WEB RESOURCES FOR ENGLISH L ANGUAGE

TEACHING AND LEARNING

REVISED, 2021

CONTENTS
1. Teaching the Four Skills .....................................................................................................................2

1a. Speaking and Listening ...............................................................................................................2

1b. Reading ........................................................................................................................................3

1c. Writing .........................................................................................................................................4

1d. Literacy .......................................................................................................................................6

2. U.S. Culture........................................................................................................................................7

3. Songs and Games ..............................................................................................................................8

4. Teaching Methods .............................................................................................................................9

5. ESL and EFL Websites.......................................................................................................................9

6. Grammar and Vocabulary .................................................................................................................11

7. Young Learners ................................................................................................................................ 13

8. Learning Differences ....................................................................................................................... 13

9. Reference Tools (dictionaries, thesauruses, encyclopedias) ...........................................................14

10. Professional Development ............................................................................................................ 15

© 2018 by the Office of English Language Programs. Web Resources for English Language Teaching and
Learning. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License, except where noted.
To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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1. TEACHING THE FOUR SKILLS

1A. SPEAKING AND LISTENING

Annenberg Foundation’s Connect with English

http://www.learner.org/ A free video series which follows the adventures of Rebecca Casey across the
U.S. Closed captioning is available, and the dialogue is simplified. Watch the videos then click on the
Practice tab to find exercises, quizzes, lesson plans, and grammar pointers.

BrainPOP ELL
https://ell.brainpop.com/ A website of English as a Second Language (ESL) activities on a variety of
topics, skills, and levels. Each level features a “Hear It, Say It” section where learners can listen to a
movie then record themselves speaking the same sentence.

ESL Video
http://www.eslvideo.com/ Free videos on a wide range of topics at five levels, from beginner to
advanced. Each video has a quiz to take online and get immediate results.

National Public Radio

http://www.npr.org/ Excellent resource for national and world news as well as stories on business,
politics, health, science, technology, music, arts, and culture. The site has podcasts which can be
downloaded and listened to later and transcripts for reading along while listening.

Sounds of English
https://www.soundsofenglish.org/ A website with pronunciation and phonetics resources and guides for
minimal pairs in English.

Speech Accent Archive

http://accent.gmu.edu Features 300 speech samples from around the world reading the same English
paragraph.

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TED Videos
www.ted.com TED (which stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design) is owned by a non-profit
organization whose goal is to spread great ideas and spark conversation through powerful and inspiring
short talks.

Voice of America’s Learning English

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/ VOA’s Learning English was formerly Special English and is a
broadcasting service funded by the U.S. Government through the Broadcasting Board of Governors. It is
a multimedia source of news and information so people can read, listen, and learn American English
through online texts, MP3s, and podcasts. The captioned videos are written using vocabulary at the
intermediate and upper-beginner levels, and the programs are read one-third slower than normal English
speed.

VowelCat
https://sourceforge.net/projects/vowelcat/ Real-time speech visualizer that allows users to see their
pronunciation on a vowel formant map to assist in developing speaking skills. This is a downloadable
software developed by linguistics and computer science students at Ohio University.

1B. READING
American Literature
https://americanliterature.com/home Novels, stories, and poetry for all ages and levels, as well as
recommendations for teachers, and idioms and study guides for students.

BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk A British source of current events around the world.

Breaking News English

www.breakingnewsenglish.com Readings for English language learners on current events, with lessons
plans, quizzes, and a variety of activities. There are dictations in five different speeds, and podcasts and
quizzes on a wide range of topics. Click on the two-page lesson to get a larger view and be able to
download it easily.

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English Conversations
https://www.eslfast.com/robot/ Basic English dialogues on a variety of topics with accompanying audio
files for students to listen and read along.

Lit2Go
http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/ MP3 and audiobook stories and poems with downloadable options to use for
readalongs.

Many Things
http://www.manythings.org/e/listening.html A variety of reading and listening exercises including links
to Voice of America’s Special English program. For lower levels, there are listen and repeat sentences
for intonation, rhythm, and pronunciation, and passages to listen to and read along at the same time. In
addition, the site has vocabulary games for all levels.

U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Information Programs’ ShareAmerica

https://share.america.gov/theme/theme-education/theme-english-learning/ Everyday conversations of a
family traveling through the United States for listeners to learn something about each state.

1C. WRITING
George Mason University Writing Center
http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/writing-resources/ Resources for general writing and writing for academia,
business, humanities, and science. The site also provides guidance for research writing, tips on
notetaking and reading critically, and links to resources for ESL writers.

