Websites and Apps for Teachers
LinguaPress
http://linguapress.com/
This site has a number of printable articles and short stories with British and American themes designed for beginning to advanced learners. Definitions for difficult vocabulary are located at the end of each piece of writing along with comprehension questions and exercises. Teaching suggestions are also provided.
http://linguapress.com/
This site has a number of printable articles and short stories with British and American themes designed for beginning to advanced learners. Definitions for difficult vocabulary are located at the end of each piece of writing along with comprehension questions and exercises. Teaching suggestions are also provided.
Tiny TEFL Teacher
http://www.tinyteflteacher.co.uk/
Printable classroom game materials on vocabulary, grammar and speaking. Lesson ideas for holidays. Links to other helpful teaching websites.
http://www.tinyteflteacher.co.uk/
Printable classroom game materials on vocabulary, grammar and speaking. Lesson ideas for holidays. Links to other helpful teaching websites.
Using English
http://www.usingenglish.com/
Offers free lesson plan downloads for teachers on a wide range of topics from IELTS prep to business English.
http://www.usingenglish.com/
Offers free lesson plan downloads for teachers on a wide range of topics from IELTS prep to business English.
Connexions
www.connexions.org
This site offers free access to teaching articles and educational materials for parents and teachers. The search feature is organized much like a library database with author, keyword and subject options.
http://cnx.org/content/m18046/latest/
www.connexions.org
This site offers free access to teaching articles and educational materials for parents and teachers. The search feature is organized much like a library database with author, keyword and subject options.
http://cnx.org/content/m18046/latest/
Multimeida
http://lessonplans.btskinner.com/multimedia.html
Contains a variety of themes for using technology in lesson planning and one link on that webpage in particular has many prepared lesson plans (in Word format) on a huge range of tech applications.
Finder's credit: Fred Duquette
http://lessonplans.btskinner.com/multimedia.html
Contains a variety of themes for using technology in lesson planning and one link on that webpage in particular has many prepared lesson plans (in Word format) on a huge range of tech applications.
Finder's credit: Fred Duquette
English Central
http://blog.englishcentral.com/2013/04/08/video-appreciation/
The jack-pot for using video in the language classroom. The author includes dozens of links to other useful sites, articles, and videos.
http://blog.englishcentral.com/2013/04/08/video-appreciation/
The jack-pot for using video in the language classroom. The author includes dozens of links to other useful sites, articles, and videos.
ESL Galaxy
www.esl-galaxy.com/video.htm
ESL Galaxy seems to be geared toward children although there are a few movies that would appeal to adults as well. The top of the list is Harry Potter followed by Indiana Jones. Free worksheet are offered with each movie title.
www.esl-galaxy.com/video.htm
ESL Galaxy seems to be geared toward children although there are a few movies that would appeal to adults as well. The top of the list is Harry Potter followed by Indiana Jones. Free worksheet are offered with each movie title.
Sue Swift's ELT blogpage contains lesson plans and teaching advice for most basic subjects and levels. Topics include grammar, speaking, writing, listening, young learners, and suggestions on how to create video lessons. I didn't notice any section for advanced learners but it's still a good resource.
http://eltnotebook.blogspot.com
http://eltnotebook.blogspot.com
Larry Ferlazzo runs a wonderful blog where he regularly posts useful information for teachers of English. Blogs I have read are: The Best Sites to Practice Speaking English, http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2008/03/17/the-best-sites-to-practice-speaking-english/
and The Best Popular Movies/TV Shows For ESL/EFL (& How To Use Them) http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2008/04/26/the-best-popular-moviestv-shows-for-eslefl/. Both of them are packed with resources and links to further explore the original websites and authors.
http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/
and The Best Popular Movies/TV Shows For ESL/EFL (& How To Use Them) http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2008/04/26/the-best-popular-moviestv-shows-for-eslefl/. Both of them are packed with resources and links to further explore the original websites and authors.
