Adult Literacy and Foundational Reading Support
These resources focus on developing core literacy skills, including reading comprehension, vocabulary recognition and structured English practice for adult learners.
Platforms such as BBC Skillswise – English for Adults and the National Literacy Trust provide accessible materials that can support learners building confidence in reading.
These tools are particularly useful for learners with limited formal education or interrupted schooling. Structured modules allow tutors to scaffold reading development step
by step and integrate literacy support into lesson plans, homework tasks or blended learning approaches.
How to use these resources
- Pair reading tasks with speaking exercises to build fluency.
- Set reading practice tasks for independent learning.
- Use short texts as diagnostic tools to identify literacy gaps.
- Use structured modules to reinforce decoding and comprehension skills.
Resource links
National Literacy Trust
Literacy resources for school age children, but includes some free themed resources that will be useful for ESOL learners ie. …
BBC Skillswise English for Adults
Activities to improve reading, writing, spelling,and grammar. Videos and downloadable worksheets…
Skills for Life Network
The Skills for Life Network have made Gatehouse Books for Pre-Entry level literacy available for a fee. There are …
Education and Training Foundation: ESOL
ESOL resources that were on the Excellence Gateway. Includes Grammar and Skills work for reading, writing, speaking and listening.…
NATECLA Scotland ESOL Literacy Readers
NATECLA Scotland has created a set of ONLINE Readers designed primarily for ESOL Literacy Learners.…
NATECLA Scotland ESOL Literacies Readers
Newly developed ESOL worksheets to go along with the Literacies Readers – really useful for teachers of those with Literacy learning …
The Bell Foundation Prison and Community ESOL Program
Free ESOL worksheets for independent learning in prisons and community settings. If you are delivering ESOL classes or have contact …
Reading Rockets
Includes a useful guide to using newspapers to enhance learning in reading classes. Aimed at school teachers, but the ideas …
Skills Builder Hub
The Skills Builder Hub gives you access to a huge array of resources for building essential skills with learners of …
NALA: Digital Matters
NALA is the National Adult Literacy Agency. This is a guide to technology for adults improving their literacy, numeracy and …
Graded Readers and Structured Reading Materials
These resources focus specifically on book-based and graded reading materials designed to support learners at different stages of English language development. Many
offer levelled texts, simplified editions or reading materials adapted for ESOL learners.
These are particularly useful for building reading fluency, comprehension confidence and exposure to structured vocabulary progression.
How to use these resources
- Introduce level-appropriate readers to support sustained reading practice.
- Pair short texts with comprehension and vocabulary tasks.
- Use simplified editions to build confidence before progressing to authentic materials.
- Encourage independent reading alongside classroom
Graded and structured readers are especially valuable when learners need controlled language input that increases gradually in level.
Resource links
Helbling Graded Readers
A wide selection of adapted classics and original fiction chosen to appeal to language learners of all ages and levels …
Black Cat Graded Readers
ENGLISH – Graded Readers for Primary, Secondary School, University and Self Learners. Choose the title that best suits your students and …
Gatehouse Books
Commercial resource: A selection of readers designed for adults – good quality and well designed with topics appropriate for ESOL learners. …
Books Beyond Words
A set of picture-focused stories for people who may struggle to read words. Every story is co-created with …
ESOL Books
Course books for groups of ESOL literacy learners – not free, but there is a discount if you buy a class …
Leeds Libraries – Easy Readers available to borrow from Borrowbox
Leeds libraries provide collections of learning to read English books for ESOL students both through Borrowbox and in physical form. …
Free e-books for reading practice – All levels
A padlet of free e-books for reading practice at all levels for ESOL learners.…
Books Unbound
This is a US based website aimed at children, but it has some useful information about different ESOL communities, and …
Simply Stories
Short, engaging and accessible fiction books for adults in English and available in a range of other languages. The backlist …
Magazines for learners of English
A list of magazines aimed at learners of English – some are for use in schools, but the content can be …
Real-World and Current Affairs Reading
These resources provide authentic texts drawn from news, community publications and real-world topics. They are particularly useful for developing comprehension skills beyond graded materials and for supporting discussion-based learning.
Authentic reading helps learners engage with contemporary language, social issues and culturally relevant themes while building vocabulary in context.
How to use these resources
- Use short news articles for comprehension tasks.
- Support intermediate and advanced learners transitioning from graded to authentic texts.
- Encourage summarising and discussion activities.
- Introduce vocabulary from real-world contexts.
- Link reading topics to citizenship, integration or community themes.
