British Council
Learning English through Short Stories
Use short stories to teach English? Yes! Designed as a professional development opportunity for English language teachers, the ideas in this booklet can easily be adapted to advanced ESL/ELL classes.
Web English Teacher
Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns
Myself. themselves, himself. Class members engage in an intensive study and reflect on the uses of reflective and intensive pronouns.
Curated OER
Reading Skills: Chunking
Prepare advanced English learners and low-level readers for the reading demands of post-secondary education with skill of chunking. Readers learn to make meaning from phrases rather than individual words, helping them to read more...
Curated OER
What's the Point? A Lesson on Point of View
Fourth graders read the book, Good Dog by Alexandra Day. In this writing lesson, 4th graders re-write the story from a chosen character's point of view. This lesson can be used with many other wordless picture books.
Curated OER
Shopping
Students explore shopping vocabulary. In this ELL speaking lesson plan, students guess words that would be on a shopping list, identify or define words related to shopping, take a shopping survey, and read related text aloud.
Curated OER
Cause and Effect SDAIE Lesson
Fifth graders read two Mexican folktales and discuss cause and effect. They draw a cause and effect relationship from one of the stories.
Curated OER
How Many? How Much? - Countable And Uncountable
In this language arts learning exercise, students practice asking questions which begin with "how much" or "how many." Students work in pairs to ask and answer the questions. There are 10 possible responses that students may choose from....
Curated OER
Multicultural Holidays Through Student Artwork
An ESL class writes a description of an aspect of a holiday from another country. They illustrate their description and present their finished work product to their classmates.
Curated OER
Helping Verbs: Grammar for ESL/ELL
English language learners act out verbs, discuss their importance in constructing grammatically correct sentences, and then learn about helping verbs. They use helping verbs in a sentence then discuss how they are different from action...
Curated OER
Children of War
Take a closer look at the impact of war in this language arts and social studies activity. Middle schoolers use primary sources to conduct research as they relate to the effects of war on children. They compare and contrast the effects...
Curated OER
Introduce: The Suffix -ed
Students examine language. In this word-making instructional activity, students discover the meaning of the suffix -ed. They work in small groups to create a list of words using this suffix. This instructional activity includes...
Curated OER
Introduce: The Prefixes un- and dis-
Young scholars study language. In this word-making lesson, students discover the meanings of the prefixes un- and dis-. They work in small groups to create a list of words using these prefixes. This lesson includes modifications for ELL...
Curated OER
Persuasion as Text: Organizational, Grammatical, and Lexical Moves in Barbara Jordan’s "All Together Now"
A thorough lesson plan on persuasive writing takes middle schoolers through several activities, including group discussion, collaborative posters, and independent writing. They compare historical speeches and analyze the persuasive...
Center for Open Educational Resources and Language Learning
Reading Activity
Ready to integrate technology into your ELL instruction? Check out this reading lesson that has language learners using the Internet and apps, joining online book clubs, and creating blogs. A fine model of what can be done.
Curated OER
Hoot: KWHL
How can we help endangered animals? Learn about which animals are endangered and what people can do to protect them with a lesson based on Carl Hiaasen's Hoot. After completing a KWHL chart to note what they already know and what they...
Curated OER
Total English: ELL Activity
For this ELL worksheet, students fill in gaps in a conversation using words from a word box. Students also create a work schedule and try to arrange a meeting based on a given schedule.
Curated OER
Exploring Careers
The world is full of possibilities for your ELLs. Help them explore their career options with a lesson that incorporates Internet research and expository writing. Not only will they learn more about their careers of choice, but both...
Curated OER
"So, What Do You Think?"
Take a stand! Even the most reluctant speakers find their voices if the topics are engaging. Use pictures, photos, or word prompts (I think pizza is the best lunch on the school menu. What do you think?) to stir responses. Encourage...
Curated OER
Breaking News English - No Hip-hop Fashion for Basketball Players
In this ESL/ELL reading comprehension worksheet, learners read or listen to an article entitled, "No Hip-hop Fashion for Basketball Players." They participate in both pre-reading and post-reading activities which include fill-in the...
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Angry Argentina Commuters Torch Trains
In this ESL/ELL reading and listening comprehension worksheet, students read or listen to an article entitled, "Angry Argentina Commuters Torch Trains." They complete a variety of discussion, grammar, and comprehension activities based...
Curated OER
Breaking News English - New UN AIDS Warning
In this ESL/ELL reading and grammar worksheet, students read an article entitled, " New UN AIDS Warning" from 2004. They complete abbreviation activities, fill in the blanks, discussions, true/false, and phrase match questions. They...
Curated OER
Breaking English News: Children Into Computers Younger Than Ever
In this ESL/ELL reading and listening comprehension worksheet, students read or listen to an article entitled, "Children Into Computers Younger Than Ever." They complete discussion activities, and matching, true or false, fill in the...
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Paul McCartney's Space Station Concert
In this ESL/ELL reading and speaking worksheet, students read or listen to an article entitled, "Paul McCartney's Space Station Concert." They complete a variety of comprehension activities including true/false, listing life songs,...
Curated OER
Breaking News English - India Rushing to Save Commonwealth Games
In this ESL/ELL Commonwealth Games learning exercise, students read a selection about "India Rushing to Save Commonwealth Games." They discuss the passage, identify the problems and solutions, and talk about their own favorite sports....