Beginners' Resources for ESOL Students

Below you will find a list of Web resources that provide ESOL Foundations-level students with English practice in academics and life skills.

This Web page contains links to other websites. These links are not endorsements of any products or services in such sites, and no information in such site has been endorsed or approved by Seminole State.

Beginners/Academic Skills

Academic Skills/Alphabet

1. Letters, Colors, Numbers and Shapes (with audio)
   http://www.literacycenter.net/lessonview_en.htm
2. The Alphabet (with audio)
   http://evaeaston.com/pr/alphabet.html
3. The Reason for the Alphabet's Order
   http://www.starfall.com/n/skills/alphabet/load.htm?f
4. The Alphabet Game (a printable game)
   http://www.lingolex.com/alfgamin.html
5. Alphabet Printables (with worksheets and flash cards)
   http://www.first-school.ws/theme/alphabetp1.htm
6. Alphabet Fun and Games
   http://www.meddybemps.com/letterary/index.html
7. Different Alphabet Activities
   http://www.meddybemps.com/letterary/cafe.html
8. Writing Guide (watch a cute spider with a pencil draw the letters; practice writing the letters by moving the cursor
   http://www.meddybemps.com/letterary/guide_and_archives.html
9. Type Letters into an Egg Shape
   http://www.meddybemps.com/easter/decoletters.html

Academic Skills/Games

1. Grammar Practice Park (games that review grammar skills)
   http://www.harcourtschool.com/menus/preview/harcourt_language/grammar_park.html
2. Grammar Blast (games at various levels)
   http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hme/k_5/grammar/
3. English Language Games (various topics)
   http://www.english-online.org.uk/games/gamezone2.htm

Academic Skills/Grammar

1. Foundation-Level Grammar Activities
   http://www.tcet.com/eaonline/GrammarCentral/index.html
2. Grammar Lessons (various topics for lower levels; some include video)
   http://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/Blue%20Level/Blue%20Level.html
3. Periods, Question Marks and Exclamation Marks (an exercise with answers)
   http://a4esl.org/q/j/ck/ed-punct01.html
4. "A" or "An" Exercise (simple sentences that review occupations)
   http://a4esl.org/q/h/9801/cg-a_an.html
5. What, When or Where? (fill-in-the-blank sentences)
   http://a4esl.org/q/h/mc-www.html
6. A/An - Lesson on Articles
   http://english-zone.com/grammar/a-anlessn.html
7. A/An - Practicing Articles (an exercise with self-check answers)
   http://english-zone.com/grammar/a-an.html
8. Simple Sentence Construction
   http://www.manythings.org/rs/
9. Punctuation (vocabulary with symbols and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/punctuation/eng
10. Prepositions (lessons with audio and practice exercises)
    http://www.mcedservices.com/Prepex/QUIZEX.HTM
11. Prepositions (three colorful beginner-level activities)
    http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/location/eng/Introduction/MainSessionPart1.htm
12. Prepositions (study pictures and words; click on the right arrow for practice activities)
    http://colleges.ac-rouen.fr/lemaitre/anglais/cesar_english/exercices/prepositions/prepositions.htm
13. Spatial Relations (basic prepositions explained on slides; click and hold the mouse button to activate the slide's graphics)
    http://candohelperpage.com/mapping_skills_1.html

Academic Skills/Reading

1. Multicultural Educational Services (contains several links, including a reading-skills test for pre-literate students)
   http://www.mcedservices.com/PDFs.html
2. The LaRue Reading Skills Assessment for Pre-Literate Students
   http://www.mcedservices.com/ESL/Littest.html
3. American English (single vowel sounds; two pages with audio)
   http://www.fonetiks.org/engsou2am.html

