How to choose materials for learning English. English language English language learning materials
At the time of writing this article, there were 1,473 free lessons available on the site. Each lesson consists of a small newspaper/magazine article, as well as introductory exercises developed for it, reading, listening tasks, vocabulary expansion, questions for further discussion of the topic and homework. On the site you can also find links to other equally interesting resources from Sean.
8. Another site created by Sean Banville is http://www.esldiscussions.com.
More than 600 diverse topics for discussion, grouped alphabetically, with the ability to print documents in Word or PDF. Excellent for tasks to develop oral speech in the classroom and discussions in language clubs. Initially, each topic is divided into 2 groups of questions - for Student A and Student B, that is, the work is supposed to be done in pairs. But I used them both for discussions in mini-groups and for individual work. Works.
9. Anyone who in one way or another uses films in learning/teaching a foreign language, I think this will be useful website with developments for films: http://www.eslnotes.com/.
On the site you can find the following materials.
Each individual guide is a detailed synopsis of a popular movie that consists of the following:
- a summary of the plot,
- a list of the major characters,
- an extensive glossary of vocabulary and various cultural references that even advanced ESL learners would often not understand,
- questions for ESL class discussion.
An interesting and varied selection of films, including e.g. Breakfast at Tiffany's, Planet of the Apes, Erin Brokovich, A Beautiful Mind. I think you will find among them those that will be of interest to your students.
10. Online Assessment Tests, Vocabulary Activities, Grammar Exercises, Puzzles and Quizzes, as well as a forum, mailing list, search for pen pals and much more - all this can be found on the website http://www.world-english.org/.
One of those resources that can easily be used to independently consolidate and repeat the material covered. Please note the links at the top of the home page. It’s worth studying them in more detail, as you can find a lot of useful and simply entertaining material here.
11. English Listening Lesson Library Online - this is the name of the site www.elllo.org.
Interesting collection listening exercises, videos, games, songs. The passages are accompanied by vocabulary exercises, comprehension questions, and topics for discussion. I really liked the Mixer section, where different people speak on the same topic. A significant disadvantage of the site is the abundance of advertising.
12. Resource with exercises for the initial stages - www.123listening.com. Very short files, basic vocabulary, clear diction, simple topics. Nothing special, but may be useful for beginners.
13. Simple, useful and free website for making crosswords in English Discovery Education Puzzlemaker. Word Search, Criss-Cross, Double Puzzles, Fallen Phrases, Mazes, Number Blocks, Hidden Messages. Enjoy!
Useful resources for teaching preschoolers and primary schoolchildren
1. - a free resource existing since 2002 aimed at teaching kids to read in English. Moreover, you can teach here both English-speaking children and those for whom English is not their native language. The site is colorful, animated, and easy to use.
2. Another resource with materials for teaching children English - developed by teachers of the British Council. On the site you can find various materials - games, songs, videos, tests, teaching tips, printouts with tasks. You can register as either a parent or a teacher. A child who owns a computer can register as a student to be able to interact with other users and take part in competitions. There is really a lot of material, and it is really worthwhile.
3. 
- a very nice and positive resource. Here you will find a collection of original and traditional children's songs recorded by teacher Matt R.
For example, on the site you can find this original song about colors:
Or the classic “Old McDonald Had a Farm”:
You can also find games, counting rhymes, and vocabulary cards on the site. Matt
Exercises and tests - 5th grade (elementary)
Exercise 1 A . Present Simple. Give the negative form
We have English on Monday.
Lena is going to be a teacher.
Nick likes playing computer games.
It rains in autumn.
Lena is a good student.
We are friends.
My mum is a doctor.
Boris likes traveling.
My name is Sam.
I am from London.
Exercise 1 IN . Present Simple. Give the negative form
This is my bike. .
My dog wants its dinner.
My brother lives in Moscow.
My father has a new car.
We are from Russia.
We like cold weather.
I'm good at maths.
Her birthday is in July.
They are interested in music.
I usually go shopping on Sunday.
Exercise 2 Present Simple. Put in is/are/do/does.
1.Where____you from?
2. Where____ Jane live?
3. ___you like your new school?
4. Where_____your textbook?
5. ____you play any sports?
6. What time_____the library close?
7._____you usually tired after your classes?
8. _____your mother a lawyer?
9. ___she know your phone number?
10._____her job is boring?
Exercise 3 Present Simple. Write questions.
1 you / walk to school / every day?
2 your lessons / start / at eight o"clock?
3 you / do your homework / every evening?
4 you and your best friend / go / to the same school?
5 you / watch / TV after school?
6 your best friend / visit / you at weekends?
7 you / play sport / every day?
8 your mum / get up early / at weekends?
Exercise 4. Present Simple. Make questions beginning with words in the brackets.
They usually get up at 7 o'clock. (When......?)
Pete has two dogs. (How many…….?)
We have three lessons on Monday. (Do…….or……….?)
Little children like playing football. (Who…………..?)
