English as a Second Language Resources

From this page you can browse free resources for English language learners. Use the filters to narrow your results. Websites will open in a new window.

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Level: All Levels
Listening (19 results)
  • Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell (YouTube channel)
    YouTube channel with educational topics ranging from scientific topics to psychology and other current events.
  • CBC Edmonton
    Great listening exercises followed by vocabulary, comprehension questions, etc.
  • Learn English Through Story - YouTube Channel
    YouTube channel with English stories that are narrated while the text is displayed on screen. For learners that want to improve listening and reading skills or expand vocabulary.
  • English in a Minute
    This section from the Voice of America's language website provides a 1-minute video explanation of commonly used idioms in a very interesting manner. There is a short role-play which is followed by an explanation of the idiom.
  • Settlement.org
    First Days in Ontario. Services about Ontario and Canada, etc.
  • Learning English with CBC
    Listening practise. Good for the experience of listening to different speakers, real examples of speech.
  • Talk English-Listening/Speaking Index
    A list of over 900 English lessons. 
  • Simple English Videos
    This YouTube channel has loads of short videos explaining or comparing and contrasting various language points.
  • Rachel's English - YouTube Channel
    Self-study pronunciation. Video lessons with closed captioning to help non-native speakers. Specific mouth positions for each sound, and reduced word sounds to improve listening comprehension.
  • Learning Enlgish VOA News
    Beginning Level: short videos that tell a story. Intermediate Level: videos on Health, Science, Arts and Culture. Students can listen and read at the same time. Advance Levels: news and podcasts.
  • Learning Chocolate
    Build your vocabulary.
  • 123 Listening
    Free downloadable audio and free printable listening tests with images! Download MP3 audio with matching printable worksheets, make your own custom listening comprehension tests or print out free ready made materials.
  • Language Guide
    Visual dictionary with audio.
  • Online Self-Assessment
    Online Self-Assessment is a tool based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) to assess language proficiency in reading and listening. The test results are unofficial and do not replace scores from a language assessment centre, ESL or LINC class.
  • Brain Pop
    Animated shorts on all academic topics from elementary plus.
  • James ESL English Lessons (engVid)
    Vocabulary lessons, to teach you how to express yourself more effectively.
  • CBC Podcasts
    A variety of Podcasts on all topics and genres for listening.
  • Elllo
    English language learner website dedicated to listening for all levels. Some grammar PDF worksheets available for download for all levels. Short videos from other English speakers listed as examples with a script and a quiz.
  • ESL Lab
    Extensive website for English language learners to improve their listening skills for all levels which include videos on culture, live broadcasts and idioms. There are also vocabulary lessons and quizzes for the listeners to check their skills.
Speaking (13 results)
  • Canadian Idioms
    Commonly used idioms in Canada
  • English in a Minute
    This section from the Voice of America's language website provides a 1-minute video explanation of commonly used idioms in a very interesting manner. There is a short role-play which is followed by an explanation of the idiom.
  • Web-ESL.com
    Useful to learn all things including directional words (i.e. across, beside) and also practising some polite terms and grammar to make a request. Practise reading a simple map.
  • Talk English-Listening/Speaking Index
    A list of over 900 English lessons. 
  • Help Teaching-Life Skills
    Worksheet for Financial Literacy, Career Planning, Safety, Wellness, Parental and Child Care and more.
  • Citizenship Challenge-Historica Canada
    Lesson plans/Worksheets/Vocabulary Building/Comprehension Questions
  • Simple English Videos
    This you tube channel has loads of short videos explaining or comparing and contrasting various language points. Use it for functional language or to clarify the usage of a word or phrase. For example: "How to agree" "How to disagree" "How to pay a compliment" "How to say thank you" etc.
  • Rachel's English - YouTube Channel
    Self-study pronunciation. Video lessons with closed captioning to help non-native speakers. Specific mouth positions for each sound, and reduced word sounds to improve listening comprehension. Applied in real life conversations to show native speakers really talk.
