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Useful ESL Websites & Apps

Here is a compiled list of websites to support your classroom and English Learners.

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There are not many websites designed especially for elementary-age English language learners. In order to provide these students with extra practice in English, it is necessary to examine sites intended for English native speakers.

How do students use these sites? First, I introduce a web site in ESL class and allow students to try out a few activities. In order to do this, you will need to have a computer in your room or access to a computer lab. I use wireless laptops in my room so that students can each look at their own screen.

Directions for accessing the site are handed out. Students then work on the site on their own in their mainstream classroom or, if they have a computer, at home. They print out results or make a screen shot and bring it to me the next day. Some games can not be printed or saved. In that case, I ask students to practice a skill for homework and do the game again quickly in class the next day. In some cases, the information on a site will need to be modified for English language learners. Some of the sites listed will not be suitable for beginners in a particular grade cluster.

Here is a list of some of the sites my students are using.

Sites for Grades PreK-2

  • Literacy Center.net - an early childhood language learning site. Includes French, Spanish, and German.

  • Starfall.com - Reading instruction and reading games for students in Pre-K-1. It's hard to believe this site is free.

  • ReadToday - Join the reading revolution! Teach a child to read.

  • BrainPop Jr - This site has videos, quizzes, and other activities all many subjects. PreK-3

  • BrainPop ESL - This site has videos, quizzes, and other activities  focuses on reading, writing, vocabulary building, grammar and pronunciation. Early and Intermediate ELLs

  • Continent song - Good for students learning the names of the continents.

  • Reading is Fundamental - This site has many stories for Pre-K-2 students.*

  • Storyplace.org - a site with online stories and activities. Grades pre-K-Kindergarten.*

  • Online Story Time -This site is more for teachers but has many online stories.

  • Martha Speaks -This site is good for beginning ELLs in grades k-2. It is advertised as a pre-school site but the stories are suitable for K-1 students.

  • Games on PBS Kids - Games for K-2. "WordPlay" can be used for students in grades 3-4.

  • Arthur - Sequencing activity where students hear a story and put pictures in order.

  • Storyline Online - A terrific site with stories read by actors from the ScreenActors' Guild. Grades 1-4.*

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

  • Raz-kids.com - Reading and listening activities for elementary age students.*

  • Clifford - Activities pre-K-2.Try the reading and writing section with students in grades 2-3.

  • Videos - Short Clifford videos. Click on "See and Hear." Grades K-2.

  • Berenstain Bears Games and Songs - Great activities for young children including word games, songs and puzzles. Grades K-2.

  • Spanish 4 Teachers - Reading Spanish teaching resources.

  • Discover Science Simulations - Science content from Houghton Mifflin Science Series.

  • Science Vocabulary - Effective strategies for teaching science vocabulary.

  • AAAMatematicas - Math content taught in Spanish - videos available across content.

  • MathTV - Math content taught in English and Spanish - videos available for all Math content.

  • Math sentences - language functions and Math sentences.


Sites for Grades 3-5


Sites for Grades 4-8

  • Listening Activities - Designed for older students but pronunciation and listening activities could be used for students grades 4 and up.*

  • iKnowthat - This link takes you to map and social studies activities for grades 5-12.

  • BrainPop -This site has videos, quizzes, and other activities all many subjects. Grades 5-8. Grades 3-8. *

  • Multicultural Stories - Stories from around the world by Nick Jr. Grades 3-8

  • Brainteasers, Puzzles and Riddles - Kids' page from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Grades 5-8

  • Translation Site - Students can bookmark this site to translate words from English to their native language. Grades 3-12.

  • Interactive games and activities - Social Studies Games from Ben's Guide to the U.S Government. Grades 5-8.

  • Audio Comprehension - An audio concentration game for Grades 4-12.*

  • Homophone game - Match homophones in this concentration game.* Grades 4-8.

  • Spanish 4 Teachers - Reading Spanish teaching resources.

  • Vocabulary - Vocabulary games - From Interesting Things For ESL Students, aa collection of vocabulary games for Grades 6-12.

  • WordBuilder - Great site for phonics practice. Grades 4-12

  • Science Vocabulary - Effective strategies for teaching science vocabulary.

  • AAAMatematicas - Math content taught in Spanish - videos available across content.

  • MathTV - Math content taught in English and Spanish - videos available for all Math content.

  • Math sentences - language functions and Math sentences.

Apps
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