Lena usually plays with her dog in the yard. (Where......?)
Peter enjoys collecting stamps. (Does…………?)
This boy is seven years old. (How old………….?)
My mum watches music shows in the sitting room. (What...?)
I do my homework after dinner. (When......?)
Pete is very lazy. (What is………like?)
Exercise 5 Present Simple. We train ourselves to ask questions correctly (based on 4 types of questions)
She goes to work by car. (Yes-No-? Who-?)
We watch TV every night. (Wh-? Yes-No-?)
I"m always happy. (Yes-No-? Or-?)
They usually work hard at their lessons. (Who-?)
I"m in a sports team. (Yes-No-? Who-?)
After school I usually go out with my friends. (Wh-?)
I dislike doing my homework. (Wh-?)
I can speak Japanese. (Yes-No-? Wh-?)
Anna sometimes helps at home. (Wh-?)
He doesn't go to work on Monday. (Or-?)
Ann is very nervous. (Yes-No-? Wh-?)
I really hate German. (Yes-No-? Wh-?)
We love reading interesting books.(Who-?)
We don't enjoy watching boring films. (Yes-No-?)
My mum gets angry with me. (Or-? Why-?)
We usually go to bed early. (Or-? Yes-No-?)
I"m bad at drawing. (Yes-No-?)
We can play the guitar. (Who-?)
These students are interested in painting. (Who-?)
We often go to bed late. (Yes-No-?)
My friends like rock music. (Who-?)
My parents don't work on Sunday. (Wh-?)
She"s often late. (Yes-No-? Why-?)
I"m tired after PT lessons. (Wh-?)
I don't like art at school. (Yes-No-? Who-?)
I come from Italy. (Wh-? Yes-No-?)
We are from Britain. (Yes-No-?)
I never help my mum. (Yes-No-?)
Pete is interested in acting. (Or-? Yes-No-?)
Alex is an outgoing person. (Or-?)
I often go out with my friend Pete. (Wh-?)
My hobby is taking photos. (Yes-No-?)
I"m interested in history. (Wh-?)
They live in Australia. (Wh-? Or-?)
The children finish their work at 5 o"clock. (Who-?)
We always go to the museum on Fridays. (Or-?)
I come from Africa. (Wh-? Yes-No-?)
I"m good at playing chess. (Or-?)
Alex lives in this street. (Wh-?)
Nina has got two cats. (Yes-No-? Wh-?)
These pens are mine. (Yes-No-?)
Her name is Nelly. (Wh-?)
Kate has a photo of Brad. (Who-? Yes-No-?)
I can't read this book. (Yes-No-?)
She's seventeen. (Wh-?)
We can't play hockey. (Yes-No -?)
My parents often go to the park. (Who-?)
52.1 don"t write e-mails to Ann. (Yes-No-?)
My brother is never helpful at home.(Who-?)
We often speak English. (Or-?)
55.1 enjoy talking for hours. (Wh-?)
We dislike listening to music. (Who-?)
My brother is a lazy-bone. (Wh-?)
They are students. (Yes-No-?)
I"m always hard-working. (Or-?)
My dad often makes models. (Wh-?)
My mum doesn't often go to the theater.
(Yes-No-?)
My friend is thin and short. (Wh-?)
We go to the gym on Wednesday. (Or-?)
He works in a restaurant. (Wh-?)
Olga usually gets up at 6 o"clock. (Or-?)
They eat a lot. (Yes-No-?)
I"m usually late for breakfast. (Yes-No?)
I live in Brazil. (Wh-?)
My dad doesn't like computer games.(Who-?)
We enjoy reading photo magazines. (Wh-?)
I "m Clare. (Yes-No-?)
My name is Alan. (Or-?)
My mum uses a computer in the office. (Wh-?)
She listens to the radio every day. (Yes-No-?)
I "m seven. (Wh-?)
We have English on Mondays. (Or-?)
We don"t have maths on Friday. (Yes-No-?)
I often make new friends at clubs. (Who-?)
We have breakfast at 8. (Wh-?)
My friend is helpful. (Yes-No-?)
I dislike cooking. (Wh-?)
He never works hard. (Yes-No-?)
My dad is a butcher. (Wh-?)
He is Victor. (Wh-?)
My aunt is romantic. (Yes-No-?)
I sometimes do the washing up. (Who-?)
We can go home now. (Yes-No-?)
They usually go to the seaside.(Wh-?)
It's my brother. (Who-?)
I'm tired. (Yes-No-?)
They learn a lot. (Yes-No-?)
You can take this pen. (Yes-No-?)
He walks to school. (Yes-No-? Or-?)
We go to school by the metro. (Who-?)
I speak French. (Yes-No-?)
We have three books. (How many-?)
This is a difficult question. (Yes-No-?)
We come from China. (Yes-No-? Or-?)
I play the piano. (Who-?)
