Top Free Resources for ESL Teaching
Whether you’re new to teaching or a seasoned pro looking to spice up your lessons, finding the right resources can sometimes feel overwhelming. Luckily, there’s a wealth of free options available to help you plan, create, and deliver engaging ESL lessons.
From planning engaging activities and creating worksheets to finding examples for tricky grammar points, lesson planning requires creativity, time, and effort. For many teachers, juggling all these elements without knowing what works best for their students can feel overwhelming.
To make this process easier for you, we’ve compiled some of the top free ESL resources that you can use to plan effective and engaging lessons with ease.
Activities & Lesson Planning
Planning effective lessons that keep your students engaged and learning during class can be time-consuming, but the right resources you can make it much easier. Whether you’re designing a complete lesson or just looking for engaging activities to supplement your teaching, the following resources provide everything from lesson plans, interactive activities and printable worksheets.
The British Council
The British Council offers a vast amount of quality teaching materials such as free lesson plans, worksheets, grammar, reading, writing, and listening exercises for students of all levels. With their extensive database, you’ll be able to easily tailor a professional and fun teaching experience for your students.
Explore their resources here: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/resources
BusyTeacher
With over 17,000 worksheets contributed by educators from around the world, BusyTeacher is a one-stop shop for ESL teaching materials. The site offers lesson plans, worksheets, exercises, and activity ideas for everything from grammar and vocabulary to reading and speaking.
Explore their resources here: https://busyteacher.org/
ISLCollective
This teacher-driven platform hosts a vast collection of free worksheets, PowerPoint presentations, and activity ideas. Their resources are categorized by topic, level, and activity type, making it easy to find materials that align with your lesson objectives. You can also customize many resources to fit your classroom needs.
Explore their resources here: https://en.islcollective.com/
Onestopenglish
Onestopenglish provides thousands of lesson plans, multimedia materials, and interactive classroom activities. Whether you’re teaching grammar, vocabulary, or specific skills like listening and speaking, the site has resources tailored to different proficiency levels and learning goals.
Explore their resources here: https://www.onestopenglish.com/
Pearson’s GSE Teacher Toolkit
The Global Scale of English (GSE) Teacher Toolkit is a free resource designed to help teachers plan lessons with precision and confidence. It’s aligned with Pearson’s Global Scale of English, which offers detailed learning objectives, activity ideas, and grammar goals for different proficiency levels.
Explore their resources here: https://www.english.com/gse/teacher-toolkit/user/lo
English Club
English Club is a comprehensive platform designed to support both ESL teachers and learners. It offers a wealth of grammar explanations, vocabulary lists, teaching tips, and interactive exercises, along with a dedicated forum where educators and students can ask questions, share ideas, and discuss language learning challenges.
Explore their resources here: https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/
Listening & Speaking Resources
Listening and speaking are key components of language acquisition, yet often the most challenging to practice. This section features resources designed to improve pronunciation, listening comprehension, and conversational skills. These tools provide engaging ways to help your students build confidence and fluency.
Elllo
Elllo offers a treasure trove of listening exercises featuring global accents and real-life scenarios. Each activity comes with transcripts and comprehension questions, which can help your students practice listening and understanding authentic English.
Explore their resources here: https://www.elllo.org/
BBC Learning English
BBC Learning English is a trusted and widely used resource that provides high-quality materials for both ESL teachers and learners. It offers free lessons, videos, podcasts, and interactive exercises that cover a wide range of topics, from grammar and vocabulary to pronunciation and real-world communication skills that are suitable for students at various levels.
Explore their resources here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/
YouGlish
YouGlish is a unique pronunciation tool that helps ESL teachers and learners hear how words and phrases are used in real-life contexts. By pulling examples from a vast library of online videos, YouGlish allows users to search for any word or phrase and instantly hear it spoken by native speakers in different accents and settings. It’s an excellent for improving students’ pronunciation, listening comprehension, and understanding of natural speech patterns.
Explore their resources here: https://youglish.com/
Super Simple
Super Simple is a fantastic resource for ESL teachers working with young learners. Known for its engaging and educational songs, videos, and activities, Super Simple helps children grasp new vocabulary, phrases, and concepts through music and interactive learning. Its materials are fun, easy to follow, and specifically designed to meet the needs of beginner-level students.
Explore their resources here: https://supersimple.com/
Deep English
Deep English is a great resource for ESL teachers aiming to improve their students’ listening and speaking fluency. Focused on real-world language use, it provides engaging audio and video lessons designed to build confidence and comprehension through immersive storytelling and discussion topics. The materials are ideal for intermediate to advanced learners looking to go beyond basic English skills.
