ESL Resources
Welcome to our English as a Second Language Resource Library!
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Below, we have different subject areas to help you strengthen your English skills. Each subject page will contain different activities and guides to help you learn English. Click on a topic to be directed to that part of the page, or scroll through until you find something interesting!
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Reading
Access different resources to help you learn how to read English. All the resources below can be utilized by students at any ESL proficiency level.
Breaking News English offers a collection of over 3,440 free lesson plans based on current news articles, designed for English language learners. The articles are available in seven different levels of difficulty, making them accessible to a wide range of learners. Each lesson includes activities, quizzes, and audio recordings to enhance comprehension and engagement with the material.
CommonLit provides a comprehensive library of free reading materials for students and educators, featuring a wide range of literary and informational texts. Users can access lesson plans, assessments, and discussion questions designed to enhance reading comprehension and foster engagement. The platform supports literacy development across various grade levels, making it a valuable resource for both classroom instruction and independent learning.
EnglishClub is a free online platform designed to assist learners and teachers of English, offering a wide array of resources including lessons, quizzes, games, and forums. EnglishClub provides materials for improving English skills across various levels and topics, while fostering a global community for language exchange.
​Engoo provides a free service called Daily News, designed for English learners. It features new articles added daily, covering a variety of topics and difficulty levels, aimed at helping users improve their English reading skills while staying informed about current events. This resource is part of Engoo's broader offerings to support language learning through engaging content
Project Gutenberg is a digital library offering over 70,000 free eBooks, primarily focusing on classic literature and texts that are in the public domain. Users can read or download eBooks in various formats, including ePub and Kindle, without any fees or registration required.
News in Levels provides news articles written in three different levels of English, aimed at helping learners improve their language skills. Users can read and listen to current news while practicing reading comprehension through structured exercises. The platform encourages daily reading and listening to enhance vocabulary and understanding of English.
Writing
Different resources to help you write in English. Right now, we have multi-level resources, which learners of any ESL proficiency can use, and some intermediate and advanced resources for ESL learners who are a bit farther along on their learning journey.
Multi-level (low-advanced) Resources
The Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) site map provides a comprehensive overview of the English resources available on the website. It includes sections on general writing, academic writing, research and citation, subject-specific writing, and job search writing, among others. Each section offers detailed guidance on various aspects of writing, such as grammar, style, mechanics, and specific writing tasks, making it a valuable resource for students, educators, and professionals seeking to improve their writing skills.
Intermediate/ Advanced Resources
ThoughtCo focuses on ESL writing skills, providing resources and guidance for teaching English writing across various formats, including essays, letters, and business documents. It offers lesson plans, tips, and strategies tailored for different writing purposes, aiming to enhance the writing proficiency of ESL learners. This resource is valuable for educators seeking to improve their students' writing abilities in a structured manner.
Pronunciation
Different resources to help you learn how to pronounce English words. Right now, we have multi-level resources, which learners of any ESL proficiency can use, and some beginning level resources for ESL learners who are just starting out.
Multi-level (low-advanced) Resources
The CATESOL webpage on ESL pronunciation offers a variety of resources aimed at helping teachers improve their students' pronunciation skills in English. It includes exercises for practicing American English sounds, tips on word and sentence stress, and tools for accent reduction, such as tongue twisters. Additionally, the site provides links to interactive pronunciation guides and resources tailored for both teachers and learners, making it a valuable tool for enhancing English pronunciation.
EnglishClub dedicated to speaking skills offers a variety of free resources aimed at helping ESL learners improve their English-speaking abilities. It includes lessons that cover essential topics such as greetings, presentations, and conversation techniques, along with practical exercises to enhance fluency and confidence. The site emphasizes interactive learning, providing audio materials and speaking practice opportunities to facilitate real-world communication skills.
ESL Authority provides a comprehensive guide on English pronunciation exercises and resources specifically designed for ESL teachers. It emphasizes the importance of teaching pronunciation, detailing how it enhances listening comprehension, reading skills, and overall communication effectiveness. The resource includes exercises focusing on individual sounds, word stress, sentence stress, and connected speech, alongside links to videos and worksheets that facilitate practice. Overall, it underscores the necessity of integrating pronunciation practice into ESL lessons to help students become proficient English speakers.