Exercise 6. Present Simple/Present Continuous
I. Put the verbs in brackets into the "Present Simple" or "Present Continuous".
1. He often………. ………….(go) to the cinema.
2. They ………………………… (watch) TV at the moment.
3. John is outside ………………………… (wash) the car.
4. Nina usually ………………………… (drive) to work.
5. Father ………………………… (lie) on the sofa now.
6. Claire ………………………… (not/like) pizza.
II. Complete with the present simple or present continuous
1 Peter and Lucy are watching............TV at the moment, (watch)
2 We........................to the cinema every week, (not go)
3 The baby...................................right now. (not sleep)
4 We usually........................our grandparents on Sundays, (visit)
5 What's that noise?........................the violin again? (Lucy / play)
6 Ben........................his new shoes today, (wear)
7 .....................her room every day? (Emma/tidy)
8 ...........................today? (your father / work)
9 I........................my teeth three times a day. (brush)
10..........................the house on Saturdays? (your mother / clean)
Exercise 7. Write the correct form of Present Simple or Present Continuous
1. We (to be) always ready for our lessons.
2. My mother (to cook) very well.
3. My granny (not to work).
4. My father (not to be) at home now. He (to work) at his office.
5. What do you (to do) now? I (to read) the poem.
6. Tom usually (to get up) at seven o"clock.
7. Where are you (to live)?
8. Where Ann (to be)? She (to sleep).
9. Sometimes he (to watch) TV in the evening.
10. You (to understand) your teacher?
Exercise 8. Put the verbs in brackets into Past Simple
Last week we 1) … drove …. (drive) to London. It 2) ............... (be) a sunny day. When we 3) ............(get) there, we 4)............ (park) the car and 5) ................(go) to the London Tower. Then we ….. 6) ................. (go) shopping in Oxford Street and 7).................. (spend) a lot of money in the shops. In the afternoon we 8)....... (see) the Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace. There 9) .......... (be) many people there. Later we 10) ................ (have) a boat trip down the river Thames. We 11) ................ (eat) our dinner on the boat and then we 12)................ (decide ) to go home. We 13) ……..(have) a good time that day.
Exercise 9. Change the statements into negative sentences.
a) Tom and Anna had breakfast. … ……………………………………..
b) Mike took the bus................................................... ...................................................
c) Maria and Carlos did the homework............................................. ......................
d) Catherine got a prize................................................... ...........................................
e) Peter knew the teacher........................................ ...........................................
f) Sam went to university................................................ .........................................
g) Paula ate a sandwich................................................... ...........................................
h) Murat and Soraya ran fast............................................... ......................................
i) Joe made mistakes................................................... ...................................................
j) Carla came early................................................... ........................................................ .
Exercise 10 A.
a) When (you, come)................................... ...............................to this country?
b) Jack (not, wear).................................................. ...................................his raincoat.
c) Pat (leave) ................................................... ...........................his coat in the hall.
d) How many pages (you, write)............................................ ................................?
e) What (the teacher, say) ............................................. ........................................?
f) (you, not, tell)............................................ ...................................us your name.
g) (you, go)................................................... .........to the basketball match yesterday?
h) Ann (not, know)................................... ...................the other girl's name.
i) Which books (you, take)............................................ ........................to school?
j) (Jane, not, get)............................................ .......................................any letters.
Exercise 10 B. Change the verbs in brackets into the past simple.
a) The last lesson (begin)..............,.............at 2.30.
b) Joe (feel).........................ill after lunch.
c) Suddenly a bird (fly)................................in the window!
d) I think you (do).........................the wrong thing.
e) Jane (get).........................ready very quickly.
f) We (know).........................the answer.
g) The students (stand).........................up when the teacher arrived.
h) It was cold, but I (wear)............................two pullovers.
i) Anna (eat).........................two plates of spaghetti.
j) Rick (tell).........................us the time.
Translation
Translate into English
The children broke the TV.
The dog did not run around the garden.
Where did your parents go?
How often do you watch this show on TV?
What is Anya doing? - She is doing her homework.
What did you do last year?
We forgot to buy flowers yesterday.
Anya is from Russia and I am from Britain.
Is Petya a student? -Yes.
My favorite subject is history.
In my briefcase I have a textbook, a ruler, an eraser and a pencil.
We don't have a TV in the kitchen.
I love writing tests in English class.
Can you finish this sentence?
Do you understand the teacher?
Do you use your dictionary?
They didn't know about it last week.
They met many years ago.
Tom bought a big bike last week.
The students did not write the test last Monday.
Look! Petya plays tennis.
Usually I go to school by car, but today I walk.
What is grandma doing? - She is preparing dinner.
Where is Nellie? - She is having lunch.
How did you spend these holidays?
When did they lose the keys?
We found a lot of mushrooms last summer.
Where did John live 3 years ago?
Where did you put your books?
What did she say to her husband yesterday?
He didn't win a match a year ago.
Did you feed the dog this morning?
Can you draw? -Yes.
Are you drawing now? - No.