http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/
This is one of the best methods of teaching vocabulary I have found yet using an iPad. I create my list of vocabulary words from the books I will read to my class of preschoolers. Then I do a Google search for each word and tap "save image" on the most appropriate photo, which saves the picture in my camera role. Then I open Keynote, choose the slide option that is a full-screen photograph and paste a slide for each word on my list. I touch the "+" icon at the bottom to the slide and choose the picture I want from the camera role. Finally I add text, increasing the font size to about 130 pts. and make sure the word is readable over the picture in the background. The slide show is ready to go on an easily portable device that all the children can see. The photographs make the meaning of each word a lot more accessible to the young learners and the editing software makes for a quick job of combining the photos and words.
ESL Commando
www.eslcommando.com/
This website has a good variety of resources for the four language skills, grammar, and pronunciation. I originally found it while searching for materials for a listening lesson and was intrigued by the lesson based on the movie trailer for Thor. I always appreciate authors who share their activities as free downloads.
www.eslcommando.com/
This website has a good variety of resources for the four language skills, grammar, and pronunciation. I originally found it while searching for materials for a listening lesson and was intrigued by the lesson based on the movie trailer for Thor. I always appreciate authors who share their activities as free downloads.
www.eslteachersboard.com/
Grand central for teachers looking for jobs, lesson materials, travel tips, and professional development. The last line under the "For Teachers" column links to a discussion board of teachers looking for key pals for their classes.
Grand central for teachers looking for jobs, lesson materials, travel tips, and professional development. The last line under the "For Teachers" column links to a discussion board of teachers looking for key pals for their classes.
Epals
www.epals.com/#!/main
Epals is a free site designed for K-12 teachers who want their students to have a cross-cultural experience. Children can interact using different platforms in a safely monitored online environment.
www.epals.com/#!/main
Epals is a free site designed for K-12 teachers who want their students to have a cross-cultural experience. Children can interact using different platforms in a safely monitored online environment.
ESL Fast
http://www.eslfast.com/
One of the few websites that offers free material for beginning readers, ESL Fast has 365 short stories for beginning to intermediate learners. Some of the stories have audio which can be played at a normal speed or slowed down. Besides extensive reading, there are also dialogue exercises. The annoying adds can be avoided with a paid membership.
http://www.eslfast.com/
One of the few websites that offers free material for beginning readers, ESL Fast has 365 short stories for beginning to intermediate learners. Some of the stories have audio which can be played at a normal speed or slowed down. Besides extensive reading, there are also dialogue exercises. The annoying adds can be avoided with a paid membership.
Teaching ESL to Adults
http://www.teaching-esl-to-adults.com
Lots of teaching ideas.Most of the information is presented in prose format rather than charts and printable worksheets.
http://www.teaching-esl-to-adults.com
Lots of teaching ideas.Most of the information is presented in prose format rather than charts and printable worksheets.
ESL Podcasts
http://www.esl-library.com/blog/category/podcasts/
Allows visitors to choose podcasts from a range of topics. Each podcast is about 2-5 min. long. Although they are designed for ESL listeners, the intended level is not mentioned in the accompanying descriptions. Finder's credit: Fred Duquette
Randall’s ESL lab
http://www.esl-lab.com/
This site has lots of listening exercises and quizzes for beginning to intermediate learners. Finder's credit: Fred Duquette.
http://www.esl-lab.com/
This site has lots of listening exercises and quizzes for beginning to intermediate learners. Finder's credit: Fred Duquette.