HippoCampus
http://www.hippocampus.org/HippoCampus/English A free online repository of thousands of
multimedia learning objects. It is a part of The NROC Project, a non-profit organization that
collaborates with institutions to deliver courses and tools to address college readiness for students. The
English section gives guidance on writing.

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Marking Mate
http://readingandwritingtools.com/mm/markingmate.html An automated writing tutor website where
learners can copy/paste their writing into the website and receive feedback and corrections on their
writing.

Ohio University English Language Improvement Program

https://www.ohio.edu/cas/linguistics/elip/writing/index.cfm A series of videos for international students
writing for academic purposes. Videos are organized by skills needed before writing begins, resources
for students during the writing process, and editing/revising resources for after the main writing has
occurred.

The Purdue Online Writing Lab

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ This website includes various suggested resources, mainly help with
writing skills as professional writers, with adult basic education, and for grades 7–12 instructors and
students.

Quill
https://www.quill.org/ A website created to provide structured grammar and writing activities for low-
income K-12 students in the United States. Each activity provides step-by-step feedback as students
combine or rewrite sentences.

Reading and Writing Tools – Sentence Rephraser

http://readingandwritingtools.com/rp/rephraser.html Learners are presented with an original sentence
and a revised version of the sentence with the words obscured. Learners must guess the words included
in the revised sentence; each correct guess earns them more points.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Writing Center

https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/ Handouts on all kinds of writing topics for college-level
students and videos on specific techniques.

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University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center

https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/ Handbook for writers covering all major genres and styles of writing
for university undergraduates. Subheadings include analysis papers, job applications, research papers,
and writing reviews.

Write in the Middle

http://www.learner.org The Annenberg Foundation’s series of workshops on teaching writing to middle
school students.

Writing Center at Harvard University

https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/resources Instructional handouts and
materials.

Writing Commons
https://writingcommons.org As stated on the home page, Writing Commons is “a free, comprehensive,
peer-reviewed, award-winning Open Text for students and faculty in college-level courses that require
writing and research.”

1D. LITERACY
International Literacy Association
http://www.literacyworldwide.org/ An international reading association webpage with open access
articles, sample journal issues, recommended book lists, and a daily blog.

Seminole State College Practice English Tutorials and Test Projects

https://www.seminolestate.edu/adult-ed/els/pett/reading A series of ESL/EFL tutorials in PowerPoint
format and practice reading tests for advanced-level learners.

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2. U.S. CULTURE
EDSITEment!
https://edsitement.neh.gov/ Provided through a partnership between the National Endowment for the
Humanities and the National Trust for the Humanities, this site offers high-quality materials in a range
of subject areas for teachers and students. There are audio and video resources and lesson plans on
American history and literature, world history and culture, and a variety of other topics.

English Online
http://www.english-online.at/a-z-topic-index.htm An extensive array of news articles and videos on a
variety of topics, both American and European, written and produced for English language learners.

Forum Magazine
https://americanenglish.state.gov/forum Quarterly journal from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs, with practical teaching ideas for English teachers around the world.

Public Broadcasting Service’s American Experience

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/collections/videos/ Combines dramatic reenactments with
commentary by historians and authors to present an absorbing look at the personalities, events, and
resources that have had a profound impact on the shaping of America’s past and present.

U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Information Programs’ ShareAmerica

https://share.america.gov/ Featuring many short articles about topics such as entrepreneurship, civil
society, international relations, study in the U.S.A., and more.

Voice of America
https://learningenglish.voanews.com/ Captioned videos of American people telling their stories illustrate
the diversity of the population of the United States. Site visitors can learn about the American
Constitution and issues on U.S. college campuses.

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Zoom in on America
http://www.usinfo.pl/zoom/ An online magazine published by the U.S. consulate general in Krakow,
Poland, which has information about American culture, geography, politics, and society and includes
quizzes, activities, and audio segments.

3. SONGS AND GAMES (SEE ALSO YOUNG LEARNERS)

Activities for ESL Students
http://a4esl.org/ Many resources covering the four skills, including flash cards, crossword puzzles, and
bilingual quizzes.

National Geographic Kids

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/games/ A variety of games, puzzles, and activities for elementary-
age students.

Teampedia
https://www.teampedia.net/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page A wiki site devoted to icebreakers, games,
and activities for team-building. Many of the games and activities can be adapted for use in the
ESL/EFL classroom.

Ultimate Camp Resource

http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/ Website featuring a variety of classic easy-to-learn camp songs,
games, and activities that can be adapted for use in young learners’ ESL/EFL class.

4. TEACHING METHODS
Foreign Language Teaching Methods
http://coerll.utexas.edu/methods/ A series of short videos centered on the four skills of language
teaching and on classroom issues such as assessment, technology, and classroom management.

