Expert help for foreign adults
who are living in the UK
Useful websites
The internet is a wonderful place to improve your English. There are so many websites where you can study, and many of them are free.
Here are links to my favourite free websites for learning English.
BBC: The old website
Recently the BBC changed their website for learners of English. I like the old one better, but it's hard to find. If you follow this link it will take you to the old one. Then choose from the menu on the left.
Warning!
Be careful not to click on home, or it takes you to the new site instead.
BBC: The new website
The new BBC website is pretty good too. I especially like News Report.
Both the old website and the new one offer content in other languages, including Spanish and Mandarin.
BBC: Talking business
Do you want to learn how to speak on the phone? Do you need to use your English in a business environment? Follow this link to another excellent resource by the BBC.
British Council
The British Council help EFL students overseas. However, they now also help ESOL students who need English because they are living in the UK. Follow this link if you want to improve your grammar and vocabulary.
Family learning
Are your children attending school in the UK? This website teaches you how British schools work, and how you can support your child's learning. If you want to help your child with their homework, this website has some excellent advice.
Be safe UK
This website, by the British Council, teaches you how to phone the police, or how to make an appointment with a doctor.
ESOL for driving
This website, made by ESOL teachers in Leeds, will help you pass the driving theory test.
ESOL for childcare
This website, made by ESOL teachers in Leeds, can help you to train to get a job in the UK. Two courses available here for free are ESOL for childcare, and ESOL for food hygeine.
For beginners
Duolingo
Beginners and above can learn grammar and vocabular using this excellent site. Also available as an app to install on your phone. Just choose English as the language you want to learn.
Alphabet Antics
This game will teach you the letters. There are two versions of the same game. The first one teaches you the names of the letters. The second one teaches you the sounds of the letters.
Games by Starfall
These games teach you to make words using English letters. The games are for children, and the voice is American, but they work well for Pre Entry students.
Reading by Starfall
Read about artists, click on the word to listen. The pages are very simple and short. Perfect for ESOL students with a different native alphabet, such as Arabic or Chinese.
Silent letters game
This fun game from the BBC asks you to shoot words with a silent letter. There are other games on this website too.