English Learning Online Resources - Updated 2013FEB01

Even though the majority of Vietnamese subscribe to metered InterNet, there are resources which can be used to improve your teaching techniques which do not use too much 'airtime'.

The advantage, for students, is that they get to listen to a variety of voices, which expands their listening skills instead of getting 'locked on' to their instructors voice. Most offer make and female voices which adds to the variety.

American 'English'
An oxymoron (plural oxymora or oxymorons) (from Greek oξύμωρον, "sharp dull") if ever there was!

Historically overseas broadcasting faculties owned by the US Government or it's agencies were regarded, rightly, as tools for propaganda. In recent years their have been different resources appearing, which are properly instruction-oriented even when funded by Uncle Sam.



American English Online
The name says it all. The home page can be found at: <
LearnAmericanEnglishOnline.com >. It has seven levels of instruction identified by colour: blue, red,  yellow,  green,  purple,  orange,  and violet.

It has downloadable material.



Australia Network
Australia Network has both broadcast and on-line teaching resources. Unfortunately,

there are no TV channels currently available in VietNam at this time, to my knowledge.

Their English language web site < http://australianetwork.com/learningenglish/ > has numerous aids that an make your teaching challenges easier.

On page: < http://australianetwork.com/passport/astari.htm >, they have IELTS Speaking Tests of various levels with speakers from different cultural backgrounds. Many of the modules an be downloaded so those instructors with fast, unlimited InterNet can download the material and let the students copy it to their hard drives.

Just make sure you virus check your media before sharing.



ABC Radio Australia
Another Australian resource is ABC Radio Australia. Their root English page is: < http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/intern … rn-english >.

A particularly useful page, for VietNam, is < http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/vietna … h/features >. On this page the instructions are given in the Vietnamese tongue which is handy for those students who need additional assistance in their English studies.

Programming is offered in many ways, check: < http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/help >, to see which is best for your students. Other transmission modes can be found on: < http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/radio/ … en/vietnam >.



BBC - British Broadcasting Corporation
The granddaddy/mother of on-line instruction is, of course, the BBC.

Web Site Links
Grammar, Vocabulary & Pronunciation < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml">http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >

Words in the News < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
News stories from the BBC with vocabulary help. Updated three times a week with audio and text downloads. Each Wednesday there's a video version.

The English We Speak < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
A series about slang and every day English expressions

The Teacher < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
A video series in which 'the Teacher' highlights common English idioms. You can download the video

News English Extra - News Words < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
BBC journalist Clare Arthurs talks about the use of different words and phrases in news contexts

Ask about English < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
Answers to common questions about the English language

Face Up to Phrasals < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
Learn different phrasal verbs in this series

Keep your English up to date < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
A series about new words in English and words whose meanings have changed over time

How to... < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
A series which teaches you how to do different things in English

Grammar Challenge < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … challenge/ >
A series of programmes helping learners use tricky grammatical structures

General & Business English < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >

6 Minute English < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
Conversational features of general interest. You can download the programme and script

Express English < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
People in London talk about a wide range of topics. Listen, download and take part.

Talk about English < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
Different series of Features on a variety of topics. You can download each programme

Talking Business < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … gbusiness/ >
Useful language and phrases to improve your spoken communication skills in English in different business situations

Get That Job! < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … etthatjob/ >
Activities and quizzes to build career-related vocabulary and offer tips on things like how to put together a good CV or come across well in an interview

Welcome to London < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ia/london/ >
An intermediate English language course allowing users to practise their reading, listening and pronunciation skills. If you are coming to London or you want to find out more about what the city has to offer - then this course may be for you

Working Abroad < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … iness/wab/ >
Explores different issues connected with working abroad and details people's personal experiences of this. There are also vocabulary pages, exercises and quizzes to develop and test your English

Beyond the Postcard < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … media/btp/ >
Looks at some not so well known features of some very well known places in Britain.

There are text, audio and video comprehension exercises to help you practise and improve your English

The Handy Guide < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ork/handy/ >
The Handy Guide to the Gurus of Management: a series that examines the roles and teachings of Business Gurus, with text, audio and an explanation of common management terms

Entertainment < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … _ent.shtml >
104 programmes on entertainment related topics

Weekender < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … kend.shtml >
85 programmes on topics of general interest

People and places < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … nd_p.shtml >
44 programmes on topics about different people and different places

The Blue Plaque < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ue_plaque/ >
Famous people and where they lived

Music Directory < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … directory/ >
A series about different music styles

Ten Days < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
A business English course

Work Skills < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … wsu1.shtml >
English for different work situations

Quizzes < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >

Quiznet < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
A new quiz every week. Each quiz has six multiple-choice questions. You can do the quizzes on-line or download them to print out

Crosswords < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
A new crossword every week to test your vocabulary