Graphic Organizers
http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/ Ready-to-use templates of a wide variety of graphic
organizers for use in the classroom.

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Hands On! A Collection of ESL Literacy Activities

http://en.copian.ca/library/learning/handson/handson.pdf A collection of activities developed for
instructors working with adult ESL learners who have had little or no opportunity to develop reading
and writing skills.

ReadWriteThink
http://www.readwritethink.org/ While dedicated to first-language English reading and writing skills, this
website provides an extensive library of methods and materials applicable to the EFL/ ESL classroom.

5. ESL AND EFL WEBSITES

American English
http://americanenglish.state.gov This website from the Office of English Language Programs at the U.S.
Department of State has many resources for teachers and learners of English, including classroom board
games, downloadable songs and activities, and the latest issues of English Teaching Forum, a peer-
reviewed journal for English language teachers worldwide.

American English at State on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanEnglishatState/ The American English at State Facebook page
provides English language learning materials for learners worldwide. Updated with new graphics or
videos daily, this page invites a community of language learners to communicate and practice their
English language skills and to share content with others. Content may also be useful in the English
language classroom.

American English for Educators on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanEnglishforEducators/ The American English for Educators
Facebook page provides daily posts with linked content and discussion questions for English language
teachers around the world. This page also hosts a series of professional development live sessions for
EFL teachers called American English Live: Teacher Development. Participants can join these sessions
to learn practical ways to integrate best practices into their teaching and also have the opportunity to
earn digital badges at the end of each session.

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American English Institute eLearning Projects

https://blogs.uoregon.edu/aeiprojects/ Business English, Civic and Peace Education, and more. This site
has other materials and resources including the teacher-training course Shaping the Way We Teach
English.

BBC Skillswise
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise Provides exercises, videos, and games to build speaking and listening,
grammar, reading, and writing for practical literacy skills for adults.

Cambridge ESOL Teacher Support

https://www.teachers.cambridgeesol.org/ts/ Provides a wide range of free teaching resources and
information to support ESOL teachers throughout the world. Register for a free account to download
lesson plans, worksheets, games, and classroom activities and to join their teacher community.

Discovery Education Puzzlemaker

http://www.discoveryeducation.com/free-puzzlemaker/ Resources to design word searches, crossword
puzzles, and more to enhance vocabulary acquisition.

iSLCollective
https://en.islcollective.com/resources/printables A repository of Creative Commons worksheets,
presentations, and videos covering all aspects of ESL teaching and learning.

Larry Ferlazzo
http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org A high school teacher provides resources to assist adults and children
learning English.

LearnEnglish
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/ A British Council site for learning and teaching English with
resources for teachers, adult learners, young learners, and teens, including activities for reading, writing,
grammar, and vocabulary, study skills, games, and information about the U.K.

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6. GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY

ESL Blues
http://eslbluesapps.com/ A collection of grammar activities using multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank
formats with the option for timed or untimed quizzes. The site also features a variety of animated
explanations for common grammar mistakes.

ESL Desk
http://www.esldesk.com/ This site contains a selection of ESL resources for learners of English,
including vocabulary and grammar quizzes and spelling tests as well as common errors.

Freerice
http://www.freerice.com/index.php Freerice is a non-profit website run by the United Nations World
Food Program to provide free education and help end world hunger by providing ten grains of free rice
for every correct answer. This multiple-choice quiz site is a fun way to learn grammar and vocabulary as
well as other subjects such as humanities, math, and science. The program adjusts to the level of the
player, and recycling of vocabulary gives the player a chance to improve.

Grammar Exercises from the Purdue University Online Writing Lab

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/exercises/2/ Writing-centric resource offering clear explanations for
teachers and students.

Guide to Grammar and Writing

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ Website hosted by the Capital Community College
Foundation to assist students and teachers in grammar structures, writing concerns, and teaching
materials.

LanguageGuide.org
http://www.languageguide.org/english/ This website features a variety of ESL/EFL activities including
interactive listening and vocabulary activities, fill-in-the-blank irregular verb practice, and basic
speaking and repetition activities.

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Self-Study English Vocabulary Quizzes

http://a4esl.org/q/h/vocabulary.html This webpage provides a variety of fun self-study English
vocabulary quizzes on word relationships, etc., with different levels, from easy, easy to medium, and
medium to difficult.

7. YOUNG LEARNERS
Global SchoolNet
http://www.globalschoolnet.org/index.cfm?section=AboutUs Supports 21st-century learning and
improves academic performance through engaging teachers and K-12 students “in meaningful project
learning exchanges worldwide to develop science, math, literacy and communication skills, foster
teamwork, civic responsibility and collaboration, encourage workforce preparedness and create
multicultural understanding.”

