Finding Appropriate English Resources Online
Both pupils and teachers in both primary and secondary education are increasingly turning to the Internet to find English resources. There are indeed many resources on the world wide web, however, not all are appropriate. In fact, some are of poor quality and can do more harm than good.
In order to benefit from online English resources, it is of key importance to:
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Use English resources from reputable websites such as the BBC website, Tes.co.uk and TeachIt.co.uk, to mention only a few that offer free resources for both pupils and teachers.
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Make sure that the resources comply with the National Curriculum.
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Choose appropriate difficulty levels. English teachers and parents who would like to help their children are also recommended to focus on resources that aren’t only suitable for their pupils’/children’s level of knowledge or Key Stage but are also interesting and engaging. Pupils are more likely to use them if they found the lesson/learning material interesting and entertaining.
English Resources for Non-Native Speakers
Obviously, non-native speakers need different materials and pace to learn English. Learning any language including English exclusively online isn’t an easy task, however, online resources, many of which are free can be of major help for English learners throughout the world. But since English varies greatly between English speaking countries, it is highly important to focus on websites which offer resources in the UK English such as the British Council’s LearnEnglish site which amongst other also offers useful resources for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Non-native speakers can also benefit from online blogs on English where English learners and occasionally English native speakers and tutors explain various issues, mainly those related to grammar. Free online dictionaries and translators are of major help for English learners as well, not to mention a variety of free books and both written and spoken English texts. These allow non-native speakers to experience English as it is spoken and written by native speakers without the need to travel to the UK.
Besides a wealth of online resources, non-native (as well as native) English speakers can also improve their speaking, reading or writing skills with an aid of online English tutors whose rates are typically considerably lower than of those who offer in-person English tutoring and instructions.