Test 1. Make questions to the sentences beginning with words in the brackets.
We have got three rooms in our flat.(Who……..? What……..? Have we got……….?
How many rooms…………?)
Pete likes tennis playing.(Who……? What…………? Does………..?)
We live in a big house in Liverpool.(Who………..? Where………..? Do………..or……..?)
They don't go to school on Sunday.(Who…….? Do…….? When………….?)
Lena is writing an essay at the lesson.(Who…..? What…..? Where….?)
Test 2.
Fill in has got or have got
1. Ben.......a big ruler.(+)
2. The children........blue notebooks.(+)
3. My mum......a new yellow dress. (-)
4. Cockroaches.......six legs. (?)
5. A spider.......eight legs. (?)
6. The students.........yellow bags. (-)
7. I.......a purple rubber. (+)
8. Ann......a white piece of paper. (?)
9. Pete......a pink pencil. (-)
10. A frog......green legs. (+)
2. Decide what ("s) means:is orhas
11. Where is Tom? He's at the shop.
12. What is Ann doing? She's reading.
13. Where's Jill? He's in the class.
14. What's his name? Jack.
15. Sam's good at swimming.
3 . Fill in have got/has got, is/are/am, can
16. Ann and Tina....my sisters.
17. Ann......blue eyes and black hair.
18. I......green eyes and brown hair.
19. Tina......tall but I......short.
20. Tina......play the piano.
Test 3
1 Put the verbs in brackets into Present Simple.
1. I... (not play) tennis on Sundays.
2. Tina... (walk) to school every day.
3. We ... (go) to bed at 10 o"clock.
4. Penguins... (not live) in Africa.
5. Tony... (not study) French at school.
6. Jo and Peter... (visit) their granny every week.
7. Sally... (know) this boy.
8. You... (not be) in an office.
9. Mike... (have) a lot of friends.
2 Put the verbs in brackets into Present Simple.
This cafe is called "Vangard". Ten people 1) ... (work) here. MrNikolayev 2) ... (own) this cafe. The cook 3) ... (make) very tasty food. He 4) ... (not clean) the room. Other people 5) ... (do) it. The cafe 6) ... (open) at 9 o"clock. Many people 7) ... (eat) here. They 8) ... (not visit) other cafes. I 9) ... (like) this cafe, too.
3 Translate into English.
1 My mother works at school
2 I don't like chess.
3 Tom doesn't live in the city.
4 We swim in the summer.
5 Bob reads a lot of books.
Test 4
Put the verbs into Present Simple.
1. I.......(enjoy) playing computer games, but my sister..........(not).
2. My mum......(do the shopping) on Saturdays. She......(like) it.
3. We.......(get up) at 6 o"clock every day. On Sunday my brother........(get up) late.
4. My dad.......(work) at school, but my sister and I.......(work) in an office.
5. I......(have) only "5" in French. My friend Ann......(have) "3" and "4" in French.
Write 5 questions. Begin with words in brackets.
6. I enjoy collecting stamps. (What.............?)
7. My sister has got many friends. (Who.........?)
8. We live in St. Petersburg. (Do.......or...............?)
9. Pete likes doing sports. (What......................?)
10. My friend is cheerful. (What......like?)
Put the adverbs in the correct place in the sentence.
7. Tim goes camping, (never)
8. Ann helps her mum. (usually)
9. They are very polite, (always)
10. Pete gets good marks in maths, (seldom)
Test 5
Complete the sentences with the correct verb in Present Simple.
1 What ... she read in the evenings?
2 ... your friends are good at singing?
3 Why ... they drive so carelessly?
4 .:. do you speak French? - No? I can't.
5 What...Helen interested in?
Put the questions to the sentences.
1. My friend knows this girl. (Yes/No?)
2. We can do gymnastics. (What sports...?)
3. She is good at cooking. (Yes/No?)
4. They are interested in history. (What...?)
5. Tom and Bob live in London. (Where...?)
Translate into English.
1 Can you jump?
2 Where does he play football?
3 Why is she a bad dancer?
4 Are you interested in history?
5 Do you mind opening the window?
Test 6
I. Write questions (4 types)
1. My sister collects photos. (Who?)
2. We usually work hard at school.(Yes-No?)
3. I enjoy writing tests at our English lesson. (Or-?)
4. I'm tired after school. (Yes-No?)
5. After school I go out with my friends. (Wh?)
II.
1. What sports...................? I play volleyball and tennis.
2. When...........................? Sheila goes dancing on Saturdays.
3. Who........................? Ann writes e-mails every week.
4. What music...................? Tom likes jazz.
5. How often......................? My uncle goes to the museum every month.
Test 7A
I. Write questions (4 types)
Terry likes French and history. (Wh-?)
She plays football every Saturday. (Who-?)
He usually washes his car on Wednesdays. (Or-?)
They live in Australia. (Wh-?)
They go to school by bus. (Yes-No-?)
II. Write questions for these answers.
When........................? We have English on Mondays.
