Many educators—whether teaching online or in a traditional classroom—rely on a small set of go-to tools. Still, it’s useful to have a wider range of activities and resources ready to modify lessons, re-engage students, or pivot when a plan isn’t working. If you teach English as a Second Language (ESL), expanding your teaching toolkit with new websites and affordable classroom props can refresh your lesson plans and support student learning across skills like grammar, vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading, writing, and pronunciation.
Below are five high-quality ESL websites that offer free and low-cost resources you can use right away, followed by practical tips from experienced teachers about where to find inexpensive classroom props and materials.
ESL Base
ESL Base provides a large collection of free, downloadable worksheets and activities suitable for different ages and proficiency levels. Alongside essential grammar practice, the site includes games and communicative activities designed to teach English holistically rather than by rote. Use these printable materials to supplement lessons, create homework, or build quick warm-ups.
Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab
Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab is a rich source of listening activities organized into easy, intermediate, and difficult levels. Each listening file typically comes with pre-listening and post-listening tasks and quizzes, making it easy to structure a full lesson around comprehension, vocabulary, and pronunciation. This site is especially helpful for short, focused listening practice or integrated listening lessons.
ESL Games World
Teaching with games energizes lessons and helps students practice grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation in a fun, motivating way. ESL Games World hosts a wide variety of web-based games that can be used as in-class activities, extension tasks, or self-study exercises. These interactive games are especially useful for young learners and mixed-ability groups.
BusyTeacher
BusyTeacher features thousands of printable worksheets and complete lesson plans covering every major skill area. Resources are organized by topic and skill—grammar, vocabulary, speaking, reading, listening, writing, and pronunciation—making it simple to find material that matches your lesson objectives. The site’s breadth makes it a reliable source when you need an immediate worksheet or inspiration for a full lesson.
ESL Printables
ESL Printables is a teacher-driven resource exchange where educators upload their own worksheets, quizzes, and presentations. The site operates on a share-and-download system: you can access the extensive library after contributing at least one resource of your own. Materials are categorized by language skill and content topics—film, television, songs, games—which makes it easy to find themed lessons or unique activities shared by other teachers.
Practical tips for finding affordable classroom props and materials
When budgets are tight, inexpensive props and simple manipulatives can dramatically improve engagement—especially for young learners. Below are real suggestions from classroom teachers about where to source affordable supplies and how they use them in lessons.
Rhonda Ragsdale: “I repurpose items from around the house—spoons, hats, balls—anything that can become a teaching prop.”
Ashley Knapp: “Stores like Five Below and dollar stores are great for stickers, flashcards, and novelty props. Specialty teacher stores tend to be overpriced unless you need something very specific.”
Joni Slack Collins: “I shop at The Dollar Tree for alphabet flashcards, toy food, balls, insects, and stuffed animals. Flashcards with pictures work well for sight-word practice.”
Shaundra Schlapia: “I’ve found useful items at big-box stores, teacher supply shops, Amazon, and thrift stores—books, stuffed animals, magnetic letters, whiteboards, puppets, stickers, and more. Even pets can become occasional class visitors in online lessons.”
Sarah Dees: “Office supply stores often sell photographic flashcards at low cost. I also pick up inexpensive soft toys and themed props for songs and vocabulary activities.”
Heather Carter: “I stock up at Dollar Tree and Five Below—animal toys, instruments, bubbles, classroom signs, and short reading books are inexpensive and versatile.”
Hermann Rojas: “Novelty items like colorful sunglasses work both as rewards and as visual aids for teaching colors. Check discount stores, thrift shops, and garage sales for affordable finds.”
LaMonica Stephens: “Goodwill can be a goldmine for flashcards, games, and puzzles at very low prices.”
Sarah Jane: “I print materials from online resources, laminate them, and store props in page protectors inside a binder for easy use and transport.”
Other teacher tips: Many teachers recommend checking local dollar stores, thrift shops, and general retailers for inexpensive items. Simple DIY props—like stick puppets or teaching wheels made from cardstock and sticks—can be effective, low-cost alternatives to commercial products.
Having a diverse set of online resources and a small collection of low-cost props makes lesson planning easier and learning more engaging. The five ESL sites highlighted here, together with creative, budget-friendly prop ideas, will help you add variety to your lessons and better meet your students’ learning goals.