LEARN: Libraries English and Reading Network
Provides information on resources in the western suburbs of Chicago for ESL students, tutors, and librarians who purchase ESL materials.
Mango Languages is a language-learning system for foreign languages and ESL.
- Grammar and Writing
- Listening, Understanding, and Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Online ESL Journals and Magazines
- ESL Sites for Instructors
Online dictionary, thesaurus, grammar, usage & style, and writing resource.
Glossaries by Language
A wide variety of bilingual dictionaries and topical glossaries categorized by language.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Provides a free online dictionary, thesaurus, audio pronunciations, word of the day, word games, and other English language resources.
Dave's ESL Cafe on the Web
Helpful pages on idioms, slang, test preparation advice, and links to other ESL websites.
Lessons, games, quizzes, forums, chat, lesson plans, jobs, & more for ESL learners & teachers.
Karin's ESL Partyland
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.
English student resources from Ohio University including grammar, reading, writing, listening, speaking, special topics, and additional resources.
The official website for the Test of English as a Foreign Language.
Chomp Chomp: Grammar Bytes
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.
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
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
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
A very large collection of quizzes for English study.
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.
Phonetics Flash Animation Project
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.
CNN Interactive Learning Resources
Great adult literacy site provided by CNN. Read, view, or listen to current news stories. Includes reading and vocabulary activities with each story.
The New York Times Learning Network
Current event stories, quizzes, crossword puzzles, and other vocabulary and knowledge building resources for students, parents, and instructors.
English Teaching 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 website contains articles from issues of the Forum dating back to 1993.
The Internet TESL: For Teachers of English as a Foreign Language
A monthly, online journal for ESL teachers that contains lesson ideas, conversation questions, as well as links for students.
Topics: An Online Magazine for Learners of English
In this online magazine "learners of English as a second language express their ideas and opinions on topics of interest to them." It features accounts of international foods, festivals, dances, superstitions, proverbs, and more. Also includes a description of class projects from around the world.
Center for Adult English Language Acquisitions
Focuses its efforts on literacy education for adults learning English as a second language. Major content is the ERIC Digests--concise articles on topics relevant to adult ESL literacy instruction.
LINCS: Literacy Information and Communication System
LINCS is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Education which includes on-demand, web-based professional development opportunities; targeted face-to-face training, high-quality resources; and an interactive online learning community.
Provides a wealth of information on reading, teaching and tutoring techniques, ESL literacy, and adult literacy.
National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy
"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."
A nonprofit international literacy organization that was formed by the 2002 merger of Laubach Literacy International and Literacy Volunteers of America.
If you would like to make an appointment for one-on-one instruction to learn how to use software available on the Literacy Computer, call Joe Popowitch at 630/887-8760 ext. 240, or stop by the Ask Us Desk on the first floor.
Software programs include:
- Accent Coach English Pronunciation Trainer
- Learn to Speak English v. 8.1
- Let's Talk English Vocabulary and Pronunciation: Interactive Skill Builder
- Reading Horizons
- Ultimate Phonics Reading Program
The Adult Services computer literacy program includes:
- One-on-one computer instruction (by appointment)
- Communication Skills
*The computer was purchased using funds from the Illinois State Library under the federally funded Library Service & Technology Act (LSTA).
Practice your English pronunciation and conversation skills guided by a volunteer from Literacy DuPage. The English Conversation Group meets at the library on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 10 a.m.-noon.
Call cosponsor Literacy DuPage at 630/416-6699 for details.
You can make a difference by volunteering some of your time. The groups that help teach English in our area are constantly in need of volunteers. An hour or two each week could go a long way toward helping someone learn English or learn to read. The following groups are currently looking for volunteers:
The Life Skills Collection helps people learning to read, speak, and understand English. The collection offers materials for both students and tutors and includes the following topics: English as a Second Language (ESL), grammar, reading comprehension, pronunciation, business English, vocabulary, culture and more. For questions or suggestions, please contact Joe Popowitch at the Adult Desk at 630/887-8760 ext. 240.
Materials in the Collection
- Books, CDs, CD-ROMs, & DVDs
- Newspapers: News for You and Elizabeth Claire's Easy English News
- World Book Online
Includes information on employment, health, transportation, etc. After entering your library card number, click on "World Book Discover" at the right. Next, click on "Go to the Life Skills Center" under the "Life Skills" section along the left.