What...................................? We have breakfast at 8.
How often.........................? I sometimes do the washing up.
What................................? I dislike cooking.
Where...................................? They usually go to the seaside.
Test 7B
Write questions (4 types)
1. On Monday I go to drama club. (Wh?)
2. I "m usually late for dinner. (Yes-No?)
3. People call me shy. (Who?)
4. Laura always goes dancing on Saturdays. (Or?)
5. I don't like cooking. (Wh?)
Write questions for these answers.
6. How often......................? I watch TV every day.
7. Where........................? Her parents work in a hospital.
8. Who............................? My friends go to disco on Sundays.
9. What...........................? Sandra drinks coffee for breakfast.
10. What........................? I'm interested in sports.
Test 8 MakeYES/NO questions for the following statements.
She's French.
It's raining.
They"re at school.
They"re learning English.
I'm right.
I can speak Danish.
He's got blond hair.
There's a monument in the center of the square.
She comes from France.
I'm watching TV at the moment.
They live in a flat.
I want to go home.
Pete is working hard now.
Pete likes pop music.
Nelly has her breakfast at 7 o"clock.
Nelly is having her breakfast now.
I"m playing with my cat.
Nelly is five.
We're reading a book now.
We usually go to school by car.
Test 9 . Make WH-questionsfor the following statements.
We usually have a wonderful holiday at the seaside.
I"m reading a good book at the moment.
They have so many children.
Ann's going to China next week..
David earns more than $2000 a year.
The sun rises in the east.
The bank opens at 10 o"clock.
At the weekend I usually go to the country.
I get up at 6 o"clock.
My mother comes from work at 2 o"clock p.m.
Test 1 A
1
2 Translate into English .
Test 1B
Translate into English.
11) My sister taught me to write letters.-
12) Yesterday I watched a horror film.-
13) My friends brought me flowers two days ago.-
15) The vase fell on the floor and broke.-
Test 2A
1. Sally bought a new dress, (not)-
2. Tom lost his bag. (Where?)-
4. Sam wrote a long letter. (Yes/No)-
5. Bob knew about this house, (not)-
6. Ashley brought a big cake. (When?)-
7. Alice understood him very well. (Why?)-
8. Fred saw a horrible dog. (Yes/No)-
9. Jack found a beautiful stone. (Where)-
10. George lay on a small sofa, (not)-
Test 2B Put the sentences into negative form and make questions.
1. He became a great painter, (not)-
2. Our French lesson began at 9 o"clock. (When?) -
3. Sally wrote a dictation yesterday, (not)-
4. The cat lay on the bed. (Where?)-
5. John knew her address, (not)-
6. Tim lost his money in the shop. (Yes/No?)-
7. Ann understood the teacher very well. (Who?)-
8. Jack bought a new computer last week. (What?)-
9. We went to the circus two days ago. (not)-
10. Our group had a party last week, (not)-
Test 3A.
1 Fill in the proper verb in Past Simple.
1. I ... the key and couldn't open the door.
2. Mum...a kitten in the street and took it home.
3. John ... that book because he had enough money.
5. Tom had a lot of pencils. H e needed only one. He thought a little and ... the red pencil.
6. Jerry had a very beautiful voice, that"s why he ... a singer.
7. The students ... a quiz on Monday.
8. Terry...a golden medal in the Olympic Games.
9. Dad doesn't have a car because he ... his car for $5000 last month.
10. We……the performance and we liked it very much.
2 Translate into English .
2. We found out about this two days ago.
3. Yesterday dad brought a little puppy.
4. She forgot this story a long time ago.
5. The boy fell and felt very bad.
Test 3B
Fill in the proper verb in Past Simple
1) Last year we............on holiday.
2) Yesterday I.........at 7 o"clock in the morning.
3) Our football team.......this match.
4) My little sister.............a big apple for breakfast.
5) John enjoyed singing. He.....at every school party.
6) My parents............a new TV set yesterday.
7) My husband......a lot of beer two hours ago.
8) My grandparents......in 1949.
9) They........in a small village.
10) I........a very interesting story last week.
Translate into English.
11) My sister taught me to write letters.
12) I watched a horror film yesterday.
13) My friends brought me flowers two days ago.
14) Bob lost his notebook and couldn’t do his homework.
15) The vase fell on the floor and broke.
Test 4A
Put the sentences into negative form and make questions.
1. Sally bought a new dress, (not)
2. Tom lost his bag. (Where?)
4. Sam wrote a long letter. (Yes/No)
5. Bob knew about this house, (not)
6. Ashley brought a big cake. (When?)
7. Alice understood him very well. (Why?)
8. Fred saw a horrible dog. (Yes/No)
9. Jack found a beautiful stone. (Where)
10. George lay on a small sofa. (not)
When (you, come)..........to this country?
Jack (not, wear)................. his raincoat.
Pat (leave) ........................ his coat in the hall.
How many pages (you, write)................?