These slides serve as a resource for teachers to add to their lessons. It is for teaching students the symbol/sound (grapheme/phoneme) relationships necessary for reading and speaking English. It is organized into phonics elements or sound/spelling categories. The order to introduce the various sounds may vary, but moving from more common to less common, easier to more difficult sounds is recommended.
The webpage on pronunciation from Rong-Chang provides a comprehensive resource for ESL/EFL learners focused on improving their pronunciation skills. It includes a list of pairs of words that often confuse learners due to similar sounds, such as "boat and bought" and "sleep and slip," along with exercises designed to help distinguish between these sounds. The site also covers various vowel sounds and consonant combinations, offering a structured approach to mastering English pronunciation. Overall, it serves as a valuable tool for both teachers and students aiming to enhance their pronunciation proficiency.
The webpage on Pronuncian is dedicated to teaching the 43 sounds of American English pronunciation, providing resources for learners to improve their pronunciation skills. It includes detailed lessons on various sound categories, such as vowels, consonants, and specific sound types like stops and fricatives. Each sound is accompanied by pronunciation guides, spelling tips, and practice exercises, allowing users to learn and practice effectively. This resource serves as a comprehensive tool for both ESL learners and teachers aiming to enhance their understanding and use of American English sounds.
Beginner Resources
This site focuses on phonics practice for adult learners, offering resources and activities designed to improve reading skills through phonics instruction. It includes various exercises that help learners understand the relationship between sounds and letters, enhancing their ability to decode words. This resource is tailored to support adult literacy education, making phonics accessible and relevant for adult learners.
TalkEnglish provides a foundational resource for beginners looking to improve their English speaking skills. It features 90 lessons with over 900 audio files that focus on common expressions and basic conversational phrases essential for effective communication. This section is designed to help learners grasp the fundamentals of speaking English, allowing them to progress to more advanced lessons once they are comfortable with the basics.
Conversation
Different resources to help you learn how to converse in English. Right now, we have beginning level resources for ESL learners who are just starting out, and some intermediate and advanced resources for ESL learners who are a bit farther along on their learning journey.
Beginner Resources
ESL Fast offers a collection of over 1,500 ESL/EFL conversations organized into 25 different topics, making it a valuable resource for language learners and teachers. The conversations cover a wide range of everyday situations, such as socializing, shopping, and daily life, providing practical language practice. This resource is designed to help learners improve their speaking and listening skills in context, making it easier to engage in real-life conversations. Overall, it serves as a comprehensive tool for enhancing English language proficiency through interactive dialogue practice.
Intermediate/Advanced Resources
Conversation Starters World features over 200 questions designed to help individuals get to know others better, whether in casual or more personal settings. The questions are categorized into three levels: casual questions for acquaintances, in-depth questions for friends, and very personal questions for close relationships. Each question aims to spark interesting conversations and encourage follow-up inquiries, making it a useful resource for anyone looking to enhance their social interactions and build connections.
Conversation Starters World features a comprehensive list of 500 good questions designed to facilitate engaging conversations. The questions cover a wide range of topics, encouraging creativity and deeper discussions, and are suitable for various social settings. The site also offers additional resources, including conversation starters, icebreaker questions, and themed questions to help users connect with others more effectively. Overall, this resource serves as a valuable tool for anyone looking to spark interesting dialogues and strengthen relationships through conversation.
Listening
Different resources to help you learn how to understand spoken English. Right now, we have we have multi-level resources, which learners of any ESL proficiency can use, beginning level resources for ESL learners who are just starting out, and some intermediate and advanced resources for ESL learners who are a bit farther along on their learning journey.
Multi-Level Resources
Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab is a valuable online resource designed to help ESL and EFL learners enhance their English listening comprehension skills. The site offers a variety of listening activities categorized by difficulty levels—easy, intermediate, and difficult—featuring conversations that reflect everyday English
English Central's courses provides a comprehensive overview of the various online English language courses available to learners. It features a wide range of topics, including business English, academic English, social English, and test preparation, allowing students to choose courses that best fit their needs. The platform emphasizes interactive learning through video content, where students can watch, listen, and practice speaking with built-in assessments to improve their pronunciation and vocabulary. Overall, English Central offers a structured and engaging way for learners to enhance their English skills across different contexts and proficiency levels.
