Internet Resources
ESL
a4esl
http://www.a4esl.org
This is an extensive ESL website with vocabulary, audio, and videos as well as
bilingual exercises. Subject: ESL
Breaking News English
http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com
This site provides articles and accompanying activities on current news topics
tailored for ESL learners. The context of these articles is interesting for adult
learners and connects them with the world outside the classroom. Subject: ESL
Dave’s ESL Café
http://www.eslcafe.com
This is a detailed website that offers resources for teachers and students. It is
basically an Internet meeting place for ESL and EFL teachers and students from
around the world. Subject: ESL
Ego4U
http://www.ego4u.com
This website contains grammar explanations and lessons, literature, business,
English, games, and cultural information. Provides a wide variety of activities and
information for the ESL student. Subject: ESL
GCF Learn Free
http://www.gcfleanfree.org
This educational site, sponsored by Goodwill, offers video tutorials on various
subjects such as computer training (MS Office, Facebook, Google, excel,
blogging), reading for English and ESL students to begin at basic sound and
letter recognition, and math concepts such as paying down debt and tax
documents. The site offers a variety of lessons that instructors can use to
instruct, supplement classroom instruction, or allow for independent learning.
These tutorials are free and engaging and allow you to easily learn at any level
and pace. Subject: ESL
Learn American English Online
http://www.learnamerianenglishonline.com
This is a very comprehensive website designed to help foreigners learn English.
There are videos, lessons, exercises, and quizzes in 7 different levels of English
as a Second Language. You can chat online with other learners as well as
practice your pronunciation of English. It is an excellent website. Subject: ESL
Many Things
http://www.manythings.org
This is an extensive site for ESL that has vocabulary exercises, reading with
audio, word games, puzzles, pronunciation drills on all levels from beginning to
advanced. It is easy for students to navigate and find things they are interested
in. Subject: ESL
News For You Online
http://www.newsforyouonline.com
This site corresponds to a small newspaper to which a school can subscribe.
With a subscription the students get full access to the website. The articles,
written at 3-6 grade level, are read aloud to students. Vocabulary words are
highlighted and when the cursor is placed on top, the definition and part of
speech are displayed. There are exercises for each article. You can listen to
each article in full or sentence-by-sentence. Listening to the newspaper being
read helps the adult student gain fluency while looking at the words being read.
Even without a subscription, anyone can access most parts of the site and
benefit from time spent there. Subject: Reading, ESL
Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab
http://www.esl-lab.com
This site has listening exercises of everyday conversation with adult and
children’s voices. There are over 130 topics in categories listed as easy, medium,
and difficult. In addition, this site includes a section on academic listening,
vocabulary lessons, life tips, and interviews with long conversations. Subject:
ESL
USA Learns
http://www.usalearns.org/index/welcome.cfm?CFID=3711237&CFTOKEN=68428
449&jsessionid=3c30a71d2c7b3021915b271044103f4f1019
USA Learns is a free website funded by the Department of Education to support
immigrants who want to learn or improve their English skills as they become part
of the American Society. Designed as an online tool for learning English outside
of the classroom, the site provides contextualized practice activities in listening,
reading, writing, speaking and life skills necessary for success at work and in the
community. Subject: ESL
Ventures Arcade
http://www.cambridge.org/us/esl/venturesadulted/venturesarcade/index.html
This is a free interactive website for ESL students that correlates the Ventures
six-level, standards based ESL series for adult education. Students can practice
topics covered in the different book series. The exercises are interactive and
offer students immediate feedback and reward. Subject: ESL
We All Can Read
http://www.weallcanread.com
With this program adults learn to read in the privacy of their own home. The
entire program is accessible online and does not require prior training to
implement. The online program teaches phonics with multisensory, step-by-step,
and direct instruction. Subject: Reading, ESL
Wordly Wise 3000 Vocabulary Reinforcement for All
http://www.wordlywise3000.com
The Audio Word Lists support correct pronunciation and helps struggling readers.
