Educational Links
Timely Information for DACA Students:
An undocumented VEP student recently expressed concern that her son, who will be graduating high school next year, will not be awarded a diploma if he goes to college.
Each college or university has different admission policies for undocumented students, so it is best to go directly to them with questions. Attached is a document that contains a list of PA colleges and universities and their specific admissions policies for undocumented students, as well as a list of scholarships and financial aid for undocumented students. To access this document, click here: 2019-College-Access-for-Undocumented-Students-Toolkit-1 (1)
ESL Links
News Articles:
Breaking News English– ESL lesson plans & podcasts of current events & news
VOA Learning English – Uses vocabulary and listening from current events & news to create lessons at all levels
Newsela – Offers high quality current events news articles that are adjustable by reading level. There is no charge for current events articles once you sign up for a free account, although other content on the website requires a subscription.
Dictionaries:
Merriam Webster – Includes daily crossword and word games
Cambridge Dictionary – Includes translations
Dictionary.com – Includes word of the day
Oxford Dictionary– Includes grammar and writing tips
Citizenship:
Citizenship Study Guide – Interactive with games, activities, flashcards, all 100 USCIS questions
USCIS – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services official page. Information & resources for teaching citizenship test skills
Advocacy:
HIAS – The oldest international migration and refugee resettlement agency in the U.S. Find immigration information, legislative updates, and the HIAS Location Service.
Sites with ESL Activities, Lessons and Games:
5-Minute English – ESL Lessons for all areas including pronunciation
About ESL – All levels, many skills; good site for quick tips
Academic Vocabulary Lists – This page features the BNC/COCA vocabulary lists, which contain the most frequently used English words. The first 1,000 word list has most of the English survival vocabulary, and subsequent lists become increasingly advanced.
Activities for ESL – Quizzes, tests, exercises and puzzles
Clear English Corner – YouTube channel of speech-language pathologist with videos about American English pronunciation
Cyber Listening Lab – Listening exercises and quizzes for all levels
Dave’s ESL Cafe – Ideas & activities for tutors and students
Duolingo – 5 to 10 minute language lessons accessible on web or mobile device
ELLLO – English listening lessons library for beginner, intermediate and advanced students
English Club – Activities and resources for tutors and students
English Page – Vocabulary, grammar, and weekly lessons
engVid – Video lessons by experienced native-speaker teachers
ESL Bits – Listening & reading with audiobooks, short stories, songs, etc. at all levels
ESL Literacy Readers (Bow Valley College) – 40 theme-based readers for beginning level students. The readers were created for adult ESL students and are available to read/listen to online, or as printable PDFs.
ESL Lounge – Activities for all skills at all levels, includes practice worksheets
ESOL Courses – Free interactive listening lessons, reading exercises, quizzes and games
Learning Chocolate – Vocabulary for beginners with big variety of exercises and quizzes, audible pronunciation
Learning English – BBC – free learning videos and materials
Many Things – Quizzes, speaking and listening activities, videos, word games and puzzles for all levels
One Stop English – Lesson plans, activities, grammar resources, free for 30 days
Puzzlemaker – Create word search, crossword puzzles using your own vocabulary list
Rachel’s English – YouTube channel with many videos about American English pronunciation and conversation
Quizlet – Flashcards, games and learning tools for a variety of subjects, including English
Reading Skills for Today’s Adults – Short stories written for adult language learners. They are organized by reading level and come with a reading comprehension worksheet.
SelfAccess – Reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, speaking & listening lessons
TED Talks – Interesting videos from expert speakers on variety of topics
Tools for Clear Speech – Videos and activities to practice pronunciation – individual sounds, intonation, rhythm, etc. Offers suggestions for which sounds to study based on student’s first language.
University of Victoria Study Zone – Language lessons and practice exercises for all levels
USA Learns – Free site for adults to learn English, comprehensive lessons
Using English – Handouts & quizzes, PDF lesson plans, collection of English idioms A-Z
Grammar/Writing:
All Things Topics – This website has conversations, activities, vocabulary worksheets organized by topic
All Things Grammar – This website has English grammar worksheets and activities
Daily Grammar – Grammar book, grammar glossary
English 4 U – Grammar and vocabulary exercises, practice tests – all levels
ESL Desk – Grammar, vocabulary, spelling, list of podcasts
Grammar Online – Grammar and writing tips, includes concepts for business English plus many other activities
Owl English as a Second Language – Grammar and writing help for advanced students, for students and tutors
Unscramblerer – Extensive word lists sorted by parts of speech
College Preparation:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – required by most colleges/universities for admission for non-native English speakers. It measures a person’s ability to use and understand English at the college level.