EnglishClub listening page offers a variety of resources aimed at helping ESL learners improve their listening skills. It includes audio stories, news reports, and dictation exercises designed to enhance comprehension and vocabulary. Users can access listening quizzes, strategies for effective listening, and links to various audio materials, such as songs and poetry, making it a comprehensive platform for practicing English listening in engaging ways. Overall, this resource is beneficial for learners looking to develop their listening abilities through diverse and interactive content.
Listening Lab at Learn American English Online offers a range of resources designed to help learners improve their listening skills in English. It features various audio materials, including dialogues and conversations, that cater to different proficiency levels, allowing users to practice understanding spoken English in a structured manner. The site emphasizes interactive learning, providing exercises and comprehension questions to reinforce listening comprehension.
Beginner Resources
VOA Learning English serves as a valuable resource for beginner English learners, offering structured lessons to improve language skills. It features various content types, including the "Let's Learn English" series, which provides engaging lessons that help learners build their proficiency through practical exercises. Additionally, the site includes an "Ask a Teacher" section for common language questions, pronunciation guides, and a "News Words" feature that introduces vocabulary from current events. Overall, this platform combines audio, visual, and text-based materials to support learners in their journey to mastering English.
Intermediate/Advanced Resources
esolepacks.com is a resource for English language teachers and learners, offering a variety of downloadable materials to support English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) instruction. It provides lesson plans, worksheets, and other educational resources designed to enhance language learning across different skill areas such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The site aims to make ESOL teaching more efficient and effective by offering ready-to-use materials that can be easily incorporated into classroom activities or self-study sessions.
VOA Learning English focuses on intermediate-level English learning resources. It offers a diverse range of content designed to help learners improve their language skills, including sections on Health & Lifestyle, Science & Technology, Arts & Culture, and current events. The site features various learning tools such as "English in A Minute," which explains common English expressions, and "Everyday Grammar TV," which teaches grammar concepts. Additionally, it includes "English @ the Movies" to help learners understand English used in films, and "VOA60: Watch & Learn" for quick news updates. This comprehensive resource caters to intermediate English learners looking to enhance their language proficiency through engaging, real-world content.
VOA Learning English provides advanced-level English learning resources. It includes a variety of content designed to help learners refine their language skills, such as "Everyday Grammar," which explores complex grammar topics, and "American Stories," which features classic American literature like Herman Melville's "Benito Cereno." The site also offers "Words & Their Stories," which delves into idiomatic expressions, and "Education Tips" for improving writing skills. Additionally, it covers topics like news literacy and instructional classroom language, making it a comprehensive resource for advanced English learners seeking to deepen their proficiency through diverse and engaging materials.
Grammar
Access different resources to help you understand English Gra. All the resources below can be utilized by students at any ESL proficiency level.
A4ESL.org, also known as Activities for ESL Students, offers a wide array of free online resources for English language learners. It features quizzes, tests, crossword puzzles, and various exercises designed to help students improve their grammar, vocabulary, and overall language skills. Created as a project of The Internet TESL Journal, the site includes contributions from many teachers and is optimized for speed and ease of use, ensuring accessibility even with older web browsers.
EnglishClub grammar page serves as a comprehensive resource for learners seeking to improve their understanding of English grammar. It covers various aspects of grammar, including word-level topics such as verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs, as well as sentence-level structures like phrases, clauses, and different types of sentences. The site provides helpful quizzes, games, and FAQs to reinforce learning, alongside articles that address common grammar issues and rules.
English Current focuses on providing a variety of grammar resources for ESL students and teachers. It includes lessons on key grammar topics such as sentence structures, common mistakes, the use of prepositions, and punctuation rules. Users can learn about specific concepts like the difference between "by" and "until," or the correct usage of phrases like "on the contrary" versus "however." The site also offers exercises to practice these grammar points, making it a comprehensive tool for improving English language skills.
Grammarism offers a vast collection of auto-generated English grammar exercises and worksheets, providing users with access to over 312,000 online exercises across more than 15,000 tests. It allows learners to practice various aspects of English grammar through interactive quizzes and downloadable PDF materials. The platform is designed to cater to different learning needs, making it a valuable resource for both students and educators looking to enhance their grammar skills.
The Grammarly blog post titled "10 Best Grammar Resources for English Language Learners" highlights essential tools for improving English grammar skills. Overall, the post serves as a valuable guide for learners seeking effective grammar resources to enhance their English skills.