Academic Skills/Reading/Phonemic Awareness/Phonics

1. Phonemic Awareness Infusion (reading with an emphasis on pronunciation; audio available)
   http://www.seminolestate.edu/adulted/els/web_resources/readings-with-pronunciation.htm
2. ESL: Phonics (free, printable phonics handouts and worksheets for the ESL classroom, plus several pages of printable phonics flash cards)
   http://www.stickyball.net/phonics.html
3. Learn to Read Phonics (a great collection of colorful slides on the pronunciation of vowels and consonants; created for children but useful for Foundations ESL students; with audio)
   http://www.starfall.com/n/level-a/learn-to-read/play.htm?f
4. American English (single vowel sounds; two pages with audio)
   http://www.fonetiks.org/engsou2am.html
5. Cando's Helper Page (activities on phonics and other language skills areas)
   http://candohelperpage.com/index.html
6. Free Printable Phonics Worksheets
   http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/language_arts/phonics/
7. Free Phonics Worksheets
   http://www.free-phonics-worksheets.com/html/free_phonics_worksheets.html
8. English Phonics (with sound)
   http://www.foniks.org/
9. Through the Phonics Barrier (worksheets and MP3 files)
   http://www.donpotter.net/PDF/Through%20the%20Phonics
   %20Barrier%20pdf/Through%20the%20Phonics%20Barrier.pdf
10. Phonics Exercises (vowel sheets and phonic word sets)
    http://www.mcedservices.com/ESL/Phonics.html
11. Phonics Desk Worksheet Program (covers skills for consonants, blends, digraphs, diphthongs and r-controlled vowels)
    http://www.tampareads.com/phonics/phondesk/index-pd.htm
12. ABC Fast Phonics (basic phonic rules for vowels, consonants and blends with practice pages)
    http://www.abcfastphonics.com/about.html
13. Shahi Visual Dictionary (great images from Flickr, Google and Yahoo; no audio)
    http://blachan.com/shahi/
14. Glossary (includes picture and audio of the word's pronunciation, the definition and sample sentences; Harcourt)
    http://www.harcourtschool.com/glossary/esl/

Beginners/Life Skills

Life Skills/Applied Technology

1. Computer Lab Vocabulary With Pictures (in printable PDF format)
   http://www.seminolestate.edu/adulted/els/media/computer-lab-vocabulary-with-pictures.pdf

Life Skills/Employment - Job Safety

1. Safety Symbols (with answer key)
   http://www2.worksafebc.com/

Life Skills/Employment - Occupations

1. Occupations (vocabulary pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/jobs/eng/

Life Skills/Employment - Vocabulary

1. Community Jobs (pictures with brief phrases and vocabulary)
   http://www.hud.gov/kids/job3.html
2. Community Jobs (audio and pictures with brief questions)
   http://users.netrover.com/~kingskids/community/community3a.swf
3. Community Jobs (audio and pictures with brief questions)
   http://users.netrover.com/~kingskids/community/community4.swf

Life Skills/Environment and the World

1. The Environmental Protection Agency (an easy-to-understand, visually appealing website)
   http://www.epa.gov/kids
2. Fahrenheit to Celsius Converter
   http://www.wbuf.noaa.gov/tempfc.htm
3. Weather Words (with audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/weather/eng/
4. Weather Chart (in printable PDF format)
   http://www.sbac.edu/~tpl/posters/11%20weather%20chart.pdf
5. A Map of Florida (in printable PDF format)
   http://www.sbac.edu/~tpl/posters/25%20Florida%20map.pdf
6. Florida Maps (includes city maps, road maps, highway traffic information and maps with directions)
   http://goflorida.about.com/cs/maps/a/maps_florida.htm
7. Florida: Facts, Map and State Symbols (printouts)
   http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/florida/
8. Florida Counties Map
   http://www.mapwatch.com/multi-maps/full/florida-county-map.gif

Life Skills/Family and Parenting

1. Family Members (a printable word search)
   http://www.manythings.org/wf/0/family.gif
2. Extended Family Chart
   http://www.bridgeport.edu/Indexhtml/Centers/Disted/crsmaterials/korn101/word/truef.htm
3. Vocabulary: Family and Relatives
   http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/words/family1.htm
4. Family (an easy word search)
   http://www.abcteach.com/EasyPuzzles/wordsearches/lcfamily.htm

Life Skills/Government and Community Resources

1. Postage Rate Calculator (for domestic and international postage rates)
   http://postcalc.usps.gov

Life Skills/Health Nutrition

1. Food Pyramid
   http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/mpk_poster.pdf
2. The Cook's Thesaurus (food categories with a list of items and pictures)
   http://www.foodsubs.com/
3. Fruits (includes pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/fruits/eng/
4. Vegetables (includes pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/veg/eng/
5. Food Vocabulary (includes pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/food/eng/
6. Personal Grooming (vocabulary with pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/bathroom/eng/index2.jsp
7. Parts of the Body (vocabulary with pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/body/eng/
8. Medicine (vocabulary with pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/med/eng/
9. Warning Labels
   http://www.mcedservices.com/medex/PDFs/ENwarn.pdf

