Online Resources for Teachers
General Teaching Tips
One Stop English: Methodology
Provides articles, teaching tips, and references for teachers looking for helpful tips from the experts. Some topics include classroom management, technology, and a "survival guide".
One Stop English: Methodology
Provides articles, teaching tips, and references for teachers looking for helpful tips from the experts. Some topics include classroom management, technology, and a "survival guide".
Management and Assessment
Evernote
This is truly a teacher’s best friend. Keep track of your lesson plans with tags, jot down your teaching ideas, insert photos of your students’ work, and directly record audio in your notes. Evernote keeps all of your notes organized so you can easily search for them anytime. For more information, take a look at the “Evernote for Ever-teaching: An Effective Tool for Busy Teachers” video tutorial here.
Toggl
A cloud based time tracking tool designed to help users track their time spent on different tasks and evaluate work productivity. You can access Toggl from your desktop, the web, or app, and all of your data will be synced. Record the time spent on lesson planning and grading, and see how you can make improvements in time management.
Dropbox
Store your picture files, teaching articles, videos, and any other teaching resources in this great cloud storage. You can easily access Dropbox from your desktop, the internet, or your mobile device. Also, students can submit assignments to your Dropbox account through DropitTOme or Send to Dropbox (see below).
DropitTOme
After creating an account, you will have your own upload address with password protection. You can provide students with the address and password so that they can upload assignments on the website, which will be directly linked to your Dropbox. This is a great way to make sure assignments don’t get lost through multiple emails!
Send to Dropbox
You can create a unique email address that is directly connected to their Dropbox. All you have to do is provide students with this address, and they can easily email you their assignments. Quick and simple!
Creating a Rubric: Tutorial (University of Florida)
This site offers a tutorial for creating a rubric, covering the what, why, and how of making rubrics of all kinds. This is especially helpful for new teachers who need guidance with creating rubrics. The steps are supplemented with helpful sample rubrics that you can use as models.
Rubrics for Teachers
Great ready-made rubrics that you can use as models when you need ideas on the go. Browse through different types including rubrics for narrative and position papers. Each rubric is unique and have been created by various institutions.
Evernote
This is truly a teacher’s best friend. Keep track of your lesson plans with tags, jot down your teaching ideas, insert photos of your students’ work, and directly record audio in your notes. Evernote keeps all of your notes organized so you can easily search for them anytime. For more information, take a look at the “Evernote for Ever-teaching: An Effective Tool for Busy Teachers” video tutorial here.
Toggl
A cloud based time tracking tool designed to help users track their time spent on different tasks and evaluate work productivity. You can access Toggl from your desktop, the web, or app, and all of your data will be synced. Record the time spent on lesson planning and grading, and see how you can make improvements in time management.
Dropbox
Store your picture files, teaching articles, videos, and any other teaching resources in this great cloud storage. You can easily access Dropbox from your desktop, the internet, or your mobile device. Also, students can submit assignments to your Dropbox account through DropitTOme or Send to Dropbox (see below).
DropitTOme
After creating an account, you will have your own upload address with password protection. You can provide students with the address and password so that they can upload assignments on the website, which will be directly linked to your Dropbox. This is a great way to make sure assignments don’t get lost through multiple emails!
Send to Dropbox
You can create a unique email address that is directly connected to their Dropbox. All you have to do is provide students with this address, and they can easily email you their assignments. Quick and simple!
Creating a Rubric: Tutorial (University of Florida)
This site offers a tutorial for creating a rubric, covering the what, why, and how of making rubrics of all kinds. This is especially helpful for new teachers who need guidance with creating rubrics. The steps are supplemented with helpful sample rubrics that you can use as models.
Rubrics for Teachers
Great ready-made rubrics that you can use as models when you need ideas on the go. Browse through different types including rubrics for narrative and position papers. Each rubric is unique and have been created by various institutions.
Images
ELTPics
ELTPics offers a collection of regularly updated photos taken mainly by English language teachers for teachers. The photo sets are available on their Flickr site and are not only categorized in a teacher-friendly manner (e.g., prepositions, spot the differences), but teachers will not be liable to copyright issues so long as they are for non-commercial uses. Check out my blog post for more information.