Resource links
Breaking News English
ESOL resources at 7 levels, based on news stories. Uses US English.…
News in Levels
World news stories for learners of English at 3 different levels of difficulty. There is also an app that students …
The Other Side of Hope
the other side of hope: journeys in refugee and immigrant literature is a UK-based literary magazine edited by immigrants & …
Happy and Healthy in Hull
A wonderful free PDF download of a magazine made by and for ESOL learners. Includes topics such as the NHS, …
The Times – News Literacy Resources
An inspiring programme giving students the journalistic tools to think critically and confidently about the news. The programme is aimed …
New Internationalist: Easier English Wiki
ESOL resources on climate change and other global themes. Includes many ready lesson plans and resources on topics such as …
The Big Picture: Materials and Resources for ESOL tutors
A great set of resources for ESOL tutors to use with learners with literacy issues. Focused on themes such as …
Vocabulary and Language Support for Reading
Strong reading development depends on vocabulary knowledge and language awareness. The resources in this section support learners in building lexical range, understanding word usage and strengthening comprehension through structured language support.
These tools are particularly useful for reinforcing vocabulary encountered in reading texts and for supporting independent language development.
How to use these resources
- Support learners in understanding unfamiliar vocabulary from reading tasks.
- Introduce topic-based or thematic word lists.
- Reinforce grammar patterns that appear in texts.
- Encourage independent dictionary and language reference skills.
- Build confidence in decoding unfamiliar language.
Vocabulary-focused tools work best when integrated alongside structured reading activities rather than used in isolation.
Resource links
Topic Dictionaries at Oxford Learning
Subject specific dictionaries based around different topics. Useful for building vocabulary!…
Omniglot
An online encyclopedia of writing systems in a wide range of different languages. Useful for literacy teaching.…
Wordtips
Word Finder, Grammar activities and Word lists to help with English learning and teaching.…
UsingEnglish.com
UsingEnglish.com is a general English language site specialising in English as a Second Language (ESL). They host a large …
Dave's ESL Cafe
Includes a bank of grammar lessons and lesson plans, with a focus on phrasal verbs and idioms. Also provides a …
English Banana
Free printable resources for ESOL and ESL. Includes worksheets, books, podcasts, videos, learning material, and other resources for ESOL teaching …
English Club
ESL resources, some of which are suitable for ESOL. Includes a useful glossary of English grammar terms.…
English 4U
Grammar and Vocabulary exercises. including free downloadable grammar e-books. Good for self-study homework activities for learners.…
Activities for ESL students
This website offers crosswords and quizzes at different levels for ESL learners. Also has bilingual quizzes for learning vocabulary.…
The Teacher's Corner
Printable worksheets and a useful crossword puzzle maker resource for vocabulary lessons.…
Interactive and Digital Reading Tools
These resources combine reading practice with interactive or digital learning tools. They are particularly useful for engaging learners through multimedia formats, structured online activities and blended learning approaches.
Many of these platforms allow tutors to reinforce reading skills alongside listening, vocabulary and comprehension tasks, either in class or for independent study.
How to use these resources
- Set interactive reading activities for homework or self-study.
- Support mixed-level classes through adaptable online materials.
- Use quizzes and digital tasks to reinforce comprehension.
- Combine reading with listening or vocabulary exercises.
- Introduce digital literacy skills alongside language development.
Digital tools can help maintain learner engagement and provide structured practice outside classroom hours.
Resource links
ESL Bits
Resources to help learners improve their reading and listening in English.…
The English Hub for Refugees
Materials developed to help support refugees with the topics they need to know about at a variety of different levels, …
Kahoot
Set games and challenges that learners can play on their phones or tablets remotely.…
Twinkl
ESOL Resources for adults curated by Twinkl.…
Wordwall
Games and quizzes for learning vocabulary, created by teachers. 5 free resources to create, then subscription required. Pre-created resources …
BBC Learning English – The Reading Room
Short magazine-style articles about a range of topics. For teaching and practising reading at Intermediate level.…
Assessment and Structured Learning Platforms
These resources provide structured English learning pathways, curriculum guidance or assessment-aligned materials that support reading development within formal ESOL provision.
They are particularly useful for tutors delivering accredited programmes or supporting learners working towards recognised progression routes.
How to use these resources
- Align reading tasks with qualification outcomes.
- Introduce assessment-style comprehension exercises.
- Support learners preparing for formal ESOL accreditation.
- Use structured frameworks to guide lesson planning.
- Track progression alongside curriculum standards.
Structured platforms help ensure that reading practice supports measurable language development and recognised progression pathways.
Resource links
Learning English with Cambridge
Online activities for adult and young people. ESOL teachers can select downloadable materials by level and topic, including grammar.…
Ascentis Resources
The Ascentis website includes free, downloadable ESOL teaching resources linked to the ESOL core curriculum at different levels.…
British Council Teaching English
General resources for teaching adults.…
Learning Unlimited
A range of resources, some free and some commercial. They include reading books at different levels and resources targeted specifically …
ESOL Courses
Free online English lessons, including resources and activities. Some nice resources on Life in the UK and British Culture.…
Education and Training Foundation: ESOL
ESOL resources that were on the Excellence Gateway. Includes Grammar and Skills work for reading, writing, speaking and listening.…
Skills for Life Network
The Skills for Life Network have made Gatehouse Books for Pre-Entry level literacy available for a fee. There are …