ELL Teaching Strategies and Resources

Are you teaching adult English Language Learners (ELL) and looking for ways to elevate your lessons?  IAACE has gathered a list of resources to help you create engaging, practical learning experiences for ELL students. Here’s a peek at what’s available on our website to support you and your students:

ESL/ELL Resources on the IAACE Website

• Easily Confused Words – This lesson plan from AI introduces easily confused words in a fun, interactive way, ideal for early-level ELL learners.
• English for the Nursing Assistant – A valuable resource for ESL students aiming to become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), this site provides essential vocabulary and concepts for healthcare.
• ESL-Lab – A site filled with listening activities, lessons, and videos categorized by difficulty level, factoring in speed, vocabulary, content, and other aspects. This is perfect for tailored listening practice!
• ESL Story Bank – Short stories specifically written for adult ESL learners by the Minnesota Literacy Council. These stories are excellent for reading practice, language development, and building transition skills.
• Preparing English Learners for Work and Career Pathways – This resource from the LINCS ESL Pro suite provides instructors with practical strategies for helping ELLs connect to career pathways.
• USA Learns – A free website designed to help adults learn English online, complete with interactive lessons covering vocabulary, grammar, and everyday English.
• The Times in Plain English – News articles presented in simplified English. This site also allows the translation of stories into the reader’s first language, making current events accessible to learners of all levels.
• Indiana State Library’s INSPIRE Database – Offers the first level of Rosetta Stone for free, providing a well-known language-learning platform for early-level students. (Users will need to sign up for an account.)
• ESL Multilevel Activities – A set of strategies and activities adaptable across multiple skill levels, ensuring every student can participate and learn at their own pace.
• Video Jigsaw – A cooperative learning strategy from ELL instructor Jan Hehman. This activity uses a video-based variation of the classic “jigsaw” reading exercise, encouraging student collaboration and self-guided learning.
• ICCB Statewide Contextualized Curricula – A set of contextualized curriculum materials that support ELL learners in developing language skills within a specific professional or vocational context.

Share Your ELL Teaching Strategies!

Our collection of resources is always growing, and we’d love to hear from you. Do you have specific strategies that engage your ELL students? Are there tools or methods you’ve found particularly effective? Share your insights with us to help strengthen our community’s toolkit!

Join Us for Teachers Talk on Wednesday, November 20 at Noon ET

You’re invited to join our Teachers Talk on Wednesday, November 20 at Noon ET. This is a dedicated time to discuss ELL teaching strategies, exchange tips, and brainstorm ideas to address challenges in ELL classrooms. Bring your experiences, challenges, and questions, and connect with a community of educators who share your passion.

To access these resources or find more details about the Teachers Talk session, visit the IAACE website. We look forward to hearing your strategies and building an even stronger support network for adult education.

Jenn Wigginton

Jenn is the IAACE Executive Director. Her passion for adult education shines through in everything she does for IAACE. You can invite her to a chat for questions anytime. Click here to book a time to chat with Jenn