ESL (English as Second Language) Resources
Article Databases
Find newspaper, magazine and journal articles, full-text book excerpts, brochures, and pamphlets by searching C.O.D.'s article databases (online indexes that also contain certain full text materials).
You must have a valid College of DuPage library card to access the electronic indexes and databases from off-campus.
Newspaper Databases (Chicago Tribune, New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal)
Databases by Subject
Discovering Collection
Includes Discovering Authors, U.S. History, Science and Biography, and the entire contents of the Junior Reference Collection. Thousands of overview essays, critical analyses, biographies, timelines and multimedia elements in five core subject areas: history, literature, biography, science and social studies. Articles are available in several content levels including basic, intermediate and advanced.
Learning Express Library
This database requires FREE registration. Once you are registered, you can take practice tests for science, social studies, math, algebra, science, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, U.S. citizenship, GED, TOEFL, and skills improvement at the elementary, middle school and high school levels.
When you finish a test, the database scores it for you, and incorrect answers are explained.
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Books, Videos, Audio & Computer Software
Where do I look for materials in the Library?
Everything that the Library owns is listed in the C.O.D. Online Catalog
Can I check out books, videos, computer software and audiotapes and take them home with me?
Yes -- most of general collection items can be checked out for FREE!
Videos and audiotapes can be checked out for one week.
Most books can be checked out for three weeks.
The only books that cannot be checked out have the letters REF on the label on the side or front of the book. REF means the book is a Reference book and can only be used in the Library.
You need a C.O.D. Library Card to check things out of the library. You can get a library card at the Circulation Desk located near the entrance to the Library.
What happens if I don't return materials on time (when they are due)?
Click here for check out periods and payment of fines
Are children allowed in the Library?
Yes! Children under the age of 16 are welcome in the Library but, for their own safety, must be accompanied at all times and continuously supervised by a parent or other responsible adult. Unaccompanied children will be reported to Campus Police and may be taken to the Office of Public Safety after reasonable attempts have been made to locate a parent or guardian.
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Internet Sites
The sites listed below for ESL students and instructors contain resources designed to improve grammar, vocabulary, reading, pronunciation, listening, and comprehension skills via exercises, games, puzzles, tests, and quizzes. The College of DuPage and the C.O.D. Library do not create or control any of these resources, and they will not be held responsible for the content within the Sites.
Dictionaries | General | Grammar & Writing | Listening, Understanding & Speaking | Online ESL Journals & Magazines | Reading Comprehension | For Instructors
Dictionaries
- alphaDictionary.com
http://www.alphadictionary.com
Search 922 online English dictionaries at once and much, much more!
- Dictionary.com
http://www.dictionary.com
Online dictionary, thesaurus, grammar, usage & style, and writing resource
- Glossaries by Language
http://www.lai.com/glossaries.html
A wide-variety of bilingual dictionaries and topical glossaries categorized by language from Language Automation, Inc.
- Internet Picture Dictionary
http://www.pdictionary.com/
Free, online multilingual picture dictionary with interactive activities for English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and ESL learners
- Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
http://www.m-w.com/
Provides a free online dictionary, thesaurus, audio pronunciations, Word of the Day, word games, and other English language resources
- Merriam-Webster Visual Dictionary
http://visual.merriam-webster.com
Provides a free online visual dictionary containing over 20,000 terms, more than 6,000 illustrations, and audio pronunciations
General
- Boggle's World
www.bogglesworldesl.com
"Boggle's World is a resource site for TESOL, TEFL and ESL teachers who teach elementary and middle school English, ESL and EFL to kids." Includes exercises and games for improving English language skills
- Dave's ESL Café
http://www.eslcafe.com
Helpful pages on idioms, slang, grammar, test preparation, jobs, message boards and links to other ESL sites
- english-at-home.com
http://www.english-at-home.com/
This site has grammar, vocabulary and speaking with learning games, a free newsletter and more
- EnglishClub.com
http://www.englishclub.com/
"Lessons, games, quizzes, forums, chat, lesson plans, jobs & more for ESL learners & teachers"
- Englishpage.com
http://www.englishpage.com/
Designed for advanced ESL students, contains reading, writing, vocabulary, listening, grammar and dictionaries
- Interesting Things for ESL Students
http://www.manythings.org/
A fun study site for students of English as a Second Language that includes word games, puzzles, quizzes, slang, proverbs and more
- Karin's ESL Partyland
http://www.eslpartyland.com
This site has "over 75 interactive quizzes, 15 discussion forums, interactive lessons on a variety of topics, a chat room, and lots of great links."
