Writing@CSU

Teaching Guides

Volunteering in ESL

 

ESL Volunteer Guide Links List

This is a list of all links appearing on the following pages or page sections of this guide.

ESL Learners

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Cultural Bridges

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Getting Started

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  • Help! They Don't Speak English Starter Kit
    Focuses on migrant students. Includes principles of adult learning, ESL teaching methods and suggestions, printable handouts on 16 survival English topics, explanations of specific teaching techniques, and information about Mexican American and Haitian cultures. Divided into several PDF documents.
  • ESL Start-up Kit (University of Tennessee)
    Somewhat technical overview of teaching principles and practices for adult ESL. Special attention given to Hispanic learners and immigrants.
  • Liz Reagan's Teaching Tips
    Twenty teaching tips explained in detail; intended for classrooms but many tips can be applied to individual tutoring.

Language Levels

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  • ESL Level Descriptors (Canadian College of Business and Language)
    Descriptions of seven ESL levels introductory through upper advanced.
  • Sample Intake Test
    Sample interview test for oral communication ability from International Students Inc. at Colorado State University; used by permission.
  • CASAS - Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System
    The "Life Skills Assessment" is used in many adult ESL programs to measure English ability in listening, reading, writing, speaking (interview), and math. It is appropriate for all English levels. Training is required to administer the test. Contact CASAS for cost information.
  • BEST - Basic English Skills Test (Center for Applied Linguistics)
    Several states including Colorado utilize the BEST for their adult ESL programs. Scores are correlated to 10 performance levels zero ability through native speaker. There is a 15-minute oral interview section scoring communication, fluency, pronunciation, and listening, and a 1-hour literary skills section scoring reading and writing. A short form of the oral interview is available scoring communication and fluency through performance level 7. A test administration training video is available. Contact the Center for Applied Linguistics for cost information.

Conversation Partners

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Listening

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  • Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab
    Around 140 listening clips and quizzes for students to access online; categorized into four difficulty levels, but activities marked 'easy' may be too difficult for beginners due to unfamiliar vocabulary; many include pre- and post-listening exercises; requires audio software such as RealPlayer (free) or optional interactive software like Divace.
  • The English Listening Lounge
    Thirty free listening clips categorized into three difficulty levels for students to access online; more available with membership; requires audio software such as RealPlayer (free).

Reading

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Grammar

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Pronunciation

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Other Skills

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Spelling, Vocabulary, Non-Verbal Communication, Life Skills

How to Plan a Lesson

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Games/Miscellaneous Activities

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Lesson Materials

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  • Adult Education ESL Teachers Guide
    General orientation to ESL teaching; 11 lessons for beginners, 11 lessons for intermediate learners, 11 lessons for non-literate learners; most lessons include teaching instructions.
  • Onestopenglish.com
    Free printable lesson plans and worksheets for all levels; registration required.
  • ESL-Images
    Free printable sample lesson plans, worksheets, and picture flash cards for beginner and intermediate levels; more available with membership.
  • About.com Teaching Resources
    Many lesson plans and activities for all levels; designed for classes but adaptable for individual tutoring.
  • Handouts Online
    Free printable handouts on grammar, everyday activities, business English, vocabulary, and other searchable topics; categorized by level under "Most Popular;" some instant lessons designed for regular teachers.
  • TEFL.NET ESL Lesson Plans
    Fifteen free printable lesson worksheets with separate teaching instructions; designed for pair work; language levels not specified.
  • EFL4U.com
    Small collection of sample lessons with printable worksheets and teaching instructions; more available for purchase.
  • John Korber: One World, One People ESL Lessons
    Many lesson ideas with instructions, some for beginners, mostly for intermediate level, adaptable for advanced students.

General ESL Links

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  • English Gateway
    Online vocabulary lessons (with audio) for intermediate and advanced ESL learners. Exercises on idioms, phrasal verbs and collocations. Student/teacher blog and worksheets. Though this site offers paid memberships, they also provide many free worksheets, lesson plans, and vocabulary lessons.
  • Dave's ESL Cafe
    Probably the best-known ESL website on the internet: classroom ideas, idioms, games, chats, discussion boards, email, pronunciation software, photos, links, lots more.
  • Internet TESL Journal
    Teaching articles, lessons, handouts, links, online activities for students, more.
  • John's ESL Community
    Teacher and student resources, worksheets, classroom activities; class website and email available with free registration.
  • DiscoverySchool.com
    Not an ESL site but contains useful teaching resources such as a puzzle generator (make your own crosswords, word searches, and other puzzles), an online quiz creator, clipart, and 'brain booster' exercises in critical thinking.
  • Arlyn Freed's ESL/EFL Resources
    ESL articles, resources, and links for students and teachers; includes basic introduction to internet terminology and internet search tips.

Clipart

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Sites for Students

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