Whether you're standing in front of a whiteboard in rural Thailand, tutoring online from a café in Mexico City, or running conversation clubs in your hometown, every English teacher hits the same wall eventually: running out of fresh material. Lesson prep can be exciting, but it can also become time-consuming and repetitive—especially if you’re juggling multiple levels, limited resources, or cultural nuances.
The good news? There’s a vast world of ESL teaching websites out there. The bad news? Not all of them are worth your time. Some are outdated, overly basic, or behind paywalls without offering much value. Finding the right tools means knowing where to look—and how to filter quality from clutter.
This guide cuts through the noise and highlights the platforms worth bookmarking. Whether you're after lesson plans, grammar games, worksheets, or professional development, these websites can help you teach smarter, not harder.
Best Websites for Lesson Planning
When you're just starting out—or juggling a heavy schedule—having access to high-quality, ready-made lesson plans is a lifesaver. These sites help take the pressure off planning, giving you more time to focus on delivery and connection with your students. Whether you're teaching kids, teens, or adults, there's something here to support every classroom context.
💡 TeachThis
- Thousands of printable lesson plans, games, and roleplays.
- Organized by grammar point, level, and topic.
- Great for communicative and pair-based learning.
- Freemium: Free resources available, with premium access unlocking full content.
💡 ESL Library
- Professionally designed lesson plans with a clean, modern layout.
- Includes reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and real-world themes.
- Excellent for adult learners or structured EFL environments.
- Paid: Subscription-based, but widely used in schools.
💡 One Stop English
- Massive archive of lesson plans from Macmillan Education.
- Includes business English, young learners, CLIL, and exam prep.
- Offers methodology tips and audio resources.
- Freemium: Some free lessons, full access requires a subscription.
💡 Breaking News English
- Uses current events to create multi-level ESL lessons.
- Great for teen and adult learners who like real-world topics.
- Includes reading, listening, vocab, and speaking activities.
- Free
💡 BusyTeacher
- Community-contributed worksheets and teaching ideas.
- Covers grammar, vocabulary, speaking, writing, and more.
- Best for last-minute prep or browsing ideas.
- Free
Whether you're building a curriculum or just need a quick worksheet before class, these platforms can help you deliver effective, engaging lessons without reinventing the wheel.
Top Sites for Grammar and Vocabulary Resources
Whether you're introducing conditionals for the first time or reviewing phrasal verbs with advanced learners, having targeted grammar and vocabulary tools makes lesson planning faster and more effective. These sites offer a mix of printable exercises, interactive quizzes, and clear explanations—perfect for student practice or teacher reference.
🧩 Perfect English Grammar
- Clear explanations and tons of practice exercises for key grammar topics.
- Ideal for intermediate and advanced learners.
- Downloadable PDFs and worksheets for classroom use.
- Free, with premium courses available.
🧩 EnglishClub
- Covers grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and listening skills.
- Includes interactive quizzes and student-friendly definitions.
- Useful for both self-study and teacher-guided review.
- Free
🧩 GrammarBank
- Printable and online grammar exercises, categorized by topic and level.
- Includes diagnostic tests and academic grammar.
- Great for standardized test prep and formal teaching contexts.
- Free
🧩 ESL Games Plus
- Interactive grammar and vocabulary games for young learners.
- Colorful, game-based tools for classroom smartboards or home practice.
- Ideal for primary school and beginner EFL settings.
- Free
🧩 English Grammar Online (ego4u)
- Covers grammar rules, tenses, and vocabulary topics.
- Includes explanations, practice tests, and worksheets.
- Clean layout and easy for students to navigate.
- Free
These grammar and vocabulary tools are perfect when you need to reinforce specific concepts, assign targeted homework, or build a solid foundation for your students. Pair them with your lesson plans for a complete teaching toolkit.
Best Platforms for ESL Worksheets and Printables
Sometimes, there’s nothing more effective than a solid worksheet—whether it’s for reinforcing grammar, guiding a speaking activity, or providing a quiet task. These platforms offer thousands of downloadable materials that can save you hours of prep, especially if you're teaching without much tech support or internet access in the classroom.
📄 ISLCollective
- One of the largest ESL worksheet libraries online.
- Filter by age, level, skill, and topic.
- User-generated content means huge variety, but quality varies.
- Free, but registration required (optional donation-based).
📄 TeachThis
- High-quality, professional worksheets for speaking, grammar, and functional English.
- Includes role-plays, games, and information gap activities.
- Organized by skill, level, and CEFR framework.
- Freemium: many resources free, with paid access to full library.
📄 ESL Library (now Ellii)
- Professionally designed materials, including worksheets, flashcards, and full lesson packs.
- Especially strong in life-skills, adult education, and literacy resources.
- Downloadable and digital options.
