ESL Resources

Following are sites that offer a variety of activities to help ESL learners become more  independent in their growth. Nothing substitutes for the one-to-one experience or the warmth of a supportive group, but a lot of learning can happen individually for those who are guided to do it.

For most adults, learning a language skill is similar in ways to learning how to drive a car. You simply turn the key where the ignition is placed for you; turn the wheel in the direction of your choice; press the gas pedal where you are shown; push the break to stop, and hope for success without bumping into something. You practice until you are comfortable on your own. 

To drive a car, you don't have to understand all of the electrical connections or the process that produces the energy (grammar rules) to move the different parts. However, if you get into trouble, you might well know some basics about how things work. Some people want to know it all, so they get the manuals and figure it out. Can they drive better? Maybe. Maybe not.

Many sites offer grammar exercises and explanations for students who need to or want to explore how words, phrases, clauses and sentences work in relation to each other. The student who is educated in her own language will benefit far more from grammar exercises than a student who has no point of comparison.

If you want to teach your student grammar, make sure you know it inside and out yourself, and wait for the teachable moment. Send the student to Internet sites to practice and reinforce concepts, not to learn English.

QUICK AND  SIMPLE ESL COURSE FOR ADULT EDUCATORS

Following is a very limited list of ESL sites for students and for teachers who want resources. I'm sure the list will grow as I have a chance to visit links and recommend resources. Have fun with the ones below!

Visit Hogan's ESL Resources on this site

GENERAL

Western Pacific LINCS is an online service for adult educators and students. Check out the great resources at http://literacynet.org/esl/studentlearner.html and http://literacynet.org/esl/teachertutor.html 

http://www.lclark.edu/~krauss/toppicks/toppicks.html -This page has links to great resources of all kinds. Levels go from Beginning (100) to Advanced (400). Enjoy!

http://www2.wgbh.org/MBCWEIS/IMMIGRANTS.HTML - Immigration information links

http://linktoliteracy.com/students.html - You must have asked for it, and there it is- an easily-accessible frame for looking into great resources for adult students.

http://www.niace.org.uk/projects/ESOL/Default.htm - Want to see what the UK is doing in terms of expectations for ESL teachers? Interesting. Take a peek.

http://www.languagebox.com/OLCEnglish.html - Now here's a list of English-teaching resources from all over the world, but mainly from the UK and USA.

INSTRUCTIONAL

List of online resources with a link to sites researched and recommended by ESL instructors in Durango, Colorado, in May, 2003

http://esl.to/ - This site has a number of fun links for teachers and students. Click one of the links and find real audio explanations, on-line quizzes with instant results and fun exercises.

Online ESL Teacher
Real Audio Advanced
Grammar Lessons
ESL Advanced Grammar
Exercises
ESL Chat Room
Test your English!
"Ask Us A Question"
Bulletin Board
Answers to our Weekly
Newsletter Quiz

http://www.teachers.net/mentors/esl_language/ - From their Home Page: "Welcome to the ESL/EFL Chatboard. This resource is dedicated to discussions related to teaching English as a second language and English as a foreign language. Please bookmark this resource and contribute often, and subscribe to our ESL/EFL Mailring. Be sure to tell your colleagues about the many free resources for teachers on Teachers.Net! "

I haven't joined any of the chats, but some of the hundreds of topics discussed sound interesting.

http://members.aol.com/adrmoser/esl.html - Lots and lots and lots of very intriguing links to information (science, games, and other resources) focusing on young people but with some useful items for al ages. Good reading material.

http://lc.byuh.edu/cnn_n/CNN-N.html - This page features Grammar and Vocabulary exercises for ESL Students. It is based upon a favorite (usually from Wednesday's) weekly Newsroom or WorldView Broadcast by Turner Educational Services Inc. and is available on a private, noncommercial basis each Monday throughout the school year.

This site includes a number of very well developed exercises to reinforce grammar and vocabulary. Reading can be downloaded and used in class. would call this an advanced site. The exercises have fill-in-the-blank options which are corrected on-line. Another option allows you to print the exercise for students to complete off-line. The readings are great and stimulating, with lots and lots of variety.

http://www.toefl.org/ - This site provides information and practice exercises for taking the TOEFL exam. For advances students only.

http://gwis2.circ.gwu.edu/~gwvcusas - This page has some quality links to other sites. Check the topic list below.

READING
WRITING
VOCABULARY
CONVERSATION
GRAMMAR
LISTENING
DISCUSSION
STUDENT

http://www.comenius.com/fables/ - This is a very attractive site that has short fables with questions following. Students fill in the blanks and get scored immediately. Fables are wonderful teaching tools. They are short, ease, and invite wide critical discussion. Visit this one. Intermediate students can handle the language. Lower level students will need help from their peers. Use this one!

www.csulb.edu/~jjozwiak/esllinks2.html (Thanks Ann Colella) - ESL Links for Students & Teachers- This site is a great resource, offering extensive links in a number or categories.

www.eleaston.com (Thanks to Ann Colella) - The links on this site are followed by some interesting and supportive activities for teachers -- A site worth visiting!

www.lingolex.com (Thanks to Ann Colella) - This is a site which focuses on Spanish speakers. It is filled with great links to games, software and activities for students. Take a few minutes and browse through its content. Your students will love it.

http://www.eslcafe.com/search/ - Everyone knows about Dave's Cafe. He's been doing this for years and accumulated a huge following. I knew him when he was just getting started with three or four sections on his site. Now look at him! He's learned by doing, and that's how most our students learn best.

http://humanities.byu.edu/ELC/teacher/Sectiontwo/SectionII - Beginning lessons with teacher guides.

http://www.lclark.edu/~krauss/toppicks/toppicks.html - Ya gotta check this one out. Links to all kinds of resources to integrate tech into ESL.

http://www.isabelperez.com/grammar.htm - Like it says, lots of grammar!

LISTENING (The faster the connection, of course, the more you'll get out of these resources.)

When you are learning a new skill, what would you like to have happen before you are asked to perform? Most people want to observe and try the skill privately before they are asked to perform it.

Sounds in a new language are very difficult to reproduce. Allow students to listen and listen and listen, then practice and practice until they are asked to go to the final level of initiating the sound sequence.

Following are a few sites that provide opportunities for students to listen, repeat, and test themselves until they are ready to perform. You will need an audio player on your computer to listen to the files. Download one that suits your taste. Following are links to free applications,  You don't have to go for the fee-based package.

To download QuickTime®, RealAudio® Shockwave® or Flash®.

http://www.esl-lab.com/index.htm  - This site is a gold mine of listening treasures. The segments have related exercises and quizzes that can be rated online. Once you get your audio set up, it's a pleasure. Lots and lots of very genuine dialogues and exchanges for students of all levels. Click on the "Help" link for instructions. Remember that slow modem connections take longer to load.

http://eslgrammar.heinle.com/gic/gic1.html - These passages are taken from Heinle and Heinle books. If the audio is too slow, just have students fill in the cloze (fill the blanks) exercises and submit.

http://www.englishlistening.com/ - This is a site that encourages monthly fees for use, but it has some very clear passages for learners at 3 levels. Worth using the free stuff! If your program can pay, well, so much the better. Maybe students can start a fund.

http://www.theenglishprofessor.com/alphal.htm - Don't know that I agree that students should must start with spelling the letters of the alphabet, but they are there. He also spells words and they check their writing against the right answer. Lots of other stuff, too.

The sites above and others for more advanced learners can be checked out at http://www.lclark.edu/~krauss/toppicks/listening.html . Some links don't work, so you go to others. Have fun exploring.