The site offers many tools and materials aimed at improving grammar, vocabulary, and overall language skills. Users can access grammar guides, vocabulary lists, quizzes, and tests to enhance their understanding of English. Additionally, the site features forums for language questions and a variety of resources tailored for ESL teachers, including lesson plans, worksheets, and training materials.
Vocabulary
Access different resources to help you build your English vocabulary. All the resources below can be utilized by students at any ESL proficiency level.
ESLgold titled "Build Vocabulary" offers a variety of resources aimed at helping learners enhance their English vocabulary. It includes sections on vocabulary words and phrases, along with reading exercises designed to reinforce learning. The site provides practical tools and activities that cater to different proficiency levels, making it a valuable resource for both students and teachers seeking to improve vocabulary skills effectively.
ESL Lounge Student page serves as a comprehensive resource for learners of English, offering a variety of materials to enhance grammar, vocabulary, reading, and listening skills. It features clear explanations and easy-to-follow examples across different areas of English, with quizzes that include gap-fill, multiple choice, and matching exercises to check understanding. The site is designed to cater to various proficiency levels, providing authentic listening and reading materials.
ESL Lounge provides a comprehensive vocabulary section aimed at enhancing English language skills through a variety of exercises. It features resources organized by language level, ranging from Beginner to Advanced, allowing learners to select appropriate activities based on their proficiency. The site includes diverse vocabulary exercises designed to build and reinforce understanding of essential words and phrases, making it a valuable tool for both students and teachers looking to improve vocabulary in an engaging manner.
A4esl.org/q/h/vocabulary.html is part of the Activities for ESL Students website, which offers a wide range of resources for English language learners. This specific page focuses on self-study vocabulary quizzes designed to help students improve their English vocabulary skills. These resources are categorized by difficulty level, ranging from easy to difficult, allowing learners to choose activities that match their proficiency.
Word of the Day on EnglishClub provides learners with a daily opportunity to expand their vocabulary through four different types of words and phrases: idioms, phrasal verbs, slang, and sayings. Each entry includes the word's meaning, example sentences, notes for better understanding, and a quiz to test knowledge. This resource is designed to help learners gradually build a richer vocabulary by engaging with new words regularly, enhancing their communication skills and confidence in using English. Additionally, users can subscribe to receive these daily updates via email, making it a convenient way to incorporate vocabulary learning into their routine.
Tutor Resources
The links below are specific for ESL Tutors. Some show you where to direct your student for local resources, while others focus on supporting and strengthening your own tutoring skills.
The Capital Area District Library (CADL) provides a comprehensive guide to local ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) resources aimed at supporting individuals learning English in the Lansing area. This guide includes information about various organizations and programs that offer language learning support, as well as access to materials for English learners and citizenship resources. CADL also features online learning tools, such as Transparent Language Online, which can further assist language learners in their studies.
This document from IRRC outlines a variety of community resources available in Ingham County, including educational programs, legal assistance, employment services, food support, utility assistance, mental health care, and home visiting programs. Key organizations such as the Lansing School District, Capital Area Michigan Works, and the Refugee Development Center provide essential services for residents, particularly for immigrants and refugees. Food resources include SNAP assistance and local food banks, while mental health services cater specifically to diverse populations. Additional resources such as libraries and cultural organizations further support community engagement and access to information.
Literacy Minnesota provides a collection of resources to support remote tutoring and teaching, particularly for literacy education. These resources are designed to help tutors, teachers, and learners navigate digital platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, and WhatsApp for online education. The site offers step-by-step checklists that outline how to use these platforms effectively, including instructions on joining and scheduling meetings, sending invites, using breakout rooms, and sharing screens. Additionally, it provides in-depth online seminar guides that cover best practices, in-meeting controls and settings, and host responsibilities
USAHello is an online resource center aimed at supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants in the United States. The platform offers free classes in various languages to help users prepare for the GED and US citizenship tests, allowing them to learn at their own pace on any device. Designed specifically for English language learners, the courses include lessons and quizzes that can be repeated as needed. Additionally, USAHello features the FindHello app, which helps users locate essential local services such as legal assistance, health clinics, and housing support. Overall, USAHello serves as a comprehensive hub for information and education, empowering newcomers to thrive in their new communities.
Can't find what you're looking for?
This isn't all of our resources! Contact your program coordinator to ask about specific subjects and topics that you need more help with, as we may have a resource better suited to your needs at our learning center.