Working with beginner English learners in middle and high school is an amazing experience. At the same time, so many hours are spent looking for materials that would suit both their age and the necessary skills that a handy list of resources – either when you are just starting out or when you want to change things up a bit – is always welcome.
In many cases, ESL teachers are left to come up with ideas on what to teach the newcomers. On the one hand, it is fantastic because we can be as creative as we want. On the other hand, there is not much time to actually create materials or even look for them online. And that is why having a good age-appropriate textbook geared towards the beginning level that our students are at, is essential.
I’ve looked around to see what is available and would like to share a few that I’ve been using or heard good things about. Some of them are picture dictionaries, others are activity books, and some are textbooks that can be used independently or in conjunction with whatever content area materials you are already using.
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Picture dictionaries
Oxford Picture Dictionary
At the beginning stages of learning a new language, visuals are necessary for language development. They provide meaning and as the students progress, can be a source of beginning level conversation. The Oxford Picture Dictionary has come out with fantastic editions of not only English-English but also English-Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and other languages. First language support – check; visual – check; English words and phrases – check.
Oxford Picture Dictionary Low-Beginning Workbook
Oxford Picture Dictionary for the Content Areas
Oxford Picture Dictionary for the Content Areas Workbook
Textbooks for beginner English learners
Exploring English
A few years back I went to a workshop, where the presenter had shared with us a curriculum she developed based on two textbooks. One of them was Exploring English, which is a bit older and geared toward high school and adult students.
There are 6 books going from the very beginner level 1 all the way to advanced level 6. The books feature the same characters that were introduced in level 1 book and focuses on vocabulary and grammar usage with reading and writing assignments. It does rely on audio tracks, which are sold separately. However, I have successfully used Exploring English as a supplementary material and the repetitive nature of it has allowed my beginners to feel successful and learn. 
Exploring English, level 1 workbook
I Want to Learn English
I already mentioned this book on my useful resources page, and I’d like to put it out there again. I Want to Learn English was written by a fellow ESL teacher and I have found it a very timely and useful asset in my classroom of beginners. The book is meant to be used with teen and adult learners. It focuses on phonemic awareness and pronunciation, which is super important for English learners.
It covers all the necessary topics from numbers, colors and people around to life skills, such as job applications. I Want to Learn English can be used alone or as a supplementary material.
There are a lot of listening exercises, which can be found on the book website and the students can practice both in class and independently. I highly recommend this book.
Inside the U.S.A
Here is another book that came to me as a sample and when I started working with beginner 
Inside the U.S.A: Practice Book
The Access Series 
When students start learning English in an English speaking school, no matter how great their education was beforehand, there will be some gaps, especially in subjects like American History. That’s why Access by Great Source can come in really handy. While it is too dense for beginner students to read and work on independently, it is a super refresher for you as a teacher and it offers plenty of comprehensible pictures, graphic organizing tools and timelines to boot. You can use it for background building or for review. In the series, you’ll find textbooks on American history, world history, science, English and one for newcomers. A must-have resource for the ESL classroom.
Beginner ESL Fun Activities
What’s language learning without some fun? After hard work and constant focus of the day, you beginner English learners will want to play some games so they can test out their English knowledge. And if you run out of ideas, the next two books are sure to keep you satisfied.
ESL Classroom Activities for Teens and Adults
Want a book full of ideas for fun lessons and games? Here is a book that is geared towards teens and adults and full of lesson ideas and games to liven up your students’ language acquisition.
39 No-Prep/Low Prep ESL Speaking Activities for Teenagers and Adults 
Another one of easy, student-centered speaking activities books that will make a great addition to your classroom.
Short, sweet and to the point.
Tell Tale Card Game 
I came across this little gem when I was shopping for my own kids one Christmas a few years back and have found it a fantastic resource for my ESL classroom. The cards are round and have pictures on both sides. You can follow the rules that are provided on the box or create your own. The cards can be used for vocabulary enrichment, story creation, role play – you name it.
Also check out the Tell Tale Fairy Tales
Final note:
If you have beginners in your classroom, are just starting out or would like to learn more about what it takes to teach and reach absolute beginner English learners, check out my ebook Teaching Absolute Beginners: an ESL Teacher’s Handbook! It contains all the necessary background information as well as printable templates, lesson plans, collaboration tips and more. Click on the image below for more details!
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