Students can enjoy games such as Concentration, Flashcards, Hangman,
Matching (Synonyms/Antonyms), and Word Search while learning at the same
time. Subject: ESL
Reading/Writing
Story Line Online
http://www.storylineonline.net
This site allows students to hear famous people read literature that they may be
familiar with or have never heard before. It allows the students to hear someone
read with fluency and with expression. It also allows them to follow along with the
reader even if they don’t know the vocabulary. Very low readers can enjoy these
books without feeling intimidated by vocabulary. There are also different types of
literature for them to read without a celebrity. Subject: Reading
Adult Student
http://www.adultstudent.com/
This site offers helpful resources for both adult learners and educators of adult
learners. For students you can find help with the Internet, note-taking, setting
goals, and APA. There is also a forum for students to discuss issues with one
another. For educators, there are several articles available to read helping
instructors modify curriculum and set high expectations. Subject: Reading
English for Everyone
http://www.englishforeveryone.org
This site offers printable worksheets and quizzes on a myriad of topics of which
include grammar, reading, writing, phonics, and even has computer
fundamentals for students unfamiliar with Microsoft Word. It also provides a
practice citizenship test questions for ESL students. Subject: ESL
English Interactive
http://www.englishinteractive.net/
This site offers tools for English development from early to High School
graduates. It is well organized and searchable for quick collection of materials.
Subject: Reading
Starfall
http://www.starfall.com
This is a site for beginning readers. It works on letter recognition, initial, final,
ending sounds, vowel sounds, special sounds, etc. It has short activities that give
feedback immediately and allows them to get the answer without feeling
embarrassed to ask questions. Subject: Reading
The Teacher’s Corner
http://www.theteacherscorner.net
The resources provided from this site cover a variety of literacy-focused topics
such as: comprehension, word lists, puzzles and so on that help the student,
teacher, and even the parent. Subject: Reading
Marshall Adult Education Stories
http://www.marshalladulteducation.org/reading-skills-for-todays-adult
This site provides articles for reading on graded levels with audio and worksheets
with comprehension and discussion questions. Even the lowest reading levels
have content that is interesting and useful for adults in everyday life. Subject:
Reading
Read, Write, Think
http://www.readwritethink.org
This site contains creative lesson plans, interactive links for students, and a
professional development link. Subject: Reading, Writing
Grammar Bytes
http://www.chompchomp.com
This site provides grammar instruction, which includes detailed terms, interactive
exercises, handouts, PowerPoints, and YouTube videos. The PowerPoints are
professional, engaging, and easy to comprehend. In addition, the handouts
coincide with the online interactive exercises.
Subject: Reading and Language/Grammar
Teaching That Makes Sense
http://www.ttms.org
Teaching that makes sense is a website that offers free resources for teachers of
reading and writing at all grade levels. It includes downloadable lessons, graphic
organizers, handouts, and teaching guides. Subject: Reading, Writing
The Chronicle of Higher Education
http://www.chronicle.com/section/home/5
The articles included on this online newspaper cover a wide variety of topics and
issues pertinent to higher education, providing a wealth of data and cogent
arguments that stimulate the minds of readers, encouraging best practices and
reform. Subject: Reading
Writing
Grammar Book
http://www.grammarbook.com/videos.asp
This site will assist students in learning grammar and punctuation from beginning
to intermediate GED levels. Subject: Writing
Tools for Educators
http://www.toolsforeducators.com
This site shows new ways to assist students with difficulty in subject areas
covering all levels. Subject: Writing
Opposing Viewpoints- Research Database through Central Piedmont
Community College’s Library Services
http://www.cpcc.edu/libraryservices
This site provides a wide range of topics dealing with current events and
viewpoints. It can provide students with good topics for a Persuasive Essay.
Subject: Writing
Strategies and Applications for the One Computer Classroom
http://www.lburkehart.com/elem/strat.htm
This site can be used for writing, organizing, synthesizing, brainstorming,
contrasting, and putting together a group story. Subject: Writing
The Purdue Online Writing Lab
http://www.owl.english.purdue.edu/
This site offers resources on writing, research, teaching writing, grammar,
mechanics, style guides including APA and MLA, and ESL. This site can help
students form a business letter, resume, and help you avoid plagiarism. Also,
printable worksheets suitable for GED and ESL students are available. Subject:
Writing
Blogger
http://www.blogger.com/
Students can create their own blogs, and write blogs about experiences, books
they’ve read, writing assignments, etc. Blogging may help students become more
comfortable with the writing process and make writing fun as well as educational.
Subject: Writing
This I Believe: A public dialogue about belief – one essay at a time
http://www.thisibelieve.org/
This is an international organization engaging people in writing and sharing
essays describing the core values that guide their daily lives. Great to use as a
writing prompt in the classroom by having students create their own “This I
Believe” essays. Subject: Writing
Social Studies
Smithsonian Education
http://www.smithsonianeducation.org
This site allows students and teachers to take virtual tours of various parts of the
Smithsonian. This is a great resource for schools and institutions that do not
have the means to take trips to places such as these to tour with their students.