Fotopedia
could be used as a research assignment for advanced classes. When the app opens, it shows a world map and numbered pins indicating the number of stories available in that location. I chose the one with four options near Cuba and ended up with a story titled “Meet the people of Trinidad”. The author tells a few facts about the islanders which are accompanied by high-quality photographs of natives to the area. The whole story takes about 5 minutes to read. Some of the vocabulary may be difficult but not insurmountable for advanced learners. As long as the students are given some general guidelines about the number of pages they are expected to read and how many details to include in their report, the assignment shouldn’t be overwhelming.
could be used as a research assignment for advanced classes. When the app opens, it shows a world map and numbered pins indicating the number of stories available in that location. I chose the one with four options near Cuba and ended up with a story titled “Meet the people of Trinidad”. The author tells a few facts about the islanders which are accompanied by high-quality photographs of natives to the area. The whole story takes about 5 minutes to read. Some of the vocabulary may be difficult but not insurmountable for advanced learners. As long as the students are given some general guidelines about the number of pages they are expected to read and how many details to include in their report, the assignment shouldn’t be overwhelming.
iMovie
allows users to create, edit, and share professional-looking videos. This may be a good supplement to a speaking class since the students could record themselves acting out the traditional role plays and then edit the content to create a more professional feel to the video. The app is adjustable to any level by varying the difficulty and length of the script for the role plays.
allows users to create, edit, and share professional-looking videos. This may be a good supplement to a speaking class since the students could record themselves acting out the traditional role plays and then edit the content to create a more professional feel to the video. The app is adjustable to any level by varying the difficulty and length of the script for the role plays.
Puppet
relies on still shots as its base. It gives the option of adding narration to a series of pictures taken from the mobile device’s camera role. This is another good app for speaking practice that can be adjusted to the level of the students. The end product can be shared through email, Facebook, or Twitter.
relies on still shots as its base. It gives the option of adding narration to a series of pictures taken from the mobile device’s camera role. This is another good app for speaking practice that can be adjusted to the level of the students. The end product can be shared through email, Facebook, or Twitter.
Bamboo Paper
is very similar to Paper 53 in its drawing capacity. It offers the user a thick marker in addition to the fine-tip pencil and a couple more sharing options in Dropbox, Evernote, and the capability of linking to a wireless printer. The one major difference is that Bamboo Paper provides one free notebook whereas Paper 53 offers multiple notebooks that can be labeled according to topic or content. Both apps try to sell users on an interactive stylus available for online purchase. For most purposes, the freebees are sufficient. Teachers may find it useful for drawing little illustration or cartoons to support teaching points and posting them on the class Facebook page or adding a drawing to an explanation and emailing it to a student.
is very similar to Paper 53 in its drawing capacity. It offers the user a thick marker in addition to the fine-tip pencil and a couple more sharing options in Dropbox, Evernote, and the capability of linking to a wireless printer. The one major difference is that Bamboo Paper provides one free notebook whereas Paper 53 offers multiple notebooks that can be labeled according to topic or content. Both apps try to sell users on an interactive stylus available for online purchase. For most purposes, the freebees are sufficient. Teachers may find it useful for drawing little illustration or cartoons to support teaching points and posting them on the class Facebook page or adding a drawing to an explanation and emailing it to a student.
Dropbox
is a life-saver for teachers who need to share huge data files that don’t fit in emails. Many of the other apps link to this site making it simple to share work quickly and efficiently. Even though the interface is apparently simple, it is advisable to give students handouts on how to post their work in the right slot.
is a life-saver for teachers who need to share huge data files that don’t fit in emails. Many of the other apps link to this site making it simple to share work quickly and efficiently. Even though the interface is apparently simple, it is advisable to give students handouts on how to post their work in the right slot.
Audiobooks
offers a wide selection of free books such as The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Aesop’s Fables. Titles in black font are free. The audio quality is not as good as Audible but it is a live reader so the intonation and phrasing are natural. One possible disadvantage is the size of the downloads (232 MB for Sherlock Holmes). All the recordings can be previewed prior to downloading. The other downfall of this app is the sheer number of text available. Teachers may need to compile a booklist based on their students’ interest and ability to accompany any assignment they design based on this app.
offers a wide selection of free books such as The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Aesop’s Fables. Titles in black font are free. The audio quality is not as good as Audible but it is a live reader so the intonation and phrasing are natural. One possible disadvantage is the size of the downloads (232 MB for Sherlock Holmes). All the recordings can be previewed prior to downloading. The other downfall of this app is the sheer number of text available. Teachers may need to compile a booklist based on their students’ interest and ability to accompany any assignment they design based on this app.
