🌍 Hear the world, learn the language.
🌍 Hear the world, learn the language.
URL: https://elllo.org
Key Features:
Free listening lessons featuring native and non-native English speakers
Includes audio, video, transcripts, and vocabulary support
Covers a wide range of topics and accents
Classroom Use:
Teachers can assign listening tasks based on level or topic, use transcripts for listening comprehension exercises, or have students compare different accents. The built-in vocabulary and quizzes help reinforce understanding.
URL: https://ed.ted.com
Key Features:
Animated educational videos with interactive questions
Customizable lessons with discussion prompts and quizzes
Covers diverse, real-world topics suitable for upper-intermediate to advanced learners
Classroom Use:
Teachers can select or create TED-Ed lessons to develop critical listening and viewing skills. Students can watch videos, answer comprehension questions, and engage in class discussions or reflective writing activities.
Key Features:
Language learning through music videos
Interactive fill-in-the-blank activities synced with lyrics
Multiple difficulty levels and genres
Classroom Use:
Students practice listening by completing lyrics in real time. Teachers can use songs to target specific listening skills (e.g., identifying missing words, listening for details) and to encourage cultural learning and class participation.
Key Features:
Adaptive reading comprehension exercises
Automatic level adjustments based on student performance
Instant feedback and detailed progress reports
Wide range of fiction and nonfiction texts
Classroom Use:
Teachers can assign reading tasks suited to individual student levels, making it ideal for differentiated instruction. Students read short passages and answer comprehension questions, helping develop inference and critical thinking skills. Teachers can track performance to identify learning gaps and provide targeted support.
URL: https://newsela.com
Key Features:
Real-world news articles rewritten at multiple reading levels
Includes quizzes, annotations, and writing prompts
Covers subjects like science, social studies, and current events
Integrates with Google Classroom for easy assignment tracking
Classroom Use:
Teachers can assign the same article at different reading levels to support mixed-ability classrooms. Students practice reading strategies using authentic content and can complete comprehension questions or participate in debates and written reflections on article topics.
Key Features:
Free library of literary and informational texts for grades 3–12
Standards-aligned comprehension questions and discussion prompts
Features like guided reading mode, translation, and audio support
Available in English and Spanish
Classroom Use:
CommonLit helps teachers introduce complex texts with built-in scaffolding. Students engage with high-interest reading passages and answer comprehension and critical thinking questions. The platform supports individual and whole-class reading activities, homework, or formative assessments.