The last lesson (begin).............., at 2.30.
III. Translate into English
They built a big house last year.
She didn't forget to write a letter yesterday.
What did he bring last week?
She grew a lot of flowers last summer.
He didn't win a match a year ago.
Test 4B
Put the sentences into negative form and make questions.
1. He became a great painter, (not)
2. Our French lesson began at 9 o"clock. (When?)
3. Sally wrote a dictation yesterday. (not)
4. The cat lay on the bed. (Where?)
5. John knew her address. (not)
6. Tim lost his money in the shop. (Yes/No?)
7. Ann understood the teacher very well. (Who?)
8. Jack bought a new computer last week. (What?)
9. We went to the circus two days ago. (not)
10. Our group had a party last week. (not)
II. Fill in the proper verb in Past Simple
What (the teacher, say) ...................?
(you, not, tell).............us your name.
Ann (not, know)................ the other girl's name.
I think you (do)................... the wrong thing.
The teacher students (stand).............up when the arrived.
III. Translate into English
Yesterday I was bitten by a dog.
Did you feed the dog this morning?
My mother taught me to draw two years ago.
They didn't show this movie last week.
Why did you wake me up at 7 o'clock on Sunday?
In modern society, it seems easier to find a person who does not know how to cook than who does not know English. Therefore, less words, more action! We have collected for you the best websites for learning English, which are guaranteed to make the learning process easy and enjoyable!
Lang-8
If you often write letters to foreigners, this resource for learning English will help you not to lose face in such a situation. You compose a text in a foreign language, after which a native speaker checks it and makes appropriate corrections. With the same success, you yourself can act as a verifying party regarding texts in your native language (you indicate this when registering). You can learn only two languages for free, three or more - for a fee.
Photo: lang-8.com Grammar.net
Many websites for learning English, like grammar textbooks, consist of boring, dry texts that usually make you want to sleep. Grammar.net is not like that: it has a lot of pictures and infographics. There are also English lessons for different skill levels (even homework is provided), and you can learn new words and idioms through simple, colorful pictures. The site is run by a young linguist teacher who speaks five languages and is studying a sixth.
Photo: grammar.net 3 Lingua Leo
An easy and fun resource for learning English. When you register, you get a lion cub at your disposal, which you need to feed with meatballs. The latter can be obtained in the “jungle” by completing various tasks using audio, video and text materials. Most of the tasks are free, but there is paid content and limited ability to add unfamiliar concepts to the dictionary.
Photo: lingualeo.com 4 Busuu
The best sites for learning English are those that provide live. The Busuu social network has about 50 million registered users from all over the world. You can learn new material and grammar, submit practice exercises for testing by native speakers, and monitor your knowledge with tests and word games. When you purchase a premium account, you will receive access to video lessons and language tests, as well as a certificate after completing the course.
Photo: busuu.com 5 Livemocha
The Livemocha network has about 15 million users around the world, and all of these people are interested in learning a language. This is exactly what the service is based on - you want to learn English, and an American, for example, wants to learn Russian. Thus, the completed exercises are mutually checked by native speakers. You learn step by step by completing various tasks. For a fee, you can choose a native speaker yourself and get access to all materials on the site.
Photo: livemocha.com 6 Learn English British Council
Websites for learning English are so common that even the British Council has one. There is a huge amount of text materials, exercises, videos, audio files, games, professional podcasts and even a special section for self-preparation for the IELTS language exam. Football fans will enjoy the PremierSkills section, where they can watch interviews with Premier League football players, read articles about football clubs and reports from past games. All information on the site is in English, so it will probably be difficult for a beginner to navigate.
Photo: learnenglish.britishcouncil.org
7
BBC Learning English
It’s not very often that you come across websites for learning English that perform multiple tasks at the same time. The resource of the British corporation BBC is valuable primarily because, in addition to educational, it also performs educational and entertainment functions. There are audio and video lessons, tests, animations and simply colorful materials like “The Lexicon of Office Clerks” or “Why Chewing Gum is Banned in Singapore.”
Photo: bbc.co.uk 8 List English
Free sites for learning English are not a fiction. The ListEnglish resource is a very detailed database of materials for learning English: online dictionaries, translators, tutors, tests, school textbooks, slang expressions and idioms, video courses and audio files, materials for preparing for language tests, games, links to YouTube channels, podcasts , smartphone applications and much more.
Lyrics training
The most effective resources for learning English are those that allow you to have fun at the same time. Thus, Lyrics training makes it possible to learn English through your favorite songs. You choose a musician and a song, indicate your language level, and then listen to the song and try to fill in the gaps in the subtitles. Music can be sorted by genre (pop, jazz, rock, funk, blues, folk, etc.) and by language. Most songs are in English, although some tunes are also available in French, Spanish, German, Italian and Portuguese.
