Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Simple English Wikipedia is a new production of Wikipedia, focused on readers and learners with less vocabulary than native speakers of English. According to the producer, the pages featured here contain simpler words and shorter sentences than the regular Wiki pages. The number of pages is more limited as well, though this should grow with educators and learners contributing information. Another difference is that any slangs or idiomatic language is carefully explained to accommodate the ELL reader. The HELP pages explain how to write and submit articles for Simple English Wikipedia and have suggestions for simplifying English.

tag(s): writing (325)

This is a time-saving online tool for any subject. Reinforce concepts and spelling with your own customized word searches. This tool allows for a variety of options for the placement of the words or even the shape of the grid puzzle. Teachers can personalize the font styles and sizes as well.

tag(s): spelling (98), vocabulary (242)

This totally bilingual website (a collaboration between Reading Rockets and the American Federation of Teachers) is packed with information for both ENL/ESL and regular classroom instructors about how to encourage reading. Although the focus is on Spanish speaking students, the information is specific and easily adaptable for all reading learners. Lots of information is available on the site concerning not only reading instructional techniques, but building partnerships with families of Hispanic students, placement and assessment, and important authors. Webcast information programs include accompanying reading and discussion questions. Webcasts can be found under the Video tab on the top menu bar. This site is a good resource to help meet the needs of increasing numbers of students born speaking other languages. Videos and webcasts reside on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, they may not be viewable.

tag(s): hispanic (36), parents (56), reading lists (77), reading strategies (96), spanish (112)

This site encourages children to read and write by sharing what other students have written and inviting them to submit writings of their own. They can write poetry, fiction, or non-fiction, including essays. The authors featured on the website are international, too. A carefully screened pen pal option allows children to sign up for pen pals from around the world. In the Global Village section, articles featuring countries around the globe change monthly.

tag(s): poetry (196)

This site has an (almost) endless supply of suggestions for what students, parents, and teachers can do to encourage more and more reading and literary involvement. Students participate in reading, dramatic, discussion, and artistic activities to reinforce their connection to the printed word and build comprehension in a very active way!

This site contains lesson plans and use suggestions for 5 classic movie favorites. It also has ideas for using those annoying movie previews found on DVDs and links to other sites about specific movies. Lessons include pre-watching activities, vocabulary support, internet exercises, and listening activities, so this site is highly appropriate for use with limited English speakers. Whether you are teaching film study, English, or ESL, this site has ideas for you.

tag(s): movies (55)

Download audio recordings of books and poetry in the public domain (free from copyright issues). All books are read and recorded by volunteers for this site. Several options are available for downloading, including podcasts. Hear selections read in other languages (Note that the public domain applies in the U.S. and may not in other languages/countries). You can search for works by category, genre, author, title, or reader. The site welcomes volunteer readers. The collection is constantly growing, so check back often.

tag(s): air (100), audio books (29), listening (93), literature (221), poetry (196)

This website has a vast collection of common English language songs (mostly "pop") which have been selected for a grammatical focus. Instructors can select the grammar point they wish to instruct and choose from a variety of songs that feature the specific need. Songs are printed as cloze passages, with the fill-in based on the grammatical feature. Unfortunately, there are no sound files attached to the songs. If you have i-Tunes, you could download songs (for a fee). Your students may have some of the songs, as well. There are links to answer keys for all song lyric activity sheets.

tag(s): grammar (138), lyrics (15)

This privately done digitized library focuses on books published before 1923, primarily those with magnificent illustrations. Books digitized are in the public domain and are also available to the large digitization projects going on now with the Google Books project. This site's charm is its ease of use. Users can search by author's last name or by using a list of subject categories. Because the project is fairly small, it's fun to browse through the offerings before deciding on a specific choice. The quality of the digitization is very good and appears to offer complete works. Some books have been reformatted, presumably to allow viewing consistency.

tag(s): air (100)

NPR is amassing a collection of oral histories by traveling across the country and talking to average people. On this website, users can read or listen to the stories told by a wide variety of Americans. Click "Tell your story" to find Locations & Reservations for traveling Mobile Booths or directions to record on your own. The Do It Yourself guide includes tips on interview questions and an interview check list. Started in 2003, the site has many stories in its archives and frequently adds updates.

tag(s): digital storytelling (155), podcasts (114)

These online basic literacy exerciese include writing a check, reading a map, filling in a time sheet, and filling out a form. ESL students, transitional Special Ed students, and any student at a basic literacy level would benefit from these illustrated auditory instructions. There are also downloadable printed sheets of the same information.

tag(s): maps (224)

This free site allows users to learn German, Spanish, or ESL (English) online by studying vocabulary and hearing it pronounced. Students can select English-Spanish or Spanish-English for example. In addition to learning word by word, viewers can select the conjugation approach and focus on verb forms. In this section, students must complete a sentence by inputting the correct verb tense in their selected language. Teacher-users can create their own lessons based on their needs, their previous results in the training, or their own ideas. A free login is required to participate in the lesson-creation section. This website will soon offer other languages, vocabulary and verb conjugations. There are some ads to ignore, but they are not obtrusive.

tag(s): german (48), spanish (112)

Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) refers to the field itself as well as the professional association. Its mission is to ensure excellence in English language teaching to speakers of other languages. TESOL values professionalism in language education; individual language rights; accessible, high quality education; collaboration in a global community; interaction of research and reflective practice for educational improvement; and respect for diversity and multiculturalism.

This index to short ESL lessons and resources in three levels provides material for quick review of grammar, reading, and special-topic classroom activities. Some contain photographs that clarify the questions or provide conversational stimulation. HAndouts are in PDF format and are well prepared. Many have cloze passages or similar activities to reinforce vocabulary. Special ed teachers seeking materials to reinforce basics will find some activities helpful, as well.
Note: At certain busy times of the day, this site opens slowly. Be patient.

tag(s): grammar (138)

This site offers words and audio clips from songs helpful in teaching ESL. Categories include teaching conversational skills, teaching grammar, and teaching children through songs. Note: you will have to "learn" the song from the clip, a small portion of the entire song. You can download songs ( for a fee), but the clips should be enough to get you started. Links offer further song categories including alphabet songs, holidays and rap! The audio clips require the Quicktime plug in. Although the site has links to purchase books, this is not necessarily a negative feature for teachers who have been searching for ESL songbooks for their classroom.

tag(s): grammar (138), lyrics (15)

This compilation site describes websites that use music to teach language skills. Not only useful for limited English speakers, this site offers ideas for elementary teachers, as well, with specific songs and suggestions for including music as part of a regular lesson. You will find that addressing musical/rhythmic intelligence may draw in students who otherwise struggle. And all of them will find the different approach a refreshing change.

This is an excellent, frequently updated collection of links especially appropriate for ESL/ELL learners and instructors. The site's creator is a teacher himself. We do not usually list "hotlists" of links, but these are quite helpful for ESL teachers or those with ESL students in their classroom. Check here if you're looking for help with a specific language learning need or some new way to present standard materials. The teacher section include links categorized by native language so you can individualize your approach with different language learners.

The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents invites teens to join an on-going online book club. They read the selected book, contribute one question per book, and join the discussion set up in chat format. After the book chat, an opportunity to speak with the author is available in an "author chat" a few days later. Requires Userplane Webchat download.

tag(s): authors (108), literature (221)