Saturday, October 24, 2009

English as a Second Language: guides and online links



English as a Second Language is an important part of classroom learning. There are many English-language resources that can be used for ESL K-8 language learning as well. The range of language skills that young ESL learners need to acquire extends from basic speaking skills to expressing themselves in writing. These books focus on providing young ESL learners with all the skills they will need to succeed at school in an English-speaking environment. Search for these books at your local library using the World Catalog search box, or purchase a copy using the Amazon.com search box also here on BookBag.

Ready-To-Use ESL Activities for Every Month of the School Year by Carol A. Josel approaches the ESL classroom based on themes. There is a wide range of activities including stories which help students explore the English speaking world around them.

Reading, Writing, & Learning in ESL: A Resource Book for K-8 Teachers, by Suzanne F. Peregoy gives more in-depth information on young learner language acquisition and literacy development for ESL students. The book presents excellent background material and provides activities to put theory into practice.


101 Bright Ideas by Claire M. Ford provides a wide variety of helpful ideas and activities that can be easily applied to any classroom or learning situation. This book is for teachers and parents who want to enhance their lesson plans.


ESL Teacher's Activities Kit by Elizabeth Claire is a well-organized resource book. Activities are listed by subject as well as level. The activities employ a wide-range of modern teaching techniques, and should interest anyone who is looking to bring a more innovative style to their classroom teaching.


Suggested links for additional ESL practice

There are not many websites designed especially for elementary-age English language learners. In order to provide ESL students with extra practice in English, it is necessary to examine sites intended for English native speakers. Here's a short list of sites in English, grades K-8, that can be used for language and spelling practice in addition to ESL courses. For more information and other links, visit the Everything ESL website of Judie Haynes, co-author of four books on ESL.


Starfall.com Reading instruction and reading games for students in Pre-K-1.

Reading is Fundamental.This site has many stories for Pre-K-Grade 2, and writing activities for students in Grades 2-5.

Kid's Lab -Great site with tons of terrific activities. Try the reading comprehension section. There's also a science vocabulary section.

Storyplace.org -a site with online stories and activities.

Reading-A-To-Z - This is a commercial site with free books that you can download and print. Grades 1-4.

Tumblebook Library - Click on "stories." A large collectionof stories from the Los Angeles Public Library. All grades.


MadLibs for Advanced Beginners in Grades 3-5.

Grammar Gorillas for Advanced Beginners in Grades 3-5

Stories for Kids for Advanced Beginners in Grades 3-5

Bookhive.com -This site has multicultural children's stories told by famous storytellers. Be sure to click on "Listen to a story." For Grades 2-5

Arthur -Games from Arthur. Grades 2-5.



Scholastic - A program for kids to make flashcards. Grades 3-8.

Surfing the Net with KidsSite with games and puzzles in different subject areas.

Spelling Wizard - Use spelling words to make a word search or sentence scramble. Grades 3-6.

Word Game Intermediate students in grades 5-8.

Owl online This is a good grammar site for 6-12

FunBrain reading Intermediate students in grades 5-8.

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