VOLUNTEER RESOURCES
English Language Learning
For Adults
- Volunteer Tutor Trainings
- Literacy Works – A Chicago-based non-profit that offers training for working with adult English Language Learners
- Adult Literacy Volunteer Tutor Training – Web-based adult literacy training (IL Secretary of State)
- Worksheets and activities
- Jimmy ESL – Free, downloadable English language worksheets, organized by category
- English 4U – Free, downloadable grammar e-books
- Engoo – Beginner to proficient materials and lessons, grouped by categories and courses
- Handwriting Worksheets – Make custom worksheets to practice handwriting
- ELTbase – Database of worksheets, quizzes, lesson plans, and more for learners and teachers of English
- Survival English – List of basic English skill topic ideas created by Lutheran Family Services Nebraska
- Activities for Tutoring Pre-Literate Students – From the Minnesota Literacy Council
- Literacy Center of Expertise – Interactive modules and resources aimed at literacy learners
- Apps
- Mango Languages (free with Chicago Public Library card) – Language learning website/app for conversational learning
- DuoLingo – Free language learning app with fun games to learn vocabulary and basic sentence structure, level by level
- Reading
- Chicago Public Library – Visit your local library and ask a librarian for recommendations for English learning books for adults
- News in Levels – Short world news stories, in print and audio, available in three levels of English
- High frequency words – Practice most used English words and phrases that use them
- Simple English Wikipedia – Library of Wikipedia articles written in basic English
- Videos
- VOA Learning English – Videos about current events sorted into levels of difficulty
- YouGlish – YouTube channel dedicated to improving English pronunciation by offering repetitive tracks of specific words
- Ellii – YouTube channel with videos for improving English fluency, including grammar, pronunciation, speaking, vocab, reading, and listening
For Youth
- Worksheets and Materials
- Learning Chocolate – Vocabulary learning platform
- Activities for Tutoring Pre-Literate Students – From the Minnesota Literacy Council
- English Club Worksheets – Worksheet bank, organized by both topic and skill
- Handwriting Worksheets – Make custom worksheets to practice handwriting
- Learning Library Resources – Printable lesson plans and worksheets by grade level
- Apps
- LittlePim – Language learning series for kids 0-6 years old
- Reading
- Chicago Public Library – Visit your local library and ask a librarian for recommendations for English learning books for kids
- ReadWorks – Stories for different levels and ages to boost reading comprehension
- High frequency words – Practice most used English words and phrases that use them
- Games
- StickyBall ESL – Instructions for English learning games and activities for all levels
- ESL Crossword Puzzles – Printable crosswords sorted by category
- ESL KidsStuff Games – Online English learning games for kids