Cool Infographics
A neat collection of infographics and data visualizations categorized according to tags listed on the right-hand side of the blog. Topics include the internet, food, and travel. Infographics may be used as model texts, writing prompts, or for classroom discussions. An idea: use infographics for information gap activities to practice transferring text to visual organizers.
Make Beliefs Comix
A great and easy-to-use website where you can create your own comics. You can arrange the visuals and the text according to your task objectives. Useful for a range of skills, including writing and grammar. Find a sample activity here.
ELTPics
ELTPics offers a collection of regularly updated photos taken mainly by English language teachers for teachers. The photo sets are available on their Flickr site and are not only categorized in a teacher-friendly manner (e.g., prepositions, spot the differences), but teachers will not be liable to copyright issues so long as they are for non-commercial uses. Check out my blog post for more information.
Cool Infographics
A neat collection of infographics and data visualizations categorized according to tags listed on the right-hand side of the blog. Topics include the internet, food, and travel. Infographics may be used as model texts, writing prompts, or for classroom discussions. An idea: use infographics for information gap activities to practice transferring text to visual organizers.
Make Beliefs Comix
A great and easy-to-use website where you can create your own comics. You can arrange the visuals and the text according to your task objectives. Useful for a range of skills, including writing and grammar. Find a sample activity here.
Videos
*Movie Segments to Assess Grammar Goals
This is a wonderful website where great movie clips and grammar lessons meet. The movie clips are categorized by grammar points and levels, and there is even a category for kinesthetic learners. The movie clips also specify the target age group. For each video clip, there is an activity and supplementary worksheets.
Film English
Here you'll find lesson plans for each video and film that not only focus on teaching English, but help cultivate critical thinking skills. This can help initiate meaningful discussions where students can share about their values and thoughts on various topics.
The Internet Movie Script Database (IMSDb)
This site offers movie scripts (and a select few TV scripts) available for download. The movies are categorized by alphabetical order and genres, and there is a separate list for TV scripts. The website is updated regularly with new movie scripts. This would be great for analyzing grammar.
*Movie Segments to Assess Grammar Goals
This is a wonderful website where great movie clips and grammar lessons meet. The movie clips are categorized by grammar points and levels, and there is even a category for kinesthetic learners. The movie clips also specify the target age group. For each video clip, there is an activity and supplementary worksheets.
Film English
Here you'll find lesson plans for each video and film that not only focus on teaching English, but help cultivate critical thinking skills. This can help initiate meaningful discussions where students can share about their values and thoughts on various topics.
The Internet Movie Script Database (IMSDb)
This site offers movie scripts (and a select few TV scripts) available for download. The movies are categorized by alphabetical order and genres, and there is a separate list for TV scripts. The website is updated regularly with new movie scripts. This would be great for analyzing grammar.
Speaking and Listening
The Idiom Connection
A helpful site that offers explanations and quizzes on various idioms. They are categorized alphabetically and by type such as business and sports.
*Conversation Questions for the ESL/EFL Classroom
My go-to website for finding conversation questions. You can find discussion topics and questions of all kinds here. These are great when you want students to engage in free talk. Just make some copies and let students do the talking!
TED Talks
Offers talks on a great array of topics with supplementary transcripts. Teachers can use clips from the talks in class for discussions, writing assignments, etc.
Learning English (Voice of America)
News articles with audio are available in two levels. You can also find videos imitating TV news, as well as videos about learning English (e.g., learning non-count nouns). Appropriate for intermediate-advanced learners.
This American Life
A weekly public radio show broadcast that you can stream online or download as a podcast. The show chooses a theme and presents different stories pertaining to the theme.
National Public Radio (NPR)
NPR offers a large variety of news and talks. The pace of the talks are well moderated, so English language learners can listen to clear English while still being exposed to different dialects. This would be suitable for advanced learners.
StoryCorps
A great collection of short authentic interviews of participants from various backgrounds. Transcripts are also available.