- Paid subscription, with a free trial.
📄 ESL KidStuff
- Targeted at young learners, ages 3–12.
- Includes flashcards, games, songs, lesson plans, and worksheets.
- Printable resources designed for busy primary teachers.
- Paid membership, with some free samples.
📄 BusyTeacher
- Thousands of free, user-uploaded worksheets on every ESL topic imaginable.
- Quick download without sign-up.
- Less curated, but great in a pinch for quick printables.
- Free
📄 Twinkl
- High-quality resources for young learners, including flashcards, games, and lesson plans.
- Covers early education and primary-level ESL in depth.
- Generous freemium model with free downloads and trial access.
- Freemium
Whether you're teaching a full classroom in rural Vietnam or prepping one-on-one lessons online, these worksheet platforms give you flexible, ready-to-use materials you can adapt to any level or age group.
Listening and Speaking Practice Resources
Helping students build confidence in real-world conversation is one of the most rewarding—and sometimes challenging—parts of teaching English. These resources offer everything from authentic audio clips to pronunciation guides, making it easier to structure speaking lessons or assign engaging listening tasks.
🎧 Elllo.org
- Free library of listening activities featuring speakers from around the world.
- Includes audio, transcripts, vocabulary tasks, and comprehension questions.
- Great for accents, natural pace, and real-world English.
- Free
🎧 ESL Lab (Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab)
- One of the longest-running listening platforms.
- Dialogues organized by level and topic, with quizzes and vocabulary tasks.
- Includes academic and everyday English.
- Free
🗣 Breaking News English
- News-based audio readings with multiple speed options.
- Ideal for intermediate and advanced learners.
- Comes with discussion questions, vocabulary tasks, and speaking prompts.
- Updated frequently with current events.
- Free
🗣 BBC Learning English
- Audio and video resources with a focus on pronunciation, news, and cultural topics.
- Includes structured series like “The English We Speak” and “6-Minute English.”
- Strong for British English, especially for older teens and adults.
- Free
🗣 ESL Discussions
- Massive list of printable speaking prompts and conversation topics.
- Simple two-person discussion format, ideal for speaking pairs or 1-on-1 tutoring.
- Great for icebreakers and fluency practice.
- Free
🎧 Voice of America – Learning English
- American English listening with subtitles and slow-speed narration.
- Strong for intermediate learners building fluency.
- Topics include news, culture, and daily life.
- Free
These platforms make it easier to move beyond the textbook and into practical, interactive speaking practice—whether you’re teaching in a classroom or tutoring online.
Reading and Writing Support Tools
Strong reading and writing skills are essential for learners aiming for academic success, standardized tests, or professional communication. These tools offer structured resources to help teachers build lessons that support fluency, vocabulary growth, comprehension, and writing confidence.
📖 ReadTheory
- Adaptive reading comprehension platform with leveled quizzes.
- Great for tracking student progress and targeting specific reading levels.
- Used in both classrooms and tutoring settings.
- Free for individuals, paid plans for classrooms
✍️ Write & Improve by Cambridge English
- AI-powered writing tool that gives instant feedback on grammar, coherence, and vocabulary.
- Students can submit answers to prompts or free-write.
- Excellent prep for IELTS, B2 First, and other exams.
- Free basic access
📖 News in Levels
- Current events written at three different levels of difficulty.
- Includes reading and listening, making it perfect for integrated skills.
- New articles added regularly with simple sentence structures.
- Free
✍️ Storybird
- Creative writing platform with visual prompts and story-building tools.
- Ideal for young learners and lower-intermediate writers.
- Great for classroom projects or homework assignments.
- Freemium
📖 CommonLit
- Library of free, high-quality reading passages for grades 3–12.
- Includes comprehension questions, vocabulary, and paired texts.
- More academic focus — ideal for upper-intermediate to advanced ESL learners.
- Free
✍️ ESL Fast Writing Prompts
- Hundreds of free short writing prompts and models.
- Excellent for beginner and intermediate students who need structured writing practice.
- Basic design but very functional.
- Free
Whether you’re prepping students for a writing exam or helping them feel confident with reading in English, these platforms offer a variety of tools for every teaching style and learner need.
Interactive Tools for Online Teaching
Teaching online doesn’t have to mean staring at static slides. With the right tools, you can turn virtual classrooms into dynamic, engaging spaces that keep learners motivated—whether you're working with kids, teens, or adults.
🧠 Wordwall
- Create interactive games like match-ups, quizzes, and spinning wheels.
- Easy to customize by topic or level.
- Works great for warm-ups, reviews, or vocabulary reinforcement.
- Free with limited access; paid plans for more features
📝 Kahoot!
- Game-based quiz platform perfect for group competitions.
- Kids love the fast-paced format, but it works well for adults too.