Life Skills/Safety and Security Issues

1. Fire Prevention Word Search
   http://homeschooling.about.com/od/holidays/ss/fireprint.htm
2. Poison Warning Label (images)
   http://www.csudh.edu/oliver/chemdata/warnlabs/poison.jpg

Life Skills/Transportation and Travel

1. Land Travel: Vehicles (with pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/landtravel/eng/
2. Travel by Land and Water (with pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/travel/eng/
3. The Car (with pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/car/eng/
4. Traffic Signals and Signs
   http://www.dot.state.tx.us/kidsonly/safetypg/safety
5. Transportation Vocabulary (lists with pictures, exercises and puzzles)
   http://www.eflnet.com/vocab/transportation_vocabulary.php

Life Skills/Various Topics

1. English Exercises (a list of activities on a variety of topics; some have audio)
   http://skyblues67.tk/
2. U.S.A. Learns (a free site for adults to learn English and improve their basic reading, writing, speaking and life skills)
   http://usalearns.org
3. Life Skills Activities (multiple choice activities on various life skills topics; includes audio and self-check tool)
   http://www.marshalladulteducation.org/reading-skills-for-todays-adult/group-1
4. Print and Go ESL Reading Worksheets (an assortment of reproducible worksheets for ESL teachers and students; designed for beginning-level adults who are learning English; worksheet subjects include communities, civics and government, employment, families, feelings, finances, health, nutrition, recreation and travel)
   http://www.elcivics.com/esl-ebooks-free.html

Life Skills/Ventures Textbook Links

1. Ventures Arcade (online resource for students with fun games for each level)
   http://www.cambridge.org/us/esl/venturesadulted/venturesarcade/
2. Arcade Checklists (help students keep track of their progress through the Ventures Arcade activities; for all levels)
   http://www.cambridge.org/us/esl/venturesadulted/arcade_checklist.html

Life Skills/U.S. Concepts of Time and Money

1. Money-Related Vocabulary (with pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/money/eng/
2. Counting Coins
   http://www.coe.uh.edu/archive/math/math_lessons/mathles3/pen1.htm
3. Numbers (with audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/num/eng/
4. Seasons, Months and Days of the Week (with audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/txt/time/eng/
5. Imperial and Metric Measurement Coversion Chart
   http://www.thatsmyhome.com/recipes/conversion.htm
6. Calendar Grid (in printable PDF format)
   http://www.sbac.edu/~tpl/posters/50%20calendar%20grid%201.pdf
7. Telling Time in Different Ways
   http://www.fi.edu/time/Journey/JustInTime/timequiz1.html
8. Bang on Time (fun!)
   http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/BangOnTime/clockwordres.html
9. Stop the Clock 1
   http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/StopTheClock/sthecR.html
10. Stop the Clock 2
    http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/StopTheClock/sthec4.html
11. Study English (audio)
    http://www.xtec.es/aulanet/ud/angles/study/index.htm
12. Telling Time (audio)
    http://www.esl-lab.com/time.htm
13. Calendar Activity
    http://www.fi.edu/time/Journey/JustInTime/calendar/calendar1.html

Life Skills/Weather

1. Weather (vocabulary with pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/english/vocabulary/weather/
2. Weather-Related Phrases (catchy song reviews: "It's _____ outside today (raining, sunny, windy, snowy, cloudy and hot).")
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA_zWo5LGF0

Beginners/Vocabulary

Vocabulary/Animals

1. Picture Vocabulary
   http://www.eflnet.com/vocab/animal_vocabulary.php
2. Video
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUAdNwsAvsw&feature=related
3. Multiple Choice Activity
   http://iteslj.org/v/ei/animals.html

Vocabulary/Body

1. The Body - External Parts (pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/english/vocabulary/body/
2. The Body II - Internal Parts (pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/english/vocabulary/body2/
3. The Face (pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/english/vocabulary/face/
4. The Digestive System (picture and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/english/vocabulary/digestive-system/
5. Picture Chart
   http://www.learnenglish.de/vocabulary/body.htm
6. Head
   http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/vocabulary/body-parts/exercises
7. Face
   http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/vocabulary/body-parts/exercises?02
8. Body
   http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/vocabulary/body-parts/exercises?03
9. Words and Pronunciation
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zldwlIbOEvI&feature=related