The Idiom Connection
A helpful site that offers explanations and quizzes on various idioms. They are categorized alphabetically and by type such as business and sports.
*Conversation Questions for the ESL/EFL Classroom
My go-to website for finding conversation questions. You can find discussion topics and questions of all kinds here. These are great when you want students to engage in free talk. Just make some copies and let students do the talking!
TED Talks
Offers talks on a great array of topics with supplementary transcripts. Teachers can use clips from the talks in class for discussions, writing assignments, etc.
Learning English (Voice of America)
News articles with audio are available in two levels. You can also find videos imitating TV news, as well as videos about learning English (e.g., learning non-count nouns). Appropriate for intermediate-advanced learners.
This American Life
A weekly public radio show broadcast that you can stream online or download as a podcast. The show chooses a theme and presents different stories pertaining to the theme.
National Public Radio (NPR)
NPR offers a large variety of news and talks. The pace of the talks are well moderated, so English language learners can listen to clear English while still being exposed to different dialects. This would be suitable for advanced learners.
StoryCorps
A great collection of short authentic interviews of participants from various backgrounds. Transcripts are also available.
Reading
Room for Debate (NY Times)
"In Room for Debate, The Times invites knowledgeable outside contributors to discuss news events and other timely issues. Reader comments are moderated Monday through Friday." (taken from the website)
I think the language used in these discussions are difficult for English language learners, but they can still be useful. Teachers can get ideas about what topics students can discuss in class, use the text as a model for how to write position papers, analyze grammar structures, etc. This would be most suitable for advanced or above.
Room for Debate (NY Times)
"In Room for Debate, The Times invites knowledgeable outside contributors to discuss news events and other timely issues. Reader comments are moderated Monday through Friday." (taken from the website)
I think the language used in these discussions are difficult for English language learners, but they can still be useful. Teachers can get ideas about what topics students can discuss in class, use the text as a model for how to write position papers, analyze grammar structures, etc. This would be most suitable for advanced or above.
Writing
TOEFL Essay Samples
Here you will find sample TOEFL essays and their respective scores. These can be used as model texts for your students.
501 Writing Prompts
This is the PDF version of the 1st edition of 501 Writing Prompts by LLC LearningExpress. There are prompts for persuasive, expository, narrative, and literary response essays. I highly doubt that you will run out of ideas here!
Writer’s Digest
Offers creative writing prompts for free writing and dialogue journals. Teacher can modify the language according to the students’ language proficiency. A search bar is provided to sift through prompts.
Writing Prompts (Tumblr)
A blog that offers writing prompts accompanied by graphics and famous quotes. Prompts are divided into categories such as those related to personhood and reading. The visuals are helpful in initiating ideas for the brainstorming process.
Something to Write About
A site for writing prompts created by the same author of Make Beliefs Comix. Great for students to incorporate creativity in their writing.
Creative Writing Resource Guide
A diverse resource guide centered on creative writing that includes lesson plans, study guides, writing support communities (members give/receive feedback on their work), publishing, and language/fundamental skills. Helpful for both teachers and students.
TOEFL Essay Samples
Here you will find sample TOEFL essays and their respective scores. These can be used as model texts for your students.
501 Writing Prompts
This is the PDF version of the 1st edition of 501 Writing Prompts by LLC LearningExpress. There are prompts for persuasive, expository, narrative, and literary response essays. I highly doubt that you will run out of ideas here!
Writer’s Digest
Offers creative writing prompts for free writing and dialogue journals. Teacher can modify the language according to the students’ language proficiency. A search bar is provided to sift through prompts.
Writing Prompts (Tumblr)
A blog that offers writing prompts accompanied by graphics and famous quotes. Prompts are divided into categories such as those related to personhood and reading. The visuals are helpful in initiating ideas for the brainstorming process.
Something to Write About
A site for writing prompts created by the same author of Make Beliefs Comix. Great for students to incorporate creativity in their writing.
Creative Writing Resource Guide
A diverse resource guide centered on creative writing that includes lesson plans, study guides, writing support communities (members give/receive feedback on their work), publishing, and language/fundamental skills. Helpful for both teachers and students.
