, task-based learning activities, role plays and more all-skills practice.
BreakingNewsEnglish
Download free lesson plans (7 levels) based on news articles on all topics. Lessons include all-skills options with quizzes, handouts and tons of interactive practice activities.
CBC Manitoba
This Canadian site has over 50 ready-to-use lessons for four skills, including sound clips from Best of Information Radio for in-class listening. Topics include social issues, culture, and general interest.
English Banana
Find over 3200 resources (worksheets, books, podcasts, resources and games) to plan your lessons. All materials are covered by a free license that allows you to download, print, copy or share materials without cost. Resources even include tutorials for creating your own coursebook so it is completely adapted for your teaching context.
Turklish TEFL
This blog has 35 ESL lesson plans created with Turkish students in mind, but usable for most cultures. Appropriate for beginning to upper-intermediate students and includes eight video lessons.
Movies & Film
Eight Ways to Use Video with English Language Learners | Edutopia
Edutopia is another great education website. This article by Larry Ferlazzo offers teaching activities to help students think and learn through the use of English, rather than simply learning word forms and meaning. As you plan your lessons and curriculum, find ideas for both practice activities and more involved projects.
Movies Grow English
Find English lessons based on over 100 full-feature films, organized by levels of difficulty. There are lessons to focus on communicative or academic purposes, with applications for receptive and productive skill practice. PDF lessons (5-9 pages long) are available for $1 per download. You can preview the video and lesson on the website.
Movie Segments to Assess Grammar Goals
This blog is constantly updated with new movie segments, as well as accompanying lesson plans and printable worksheets that you can use to practice grammar in the classroom. If you have a vast DVD collection at home, you will find tips and ideas to create lessons with your own materials. The author's other blog, Movie Segments for Warm-ups and Follow-ups, is also useful for conversation, vocabulary and listening comprehension.
Real English
Free online video clips and original video lessons with lesson plans. Videos are geared for the English Language Learner (beginner to advanced levels) so the language is authentic, clear, and appropriately paced. These can be used for independent student learning or for classroom lessons, pre-packaged and ready to go.
Teaching Technologies: Teaching English Using Video | One Stop English
The OneStopEnglish website has many ESL resources, but this particular article contains eight practical video activities that you can adapt for a variety of teaching points. A lesson plan for each suggested activity is also available. I particularly like the "split viewing" and "observe and write" activities for vocabulary and grammar practice.
Edutopia is another great education website. This article by Larry Ferlazzo offers teaching activities to help students think and learn through the use of English, rather than simply learning word forms and meaning. As you plan your lessons and curriculum, find ideas for both practice activities and more involved projects.
Movies Grow English
Find English lessons based on over 100 full-feature films, organized by levels of difficulty. There are lessons to focus on communicative or academic purposes, with applications for receptive and productive skill practice. PDF lessons (5-9 pages long) are available for $1 per download. You can preview the video and lesson on the website.
Movie Segments to Assess Grammar Goals
This blog is constantly updated with new movie segments, as well as accompanying lesson plans and printable worksheets that you can use to practice grammar in the classroom. If you have a vast DVD collection at home, you will find tips and ideas to create lessons with your own materials. The author's other blog, Movie Segments for Warm-ups and Follow-ups, is also useful for conversation, vocabulary and listening comprehension.
Real English
Free online video clips and original video lessons with lesson plans. Videos are geared for the English Language Learner (beginner to advanced levels) so the language is authentic, clear, and appropriately paced. These can be used for independent student learning or for classroom lessons, pre-packaged and ready to go.
Teaching Technologies: Teaching English Using Video | One Stop English
The OneStopEnglish website has many ESL resources, but this particular article contains eight practical video activities that you can adapt for a variety of teaching points. A lesson plan for each suggested activity is also available. I particularly like the "split viewing" and "observe and write" activities for vocabulary and grammar practice.
Reading & Writing
BeeOasis
Find articles for class or to recommend to students for extensive reading on the arts and sciences. Students can find engaging content and time their reading speed as they read online. Most materials are free, but a paid subscription will give you goal tracking tools, vocabulary resources, learning videos, and mobile lesson material for your iPhone, iPad or smartphone. Countless classroom material can be found here to integrate with your reading/writing lesson plans.
Chicken Soup for the Soul
Chicken Soup for the Soul has heart-warming stories for almost anyone. Sign up for free e-newsletters for reading activities, or view video stories for listening and writing activities.