Vocabulary/Classroom

1. Classroom Items (pictures with audio)
   http://www.eslgold.com/vocabulary/classroom_items.html
2. Classroom Questions (phrases with audio)
   http://www.eslgold.com/speaking/classroom_questions.html
3. Classroom English (phrases listed by topic, such as simple instructions, classroom management, ending the lesson, etc.)
   http://www.finchpark.com/courses/links/classroom.htm
4. Classroom English Flash Cards (various sets of picture and text cards)
   http://bogglesworldesl.com/classroom_flashcards.htm

Vocabulary/Colors

1. Color Identification (with audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/colors/eng/
2. Color Identification (video)
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oi2b2ywPWQ&feature=related

Vocabulary/Exercises and Games

1. Happy Earth 1 (lists by topic; with audio; Oxford University Press)
   http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/happyearthamerican/vocabulary1/
2. Happy Earth 2 (lists by topic; with audio; Oxford University Press)
   http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/happyearthamerican/vocabulary2/
3. Matching Exercises (covers several different topics, such as occupations, weather and money; includes pictures)
   http://www.eslbears.homestead.com/matching.html
4. Free Worksheets (alphabet, vowels, colors and numbers)
   http://www.beginningreading.com/Free%20Workshe.htm
5. Bingo Templates (alphabet, numbers, ordinal numbers and time templates)
   http://www.mcedservices.com/ESL/Bingo.html

Vocabulary/Family

1. Pictures and Audio
   http://tv.mes-english.com/family.php
2. Tree With Vocabulary Words
   http://www1bpt.bridgeport.edu/Indexhtml/Centers/Disted/crsmaterials/korn101/word/truef.htm
3. Multiple Choice Exercise
   http://a4esl.org/q/h/vc-family-lb.html

Vocabulary/Food

1. Pictures and Pronunciation
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMKdSGbU2Rw
2. Multiple Pictures - Which One?
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJEh0F6ij_c&feature=related
3. Words and Pronunciation
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfRiXBoUwA0

Vocabulary/General

1. The Internet Picture Dictionary
   http://www.pdictionary.com
2. Vocabulary (easy; includes pictures)
   http://iteslj.org/v/ei/
3. Vocabulary (lists on a variety of topics; includes pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/english/
4. Picture Vocabulary - Lists by topic (audio)
   http://www.eflnet.com/vocab/index.php
5. Pictures and Vocabulary
   http://www.my-english-dictionary.com/eng158.htm

Vocabulary/House

1. Rooms in a House Vocabulary
   http://www.learnenglish.de/vocabulary/rooms.htm
2. The Bathroom (vocabulary with pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/bathroom/eng/
3. The Utility Room (vocabulary with pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/home/utility/eng/

Vocabulary/Numbers

1. Cardinal and Ordinal Word Lists
   http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/numbers.htm
2. Worksheets and Flash Cards
   http://www.first-school.ws/theme/numbers_preschool_printables.htm

Vocabulary/School

1. Pictures and Words
   http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-28984.php
2. Pictures and Audio
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/school/eng/
3. Classroom Objects
   http://www.english-4kids.com/quizzes/beginners/classroom%20objects.htm

Vocabulary/Seasons and Days of the Week

1. Seasons
   http://www.first-school.ws/theme/cpseasons.htm
2. Days
   http://www.first-school.ws/theme/printables/days-week.htm
3. Calendar Vocabulary (cards in various font choices)
   http://www.mcedservices.com/ESL/Calendr.html

Vocabulary/Shapes

1. Listening and Spelling
   http://www.literacycenter.net/words_en/shape_type_en_shp.asp
2. Video
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol80KMQpe1c&feature=related
4. Chart (in printable PDF format)
   http://www.sbac.edu/~tpl/posters/29%20shapes.pdf

Vocabulary/Sight Words

1. Basic Sight Words List 1 (words are said, spelled and used in a sentence; includes type, click and drag and scrambled practice exercises)
   http://www.johnmh.com/sightwords/List1/to.htm
2. Sight Words (includes several different activities; with audio)
   http://www.reall-languages.com/Sightwordssoundspell.htm

Vocabulary/Work

1. Tools (with pictures and audio)
   http://www.languageguide.org/im/tools/eng/
2. Occupations (picture vocabulary and exercises; with audio)
   http://www.eflnet.com/vocab/occupations_vocabulary.php

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