Resources
Ellii | www.ellii.com
Ellii offers hundreds of ready-to-go PDF lessons and accompanying digital materials, including engaging ESOL reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities. Teachers can sort lessons by language level and age-appropriateness. The lessons cover both traditional adult ESOL topics and current events. The site features an extensive collection of authentic news stories and mini-debate themes adapted for English language learners.
Literacy Minnesota | www.literacymn.org
Literacy Minnesota provides training and up-to-date resources for adult literacy. The Educator Resources page features example videos of classroom activities for ESOL learners, remote learning resources, phonics books for adults, and the English Unlocked curriculum. The guidance and lessons are invaluable when working with adult emergent readers, especially those who may not have literacy in their first languages.
We Speak NYC | https://wespeaknyc.cityofnewyork.us/
We Speak NYC is a resource designed for adult immigrants learning English in New York City. However, its practical and universal topics, such as opening a bank account or caring for one’s mental health, make it beneficial for all adult ESOL learners. The short films are well done, and the accompanying lessons apply to real-life situations, making them valuable to any adult ESOL curriculum.
Smithsonian | www.americanhistory.si.edu/citizenship
For adult ESOL learners applying for U.S. citizenship, the answers to the history and government questions can be challenging to understand and memorize. This site provides clarification, vocabulary support, and context for the questions. Teachers can use the videos and materials in class and then show students how to use the online self-tests to study independently.
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Music for Studying | www.youtube.com/@HALIDONMUSIC
One way I promote a positive classroom environment is by playing peaceful music for the first ten minutes as students arrive and get settled, and for the last ten minutes as they say goodbye and pack up. This familiar routine is calming for our participants and signals the start and end of the lesson. Halidon Music offers a variety of accessible YouTube music collections, and I play them on my phone.
News for You | www.newsforyouonline.com
News for You is a weekly newspaper written for English Language Learners. The articles are sourced from The Associated Press and The Washington Post. Editors adapt them for appropriate level and readability, and check for accuracy. Accompanying lesson ideas and activities are included. Subscriptions are available online or in print. If possible, I keep a set of print editions for students to browse, even when we aren’t using one of the articles in a formal lesson. This allows adult ESOL students to practice their English reading skills authentically.
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New York Public Library | www.nypl.org
Brooklyn Public Library | www.bklynlibrary.org
Queens Public Library | www.queenslibrary.org
New York City has three public library systems – NYPL for the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island; BPL for Brooklyn; and QPL for Queens. Each system offers extensive ESOL support, including formal classes, conversation groups, vocational ESOL, citizenship preparation, and free online ESOL programs. I share this additional educational resource with our students and highlight the libraries’ extensive community-building and supportive programming. Branches offer patrons thousands of free, creative, and culturally relevant events and information fairs.
Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE) | www.coresourceexchange.org
CORE is funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) and administered by the International Rescue Committee. It provides extensive refugee resettlement resources, including teacher training, country background guides, and lesson plans and materials on crucial topics. A helpful lesson plan for supporting your child at school includes a step-by-step guide to learning in the United States.
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Intercambio Uniting Communities | www.intercambio.org
Intercambio develops programs, training, and curricula for adult English-language learners. Their lessons focus on everyday life and include student books, teachers' guides, presentation tools, grammar support videos, and vocabulary cards. I use Intercambio's Confidence and Connections resources in my ESOL classes, and students love the step-by-step scaffolding, photographs, and real-world topics.