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10 Free Resources That Every ESL Teacher Must Use

By Altiné Moumouni
Whether teaching online or tutoring, finding the right resources can help improve your experience as a teacher and enhance your students’ level of engagement

Whether teaching online or tutoring, finding the right resources can help improve your experience as a teacher and enhance your students’ level of engagement. While teaching during the strict lockdown in China, I have tried several resources, and today I want to share with you the best free resources that will make your ESL lesson planning easy, fun, and creative. 

1. EnglishClub.com

EnglishClub.com is my go-to website for preparing worksheets and homework ideas. This website is terrific and will save a tremendous amount of time. You will be satisfied if you’re looking for exciting conversation class ideas. The website contains a lot of helpful resources on teaching techniques that will be priceless in the classroom.

2. Pinterest

I generally use Pinterest to brainstorm and come up with new ideas. The good thing with Pinterest is that you can pin other people’s worksheets when needed. Pinterest is free to use and an excellent resource for science DIY ideas. Try this website if you have never used it, as you will be surprised by what you will find. 

3. Tefl.NET

If you are reading this article, you might already be familiar with this website. Well, it is our own website. Are you familiar with other sections on this website?

In addition to detailed lesson plans categorized into talking points and topic-based lessons, Tefl.NET offers teaching tips and ideas to include in your future classes.

Did you know that this website has a section where you can help your students discover new words and phrases when making each lesson plan? Check it out here.

From grammar exercises, worksheet generators, and classroom ideas to listening practice, the Tefl.NET website offers free TEFL lesson plans and ideas. I usually use this website for last-minute planners or emergency classes (Like Saturday demo classes) 

4. BusyTeacher.org

This website is a lifesaver when preparing for an ESL lesson and looking for interesting resources.

What I like about this website is that it is a website by teachers for teachers, and you don’t need to pay a subscription or even register to access ready-made teaching materials.

BusyTeacher.org offers about 17,000 free printable teaching materials to plan your classes appropriately. 

5. Canva

Canva works well with Pinterest. While Pinterest is excellent for finding inspiration and ideas, Canva is a graphic design tool providing numerous lesson plan templates that you can effortlessly customize, print, or export as printable teaching materials.

With Canva, you can create eye-catching visual aids that increase students’ participation and focus. I recommend you try Canva, mainly if you teach a noisy class

6. ThoughtCo

ThoughtCo focuses on expert-created education content and is more suitable for those teaching adult classes or business English classes. 

On this website, you will find plenty of ideas for dialogue, reading materials, conversations, and even class management. 

7. EnglishGrammar.org

Sometimes, preparing for grammar lessons can be daunting, and this site can make your life easier. 

In addition to listing English grammar rules alphabetically, EnglishGrammar.org also provides teaching materials on these rules that you can use as homework for your students. 

8. UsingEnglish.com

This website is not a good idea unless you know precisely what you are looking for. It will take you time to find a good idea. I like checking their idioms sections as it contains hundreds of idioms, phrasal verbs, and other grammatical irregularities. I find these resources excellent for ice-breaking classes. 

If you are teaching mixed abilities classes, check out UsingEnglish.com

9. ESLVideo.com

ESLVideo.com is among my favorite free resources I use when preparing my ESL lessons.  This site offers videos and quizzes from other teachers that you can sort by fluency level for your students to access. 

If you are looking for a song or video with appropriate vocabulary for your ESL students, check out ESLVideo.com. 

10. ESL Galaxy

Like UsingEnglish.com, ESL Galaxy is another perfect website for those of us teaching mixed-ability students. 

You can quickly download or print download printable flashcards, board games, worksheets, lesson plan packs, and even PowerPoint slide worksheets that you can use for students of all levels.

Written by Altiné Moumouni for Teflnet December 2022
Altiné is from Toronto, Canada, and currently teaches mathematics at a high school in Guangzhou, China. He has a master's degree in International Economics and Finance from Ryerson University in Canada and is passionate about helping people worldwide through his blogs. He writes about TEFL Teaching and Health and Fitness. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, running, traveling, and anything that allows him to experience the beauty of nature. You can find him at altinify.com.
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