English Tutor Resources
REQUIRED PAPERWORK
Use the following checklists to help the student you have been paired with meet the goals you made at your match meeting.
Library Website Visit
Homebound checklist for a library lesson
Links for Chicago libraries
CPL COVID-19 frequently asked questions
Apply for an e-library card with CPL
Links for suburban libraries
HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR VIRTUAL TUTORING
Included below is a list of resources to help you plan lessons. There are videos, worksheets, activity ideas, learning programs, and more. Please take a moment to explore.
General
USA Learns (https://usalearns.org/): Free, online learning program. Two levels (lower and higher) of English plus a citizenship preparation course. Usable with all levels of ESL. Interactive practice activities in listening, speaking, grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing. Teachers can track student work & time spent and set up classrooms. Mobile app available for lower level courses, but the app is not connected to classes created on the website.
Duolingo (Free) or Mango Languages (Free with Library card): Note, learning English is only available in limited languages
7ESL Online Picture Dictionary (https://7esl.com/picture-dictionary/): Similar to the Oxford Picture Dictionary. A great way to teach new vocab! They also have videos to go along with each topic so the student can hear the words as well.
USAHello (https://usahello.org/): A site created for refugees/immigrants with articles and videos about life in America, immigration news, inspiring stories, free online GED and citizenship prep classes. Most information can be translated into 20 some languages.
- See especially these videos about COVID-19 Myths
- https://usahello.org/coronavirus-information/stay-safe/
Games/Activities
Armored Penguin (https://www.armoredpenguin.com/): Make your own word search or crossword puzzle.
Flippity (https://flippity.net/): Make your own jeopardy-style game show, matching game, bingo card, and much more.
ESLKidsGames (https://eslkidsgames.com/): A wealth of games and activity ideas. Great to use a warm up!
Conversation Practice
Conversation Questions for the ESL/EFL Classroom (http://iteslj.org/questions/): Literally thousands of conversation questions for a fun, interesting way to get your student talking!
250 Conversation Starters (https://conversationstartersworld.com/250-conversation-starters/): Help a student express themselves better, while you learn more about each other. Make sure you are answering the questions too so they can hear a native speaker and get to know you!
Reading/Writing
ReadWorks (ReadWorks.org): Free source of reading passages from a variety of topics that can be assigned to students for independent work through classrooms set up by the teacher. Able to search texts by text type, content, and grade level.
ESL Fast (https://www.eslfast.com/): Paragraphs, dialogues, and short essays read aloud slowly with large print text underneath. Arranged by reading level and covering many interesting topics.
Marshall Adult Ed (http://resources.marshalladulteducation.org/reading_skills.htm): Great collection of worksheets arranged by level that help with reading practice and comprehension. Perfect to print out or use while sharing your screen.
Video-Based Lessons
Real English (https://www.real-english.com/new-lessons.htm): Short videos featuring “man-on-the-street" interviews to expose learners to realistic English and different accents. Grouped by subjects and available with/without subtitles.
TEDEd (https://ed.ted.com/lessons?direction=desc&sort=featured-position&user_by_click=educator): Short videos on interesting topics with questions, quizzes, and discussion boards to facilitate deeper learning and check comprehension. Find a topic your student will get excited about and learn something new together!
Lyrics Training (https://lyricstraining.com/en/) Uses karaoke and popular music videos to help you learn a language. Watch a tutorial on how to use it by WRC teacher Hannah, here.
ESL Video (https://www.eslvideo.com/users_guide.php) Give your student listening comprehension quizzes. They watch a short video and then answer 5-10 multiple choice questions or fill in vocab. Create a free account so you can make a class code. Students input this code when they take the quiz so you can see that they completed the quiz and what their score was.
Digital Literacy
NorthStar Digital Literacy Tests and Lessons (https://www.digitalliteracyassessment.org/): Help your student learn basic computer skills and digital literacy through these simple courses and assessments.
YouTube Channels
WRC Teacher Cara’s Class 1 & 2 videos: Good to share with your student to teach them material. Also good to see how Teacher Cara uses Zoom and gestures to teach, so you can incorporate these into your lessons. Note, there are some WRC class specific videos, like homework assignments, so be careful not to send these to students.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCrlnYQIO7K-56BXXJUStASREVgPpHDDd
Business English Pod: great for business/job related language
Learn English with TV Series helps with slang and listening to natural conversations, and it’s fun!
Voice of America (VOA): has two courses for different levels, short videos with new words, and breaking news read in slow English
Learn American English: good for learning American slang
English Anyone: lots of great content to explore
Video Tutorials for Tutoring Platforms
- Step by step guide of how to download and all the features (Good for tutors, but too fast for students)
Zoom
- ESL teacher going over how to step up and use Zoom (for tutors)
- How to record a lesson on Zoom (for tutors)
- How to get into a Zoom meeting on a laptop (for students)
- How to Download Zoom on an iPhone (for students)
Quizlet
- WRC Teacher Cara shows how to download the app on a smartphone and how to access & use WRC class 1/2 study sets (for students)
- WRC Teacher Hannah shows you how to use Quizlet for your ESL lessons
YouTube
- How to use YouTube’s different features, like closed captions (for students)
In-depth tutorials on WhatsApp and Zoom from (video and PDF)