Grammar Practice Park

http://www.harcourtschool.com/menus/preview/harcourt_language/grammar_park.html Created by
Harcourt School Publishers, this website provides online games for young children.

International Children’s Digital Library

http://en.childrenslibrary.org/ Full texts of children’s books in twenty
languages.

Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Kids

http://pbskids.org/ Website for kid-friendly videos and
games.

Storyline Online for Children

http://www.storylineonline.net/ Students can listen to the stories at the same time as they read
the text.

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8. LEARNING DIFFERENCES
Colorín Colorado
http://www.colorincolorado.org/webcast/english-language-learners-learning-disabilities Links to a
webcast and a variety of resources on incorporating techniques for addressing learning differences in the
ESL classroom.

Gallaudet University English Center

http://www.gallaudet.edu/tutorial-and-instructional-programs/english-center A variety of ESL/EFL
resources for writing, reading, grammar and vocabulary, and references. The resources are all tailored to
support learners of English who are deaf or hard of hearing.

LD OnLine
http://www.ldonline.org This website, “the educators’ guide to learning disabilities and ADHD,”
provides helpful support for children to reach their full potential.

Mobility International USA

http://www.miusa.org/resource/tipsheet/LD/ESL A resources website with a comprehensive overview of
explanations and considerations of learning differences in the ESL classroom.

TESOL’s Difference or Disability?

http://www.tesol.org/read-and-publish/journals/other-serial-publications/compleat-links/compleat-
links-volume-2-issue-3-(september-2005)/difference-or-disability- A comprehensive overview for
language teachers on understanding and addressing the need to identify between students with
learning differences or learning disabilities.

9. REFERENCE TOOLS (DICTIONARIES, THESAURUSES,

ENCYCLOPEDIAS)
Cambridge Online Dictionary
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/ Free online English dictionary, thesaurus, word of the day, and other
language resources from Cambridge University Press.

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Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.com/ This online dictionary includes a thesaurus and translation option and has mobile
apps.

Encyclo
http://www.encyclo.co.uk/search.php Encyclo is a search engine for terms and definitions and brings
together lists of hundreds of word definitions from a wide variety of sources on one site.

Encyclopedia.com
http://www.encyclopedia.com/ This website has “encyclopedias, dictionaries, and thesauruses with facts,
definitions, biographies, synonyms, pronunciation keys, word origins, and abbreviations.”

From Language to Language

http://www.langtolang.com/ This is a multilingual dictionary translating from English to 45 other
languages.

Graph Words
http://graphwords.com/ Graph Words is a visual thesaurus that maps a word to the center of a matrix of
related words. Parts of speech are color-coded, and the word map is organized via clusters of related
words.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

http://www.merriam-webster.com/ America’s most trusted dictionary and includes a thesaurus,
encyclopedia, word games, crossword puzzles, and translator.

OneLook Dictionary Search

http://www.onelook.com Online dictionary which can be used to search for definitions and translations
of words.

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Simple English Wikipedia

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Useful source for finding articles using basic
English.

10. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

American English E-Teacher Scholar Community Site
https://www.aeeteacher.org/ A collection of webinars and Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)
materials for teachers of English around the world. Information is provided on upcoming webinar series
and how to enroll in future MOOC courses.

Annenberg Foundation
http://www.learner.org Free educational and documentary videos in all subject areas.

ERIC Digests
http://www.ericdigests.org/ This site includes 1,000 to 1,500-word reports on topics of prime current
interest in education, covering a large variety of topics including teaching, learning, libraries, charter
schools, special education, higher education, homeschooling, and more. These reports are designed for
teachers, administrators, policymakers, and other educational practitioners.

Google Books Search

http://books.google.com/ Search and preview millions of books from libraries and publishers
worldwide.

Reading Matrix
http://www.readingmatrix.com A website featuring “a refereed online journal focusing on second and
foreign language reading and literacy.”

Teaching Channel
https://www.teachingchannel.org/ Website where teachers can “watch, share, and learn” from other
teachers. Although designed for teachers in the U.S. and gives insight into the American school culture,
it also provides many useful videos and articles with tips for teachers anywhere.

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Ted Power English Language Learning and Teaching

http://www.tedpower.co.uk/ Includes articles on language teaching methodologies, free practice
materials for learners such as pronunciation practice and handouts, and language games for class use.

The Internet TESL Journal

http://iteslj.org/ Contains selected articles, research papers, lesson plans, classroom handouts, teaching
ideas, and links for ESL/EFL students.

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