ESL for Adults

In This Guide

Most Popular

  1. Olympic Student-Athletes: Balancing School and Sport

  2. Satellite Determines New Birthday for the Universe

  3. The Vancouver Olympics in the Classroom

  4. Martin Luther King Jr., Civil Rights Leader

  5. Seeding the Clouds for Drought Relief

  6. “Temple Grandin” Sheds New Light on Autistic Experience

  7. On This Day: US Hockey Beats USSR in “Miracle on Ice”

  8. Vancouver Olympians: Snowboarder Shaun White

  9. Happy Birthday, W.E.B. Du Bois, Civil Rights Pioneer and Social Historian

  10. Vancouver Olympians: Ice Dancers Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin

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English as a Second Language (ESL): Lesson Plans, Resources and More

More people in more places are speaking English than ever before. As worldwide dependence on English has spread, so has the need for people of all ages and language backgrounds to learn it. Use this English as a Second Language (ESL) Web Guide to find lesson plans designed for both adult and child learners along with valuable resources to help adults prepare for important tests. A Spanish-language version of the Guide is also available.

ESL for Children

Teaching ESL for children may be easier than teaching adults because children are ... read more »

ESL for Adults

Teaching ESL for adults can be especially rewarding because adults are usually more motivated and disciplined when learning English, and may work harder than younger students.

Insights for ESL for Adults

  • Don’t get fooled into paying for resources. Although some pay sites offer dependable content, you’re just as likely to find great stuff somewhere else. The Web is full of free resources and we’ll show you where to look.
  • If you have access to computers in your room, there are many sites that offer listening exercises and interactive language activities. These can be good for both advanced and struggling students.

Top Sites for ESL for Adults

For ESL lesson plans and other resources …
Adult Education ESL Teachers Guide offers a step-by-step introduction to teaching ESL for adults. Find advice for getting started as well as beginning and intermediate lesson plans.
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The Internet TESL Journal has more than 10 years worth of archived information for ESL teachers. Look for teaching techniques, articles and lesson plans, or browse the issues by topic using the navigation bar at the top of the page.
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EduFind is a great place to find quick help on English grammar, punctuation and writing. The best part of the site, however, is the English testing. Register for free to access tests, games and quizzes.
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For interactive ESL exercises, quizzes and puzzles …
Activities for ESL Students has quizzes, puzzles and help for ESL teachers. Also find a full section on bilingual quizzes for use in the classroom.
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Aardvark’s English Forum has easy-to-use, interactive exercises and quizzes for ESL students of all levels. The exercises provide a challenge for students who need extra help and those who are ahead of the class.
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Dave’s ESL Café warehouses ESL information for teachers and students. Teachers will find lesson plans and job information. Students can get help with pronunciation, take quizzes and ask for help in the Help Center.
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For an online ESL teaching community …
Teachers.net hosts a chat for ESL teachers that sparks discussion about shared questions and concerns, and allows teachers to share resources.
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Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

The TOEFL, Test of English as a Foreign Language, is an important tool in helping ... read more »

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