This resource was developed by the Toronto Catholic District School Board and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (now IRCC) as a companion to Discover Canada, the federal government’s citizenship test study guide. It is intended for program planning and instructional use. The chapters are theme-based with a planning framework for CLB 1-8. It provides reproducible activities, recommended resources and teaching strategies. There are seven chapters covering:
- Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens
- Who We Are
- Canada’s History
- Canada’s Government
- Elections
- Canadian Symbols
- Canada’s Regions and Economy
There is an informative list of suggested resources, including books and online materials, including a virtual Charter of Rights and Freedoms, with translations in 23 languages.
The English Listening Lessons and Library Online (elllo) site offers audio and video lessons with some printable worksheets. There is a wide variety of topics, including job search, job offer, job ads, dream job. Non-CLB. Many Canadian references.
Free access:
English Central is a self-directed English learning platform intended for adults who wish to improve their spoken English. The platform has 20,000 captioned videos, organized into Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels. The platform provides different ways for learners to interact with the same video to reinforce their learning, such as clicking on a word in the caption to read a definition or filling in the blanks. There is also a live tutor option, but it is part of the subscription that must be purchased to access all the content. Signing up for a free trial will give learners access to a variety of videos on a diverse number of subjects.
Last reviewed June 2023
English Media Lab: ESL, English grammar exercises, video lessons, quizzes, vocabulary exercises.
An easy to navigate website is good for independent practice and can be used with children. Contains grammar, listening and reading activities from very easy to intermediate levels.
Free Rice is an easy, online, multiple-choice game that will expand the vocabulary of intermediate and advanced learners of English. As the game was created by the United Nations World Food Program, every question answered correctly raises 10 grains of rice for the World Food Programme. Aside from helping students learn new words in a fun and engaging manner, educators may want to use the website where the game resides as a springboard to conversations about food security worldwide. Using this website is free.
Last reviewed July 2023
This free educational website houses 2,000 lessons for a global audience, covering 180 topics, primarily designed to improve technology skills for learners of all ages. There are tutorials to improve knowledge of Microsoft Office, iPads and other devices, and how to use social media. In addition, there are lessons in the Essential Skills of reading and mathematics, and English language learning.
The English language feature for ESL students is suitable for intermediate/high level learners. The lessons are for grammar, reading skills. Instructions are available in several languages, including Arabic, Spanish, Chinese and Korean. The lessons have video and interactive features as well. Teacher guides and resources are available, and instructors can customize lessons.
This is a series of five videos produced by the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Four of the videos focus on the rights and responsibilities related to rental housing, the Human Rights Code and discrimination. The videos are at an intermediate language level; text and transcripts are provided. The fifth video is a review in quiz format.
This online textbook is geared towards CLB 5–6 learners. It is designed to be used by an instructor or tutor. An instructor guide is provided. The focus is on the Canadian workplace: workplace culture, development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, plus Essential Skills and intercultural competence.
The text introduces two characters, a Strategy Coach and a Workplace Mentor. The Strategy Coach provides strategies to develop language skills. The Workplace Mentor introduces learners to general workplace culture in Canada.
- Video tasks and focus questions help learners develop “noticing skills” and prompt discussions about similarities and differences between the learner’s home culture and Canadian culture.
- Reading sections provide reading passages, pre- and post-reading activities. There is also a reading progress check for self-assessment.
- Each listening section has two listening texts with pre- and post-listening activities, and a listening progress check for practice and self-assessment.
- A writing section with pre-writing tasks, writing practice and a progress check. A rubric is included that generally aligns with CLBs.
- A speaking section contains pronunciation, speaking practice and a progress check. A rubric is included.
- Wrap-up includes discussion, reflection and extension tasks. The extension activities have vocabulary log activities, community tasks and research opportunities.
Larry Ferlazzo is a well-known American high school English teacher-blogger whose website offers numerous resources and reference materials that are useful to teachers who work in adult settings. He offers: English themes for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners, bilingual exercises, and academic reading and writing.
Learn English with EF podEnglish, bite-sized 5 minute English lessons. Perfect for beginners, intermediate and advanced students, these video lessons are as good as having an English teacher in your pocket! Created by EF, the world's largest language school with over 400 schools in 50 countries worldwide.
This American website provides material at three levels: basic, intermediate and advanced. There are multimedia lessons covering a variety of topics such as English in a Minute and Everyday Grammar, as well as features on health and lifestyle, arts and culture, science and technology and more.