Subject: Social Studies
America in 1607: Jamestown and the Powhatan
http://www.ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/05/jamestown-standalone
This website, ran by The National Geographic, offers interactive map, video, and
pictorial education about the first settlement in Jamestown, both from the settlers
and the Native American perspective. Subject: Social Studies
National History Education Clearinghouse
http://www.teachinghistory.org
This site provides access to historical film clips, as well as open access to film
archives. It provides free lesson plans, posters and other tools to help students
analyze historical events from more than one perspective. Subject: Social
Studies
Hillsdale College
http://www.hillsdale.edu
This website offers a free online ten week course entitled “Constitution 101: The
Meaning and History of the Constitution.” Anyone is allowed to take this full
course at any pace. There is a weekly 40 minute video lecture, quiz questions,
and study material. At the course conclusion, the online student will receive an
official Hillsdale certificate. Subject: Social Studies
Technology
Twitter
http://www.twitter.com
This is a website for social networking and micro blogging. Since many students
use it anyway, it is a great way to share information with students as well as for
students to share information with each other. It can be used to share pictures,
videos, news articles, assignments, and questions over a platform that is
accessible to people who do not necessarily have access to smart phones or a
dedicated Internet connection. Subject: Technology
Typing Web
http://www.typingweb.com/teacherportal/
This website is designed for teachers to create a class and create student
accounts to teach students keyboarding. The students get to take an entire
course on keyboarding while tracking their progress through each lesson. It is
free and helps to improve speed and accuracy. Subject: Technology
Filamentality
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/
This free program allows the instructor to compile a list of resources for students
to explore. Instructors can create webquests and online learning activities in a
very user-friendly format. Subject: Technology
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com
Facebook is an online social networking site made up of millions of people from
around the globe. You are able to interact with posts, pictures, games, and more.
Students are able to meet people from other countries, and learn about their
culture. This site can help students become more comfortable with the writing
process as students can write posts. Facebook may also help students become
more comfortable using computers. Subject: Technology
Various
TV 411 Tune In To Learning
http://www.adultlearningconnection.org
Adult learners (intermediate level) can use this site on their own if help from a
teacher or tutor is not available for questions. Subject areas include reading,
writing, jobs, vocabulary, math, rulers, credit cards, health, and much more.
Subject: Various
MIT OPENCOURSEWARE
http://www.ocw.mit.edu/index.htm
This top of this line resource includes a full range of complete course instruction
for a full range of curriculum. Subject: Various
EdHelper
http://www.edhelper.com
This is an easy to use site that allows you to create printables of worksheets,
puzzles, and answers for all subjects. It is great for extra practice for students.
Subject: Various
Sites for Teachers
http://www.sitesforteachers.com/index.html
This site includes a ling list of various types of websites that can aid teachers in
making the teaching and learning process more interesting and engaging. It
covers all subject areas and includes lots of sites that focus strictly on hands-on
activities for students and teachers. Subject: Various
Florida Tech Net
http://www.floridatechnet.org/GED/lessonplans/lessons.htm
There are many lesson plans on this site with subjects including writing, reading,
social studies, science, and math. Subject: Various
That Quiz
http://www.thatquiz.com
This site provides quizzes on different levels of many subjects for students. It has
a timer, right/wrong answer boxes, and gives you feedback. Subject: Various
Education World
http://www.educationworld.com/
This website has it all and is designed for teachers. It includes links for lesson
plans and worksheets with subjects including: technology, professional
development, holidays, standards, and more. Subject: Various
Super Teacher Worksheets
http://www.superteacherworksheets.com
This website provides teachers with educational material from students K-5.
These printable PDF files range in subjects from Math to Holiday worksheets.
Subject: Various
Have Fun Teaching
http://www.havefunteaching.com
This website has worksheets, coloring pages, flashcards, activities, songs,
videos, tools, and a store. You can create your own worksheet, or choose from
their selection. There is also a section with SmartBoard lessons. Subject: Various
Free Rice
http://www.freerice.com
This website provides quick questions in different subject areas. As a person
chooses the right answer, they “give” 10 grains of rice to someone in an
impoverished area. There are good interactive methods for building vocabulary
combined with the service element. Subject: Various
About.com.homeschooling
http://www.homeschooling.about.com/od/freeprintables/qt/printables.htm
This site gives you free printable worksheets on various subjects including
holidays, health, science, nutrition, math, social studies and history. There are
worksheets for different levels. Subject: Various
Open Culture
http://www.openculture.com
This site offers movie and audio book downloads in various subjects. Becoming a
member on this website will provide access to lesson plans and books. Subject:
Various
Fun Brain
http://www.funbrain.com
This site provides learning games for various subjects at various grade levels.