  • Phrasal Verb Demon
    A complete guide to phrasal verbs, including games, quizzes, a dictionary and audio clips.
  • EZ slang
    A review of slang organized according to various themes. Includes dialogues with audio, dictation and quizzes.
  • James ESL English Lessons (engVid)
    Vocabulary lessons, to teach you how to express yourself more effectively.
  • Canadian Citizenship Study Guide
    Free Canadian Citizenship Test Prep
  • Apna Toronto-Quality Tests
    A go-to platform for all students who have an upcoming driving test.
Reading (21 results)
  • Web-ESL.com
    Useful to learn all things including directional words (i.e. across, beside) and also practising some polite terms and grammar to make a request. Practise reading a simple map.
  • Help Teaching-Life Skills
    Worksheet for Financial Literacy, Career Planning, Safety, Wellness, Parental and Child Care and more
  • Citizenship Challenge-Historica Canada
    Lesson plans/Worksheets/Vocabulary Building/Comprehension Questions
  • James ESL English Lessons (engVid)
    Vocabulary lessons, to teach you how to express yourself more effectively.
  • Canadian Citizenship Study Guide
    Free Canadian Citizenship Test Prep
  • Apna Toronto-Quality Tests
    A go-to platform for all students who have an upcoming driving test.
  • Resources For Learning English
    Education First has a great inventory of different aspects of the English language that learners can explore on their own time or that teachers can use to supplement grammar classes.
  • CBC Edmonton
    Great listening exercises followed by vocabulary, comprehension questions, etc.
  • CTV
    Read, watch and listen to local, national and international news.
  • CBC
    Canadian Broadcasting Company offical website. Read about and listen to local, national and international news.
  • Toronto Sun
    Online newspaper
  • MacLeans Magazine
    Online edition
  • Learn English Through Story - YouTube Channel
    Youtube channel with English stories that are narrated while the text is displayed on screen. For learners that want to improve listening and reading skills or expand vocabulary.
  • Settlement.org
    First Days in Ontario-Services, About Ontario, About Canada, etc.
  • ELC Study Zone - University of Victoria
    Grammar lessons and practise quizzes. Used specific lessons such as the following: advanced structures and verb tenses Ex. Adjective clauses, Modals for politeness etc
  • Online Self-Assessment
    Online Self-Assessment is a tool based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) to assess language proficiency in reading and listening. The test results are unofficial and do not replace scores from a language assessment centre, ESL or LINC class.
  • Learning Enlgish VOA News
    Beginning Level: short videos that tell a story. Intermediate Level: videos on Health, Science, Arts and Culture. Students can listen and read at the same time. List of important vocabulary with definitions. Advance Levels: news and podcasts.
  • ESL Fast
    Reading, dialogues with audio, interactive self correcting vocabulary, cloze, sentences, short stories.
  • Reading Skills for Today's Adults
    Readings for beginner to intermediate students. Includes timed readings, prereading activities, vocabulary review and printing options.
  • Language Guide
    Visual dictionary with audio.
  • Book Rags
    Book Club Materials
Writing (16 results)
All Skills (35 results)
  • Janis Fair - 13th Hour
    Grammar Lesson & Self Correcting Quizzes.
  • Agendaweb
    Grammar lessons, videos, quizzes
  • Road to grammar. Answers provided.
    Useful for a variety of levels. It is easy to understand notes, exercise instructions and answers are provided.
  • Learning Chocolate
    It is for beginners' vocabulary building.
  • LINC 5-7 Activities Vol 1 & 2 e-Resources and 2 PDFs
    LINC 5-7 Classroom Activities (Vol. 1 and 2) e-Resources
  • Settlement.org
    Guide to resources on ELT programs and access to regulated professions.
  • Job Bank Canada
    Career planning, quizzes and tests.
  • Ontario Public Service
    Interview tips
  • Monster - Interview
    Monster.ca interview questions
  • Common Interview Questions
    Review of the 50 most common interview questions. Includes advice on how to respond.