Beat the Keeper < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
A fun game to help practise the English you've learnt in different parts of BBC Learning English

Wordmaster < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ordmaster/"class="page-link >
An interactive vocabulary quiz with thousands of questions

Exam skills < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … 143_exams/ >
A guide to preparing for and taking exams. With quizzes, scripts and audio

Where to next? < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … eretonext/ >
An interactive tour of six locations in Britain and Ireland

The Flatmates < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >

The Flatmates < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
See the latest animated episode of our on-line soap opera

The Flatmates on YouTube < http://www.youtube.com/user/bbclearningenglish >
View our archive of animated versions of The Flatmates on BBC Learning English's YouTube channel

For teachers < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >

Lesson plans < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
Plans for teachers to use in class with content from this site

Skills < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
Worksheets, activities and teaching ideas for skills-based practice

Grammar & Vocabulary < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
Worksheets, plans and teaching ideas on topics relating to grammar and vocabulary

Teaching Ideas & Worksheets < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml >
General ideas for using content on this site with students

Specials < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ndex.shtml">

BBC Learning English Widget < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ge_1.shtml >
Display current BBC Learning English stories and exercises on your own blog or website


Other BBC Navigation Links

For teachers < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … ish/teach/ >
Specials < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … /specials/ >
Downloads < http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learn … load.shtml >English Banana
Provides downloadable and dispayable material from writing letters through the use of verbs, etc. PDF and DOC formats.

Englishlink
English classes with expert Canadian and American teachers, Canadians are noted for their muted accents, for saying "Eh" after sentences and drinking beer. The home page is: < http://www.englishlink.com/en-us/ >.

They offer General English, with Elementary, re-Intermediate, Intermediate and Upper Intermediate English modules. Most usefully they offer the Englishlink

Placement Test to assess students capabilities with English. 

The web site helps improve speaking skills, developing accurate pronunciation, understanding grammar together with learning when and how to use it, listening and reading for the concept and detailed information, building vocabulary and slang, using body language correctly, general writing development and understanding culture in English-speaking countries.

Englshlink offers Business English < http://www.englishlink.com/en-us/course … urses.aspx > which includes interviewing for a job, making appointments, discussing business talking about international trade over the telephone, making polite requests and dealing with complaints, taking messages, giving presentations and negotiating, leading a business meeting, writing correspondence – business letters & reports, day-to-day socializing in the office.


Geometry.com
Has a great English as a Second Language (ESL) Conversations < www.gogeometry.com/english/english_esl_ … index.html >
A very interesting web site as it uses the Mind Map techniques to teach English. Each module has multi-level training on different aspects of the major topic.

On the index/home < http://www.gogeometry.com/ > page their are numerous other school subjects which are worth investigating, particularly as they employ the Mind Map techniques for training.

The web site has downloads, too, for children having iPhones or the new Chinese knock-off iThingy that is selling for $147 here abouts.


TalkEnglish
Their goal is to help you Learn English speaking so you can speak English fluently or Improve your spoken English. The home page is: < http://www.talkenglish.com/ >

English Fluency has Reading, Speaking and Listening modules.

Modules include English Speaking Basics, English Listening, Pronunciation, Regular English, Idioms and Phrases, Business English, Travel English and Interview English.

Instruction is available in many languages including Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt.

Addendum
A4ESL
A4ESL have an index of question subjects that provide a varied source of subjects to test and expand their skills. < http://a4esl.org/ >

Internet TESL Journal (Teachers)
Internet TESL Journal < http://iteslj.org/questions/ > have many web pages to help teachers including Lesson Plans < http://iteslj.org/Lessons/ >, ESL Articles & Research Papers < http://iteslj.org/Articles/ >, ESL Teaching Techniques < http://iteslj.org/Techniques/ >, Other stuff for ESL Teachers < http://iteslj.org/t/ >, TESL/TEFL/TESOL/ESL/EFL/ESOL Links < http://iteslj.org/links/ >, English-Vietnamese Vocabulary Quizzes < http://iteslj.org/v/v/ >, Conversation Questions for the ESL/EFL Classroom. E-flash cards - Numbers < http://iteslj.org/v/v/ml_numbers1_to_10.html >, Conversation Questions for the ESL/EFL Classroom < http://iteslj.org/questions/ > and much, much more.

Celta Course Trainers Manual (Teachers)
Celta Course Trainers Manual is available in .PDF format (save to your hard drive) < https://www.4shared.com/office/eIH94UmP … ners_.html >.

Visuwords
A graphical, linked dictionary for associating words with subjects. Big on Flash! < http://www.visuwords.com/ >

Miscellaneous
Scratch
< http://scratch.mit.edu/ > interactive programming

VLC
There is a free software package called VLC < http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html > that has the ability to vary the speed of audio playback so making it easier to learn speech.