Tongue Twisters
Designed for recovering stroke patients, the app lists hundreds of tongue twisters that can be used for pronunciation practice. Advanced students may pick a few to hone in on for extra practice on persistently troublesome letters or blends.
Grammar Bank
www.grammarbank.com
Designed for K-12 teachers, this website is good source of materials in the form of charts, quizzes and TOEFL preparation. All parts of speech are covered.
www.grammarbank.com
Designed for K-12 teachers, this website is good source of materials in the form of charts, quizzes and TOEFL preparation. All parts of speech are covered.
Teacher Resource Books
An great resource for anyone teaching grammar. Each chapter ends with common errors produced by learners from different L1s and teaching suggestions.
For the first four chapters, this book explores methods of teaching grammar from rules, from examples and through texts giving practical sample lessons at the end of each chapter. Other chapters are on practicing, integrating, and testing grammar along with a final word of advice on how not to do it.
How to Teach Vocabulary
Another great resource by Scott Thornbury, this book explains several methods of teaching vocabulary such as what it takes to remember a new word, along with teaching and testing techniques.
Another great resource by Scott Thornbury, this book explains several methods of teaching vocabulary such as what it takes to remember a new word, along with teaching and testing techniques.
Hinkel and Fotos present a collection of articles on ways to introduce grammar in curriculum through task-based approaches, discourse, corpus data and awareness of structures. The book also introduces various research methods in current use. It is designed to offer teachers the resources they need to develop the curriculum best suited to their students’ needs.
A classic overview of English language teaching.
This book was really helpful in designing effective speaking activities for my advanced student. First the author explains the characteristics of good speaking activities and then he lists 10 ten examples of well-designed activities. These are preceded by 10 poorly designed activities accompanied with explanations of their short-comings. This way the teacher can see what not to do as well as what an effective activity looks like.
A must-have for any grammar class! This book is packed with off-the-shelf activities that a busy teacher can look up, legally photocopy, and use the next day. The activities are classified according to topic for easy reference and can be used as-is or easily adapted fit the textbook.
Another must-have for busy teachers. These activities literally take 5 minutes or less to prepare.
Teaching Pronunciation: A Reference for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages
A comprehensive guide that skillfully combines theory with practice. This is a classic resource for anyone who will be teaching a pronunciation course. Activities can be gleaned from the examples and some materials are provided such as the diagnostic passage and accent checklist in the appendix.
A comprehensive guide that skillfully combines theory with practice. This is a classic resource for anyone who will be teaching a pronunciation course. Activities can be gleaned from the examples and some materials are provided such as the diagnostic passage and accent checklist in the appendix.
Tips for Teaching Culture: Practical approaches to Intercultural Communication
This book is great resource for teachers who are dealing with new immigrants who need to acculturate into Western society. The authors both worked in foreign countries for several and can give advice on dealing with cross-cultural issues from first-hand experience. Each chapter includes ready-made lessons that can be legally photocopied and used in the classroom.
This book is great resource for teachers who are dealing with new immigrants who need to acculturate into Western society. The authors both worked in foreign countries for several and can give advice on dealing with cross-cultural issues from first-hand experience. Each chapter includes ready-made lessons that can be legally photocopied and used in the classroom.
The Practice of
English Language Teaching
While this book doesn’t have ready to go lessons, it is a wonderful guide on how to create and implement lesson plans. The fourth edition is available with a CD that shows teachers conducting lessons in their classrooms and an interview afterward where the teacher explains what they did and why.
While this book doesn’t have ready to go lessons, it is a wonderful guide on how to create and implement lesson plans. The fourth edition is available with a CD that shows teachers conducting lessons in their classrooms and an interview afterward where the teacher explains what they did and why.