- Literacy List
http://www.alri.org/literacylist.html
Adult Literacy Resource Institute has developed a one-stop Web site of literacy resources which features sites for teachers and adult learners, virtual tours from around the world and a children's literature Web guide
- Northwest LINCS
http://www.nwlincs.org/NWLINCSWEB/esllp.htm
An excellent collection of lesson plans, student activities, free ESL online classes, and web learning sites
- Ohio ESL
http://www.ohiou.edu/esl/english/index.html
English student resources from Ohio University including grammar, reading, writing, listening, speaking, special topics, and additional resources
- TOEFL
http://www.ets.org/toefl/
The official Web site for the Test of English as a Foreign Language
Grammar & Writing
- Activities for ESL Students
http://a4esl.org/
This web site has over 1,000 activities to help study English as a Second Language including quizzes, tests, exercises and puzzles
- English as a Second Language Home Page
http://www.rong-chang.com/
By Rong-Chang Li, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, this site is a great starting point for ESL learners who want to learn English through the Web. Contains lightly annotated directory of links in categories including: Listening and Speaking; Reading with Understanding; Grammar and Writing; ESL-related Information; English Language Schools; and More ESL Sites
- Chomp Chomp: Grammar Bytes
http://www.chompchomp.com/
This site, created by a community college instructor, includes terms, interactive exercises (with answers/explanations), handouts and guidelines for quickly improving grammar ability. Appropriate for both GED students and instructors
- EnglishLearner.com
http://www.englishlearner.com/
Interactive tests and exercises for: grammar, vocabulary, reading, crossword puzzles, hangman, etc. (exercises use British English grammar and vocabulary)
- English Grammar Reference and Exercises
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar
Includes grammar topics, example sentences, and exercises
- Funbrain
http://www.funbrain.com/
Review math facts or parts of speech. Includes many interactive, online games to practice basic math and language arts concepts
- Grammar Handbook from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
http://www.english.uiuc.edu/cws/wworkshop/writer_resources/grammar_handbook/grammar_handbook.htm
Provides explanations and illustrations of the basic grammatical rules concerning parts of speech, phrases, clauses, sentences and sentence elements, and common problems of usage
- OWL: English as a Second Language (ESL) Resources, Handouts and Exercises
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/
Includes various materials for English as a Second Language (ESL) students and teachers, which include resource pages, handouts, and exercises as well as links to over 60 additional grammar-related handouts and exercises
- Self-Study Quizzes for ESL Students
http://a4esl.org/q/h/
An extensive collection of quizzes for English study
- UsingEnglish.com
http://www.usingenglish.com/handouts/
This site has numerous detailed handouts and quizzes for all levels of English grammar - from beginner to advanced. Many are in PDF format and most include answer sheets
- WritingDEN
http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/
"WritingDEN is designed for students Grades 6 through 12 seeking to improve their English reading, comprehension, and writing skills. WritingDEN is divided into three levels of difficulty: Words, Sentences and Paragraphs."
Listening, Understanding & Speaking
- English Language Listening Lab Online
http://www.elllo.org/
Learn English by listening to English speakers from all over the world. Over 400 listening activities
- Phonetics Flash Animation Project
http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics
Created at the University of Iowa, this site contains animated libraries of the phonetic sounds of Spanish and English. It is intended for students of phonetics, linguistics, and foreign language
- Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab
http://www.esl-lab.com/
A free, interactive, educational site that uses both RealVideo and RealAudio technology for language learning. Allows visitors to self-test their English listening comprehension skills via JavaScripted quizzes
Online ESL Journals & Magazines
- English Teaching Forum
http://exchanges.state.gov/forum/
English Teaching Forum is an online quarterly journal published by the U.S. Department of State for teachers of English as a foreign or second language. The web site contains articles from issues of the Forum dating back to 1993
- The Internet TESL Journal
http://iteslj.org/
Designed for ESL teachers, this monthly on-line journal has articles, research papers, lesson ideas, classroom handouts, teaching ideas, conversation questions, links, and online activities/quizzes for students
- Parents and Children Together Online Magazine
http://reading.indiana.edu/www/indexpcto.html
"The magazine's goal is to further the cause of family literacy by bringing parents and children together through the magic of reading. PCTO features original stories and articles for children, suitable for reading aloud. A special section for parents features resources on issues related to children's development and literacy learning, as well as reviews."