Photo: lyricstraining.com 10 Ororo.tv
Another resource for learning English, allowing you to combine business with pleasure. The site is a database of more than five hundred TV series and a huge number with built-in English subtitles and a translator. While viewing, you just need to hover your mouse over an unknown word and the translation will appear. Some content is available for free viewing, but a significant number of feeds require a paid account.
Photo: ororo.tv Happy exploring!
The traditional method of teaching English and other languages has long become obsolete. Most people no longer want to do the same type of exercises from a textbook and memorize dialogues, and they don’t have enough time for classes with a teacher. Therefore, more and more different resources are appearing on the Internet that help everyone who wants to learn different foreign languages.
Lingualeo provides almost unlimited possibilities for comprehensive mastery of the English language. By registering on the site, you can watch English-language videos, films, music videos, listen to podcasts and audiobooks. All materials are accompanied by text, from which you can easily and quickly add words to the dictionary, and then repeat them during training.
There is a separate section “Courses” for mastering grammar. The site also presents programs in business and English from scratch and for preparing for the Unified State Exam, State Exam and IELTS.
As a nice bonus, there are browser extensions that allow you to expand your dictionary on any site, and mobile applications for all major platforms.
The British Council website is a treasure trove of various video, audio and text materials not only for language learners, but also for people interested in English culture. The Learn English section, which is divided into subsections for children and teenagers, students and adults, deserves special attention.
Also on the British Council website you can find many articles on English grammar, where even complex constructions are explained simply and clearly.
3. busuu
With busuu you can learn 12 languages, including English. This application allows you to train all skills: reading, writing, listening comprehension and speaking. After each block, you can test your knowledge using a test and even a native speaker (you can send him the text you wrote).
Ororo.tv is a real find for series lovers. On the site you can watch American, English, Australian and other TV series with subtitles or built-in translation. Unfamiliar words can be added to the dictionary. 1 hour of viewing per day is available for free.
The site has more than 600 free video lessons from native language teachers. All lessons-lectures are divided into levels: from to advanced. The topics are very diverse: business English, spoken words and expressions, preparation for passing international exams and much more. After watching, you can test yourself with a test.
On the Memrise website you can learn English through courses that users create for each other. During the training, you will be asked to choose a mem - a picture or recording for better memorization of a word - or create your own associative image. Then you need to perform exercises on choosing the correct answer and listening to the word.
After you “plant” a word in your “garden” (the creators compare human memory to a garden), you will need to periodically “water” it, that is, consolidate knowledge through regular repetition.
The Free Rice simulator includes exercises to improve your vocabulary in English and other languages, simple grammar exercises, and tests. For each correct answer you receive 10 grains of rice, which are used to fight hunger.
italki is a community of teachers and people studying foreign languages. The site has both professional teachers and native speakers offering informal tutoring. Each user can be both a student and a teacher.
To start studying, you need to register, buy some virtual currency ITC (italki credits) and pay for a lesson with the selected teacher.
This is a free service for finding people to talk to from all over the world. By registering on the site, you can find a pen pal or for casual conversations on Skype.
The Polyglot Club service offers users to experience the culture of different countries by communicating with native speakers. In addition, you can watch educational videos, improve your writing skills, and attend language meetings in different cities around the world.
If you already know English well enough to understand even university lectures, welcome to Coursera. Here you can sign up for courses in physics, medicine, construction, pedagogy and other disciplines. Teachers from the world's leading universities give lectures in English. Sometimes classes are held on writing essays and articles in English.
In this service you can take interactive lessons that help you master grammar, develop correct pronunciation and listening comprehension. Every day, the system generates an individual task plan based on the user’s knowledge and progress in LearnatHome. Some lessons are available for free, the rest, including teacher review, are included in the premium package.
Duolingo offers a free sequential course designed primarily to improve vocabulary in English and other languages. The exercises are beautifully designed and built on various game mechanics, so doing them is not boring.
An active community of users has formed around Duolingo. You can always chat with them on a special forum. In addition, the service is developing a course incubator, within which users can create their own educational materials for everyone.
The Puzzle English project is intended for everyone who wants to improve their listening comprehension. For this purpose, the service database includes films, cartoons and TV series with double subtitles. You can combine business with pleasure: watch your favorite works in the original, while simultaneously sending unfamiliar words to a special dictionary.
Puzzle English also has video lessons on grammar, interactive exercises, trainers for memorizing words, and even courses for comprehensive learning of English from scratch. The service is free to use. But to get rid of restrictions, you need to buy a subscription.
Which of these resources have already helped you achieve tangible results? Tell us in the comments!
, General pedagogical technologies
Didactics(from Greek didaktiko"s- instructive, related to learning), part of pedagogy that develops the theory of education and training, upbringing in the learning process.