Subject: Various
Learning Express Library
http://www.learnatest.com/LEL/index.cfm
This site is a resource of learning centers for practice tests and exercises for
skill-building; self-scoring; listing of e-books for all core courses. Subject: Various
QUIA
http://www.quia.com
Quia allows instructors to formulate material such as games, quizzes, surveys,
and web pages for students. It is engaging and can be used by an entire class
even with just one computer. Subject: Various
TED Ideas Worth Spreading
http://www.ted.com
This is a site where educators and others can watch or show videos about any
subject and learn in an informal way about technology, business, science, global
issues, new ways of learning and teaching, etc. Watching TED videos can help
educators and students learn. Subject: Various
Thirteen Ed Online
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/adulted/lessons.html
This site has many lessons specifically suited to adult learners as well as lessons
for younger students that can easily be adapted for the adult ed classroom. The
lesson plan formats are easy to follow and handouts, activities etc. are easy to
find, use, and adapt for multilevel classes. Subject: Various
Unlimited Learning Center/ Colorado Adult Education Resources
http://www.fourcornerslearning.org/edresources/index.htm
This site provides lesson plans that can be adapted and that cover just about any
topic imaginable. It is also a great site that I can use with the SmartBoard.
Subject: Various
NC LIVE
http://www.NClive.org
This site provides free access to information sources that may otherwise be
restricted or only available by subscription. It is much like a library – a wealth of
knowledge in one location. Some of the areas include: comprehensive business
information, historical maps, diaries, genealogical research tools, literature,
health information, homework help, interactive practice tests, journals,
magazines, etc. The practice tests are very helpful because students can get
comfortable and familiar to the format of the test and may help reduce test
anxiety. Subject: Various
Other
Rocket Languages
http://www.rocketlanguages.com
This is a free website that offers learners an opportunity to explore some basics
of different languages, including sign language and Spanish. Subject: Other
Verizon Foundation
http://www.thinkfinity.org
This site provides free webinars in professional development, literacy and lesson
plans in all areas. I became aware of this website when I was the director of a
community based literacy organization and recommended it to our GED/ABE
staff. Subject: Other
On Line Time Line
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/timeline/
This site is interactive and allows students to make and print their own timelines.
This can give students the opportunity to work on sequencing in reading, history,
and their own lives. It can be used for any historical even, topic, or sequence.
Subject: Other
Utah Education Network
www.uen.org/utahlink/tours/fieldtrips2.htm
This site contains lists of Internet sites for exploring places in the world, providing
virtual field trips related to any subject and on any grade/ability level. They also
provide activities, lesson plans, and other resources that save time and energy
on the part of the teacher. This site provides opportunity to incorporate virtual
field trips into any subject area. Subject: Other
60 Minutes and CBS Sunday Morning
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml
This is the home page for the CBS TV shows 60 minutes and CBS Sunday
Morning. It includes many video clips, 10-20 minutes long about stimulating
topics. There are also interesting articles to read. These videos keep students
interested and leads to great discussions. Subject: Other
Using Video games As A Stealth Teaching Tool
http://www.psychcentral.com/news/2011/02/17
This approach according to the educational psychologist Dr. Valerie Shute of
Florida State University is to make the learning experience more enjoyable by
creating video games with educational content and assessment tools integrated
into them – and to incorporate such games into school curricula. Subject: Other
BBC Skillswise
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise
This site provides many different activities to teach basic skills in an interactive,
game-type environment. It allows students to practice in a fun way to master
concepts. Subject: Other
Adult Learning Games
http://www.ehow.com>education
Educators can use this site to get ideas on how to present information to Adult
Learners. Subject: Other
Google Earth
http://www.googleearth.com
This site allows an instructor access to so many things. Using the map of the
actual Earth, students can see land formations, ancient buildings, war zones, etc.
Subject: Other
UNCG Toolkit
http://www.library.uncg.edu/info/depts/reference/instruction/tech_toolkit_homepa
ge.aspx
This toolkit was designed to help you discover new ways to manage, create and
communicate at your job, in your courses or in your personal life. The online tools
are helpful for instructors and students in the areas of: Assess, Collaborate,
Feedback, Organize, Present, Schedule. Subject: Other
Dropbox
http://www.dropbox.com
This site allows you to access documents, pictures, etc. anywhere you have
Internet access. This means constant access to lesson plans, student
information, and personal data. Using this tool, you can share commonly used
items with groups, and upload student work. Subject: Other
Adult Career Pathways Training and Support Center
http://www.acp-sc.org
The Adult Career Pathways Training Support Center is a comprehensive website
that supports adult career pathway programs. Through this site you have
unlimited access to a robust collection of instructional resources, implementation
strategies, best practices, research, and other tools as well as collaborative peer
learning opportunities and resource sharing. This site provides free access to
numerous online courses and access to related instructional materials for career
fields of interest to many of our students.