Explore their resources here: https://deepenglish.com/
Reading & Writing Resources
Developing strong reading and writing skills is crucial for overall language proficiency. The following resources offer a variety of free texts and reading passages, comprehension activities, and writing guides that you can use to help your students develop literacy skills in an engaging and structured way.
Linguapress
Linguapress is an excellent resource for ESL teachers looking to enhance reading comprehension and critical thinking skills in their students. It offers free graded reading texts, vocabulary support, and interactive activities designed for intermediate and advanced learners. The materials are tailored to help students engage with authentic English, making it ideal for developing literacy and cultural awareness.
Explore their resources here: https://linguapress.com/
ReadWorks
ReadWorks is a highly valuable resource for ESL teachers aiming to improve students’ reading comprehension. Whether you’re working on reading fluency, comprehension, or vocabulary development, it offers a vast collection of leveled reading passages with accompanying questions and vocabulary activities. This makes it easy to find materials suited to your students’ abilities and learning goals.
Explore their resources here: https://www.readworks.org/
News in Levels
News in Levels is an excellent resource for ESL teachers aiming to enhance their students’ reading and listening skills through current events. It presents news articles rewritten into three levels of difficulty, allowing learners to engage with content that matches their proficiency. Each article is accompanied by audio recordings that enables students to practice listening comprehension alongside reading.
Explore their resources here: https://www.newsinlevels.com/
StoryWeaver
StoryWeaver is a fun resource for ESL teachers looking to engage young learners with creative, multilingual stories. The platform offers a vast library of illustrated children’s stories, making it ideal for building literacy skills and fostering a love for reading. You can download, share, and even adapt stories to suit your lesson objectives or students’ needs.
Explore their resources here: https://storyweaver.org.in/en
Breaking News English
Breaking News English is useful for ESL teachers who want to integrate current events into their lessons. The site offers a wide range of news articles written at multiple levels of difficulty, making it easy to tailor content to students’ proficiency. Each article comes with a variety of exercises, including vocabulary practice, listening tasks, and discussion questions, providing a comprehensive learning experience.
Explore their resources here: http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/
Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab)
Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) is a trusted resource for ESL teachers and students alike, offering detailed guides on English grammar, writing, and mechanics. While originally designed for academic writing, its comprehensive content is great for ESL learners looking to improve their written communication skills.
Explore their resources here: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/
Visual Aids
Visual aids play a crucial role in language learning by helping students understand and retain information more effectively. The following resources are useful tools that you can use for creating flashcards, charts, posters, and other visual materials that bring your lessons to life. They are perfect for teachers looking to make their classrooms more vibrant and interactive.
Canva
Canva is a versatile design platform that’s especially useful for ESL teachers looking to create visually appealing and engaging materials. With its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, you can easily design and customize everything from flashcards and posters to worksheets and slides, tailoring them to fit different lesson themes or student levels in just minutes.
Explore their resources here: https://www.canva.com/education/teaching-resources/
Flaticon
Flaticon is a versatile resource for ESL teachers who want to enhance their teaching materials with quality visuals. Offering a vast collection of free icons, Flaticon makes it easy to add professional-looking graphics to worksheets, flashcards, presentations, and more. With icons available in various formats and customizable colors, it’s a flexible tool for creating engaging visual aids that help students better understand and retain information.
Explore their resources here: https://www.flaticon.com/
Pinterest offers a treasure trove of creative ideas and visual resources for lesson planning and classroom activities. With thousands of boards and pins contributed by educators worldwide, they offer inspiration for everything from worksheets and flashcards to teaching strategies and classroom management tips. Its visual and searchable format makes it easy to explore and organize ideas for any teaching context.
Explore their resources here: https://www.pinterest.com/
Dictionaries
Dictionaries are essential tools for both teachers and students. Whether you’re preparing lesson materials or helping students learn new vocabulary, having access to a range of dictionaries can help you gain a more comprehensive understanding of words and their usage.
Many dictionary publishers offer different types of dictionaries that are designed for different purposes:
🧑🏫 General dictionaries: These types of dictionaries are designed for native and advanced-level speakers. They provide extensive definitions, synonyms, and usage examples, making them suitable for ESL teachers.
🧑🎓Learner’s dictionaries: These types of dictionaries are tailored for non-native speaking learners. They contain simplify definitions, provide real-world usage examples, and often include pronunciation guides, making them ideal for ESL students.
Let’s now take a look at some of the most popular online dictionaries:
Cambridge Dictionary
Cambridge is renowned for its high-quality dictionaries, offering both general and learner-focused editions that are perfect for ESL teachers and students. Whether your students are mastering the basics or diving into more complex language use, Cambridge’s dictionaries are reliable tools for building vocabulary and improving comprehension.
- Cambridge English Dictionary provides detailed definitions and extensive examples.
- Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary offers simplified definitions and tools for ESL students.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Merriam-Webster is one of the most respected names in English language dictionaries, offering resources for both native speakers and ESL learners. Known for their clarity and depth, their dictionaries include both general dictionaries and learner-focused editions, making them a versatile choice for teachers and students alike.
- Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary is useful for teachers needing in-depth word explanations and advanced synonyms.
- The Britannica Dictionary, previously Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary, provides simplified vocabulary and example-rich definitions for ESL learners.
Oxford Dictionary
Oxford University Press is a leading authority in dictionary publishing, renowned for its high-quality resources that support both native speakers and ESL learners. With a focus on accurate definitions, practical usuage, and real-world examples, their dictionaries are trusted by educators and students worldwide.
- Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is unmatched for its depth and historical insights.
- Oxford Learner’s Dictionary focuses on ESL learners with simplified definitions, collocations, and grammar tips.
Collins Dictionary
Collins combines tradition with modern linguistics to create resources that are both comprehensive and practical, especially for ESL learners. Their English Dictionary offers detailed definitions and idioms for native speakers and advanced learners.
Explore the dictionary here: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/
Longman Dictionary
Longman focuses on making English accessible for learners, with dictionaries that emphasize real-world language use and practical application. Their Dictionary of Contemporary English is popular for its focus on frequent collocations and example-rich entries, making it useful for all levels and types of learners.
Explore the dictionary here: https://www.ldoceonline.com/
Dictionary.com
Dictionary.com is a versatile and accessible online dictionary that serves as a valuable tool for both ESL teachers and learners. Known for its user-friendly design, it provides clear definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences to support language learning at all levels.
Explore the dictionary here: https://www.dictionary.com/
Ozdic Dictionary
Ozdic is a specialized online dictionary that focuses on English collocations, making it an invaluable tool for ESL teachers and students. Unlike traditional dictionaries, Ozdic helps learners understand which words naturally go together, which is especially useful for teaching vocabulary in context and helping students write and speak with greater accuracy.
Explore the dictionary here: https://ozdic.com/
Grammar Resources
Grammar can be a stumbling block for both teachers and learners, but having access to the right resources can make it easier to understand and practice. The following resources provide a mix of useful grammar explanations, interactive exercises, and community-driven forums that break down complex grammar rules which can help you to accurately and confidently explain grammar to your students.
Grammar Monster
Grammar Monster is an excellent online resource for ESL teachers seeking inspiration on how to simplify complex grammar concepts for their students. With detailed explanations, engaging visuals, practical examples, and interactive quizzes, it’s a versatile tool for making grammar lessons more engaging and effective.
Explore their resources here: https://www.grammar-monster.com/
Grammarly
Grammarly’s Blog is a valuable resource for ESL teachers seeking clear and concise grammar explanations to share with their students. Covering a wide range of topics, the blog uses straightforward language and practical examples, making it ideal for simplifying complex concepts and providing real-world context.
Explore their resources here: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/grammar/
Perfect English Grammar
Perfect English Grammar is a practical and user-friendly resource designed to help ESL teachers simplify grammar concepts for learners at all proficiency levels. The site provides clear explanations, numerous examples, and downloadable exercises, making it an excellent tool for lesson preparation and addressing common grammar challenges.
Explore their resources here: https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/
EnglishGrammar
EnglishGrammar is a comprehensive resource for ESL teachers looking to provide clear and detailed grammar explanations to their students. The site covers a wide range of topics, from basic sentence structure to advanced grammar points, making it suitable for learners of all levels.
Explore their resources here: https://www.englishgrammar.org/
WordReference
WordReference is a versatile online tool that combines dictionary definitions with an active forum, making it an invaluable resource for ESL teachers and students alike. The forums provide detailed discussions on grammar, word usage, and language nuances, making it the perfect go-to for tackling more challenging grammar questions.
Explore their resources here: https://forum.wordreference.com/
English Language & Usage Section on Stack Exchange
The English Language & Usage Section on Stack Exchange is a community-driven platform where ESL teachers and learners can explore detailed questions about English grammar, vocabulary, and usage. With insights from experienced language enthusiasts, native speakers, and linguists, it’s a great resource for tackling trickier grammar points and word usage.
Explore their resources here: https://english.stackexchange.com/
Final thoughts
Whether you’re planning your next lesson from scratch or just searching for supplementary materials, these resources can offer valuable tools and inspiration to support your lesson planning. Keep in mind, however, that the resources listed here are just a small sample of the many free materials available to support ESL educators. If you spend some time to exploring online, you’ll be sure to find even more fantastic options to support your teaching.
To learn more about selecting the right teaching materials for your ESL lessons, be sure to check out our post on how to select suitable teaching materials.
If you have any tips on ESL resources that you find useful, feel free to leave a comment below for your fellow teachers!
Happy teaching!
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