A Practical Guide for Early Success in the Classroom and Online
This guide includes additional tools and resources to support what’s already provided in your Tellem ESL Resources subscription. In combination with the Tellem ESL Resources platform, the resources listed here offer extra support materials—for prep, reinforcement, placement testing, and finding students. These aren’t single-use class activities, but rather tools to help you work more efficiently and teach more effectively, especially if you’re new to the ESL classroom or online teaching space.
Whether you’re teaching children the alphabet or helping adults prepare for IELTS, this list is here to give you practical, easy-to-use options you can rely on.
Alphabet and Early Literacy
Alphabet Practice
Use these printable maze worksheets as a low-prep, high-impact activity for letter recognition and early reading skills:
Sight Words Support
Repetition and rhythm help children memorize sight words. Jack Hartmann’s videos are a reliable, proven tool:
Lesson Materials by Age Group
Primary School
- EnglishWSheets
- Games4ESL
- ISL Collective – Primary
- Superstar Worksheets
- Super Teacher Worksheets
- K12 Reader
High School
- ISL Collective – High School
- Lingua House
- ESL Video
- Learn English – British Council
- ESL Curriculum
- K12 Reader
- IELTS Preparation:
Adults
- Engoo Materials
- One Stop English
- ESL Pals
- ISL Collective – Adults
- ESL Video
- Learn English – British Council
- ESL Curriculum
- ISL Conversation Starters
- IELTS practice links (same as above)
Placement Tests
Check your learners’ levels before you begin teaching. These online tools are free and reliable:
- Cambridge English Test
- Preply Placement Test
- EF SET Quick Check
- ABA English Level Test
- English Radar Test
EdTech Tools for Teachers
Teaching online or managing multiple students? These tools can help you organize your lessons and workflow:
Online Teaching Platforms
✅ Higher-Paying Platforms (Focus on Adults | Open to South Africans | ~$15+/hr)
| Platform | Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cambly | cambly.com | ~$15/hr for adults. Casual conversation. Lower for Cambly Kids. |
| Preply | preply.com | Set your rate. IELTS/Business English in demand. |
| AmazingTalker | amazingtalker.com | You control pricing, students, and hours. |
| iTalki | italki.com | 15% platform fee. Best for building long-term students. |
| Lingoda | lingoda.com | Group and private classes. Fixed hours. Adult focus. |
| Verbling | verbling.com | Application required. Structured adult learners. |
| Engoo | engoo.com | Consistent bookings, mostly Asian adults. Lower hourly rate. |
| Profy | profyenglish.com | $16–$22/hr. Business English focus. |
Sites to Find Your Own ESL Students
Looking to go independent? These platforms help you connect with private students.
| Platform | Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Superprof | superprof.com | Popular in South Africa, UK, and Europe. |
| Classgap | classgap.com | You set your rate and availability. |
| TeacherOn | teacheron.com | Bid on tutoring jobs or create your profile. |
| Lessons.com | lessons.com | Strong presence in the US. |
| Tutors.com | tutors.com | US-based tutoring leads. |
| ConversationExchange | conversationexchange.com | Meet learners for exchange; build into paid lessons. |
| Tandem | tandem.net | Language exchange with pro tutor option. |
| HelloTalk | hellotalk.com | Connect with learners and offer lessons organically. |
Community & Social Media to Find Students
| Platform / Group | Link |
|---|---|
| Reddit – r/LearnEnglish | r/LearnEnglish |
| Reddit – r/Language_Exchange | r/Language_Exchange |
| Facebook – ESL Tutors & Students | ESL Tutors & Students |
| Facebook – Online English Teachers | Online English Teachers |
| LinkedIn – Business English/IELTS groups | linkedin.com (search relevant groups) |