- Topics- Online Magazine for Learners of English
http://www.topics-mag.com/
An online magazine for learners of English that contains student writings, teachers' projects, and interactive features
Reading Comprehension
- CNN Interactive Learning Resources
http://literacynet.org/cnnsf/
This site offers web-delivered instruction using current and past CNN San Francisco bureau news stories (a new story is added ever week). Each module includes the full text of each story and interactive activities to test comprehension. The learner can choose to read the text, listen to the text, and view a short video clip of the story
- Illinois Literacy LINCS
http://literacy.kent.edu/~illinois/
Developed by the Illinois State Library, this easy to navigate site offers adult learners information about literacy providers, current events, employment, and life skills
- Life in the USA: The Complete Guide for Immigrants and Americans
http://www.lifeintheusa.com/
Guide to culture, customs, education and immigration as well as information about home ownership and making a living in the US
- The New York Times Learning Network
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/
Current event stories, quizzes, crossword puzzles and other vocabulary and knowledge building resources for students, parents, and instructors
ESL Sites for Instructors
- The Center for Adult English Language Acquisition (CAELA)
http://www.cal.org/caela/
US national center for adult ESL (funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education.) providing information on the language and literacy education of adults and out-of-school youth learning English
- Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communication
http://reading.indiana.edu/
From the Indiana University School of Education, this site provides extensive links to resources and Web pages about reading including a Family Info Center containing resources on children's reading, writing, book reviews of children's literature and the on-line Parents and Children Together magazine
- ESL Flow
http://www.eslflow.com
ESL Flow is a resource for teachers who would like to research ESL ideas and create lesson plans and materials in a quick and efficient manner
- John and Sarah's TEFL Pitstop
http://www.lingolex.com/jstefl.htm
"At the TEFL Pitstop, language teachers on the information highway can quickly drop in and load up with ready to use, original printable materials."
- Literacy Connections-Resources for Reading Teachers and Literacy Volunteers
http://www.literacyconnections.com/
Provides information on reading, teaching and tutoring techniques, ESL literacy, Hispanic literacy, and adult literacy
- National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL)
http://www.ncsall.net/
"A federally funded research and development center focused solely on adult learning. NCSALL's efforts are dedicated to improving practice in educational programs that serve adults with limited literacy and English language skills, and those without a high school diploma."
- National Institute for Literacy (NIFL)
http://www.nifl.gov/
Highlights outstanding adult education and literacy-related sites on the World Wide Web as well as providing literacy information and statistics
- ProLiteracy Worldwide
http://www.proliteracy.org/
A nonprofit international literacy organization that was formed by the 2002 merger of Laubach Literacy International and Literacy Volunteers of America
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How do I find basic ESL materials?
How can I improve my grammar and writing?
How can I find bilingual dictionaries and/or picture dictionaries?
Where can I find a multilingual glossary of Library terms? (includes English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, French, and Spanish)
How can I improve my listening, comprehension, speaking, and pronunciation skills?
How can I find books to improve my reading skills?
Does the Library have nonfiction, romance, or mystery ESL books?
What are some graded ESL reader series?
Are there collections (books) of newspaper articles, short stories or book chapters to help me with reading comprehension?
How do I find business writing materials?
How can I find short stories?
How can I find American Short Stories?
How do I find legends or fairy tales?
How can I find biographies about immigrants or refugees?
Where can I find online health information in easy-to-understand English ?
Where can I find online health information in non-English languages?
Does the Library have a page describing more Spanish language resources?
How do I cite my sources?
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Handouts
Business Writing Resources.doc
(Help downloading)
Student & Instructor ESL Sites.doc
(Help downloading)
How to find Fairy Tales from different countries.doc
(Help downloading)
Locating Basic ESL Materials in the COD Library.doc
(Help downloading)
Locating Basic ESL Readers in the COD Library.doc
(Help downloading)
Locate Grammar and Writing materials.doc
(Help downloading)
Select ESL Writing materials in the COD Library.doc
(Help downloading)
Short Stories by American Authors Assignment.doc
(Help downloading)
Locating Short Stories.doc
(Help downloading)
Career_Vocational_School.doc
(Help downloading)
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Need Help?
Do you need more help? Please call, email, or make an appointment with Debra. You can also ask for assistance at the COD Library's main reference desk or call the reference desk at (630) 942-3364. Remember, we are here to make sure that you find what you need!
Instructors, please contact Debra to arrange instruction sessions and Library visits for your classes.
Debra J. Kakuk Smith , ESL, ABE, & GED Librarian
smithkak@cod.edu
(630) 942-4305 SRC 3049
Learn more about Debra... |
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