Subject: Other
The Tutor House
http://www.thetutorhouse.blogspot.com
This site contains a blog with tips and mini lessons for tutors. Tutors can post tips
and advice on the bog page. There are great motivational ideas. Subject: Other
Prezi
http://www.pezi.com
Prezi is a cloud based presentation software. The zoomable canvas makes it fun
to explore ideas and the connections between them. This results in visually
captivation presentations. Subject: Other
Xtranormal
http://www.xtranormal.com/
This is a creative program where students can create avatars that reflect their
own creativity and incorporate learning strategies at the same time. Avatars and
skits can be created at this website for free and for a small fee. Subject: Other
VARK: A Guide for Learning Styles
http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionaire
Students can take learning style quizzes and get their results at the end.
Students may then have a better understanding of how they learn and this could
improve their study skills. Lesson plans can also be created around the styles
that will be most effective.
Subject: Other
Chinese Language Computing Guide
http://www2.ups.edu.faculty/perry/computer/home.htm
This website shows how to use the Chinese language input method on computer.
It provides methods for those using PC, Mac, and even smart phones. Subject:
Other
Written Chinese
http://www.dictionary.writtenchinese.com
This website is a new startup with the vision of providing the public with effective
and easy to use tools for learning Chinese. Students can insert Pinyin, Chinese
characters, or English to get the meaning of it. It shows stroke by stroke how to
write a Chinese character. Students can also listen to the pronunciation of the
Chinese characters. Subject: Other
YouTube
http://www.youtube.com
There are videos on youtube for almost anything. It can be used as a place to get
different perspectives on teaching a topic. It is also a useful tool for students to
get extra help. Subject: Other
Worksheet Works
http://www.worksheetworks.com
Using this site, you are able to create unique worksheets that can be customized
by each individual. It is easy to navigate and allows you to build multiple
worksheets for different lessons. Subject: Other
LEARN NC
http://www.learnnc.org
This website provides learning materials, lesson plans, and will lay out curriculum
standards for K-12. Many teaching tools and resources are available to help out
basic skills students that fall in the levels of K-12. Subject: Other
Federal Resources for Educational Excellence
http://www.free.ed.gov/
This website has a broad spectrum of links that give an array of tools, learning
strategies, and lesson plans to use within your classes using technology and
other resources. Subject: Other
Energy Education and Workforce Development
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/education/
The lesson plans included on this site are comprehensive, well thought out, and
engaging. Although some of the material is clearly meant for children, most of the
activities can be easily adapted for ABE and ESL students. Included in the
website is a wealth of related resources and helpful links for furthering one’s
knowledge of this field. One particularly relevant section of this website for Basic
Skills students is information related to clean energy careers. Jobs in the green
energy field are rapidly growing, and our students need to be aware of this as a
career possibility. Subject: Other
Teaching Channel
http://www.teachingchannel.org
Teaching Channel is a video showcase – on the Internet and TV – of inspiring
and effective teaching practices in America’s schools. It has a rapidly growing
community of more than 25,000 registered members who trade ideas and share
inspiration from each other. Subject: Other
The Beehive
http://www.thebeehive.org
Students can use this site to help them with money, jobs, health, and school.
Subject: Other
Queendom
http://www.queendom.com
Use this free site to take all forms of tests about self-knowledge; IQ, personality,
analogies, love, etc. This can be useful when trying to look at career choices.
Subject: Other
Lesson Writer
http://www.lessonwriter.com
This is an automated lesson-planning program. It saves a great deal of time for
instructors and helps them think broadly in their lesson planning. Subject: Other
Education World
http://www.educationworld.com
This site shows the teacher new methods of teaching and provides proper
documents to use such as lesson plans and templates for worksheets. Subject:
Other
CASAS Quick Search
http://www.casas.org/product-overviews/curriculum-managementinstruction/quicksearch-online
This is a free online database of educational material for youth and adult
educational and training programs. It contains more than 2,300 instructional
material titles coded to skill levels, CASAS Competencies, and skill areas. It
provides a variety of resources for lesson planning. Subject: Other