ESL Directions

Week of Apr. 28/25

Check out this new online lesson plan for beginning ESL students on how to tell time in English. The lesson links telling time to students’ ordinary daily routines. Resources include video and audio activities, vocabulary practice, quizzes, and reflection questions.

Week of Apr. 21/25

This lesson plan will teach your beginner ESL students how to ask basic questions at a garden centre.

The lesson includes warm-up activities, skill-building and skill-using tasks (including video and written role plays), with a cultural focus on politeness in Canadian exchanges. Students also reflect on their own gardening experiences.

Week of Apr. 14/25

Use this lesson plan to teach your beginner ESL students the basic vocabulary needed to read classified ads for apartments. Audio, video, and written role plays help your students practice speaking with an apartment manager about an advertised apartment.

Week of Apr. 7/25

It’s tax time! The “Understanding Canadian taxes” lesson plan teaches your beginner ESL students key vocabulary for filing personal income taxes in Canada. The plan includes warm-ups, skill-building and skill-using exercises, a short video, assessment tasks, and reflection questions. After this lesson, your students will better understand basic tax terms and filing requirements.

Week of Mar. 31/25

This webpage explores some free digital-friendly websites designed to make teaching resources for beginner ESL students.

Included are sites to help you make audio and video resources, flashcards, games, and annotated maps, as well as free image sites and AI activity creators. Check out the AI-generated podcasts highlighting some of the main resources.