Resources
Ellii (formerly ESL Library) https://ellii.com/discover
Ellii includes hundreds of ready-to-go PDF lessons and accompanying digital materials, including engaging ESOL reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities. Teachers can sort the lessons by language level and age-appropriateness. The lessons cover both traditional adult ESOL topics and current events. The site includes an extensive collection of authentic news stories and mini-debate themes adapted for English language learners.
Literacy Minnesota https://www.literacymn.org
Literacy Minnesota provides training and up-to-date resources for adult literacy. The Educator Resources page includes example videos of classroom activities for ESOL learners, remote learning resources, phonics books for adults, and the English Unlocked curriculum. The guidance and lessons provided 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 American History https://americanhistory.si.edu/citizenship
If adult ESOL learners apply for U.S. citizenship, the answers to the 100 history and government questions can be challenging to understand and memorize. This site provides clarification, vocabulary support, and context for the questions. Teachers can utilize the videos and materials during class and then show students how to use the online self-tests to study independently.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/resources-for-educational-programs
USCIS provides videos, online practice, and complete lesson PDFs about all sections of the interview and test: civics, reading and writing, and questions about one’s application. All components require an ability to understand and communicate in English. Teachers can download lesson plans and materials (including an excellent selection of photographs) for classroom use and instruct students on using the interactive online study features at home.
Music for Studying https://www.youtube.com/@HALIDONMUSIC
One way I promote a positive classroom environment is to play classical music for the first ten minutes as students copy our agenda into their notebooks and then for the last ten minutes as students complete their exit tickets and pack up. This familiar routine is calming for our participants and signals the start and end of the lesson. Halidon Music has a variety of accessible YouTube music collections, and I play it on my phone.
News for You Classroom Subscription https://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. The editors adapt them for level-appropriateness and readability and check for accuracy. There are accompanying lesson ideas and activities. Subscriptions can be either online or in print. If possible, I keep a set of print editions for students to browse even if we aren’t using one of the articles during a formal lesson. It allows adult ESOL students to practice their English language reading skills authentically.
DK Bilingual Visual Dictionaries Series https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/ACX/dk-bilingual-visual-dictionaries/
I like to keep a set of these dictionaries in our classroom. It’s comforting for students to walk into the classroom and see their language represented on the shelf. DK does not have every language, so I have sourced other visual dictionary options. I like their format best, so I am including it here.
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-name-jar-yangsook-choi/1103576420
Though this is a picture book, and I don’t generally use children’s materials in our adult ESOL classes, this book is an exception. The story is beautifully written and illustrated about a Korean child who moves to the United States and thinks of changing her name. With the help of new friends, she realizes that her given name feels right after all. This story often resonates with newcomers as they settle in the United States.
New York Public Library https://www.nypl.org/
Brooklyn Public Library https://www.bklynlibrary.org/
Queens Public Library https://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-focused ESOL, citizenship preparation, and free online ESOL programs. I share this additional educational resource with our students and emphasize the library’s extensive community-building and supportive programming. Branches offer their patrons thousands of creative and culturally relevant free events and information fairs.
Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE) https://coresourceexchange.org/
CORE is funded by the U.S. Department of State, 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 for crucial topics. A wonderful 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 https://intercambio.org/
Intercambio creates programs, training, and curricula for adult English language learning. Their lessons focus on everyday life and include student books, teachers' guides, presentation tools, grammar support videos, and vocabulary cards. I utilize their Confidence and Connections resources for my ESOL civics classes, and the students love the step-by-step scaffolding, photographs, and real-world topics.