Vocabulary and Grammar
VocabProfile
This site will tell you the amount of words a text contains based on four lists: most frequent 1000 word families, the second 1000, the Academic Word List (AWL), and words that are not part of the previous lists. Helpful for analyzing and simplifying texts for learners. Check out more about simplifying texts here.
The Corpus of Contemporary American English
The Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA) is a useful tool to explore language variations, frequency of words, phrases, and collocations.
Word and Phrase
This is a slightly more user-friendly than COCA, so it would also be great for English language learners to use. I like that you can instantly see the academic words from the text, check the definition, and explore different collocations. This is a great tool for directly linking vocabulary with the text, emphasizing on context.
Songs For Teaching English Grammar
A great list of songs and lyrics that you can use when teaching grammar. You can search for songs by the artist, level, theme, and task.
English Grammar
Contains simple grammar points for review, video lessons, and lessons/quizzes which can be downloaded for classroom use.
English Grammar Revolution
Offers grammar games, exercises, quizzes, and diagramming activities for classroom use. Also lists suggestions for class material.
English Language (ESL) Learning
Offers over 300 English grammar definitions and references, as well as lesson plans, handouts, and training. Handouts and exercises are divided by level of proficiency.
ESL-lounge Student
Offers various resources for ESL/EFL teachers including lesson plans, materials, teaching guides, song lyrics, and blog posts.
Grammar Bytes!
Covers grammar terms and offers interactive exercises, classroom presentations with handouts and PowerPoint slides, and videos for effective teaching.
Guide to Grammar and Writing
Provides thorough grammar explanations with charts and diagrams, as well as resources for writing.
VocabProfile
This site will tell you the amount of words a text contains based on four lists: most frequent 1000 word families, the second 1000, the Academic Word List (AWL), and words that are not part of the previous lists. Helpful for analyzing and simplifying texts for learners. Check out more about simplifying texts here.
The Corpus of Contemporary American English
The Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA) is a useful tool to explore language variations, frequency of words, phrases, and collocations.
Word and Phrase
This is a slightly more user-friendly than COCA, so it would also be great for English language learners to use. I like that you can instantly see the academic words from the text, check the definition, and explore different collocations. This is a great tool for directly linking vocabulary with the text, emphasizing on context.
Songs For Teaching English Grammar
A great list of songs and lyrics that you can use when teaching grammar. You can search for songs by the artist, level, theme, and task.
English Grammar
Contains simple grammar points for review, video lessons, and lessons/quizzes which can be downloaded for classroom use.
English Grammar Revolution
Offers grammar games, exercises, quizzes, and diagramming activities for classroom use. Also lists suggestions for class material.
English Language (ESL) Learning
Offers over 300 English grammar definitions and references, as well as lesson plans, handouts, and training. Handouts and exercises are divided by level of proficiency.
ESL-lounge Student
Offers various resources for ESL/EFL teachers including lesson plans, materials, teaching guides, song lyrics, and blog posts.
Grammar Bytes!
Covers grammar terms and offers interactive exercises, classroom presentations with handouts and PowerPoint slides, and videos for effective teaching.
Guide to Grammar and Writing
Provides thorough grammar explanations with charts and diagrams, as well as resources for writing.
Games
Games & Activities for the ESL/EFL Classroom
A project of The Internet TESL Journal which provides activities and games submitted by ESL/EFL teachers. The target level and directions are listed for each activity.
*Bingo Card Generator
Users can create their own custom bingo cards and make different adjustments, including the card size.
Instant Jeopardy Review
Users can create their own jeopardy game by inserting their own questions and answers. You can include YouTube videos in the question slides.
Games & Activities for the ESL/EFL Classroom
A project of The Internet TESL Journal which provides activities and games submitted by ESL/EFL teachers. The target level and directions are listed for each activity.
*Bingo Card Generator
Users can create their own custom bingo cards and make different adjustments, including the card size.
Instant Jeopardy Review
Users can create their own jeopardy game by inserting their own questions and answers. You can include YouTube videos in the question slides.
*= my recommendations