Free Online Reading Test
Teachers can direct beginning to advanced language students to this website for timed readings and speed tests. This reading test is easy to navigate and gives immediate results. There are 13 levels of complexity and several different topics to choose from, offering a variety of interesting and relevant reading material. Each level has four comprehension questions. Students can periodically test their own reading speed, record their score and work on improving it. This could be done at home on the computer, in a lab, or even on a phone/tablet.
My English Pages
Develop student reading skills with texts and comprehension questions based on human interest stories, biographies, classic American poetry, holidays, world history and more. Comprehension questions can be done online, or adapt all the materials for print in your classroom.
My English Writing
This website contains writing strategies and sample essays on a variety of topics, as well as explanations for editing. It is useful for analyzing and understanding good essay writing.
Novels for Intermediate Level ESL Students (PDF)
This 20-page book list contains book titles (with brief descriptions, page counts and library call numbers) suitable for intermediate ESL students. It includes international authors and American classic novels.
Paper (App by Facebook)
This app is similar to Zite and Flipboard as a personalized digital magazine, but it also weaves in your Facebook feed as one of the topical categories. Set up your Paper with topics of personal interest and it gives you top news and articles to read, including stories from your Facebook friends. Paper, Zite and Flipboard are great apps to encourage extensive reading on topics and news that matter to students.
Penguin Readers Levels Test
Graded readers are perfect for engaging students in extensive reading because they contain interesting stories with language adapted for different vocabulary levels. Download the Penguin Readers Levels Tests to help your students determine which level of graded readers is right for them. Then find interesting book titles by level, genre, author, or film/TV series. The levels test downloads include PDFs of the tests, answer sheets and answer keys.
Thinkmap Visual Thesaurus
This website has an interactive visual thesaurus and vocabulary and writing helps, including articles from professional writers, word of the day, word lists and writing prompts. It is an amazing site!
Vocab Profiler on LexTutor
Are you teaching the essential vocabulary that students need to know? On LexTutor, paste or upload texts to find the vocabulary frequency profile so you can identify the AWL and GSL words to emphasize in a lesson. Powerful research tool for academic English teachers.
Find articles for class or to recommend to students for extensive reading on the arts and sciences. Students can find engaging content and time their reading speed as they read online. Most materials are free, but a paid subscription will give you goal tracking tools, vocabulary resources, learning videos, and mobile lesson material for your iPhone, iPad or smartphone. Countless classroom material can be found here to integrate with your reading/writing lesson plans.
Chicken Soup for the Soul
Chicken Soup for the Soul has heart-warming stories for almost anyone. Sign up for free e-newsletters for reading activities, or view video stories for listening and writing activities.
Free Online Reading Test
Teachers can direct beginning to advanced language students to this website for timed readings and speed tests. This reading test is easy to navigate and gives immediate results. There are 13 levels of complexity and several different topics to choose from, offering a variety of interesting and relevant reading material. Each level has four comprehension questions. Students can periodically test their own reading speed, record their score and work on improving it. This could be done at home on the computer, in a lab, or even on a phone/tablet.
My English Pages
Develop student reading skills with texts and comprehension questions based on human interest stories, biographies, classic American poetry, holidays, world history and more. Comprehension questions can be done online, or adapt all the materials for print in your classroom.
My English Writing
This website contains writing strategies and sample essays on a variety of topics, as well as explanations for editing. It is useful for analyzing and understanding good essay writing.
Novels for Intermediate Level ESL Students (PDF)
This 20-page book list contains book titles (with brief descriptions, page counts and library call numbers) suitable for intermediate ESL students. It includes international authors and American classic novels.
Paper (App by Facebook)
This app is similar to Zite and Flipboard as a personalized digital magazine, but it also weaves in your Facebook feed as one of the topical categories. Set up your Paper with topics of personal interest and it gives you top news and articles to read, including stories from your Facebook friends. Paper, Zite and Flipboard are great apps to encourage extensive reading on topics and news that matter to students.
Penguin Readers Levels Test
Graded readers are perfect for engaging students in extensive reading because they contain interesting stories with language adapted for different vocabulary levels. Download the Penguin Readers Levels Tests to help your students determine which level of graded readers is right for them. Then find interesting book titles by level, genre, author, or film/TV series. The levels test downloads include PDFs of the tests, answer sheets and answer keys.
