I’d like to start off by saying that when I first started teaching, I found it really difficult to find materials that I actually found interesting and enjoyable to work with, especially for free! Sometimes finding ready made materials is just necessary because you might not always have the time to create new things for your students. That’s why I’ve put together a list of the top places that have saved me every time, so that you don’t need to go through all those wasted hours of searching for content to create the best Lesson Plans possible, you can find it all here!

When I first started out and was a lost little teacher searching for content to use in my classes, there were a couple of sites that truly helped me out, I appreciate them a lot and would like to acknowledge them here, so that you too might find something that you like and can use in your lessons:

1.ESL Brains

This website is home to a huge range of lesson plans mostly for adult learners, and it’s a great platform for English teachers. The topics are current and thought-provoking and they are fantastic for conversation classes. They cover a wide range of levels and topics about lifestyle, general English or even Business English. You have to subscribe to get access to their full range of lesson plans BUT, they do have a selection of great lesson plans FOR FREE!!!

I personally love some of their lessons and so do my students!

2. Your English Pal

This is a website that I have been using for a couple of years now. The lesson plans on Your English Pal are totally free and usually contain all of the features that you could possibly want want for an ESL class – links to videos and articles, conversation questions, pre-class activities and homework and even grammar and vocabulary exercises.

Your English Pal probably gives the most complete lesson plans and worksheets totally for free! There are even lessons for business English and special cultural events that my students particularly enjoy!

3. Linguahouse

Linguahouse is another one that I have used extensively! It has an IMMENSE collection of lesson plans on their platform (over 4000)- that cover absolutely everything from General English to Business English, Exam Prep, Breaking News lessons, Medical English, Legal English and more! The lesson plans are well rounded and created for the whole range of CEFR levels, they include vocabulary, grammar, speaking, listening, videos etc!

As a FREE user, you don’t have access to all of the lesson plans, but you can use a small percentage of them for free – otherwise you can subscribe for a yearly fee to also get access to some of their other resources such as flashcards. To use the site for free, you just need to sign up with an email address. It’s definitely a powerful website, there’s no doubt that you’ll manage to find a lesson plan that you like!

4. iSL Collective

If you’ve never heard of it before, ISL Collective is a community of ESL Teacher who publish their self-created material free for everyone to use. Other teachers publish Worksheets, PowerPoints and even Video Lesson and there are some really good materials on there! Over the years I have found some fantastic Powerpoints especially related to grammar which make it seem easy and fun.

Though a huge part of the material you can find on there is orientated towards teaching children, you can find something for all levels and ages. Because everyone and anyone can publish teaching content onto the platform, you might need to spend some time filtering through worksheets or PowerPoints until you find some that are right for you, but it’s worth it… and TOTALLY FREE!

5. ESL PALS

ESL Pals doesn’t just have a cute logo, but it also has some great lesson plans! I especially like the Kids lessons, but they have General English and Business English too, and include PowerPoints and great activities. Like some of the other sites that I have mentioned, you need to pay to get full access, however they do have a selection of lesson plans accessible for FREE!

The lesson plans are well rounded and in depth, and I find the PowerPoints quite engaging with my students since they are full of questions and speaking prompts! They introduce vocabulary and phrases, and overall are a lot of fun!

Final Thoughts

The journey of an ESL teacher can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s no secret that finding the right materials to enhance your lessons can be a time-consuming and sometimes expensive challenge.

From ESL Brains to Your English Pal, Linguahouse to iSL Collective, and ESL PALS, there’s a wealth of quality materials just waiting to be discovered – and the best part is that loads of them are available for FREE!

The power of community-driven content, as seen on platforms like iSL Collective, exemplifies the spirit of collaboration among ESL educators. While sifting through resources may take some time, the treasure trove of materials you’ll unearth is undoubtedly worth the effort.

With the guidance provided in this post, you now have a compass to lead you toward engaging, enjoyable, and, most importantly, free or affordable materials. The ultimate goal here at English With Me is to create a hub where you can find everything you need to be the best English Teacher or Learner!

Here’s to making your ESL teaching experience even more rewarding and enriching for both you and your students!

Speaking Practice!

Are you learning a language too? Time to start speaking! Practicing conversation when learning a language is like unlocking a door to a world of opportunities.

It’s not just about mastering words and grammar; it’s about connecting with people, sharing ideas, and building relationships. Speaking fluently not only boosts your confidence but also opens doors to better job prospects, global travel, and a deeper understanding of diverse cultures.

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