English as a Second Language
Enjoy the collated resources in English as a Second Language. If you have suggestions, please submit them using the form on the right.
You've probably heard that it takes ELLs longer to learn academic language than social language. But what exactly is academic language and how can we help our ELLs to develop it? This resource will help you understand what academic language is, how to identify features of it in your lessons and give you some strategies for teaching these features to your students.
Access: Academic Language - What? Why? How?
This site seeks to improve communication through better understanding of culture and language.
Access: Center for Applied Linguistics
This page provides multiple resources for English Language Learners.
Access: Cybrary Man's Webpage for English as a Second Language
English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21)
Access: ELPA21
English as a Second Language by Dr. Ron C. Lee is the most popular free online English-learning resources for ESL/EFL teachers and students.
Access: English as a Second Language
The Iowa Department of Education provides multiple resources, including the following:
- Educating ELs
- When English Learners Become Proficient
- Title III - English Learners Resources
- Title III - Immigrant Students Resources
- ELP Standards and Assessments
- ELPA21
- Resources
Access: English Language Learners – Iowa Department of Education
A 161-page document from the Office of English Language Acquisition outlining legal obligations for ELs. The toolkit helps state and local education agencies help ELs by fulfilling these obligations. Tool kit links address the following topics:
- Identifying All English Learner Students
- Providing English Learners with a Language Assistance Program
- Staffing and Supporting an EL Program
- Meaningful Access to Core Curricular, Extra Curricular Programs
- Creating an Inclusive Environment and Avoiding Unnecessary Segregation
- Addressing English Learners with Disabilities
- Serving English Learners who Opt-Out of EL Programs
- Monitoring and Exiting English Learners from EL Programs and Services
- Evaluating the Effectiveness of a District's EL Program
- Ensuring Meaningful Communication with Limited English Proficient Parents
Access:English Learner Tool Kit
Access this site for many free online English language learning resources.
Access:ESL Fast
ESL teachers work incredibly hard helping their students develop their English language skills but might find they are constantly searching for lessons, activities, or new teaching strategies. This is why the team at PraxisExam.org recently developed a guide offering a variety of ESL resources for teacher to use in the classroom and some for students to use at home.
Our ESL Teacher Resources guide offers important and up-to-date information in a number of areas, including:
- Several websites, activities, and curriculum planning resources
- An exploration of what ESL teachers do and how to follow this career path
- Strategies for engaging ESL students
Access: ESL Teacher's Resources - Guide
This site provides information regarding encyclopedic reference work cataloging all of the world’s 7,097 known living languages.
Every Friday, join Shelly Sanchez Terrell for an American TESOL Institute 30 minute webinar. American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture provides lessons and free resources for agriculture.
Learn about a range of newcomers to Iowa, starting with the Native Americans, continuing to the present day.
Access: Iowa Pathways
This state-wide organization is a great resource for teaching world languages as well as support for understanding the cultures of English Language Learners.
Access: Iowa World Language Association
Explore this site that posts national data on ELLs along with various resources.
Access: National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA)
A veteran teacher helps you understand current research and put theory into practice.
Join or read about the premier national organization that researches and advocates for ELLs.
Access: TESOL
- #ellchat discusses issues related to teaching English language
- #MLLChat_BkClub (formerly #ELLChat_BkClub) is consistent participation from the AUTHORS across 32 different book studies to date! They take time out of busy schedules to engage with us, share wisdom, and comment on our thoughts!
- #ELTchat is every Wednesday and is for English Language teaching professionals.
WIDA advances academic language development and academic achievement for linguistically diverse students through high quality standards, assessments, research, and professional development for educators.
Access: World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA)
- YouTube Channels for English Language Learners and Teachers of ELL
- BBC Learning English provides "great grammar, drama, news, study, pronunciation, vocabulary, music, interviews, and celebrity videos."
- BBC Learning English Listening Skills The daily program focuses on listening and speaking skills, Besides, you also learn grammar and vocabulary.
- Daily English Conversation offers video lessons to help English learners enhance their speaking skills and English grammar.
- English Kids TV teaches Children English as a Second Language (ESL) and is a fun and effective way to Learn English online. It uses cartoons, songs, funny skits, and more. Ideal for ages 3 -10