  • Merriam-Webster Visual Dictionary
    Online dictionary with pictures.
  • Internet Picture Dictionary
    Suitable for beginner students.
  • The Visual Dictionary
    Online picture dictionary for more specialized vocabulary.
  • Online Dictionary
    Resources include a dictionary and thesaurus.
  • Picture Dictionary
    Picture dictionary with simple graphics. Organized according to themes.
  • Encyclopedia Britannica
    Online encyclopedia.
  • World Atlas
    Online atlas, including information about currency and flags.
  • Pronunciation with music
    Learn languages through music now on your smartphone!
  • English Language Games
    Various types of interactive games to practice vocabulary.
  • ESL Lounge
    Lesson plans for beginner to advanced students. Option to print worksheets.
  • Apna Toronto-Quality Tests
    A go-to platform for all students who have an upcoming driving test.
  • Englisch-hilfen.de
    Lots of grammar and vocabulary explanations and exercises; some lessons which include listening.
  • Vocabulary.com
    Vocabulary.com is a platform for lifelong learning, growing with you every step of the way. As you improve, the words that you learn will become more and more advanced.
  • Grammar Bank
    Printable worksheets and PDFs available for grammar, vocabulary,reading, and writing exercises for all levels including children. Answers provided for grammar quizzes.
  • ESOL Courses
    Great website for listening because it has lessons and quizzes on pop songs. Also, English resources for work, grammar, vocabulary, graded readers, life in the UK and US, everday, computer, and leisure Other fun activites include memory games, crosswords, and word searches.
  • RongChang
    A comprehensive English language learning website with content for all skills. A wide variety of audio for listening and speaking topics. Content is mostly American with focus on US citizenship and lots of links to other webistes and resources.
  • Test English
    Great website for grammar and practice quizzes in L,R, W, grammar, and vocabulary. Great for learners who are self-motivated and like the challenge and practices of quizzes.
  • English Worksheets.com
    Great resource for learners who would like to practice their reading comprehension. Grammar worksheets are downloadable and printable with answer keys listed. Vocabulary content is for kids but could be for literacy as well.
  • Learn English Feel Good
    Great resource for listening and reading comprehension for all levels. Learners receive immediate corrections. Grammar and vocabulary worksheets are also available for extra practice.
  • Excellent ESL 4U
    This site includes lots of coversation cards for speaking pracitce as well as worksheets in the other skills as well that are downlable that include answer sheets.
  • Business English Resources
    This English language learning website is good for intermediate to advanced learners who would like to learn more business English and focussing on speaking with precision. Grammar and vocabulary exercises include correct answers.
  • Grammar Monster
    For those learners who need interactive content to learn, this would be a good site for them as there are lots of games and practices tests on vocabulary and grammar and much more. It seems to be for the lower levels as well. Only a few PDFs available for download.
  • 5 Minute English
    This comprensive website offers a variety of learning content for English language learners including idioms, culture, life skills, proniunciation and so on. Even though it has all levels, I would recommend this for intermediate and advanced learners.
  • ESL Pals
    Free lessons with content for 90 minutes are available on this website than can be previewed and downloaded. Lessons are arranged by theme and it is very modern and interactive including business English. Levlels are arranged by A, B, C with "A" being beginner and "C" advanced.
  • Stickyball
    A very comprehensive English language learning website with many activities for beginer to advanced learners for all skills that include games, phonics, idioms,business English, and much more.
Canadian Citizenship (8 results)
Academic Testing (8 results)
Grammar (2 results)
  • English Page
    For advanced learners who love grammar practice. There are links to some external videos as well for short and in-depth tutorials on YouTube. Good for a reference or extra practice for grammar rules.
  • Sound Grammar
    This website has audio/video dialogues so that students can listen and view the transcript simoultanously and focus an a particular grammar point. Printables and mobile friendly.
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