English Language Learners: Lesson Plans and Teaching Resources
English language learners are a growing part of U.S. public schools. In the 2023-24 school year, 5.8 million English learners represented 12 percent of public school enrollment, according to the National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition. This Share My Lesson collection brings together free preK-12 lesson plans, classroom activities, bilingual resources and professional learning for educators supporting students who are learning English.
Build Language Skills Across the Curriculum
Use these resources to support language development while students work with grade-level content. Educators can find materials for oral language, vocabulary, reading, writing and academic language, along with subject-specific supports in English language arts, math, science and social studies. The ELL Starter Kit for Educators: Language Skills offers tools for monitoring language skills, while Building Academic Language for Multilingual Learners Through Content Instruction with TESOL focuses on academic language in content-area instruction.
Resources also address scaffolding, background knowledge, differentiated instruction and culturally responsive teaching. Some materials are designed for specific grade bands, while others can be adapted across grades and subjects. Bilingual and Spanish-language resources can help educators connect new English learning to students’ existing language knowledge.
Support Newcomers, Multilingual Learners and Families
Students learning English bring different languages, school experiences and levels of English proficiency to the classroom. This collection includes resources for welcoming newcomers, building belonging, supporting social and emotional well-being and strengthening home-school communication. How Schools Can Partner with ELL Families Who Resettle in Their Community: 10 Strategies for Success provides practical ideas for communication, enrollment support and school-family partnerships.
Educators can use the collection to find:
- Classroom lesson plans and activities for vocabulary, grammar, oral language, reading and writing
- Nath, science and social studies resources with language supports
- Bilingual materials and family-engagement guidance
- Professional learning on academic language, literacy, differentiation, culturally responsive teaching and multilingual student support
Professional Learning for Educators and School Staff
The collection includes webinars and professional learning for teachers, paraprofessionals and school-related personnel, specialized instructional support personnel and other school staff. Sessions address classroom instruction, family engagement, literacy, academic language and technology-supported differentiation. Start with a foundational language-support resource, then choose subject-specific materials that match students’ grade level, content area and language-learning needs.
