BBC Learning English is a department of the BBC World Service devoted to English language teaching. The service provides free resources and activities for teachers and students, primarily through its website.
A children's K-8 website containing word games, spelling and vocabulary practice, online books, and a superhero video series. It's divided by grade level; English learners will enjoy the colourful and easy to navigate site with engaging practice materials that are suitable for their level.
Free access:
The Learning English with CBC website is a project between CBC Edmonton and the Alberta government. The website contains interactive tools - a podcast, video news stories and interactive quizzes at CBL levels 4 and 6, which may be adapted for other levels. New content is posted weekly. The focus is on soft skills to support real world interactions, using local stories from Alberta with broad appeal. Learners can use the site with mobile devices or in school settings.
This is an American news website is designed for mainstream classrooms, but is adaptable for English learners (5 reading levels) and set for designed for distance learning; it allows teachers to assign online learning activities to classes. The content includes news stories and articles about law, science, sports, opinion and arts and culture. Support for educators is offered. Teachers without a subscription may access news stories only.
Teachers and English learners can access Oxford University Press’s high quality sample materials for free. The Bookshelf offers e-books for use on iPad and tablets for Android, as well as computer access online and via desktop apps. Students can use their preferred device. There is a selection of coursebooks and Graded Readers for different student levels and interests. An access code is required. Teachers can use the Bookshelf to create classes and monitor student progress, assign e-books, set up Reading Circles, and provide materials for independent study. Registration is required.
This British storytelling website contains audio and text for each story. The intended audience is children; however, the stories are universal and applicable to English learners of all ages. The site includes myths and tales from around the world, plus audio chapter books including the Wizard of Oz and Sherlock Holmes. Suitable for intermediate and higher level students.
First launched in 2000, StoryPlace has been newly redesigned to present favourite stories and activities in a format compatible with desktop and mobile devices. The site also now includes early literacy information for parents and caregivers.
The Westcoast Reader (The WCR) is a newspaper and online resource for learners. It is published 10 months a year from September to June. The Westcoast Reader is published by Decoda Literacy Solutions in partnership with Camosun College with financial assistance from the BC Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
An award-winning British Columbia resource, The Westcoast Reader is designed for beginning adult readers, both ESL and English literacy learners. National and local news stories are adapted from The Vancouver Sun and The Province newspapers, in addition to articles on health, safety, law and daily life. The paper is printed on a monthly basis for 10 months of the year, and provides a good orientation to Canadian culture and everyday life.
There are links to videos, photos and maps in the online paper. Each front page article has an audio file, allowing learners to read and listen to the story simultaneously. Teacher notes contain instructional strategies and answer keys.
The articles are not referenced to the CLBs. They are written with three levels of difficulty, suitable for CLB Stage 1 learners and higher level ESL Literacy learners.
The following groups can receive The Westcoast Reader free:
- Community Adult Literacy Programs (CALP)
- ESL, EAL and ABE programs provided by public post-secondary institutions
- Literacy Outreach Coordinators (LOC)
- Public libraries