Thinkmap Visual Thesaurus
This website has an interactive visual thesaurus and vocabulary and writing helps, including articles from professional writers, word of the day, word lists and writing prompts. It is an amazing site!
Vocab Profiler on LexTutor
Are you teaching the essential vocabulary that students need to know? On LexTutor, paste or upload texts to find the vocabulary frequency profile so you can identify the AWL and GSL words to emphasize in a lesson. Powerful research tool for academic English teachers.
Speaking & Listening
American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric contains full text, audio and video versions of hundreds of speeches from movies, scholars, politicians and Christian figures. It is useful academic and advanced reading, listening and writing.
Better at English
This website contains engaging podcasts for students to listen to conversational English on a wide variety of topics, both silly and serious. It uses authentic language to teach English conversation with slang, idioms, grammar, vocabulary and more. Download the podcasts and transcripts.
DW
News from the European perspective, this is a German news site (in English) that is similar to Voice of America. Find news articles, video, TV, and podcast stories to use in your ESL classroom or as extensive reading/listening activities for students.
Early Rain
Includes a topical and alphabetical index to topics for TalkTime in ESL groups. Each prompt has a short story and/or quotes, which usually includes a Bible reference for values-driven discussion. Engaging topics abound including abstract themes, academic pursuits, daily living, hobbies, holidays, nature, personal values, relationships, work, world and culture.
Elllo
Over 2,000 listening lessons for ESL/EFL students. Includes videos, podcasts, games, and practice activities on a variety of interesting topics. Beginner-Advanced levels.
ESL Pod
ESL Podcasts on a variety of interesting subjects to motivate and help students learn English. Podcasts are free, but a paid subscription includes learning guides for further language study, cultural notes and tips for learning English.
Great Questions, by StoryCorps
StoryCorps has created a list of great interview questions that are sure to get a conversation going on any number of topics. Check out their list for student interview or research projects, or for in-class discussion material.
Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab
Topical podcasts, listening activities, quizzes, vocabulary practice. Good for the classroom and self-directed learning.
StoryCorps
These short podcasts (1-3 minutes) contain special interest interviews, brilliantly edited on a wide variety of interesting themes and topics. They are authentic and brief, allowing students to listen repeatedly as needed to get the gist and details. No script is available. Teaching idea: assign students the task of listening to one or more of these each week and have them write a follow-up summary.
Voice of America
Subscribe to VOA for news podcasts and stories written for English learners. Includes transcripts and video clips.
American Rhetoric contains full text, audio and video versions of hundreds of speeches from movies, scholars, politicians and Christian figures. It is useful academic and advanced reading, listening and writing.
Better at English
This website contains engaging podcasts for students to listen to conversational English on a wide variety of topics, both silly and serious. It uses authentic language to teach English conversation with slang, idioms, grammar, vocabulary and more. Download the podcasts and transcripts.
DW
News from the European perspective, this is a German news site (in English) that is similar to Voice of America. Find news articles, video, TV, and podcast stories to use in your ESL classroom or as extensive reading/listening activities for students.
Early Rain
Includes a topical and alphabetical index to topics for TalkTime in ESL groups. Each prompt has a short story and/or quotes, which usually includes a Bible reference for values-driven discussion. Engaging topics abound including abstract themes, academic pursuits, daily living, hobbies, holidays, nature, personal values, relationships, work, world and culture.
Elllo
Over 2,000 listening lessons for ESL/EFL students. Includes videos, podcasts, games, and practice activities on a variety of interesting topics. Beginner-Advanced levels.
ESL Pod
ESL Podcasts on a variety of interesting subjects to motivate and help students learn English. Podcasts are free, but a paid subscription includes learning guides for further language study, cultural notes and tips for learning English.
Great Questions, by StoryCorps
StoryCorps has created a list of great interview questions that are sure to get a conversation going on any number of topics. Check out their list for student interview or research projects, or for in-class discussion material.
Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab
Topical podcasts, listening activities, quizzes, vocabulary practice. Good for the classroom and self-directed learning.
StoryCorps
These short podcasts (1-3 minutes) contain special interest interviews, brilliantly edited on a wide variety of interesting themes and topics. They are authentic and brief, allowing students to listen repeatedly as needed to get the gist and details. No script is available. Teaching idea: assign students the task of listening to one or more of these each week and have them write a follow-up summary.
Voice of America
Subscribe to VOA for news podcasts and stories written for English learners. Includes transcripts and video clips.