The term "didactics" was used in pedagogical works already in the 17th century. Ya.A. Comenius in “The Great Didactics” (1657) developed the most important issues of didactics: the content of education, didactic principles and rules of clarity, consistency, conformity with nature, etc., organization of the classroom and lesson system. Comenius made a revolution in the centuries-old practice of teaching, contrasting medieval cramming with a new system of educational work that corresponded to the age and psychological characteristics of children. Comenius' didactic ideas were further developed in the works of progressive teachers of the 18th and 19th centuries. I.G. Pestalozzi, A. Disterweg and others, who built their theory of learning on the basis of the principle of conformity with nature, taking into account the psychological development of students. They attached great importance to the development of concepts in children, the development of their activity and initiative, and the widespread use of visual aids in teaching. In the middle of the 19th century. the allocation of didactics as a theory of learning to a special part of pedagogy has become generally accepted (except for the UK and the USA, where the term “Didactics” is not used, and the theory of learning is developed and presented mainly in works on educational psychology).
Didactic material is a special type of teaching aids, mainly visual: maps, tables, sets of cards with text, numbers or drawings, reagents, plants, animals, etc., including materials created on the basis of information technology, distributed to students for independent work in the classroom and at home or demonstrated by the teacher in front of the whole class (group). The use of didactic material helps to intensify the educational activities of students and save study time.
Purposes of using didactic materials:
independent mastery of the material by students and the formation of skills to work with various sources of information;
activation of cognitive activity of students;
developing the ability to independently comprehend and assimilate new material;
conventional substitutes, diagrams and drawings in didactic material contribute to the development of creative imagination;
control with feedback, with error diagnosis (the appearance of appropriate comments on the computer) based on the results of activities and evaluation of results;
self-control and self-correction;
training in the process of mastering educational material;
freeing up study time;
strengthening learning motivation;
development of a certain type of thinking (visual-figurative, theoretical, logical);
formation of a culture of educational activities;
activating the interaction of intellectual and emotional functions when jointly solving research (creative) educational problems.
Types of didactic material:
didactic texts for teaching students to work with various sources of information (textbook, maps, reference books, dictionaries, electronic resources, etc.);
generalized plans for some types of cognitive activity: studying scientific facts; preparation and conduct of the experiment; studying a physical device; conducting scientific and technical research; measurement actions; analysis of the functional dependence graph; table analysis;
reminders (instructions for the formation of logical thinking operations: comparison, generalization, classification, analysis, synthesis).
tasks of varying levels of complexity: reproductive, transformative, creative;
assignments with problematic questions;
tasks to develop imagination and creativity;
experimental tasks;
instructional cards reflecting the logical scheme for studying new material and the necessary methods of educational work;
consultation cards, teaching materials with explanatory drawings, a plan for completing tasks, indicating the type of tasks, etc.;
task execution algorithm;
self-control tests;
What is didactic material in English?
Didactic material in the English language is a special type of teaching aids, the use of which helps to enhance the cognitive activity of students and save study time. That is, this is all the additional educational material for learning English, which makes learning a fun, interesting, versatile, educational process.
What applies to didactic material in English?
First of all, these are specially designed for each training course, very useful tests to monitor students' understanding of the material. As a rule, these tests are included as a separate manual, like the teacher’s book, in each training course. The tests are also provided with keys or correct answers to their own tasks. That is, the teacher can save his time by using ready-made tests to test knowledge, and then compare their results with the provided keys (see Appendix 1). Applications.
Didactic materials on the English language include various games for teaching English – lotto, dominoes, logic games. Such games can be purchased in bookstores or found on the Internet, and then printed out and used in class. Games very well activate the student’s active and passive vocabulary, and the spirit of competition and the desire to win accelerate his thought processes, develop attention and intelligence (see Appendix 2).
It is worth mentioning separately didactic games, which are a type of training sessions organized in the form of educational games that help to implement a number of principles of game-based, active learning (see Appendix 3).
Among the didactic materials on the English language, it is worth noting even such language tools as tongue twisters, riddles, and also puzzles such as crosswords. The former help to practice pronunciation, the latter develop abstract thinking, and the latter are exercises for the mind (see Appendix 4).
All kinds of demonstration material ( puzzles, posters, cards) also refers to didactic material in English. All these printed materials visualize the material being studied and contribute to its rapid memorization and retention in memory.
Didactic materials in English must be present in any classes, be it English via Skype, courses or self-study. After all, they are the ones who help improve all a person’s language skills and abilities with the help of a variety of tools used.
Bibliography:
- Reviewers: Dr. Psy. and philol. science prof. A.A. Leontiev (MGPI); Ph.D. Philol. science prof. FROM. Novoselova “Handbook for a foreign language teacher” E.A. Maslyko, 1992.
- Shchukin A.N., “Teaching foreign languages: Theory and practice: A textbook for teachers and students.” 2nd ed., rev. and additional – M.: Philomatis, 2006. – 480 p.
- Liz and John Soars “New Headway” English Course, Oxford university press. 2012.
- I.N. Vereshchagina, T.A. Pritikina “English language”, M. – Enlightenment. – 1991.
- “Dictionary of Pedagogy” edited by A.N. Petrovsky, M. – Publishing House of Political Literature, 1990.