- Teachers can create custom quizzes or use community-made ones.
- Free basic version
🧑🏫 Classroomscreen
- A virtual teacher dashboard with timers, random name pickers, drawing tools, and more.
- Great for managing class flow during online sessions.
- Helps keep students focused and involved.
- Freemium
🔁 Baamboozle
- Multiplayer games for online or in-person ESL classes.
- Lots of visuals and simple controls—ideal for young learners.
- Useful for reviewing grammar, vocabulary, or speaking prompts.
- Free and premium options
🎨 Whiteboard.fi
- Digital whiteboard where each student gets their own screen.
- Great for spelling, sentence writing, or quick assessments.
- Easy to launch in real time with no logins needed.
- Free basic tier
🎲 Wheel of Names
- Simple spinning wheel that adds an element of chance to class activities.
- Use for turn-taking, vocabulary games, or prizes.
- Customizable and intuitive.
- Free
📄 Canva for Education
- Drag-and-drop platform to create ESL flashcards, posters, games, and slideshows.
- Ideal for making custom visuals or digital worksheets.
- Free premium access for verified teachers.
- Free for educators
These tools can transform even the simplest online lesson into a fun, memorable experience—whether you’re teaching 1-on-1 or managing a full virtual classroom. The key is choosing the right tool for your learners' level and energy.
Professional Development and Teacher Communities
Whether you're just starting your teaching journey or looking to deepen your expertise, staying connected to professional resources and communities can make a huge difference. These platforms offer opportunities for training, feedback, and global networking—helping you stay inspired and informed wherever you are in the world.
🎓 FutureLearn
- Offers free and paid courses on English language teaching, classroom management, intercultural skills, and more.
- Partnered with universities and education institutions.
- Great for CPD and certificates that carry weight.
🌐 Coursera
- Courses from top universities like Arizona State and the University of London.
- TESOL specializations and teaching-focused series.
- Includes both beginner and advanced options.
- Many courses are free to audit, with paid certificates available.
🗨 ELT Council – TeachingEnglish (British Council)
- One of the most respected sites for ESL/EFL teachers.
- Offers webinars, lesson resources, articles, and forums.
- Includes CPD frameworks and free courses developed by experts.
🤝 [Facebook Groups & Subreddits]
- Join communities like “TEFL Teachers Abroad,” “ESL Lesson Planning,” or the r/TEFL subreddit.
- Useful for exchanging ideas, venting about tough classes, and finding real-world advice.
- Not formal training, but great peer-to-peer learning.
💬 TESOL International Association
- Global organization for English language professionals.
- Hosts an annual convention, regional events, and workshops.
- Paid membership, but offers access to publications and exclusive resources.
🎥 [YouTube Channels – Oxford TEFL, English Addict]
- Free tips, recorded webinars, demo lessons, and grammar tutorials.
- Ideal for visual learners or those seeking informal development.
Professional growth doesn’t stop after certification. Whether you’re looking to meet visa requirements, step into academic leadership, or just teach more confidently, these platforms can help sharpen your skills and expand your network.
Paid vs Free: What’s Worth Paying For?
There’s no shortage of free ESL resources online—but sometimes, paying for the right tool can save you hours and seriously level up your teaching. The key is knowing when it’s worth the investment.
💡 When to Go Premium
- You’re teaching regularly and want dependable, high-quality materials.
- You need commercial usage rights for worksheets, videos, or books.
- You’re teaching exams like IELTS or TOEFL and need specialized content.
- You want structured curriculums rather than piecing together random materials.
✅ What to Look for in a Paid Resource
- Clear licensing terms (especially if printing/distributing)
- Ongoing updates and new content
- Organized libraries with filters by level, skill, or age group
- Built-in progress tracking or teacher dashboards
- Tools that save planning time (drag-and-drop lessons, print packs, editable templates)
⭐ Generous Freemium or Trial Models
- Twinkl – Excellent for young learners, with free access to many resources.
- ESL Library – Paid membership, but free sample lessons and trial access.
- BusyTeacher – Mostly free, but some downloads are locked behind a Pro account.
- Canva for Education – Free for verified educators; great for making custom visuals.
Think of paid platforms as your long-term toolkit—especially helpful once you're past the newbie stage and teaching more consistently.
Final Thoughts
The best ESL teachers aren’t the ones with the flashiest software—they’re the ones who know how to use the right tools at the right time. Whether you’re working with just a whiteboard and markers or running full-scale online classes, there’s a world of resources ready to support you.
Explore widely, experiment freely, and over time, you’ll develop your own go-to collection of sites, tools, and teaching hacks. Bookmark this list, share it with a fellow teacher, and come back to it whenever you need a boost of inspiration or support in your teaching journey.
👉 Related links:
Helping teachers find jobs they will love.