I just answered an email enquiry about free resources – and realised that my last post on this topic was 5 years ago… oops.
So I’ll do a quick update, and I hope you’ll let me know if I’ve missed anything.
Of course, there are gazillions of ‘free ESL worksheets’ online, but I’m sticking to Australian resources aimed at adult learners who have come to settle in Australia. I do think that (at lower levels in particular) it’s so helpful for learners to have that input on local information, culture and language usage.
Free reading books
(Since I’m writing this post, I’ll start with mine…)
- My beginner reading book: My Job is the Best: reader, cut-ups, worksheets, teacher notes.
- Carringbush Reading Series: Five beginning literacy readers, available as pdfs or as an app.
- Carly and Kumar Book 1 (from Read Me Again Press) is now available as a free pdf and audio – contact Karen Barber for access (and great entertainment for learners).
- Namaste book series from TCAL: six poignant stories by refugees from different countries, now living in Australia. Download as pdf, epub or mobi.
- Kim Loves Life: a personal story of cancer treatment at ‘beginner up’ level, with teacher’s workbook and resources at higher levels.
- Welcome to the Library: also from Djerriwarrh with Melton City Council: it’s a reader and rap song, with a teacher resource.
- Living Well with Hepatitis B: engaging stories about a difficult topic from Hepatitis QLD/Victoria
Free learner workbooks
Pre-beginner learner workbooks: English Ready from LWA/AMEP Online (at two levels: Initial EAL and Course in EAL).
Free samples or sample pages
Many EAL resource creators have sample chapters, lessons or worksheets on their sites:
- The English Express site has free chapters and free sample lessons (beginner level).
- I have sample ESL Extras story chapters and pages from the puzzle books (The Book Next Door), as well as sample Workwise English Quizzes at Level 2 and Level 3.
- The Initial EAL Workbook site at 123-abc.org has free Sample pages.
- Urban Lyrebirds has a fun free song on YouTube.
- Free resources are available from Boyer Education.
- Real Grammar has sample online lessons and exercises (international English, but the author is Australian).
Self-study for learners
- AMEP Online has been completely updated (with mobile-friendly resources) by the LWA team, and there are new resources coming (as I write, the site is in public beta testing). The levels start at Level 1 for Initial EAL (a pre-beginner, literacy level), so my EAL 1 beginners were surprised to find that they were Level 3. The units come from the EAL Framework PLUS there are mini-courses on goals, staying safe and Australian Citizenship. Funded by the Australian Government, but not restricted to AMEP learners…
- MmmEnglish on YouTube (not specifically Australian focus, but Emma is Australian and learners say they love her).
Free settlement resources
These have generally been funded projects: now we all benefit!
Resources from Navitas Skilled Futures:
Resources from AMES NSW (now on the VETRES site):
Resources from AMES Australia (Victoria):
- Digital Literacy for Mobile Phones resource kit
- Lily the Volunteer (great for pre-employment students)
- What’s the law? kit: find out about it here, but contact your local legal aid centre to get the free DVD
- Work at it: Podcasts on jobseeking and career planning
- Career Development Skills for CALD Learners kit: “a free kit to support the delivery of an integrated career development program to adult EAL students at a pre-intermediate level of English in conjunction with their English language program.”
Resources from AMEP Online/LWA:
Free training materials
From AMES Australia, for teachers/RTOs:
- Engage respectfully with young people from a refugee background
- Working with refugees and bicultural work with refugees
Free community resources
For community program teachers of new arrivals:
- Language for Living in Australia from the Edmund Rice Centre of WA (with teacher/tutor directions)
More online English
- ABC Learn English, where I especially like Life Chat
- SBS Learn English, especially Living with Aussie Wildlife, Meet Leila and Zlad and Australian Citizenship
- Aussie English podcasts: advanced level (free but you need a paid plan to read the transcripts)
What have I missed? Please, if you know of more free Australian EAL resources aimed at adult learners, let me know!!
My email address is info AT thebooknextdoor.com – or you can message me through LinkedIn.