Teaching English Language Learners through Technology
The first two sections of the book give the reader an overview of current research findings on use of technology in the classroom and some pointers on how and when to implement technology in an ESL program. The last section is a detailed list of technology-based activities to achieve varying goals. These include communication, writing/reading, listening, and assessment.
The first two sections of the book give the reader an overview of current research findings on use of technology in the classroom and some pointers on how and when to implement technology in an ESL program. The last section is a detailed list of technology-based activities to achieve varying goals. These include communication, writing/reading, listening, and assessment.
English for Academic Purposes: A Guide and Resource Book for Teachers
The first part of this book explains how teaching academic English varies from the standard variety taught in most adult schools. The second section offers advice on preparing students for academic coursework, understanding lectures, what vocabulary to teach, and examination skills they will need in the college environment.
The first part of this book explains how teaching academic English varies from the standard variety taught in most adult schools. The second section offers advice on preparing students for academic coursework, understanding lectures, what vocabulary to teach, and examination skills they will need in the college environment.
How to Teach English
This is another one of those wonderful books that tells the teacher how to design lessons and then gives lots of examples at the end. Jeremy Harmer takes a very down-to-earth approach in describing how to teach the various aspects of language and also addresses management, good teaching and good learning practices.
This is another one of those wonderful books that tells the teacher how to design lessons and then gives lots of examples at the end. Jeremy Harmer takes a very down-to-earth approach in describing how to teach the various aspects of language and also addresses management, good teaching and good learning practices.
Materials Evaluation and Design for Language Teaching
With example materials provided at the end, the book gives a good set of advice on how to collect and adapt materials to meet a class’s specific needs. I especially liked the chapter on evaluating the effects. For example, they suggest asking learners to list 3 things they liked about the textbook, 3 things they didn’t like, and 3 reasons they thought the book was useful.
With example materials provided at the end, the book gives a good set of advice on how to collect and adapt materials to meet a class’s specific needs. I especially liked the chapter on evaluating the effects. For example, they suggest asking learners to list 3 things they liked about the textbook, 3 things they didn’t like, and 3 reasons they thought the book was useful.
Chalk Talks
An oldie but goodie, this book was published in 1994. The concept of enhancing learning with drawings is ageless, as the Chinese proverb states, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Learners of all ages and backgrounds will enjoy the simple caricatures and stories told through the drawings.
An oldie but goodie, this book was published in 1994. The concept of enhancing learning with drawings is ageless, as the Chinese proverb states, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Learners of all ages and backgrounds will enjoy the simple caricatures and stories told through the drawings.
Advanced Learners
This book is pure activities classified according to topic. Most state that they are suitable for any level but there are a few that will only worked with high-intermediate to advanced learners.
This book is pure activities classified according to topic. Most state that they are suitable for any level but there are a few that will only worked with high-intermediate to advanced learners.
Language Activities for Teenagers
This is the first book I’ve seen that starts off with a section on maintaining discipline in the classroom. The entire volume is ready-made activities classified according to skill area along with ice breakers and other “filler” exercises.
This is the first book I’ve seen that starts off with a section on maintaining discipline in the classroom. The entire volume is ready-made activities classified according to skill area along with ice breakers and other “filler” exercises.
Using Authentic Video in the Language Classroom
A really helpful guide for turning the deluge language students are exposed to in authentic video into manageable tasks. Most of the book is devoted to practical activities to use with video such as analyzing turn-taking etiquette and practices through watching talk shows.
A really helpful guide for turning the deluge language students are exposed to in authentic video into manageable tasks. Most of the book is devoted to practical activities to use with video such as analyzing turn-taking etiquette and practices through watching talk shows.
Stories: Narrative Activities in the Language Classroom
As the title suggests, these are a bunch of activities that are based on stories such as Aesop’s Fables. It is most suitable for intermediate to advanced learners. A few are labeled as “All Levels”.
As the title suggests, these are a bunch of activities that are based on stories such as Aesop’s Fables. It is most suitable for intermediate to advanced learners. A few are labeled as “All Levels”.