Try to dedicate one hour each day to English learning. A good way to divide your time is to spend AT LEAST: 15 minutes per day (pages 13-14)

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2 Summer break and school holidays can be a difficult time for an English language learner. It is easy for forget some of the things you learned during the school year. The best way to keep learning English over school breaks is to have a plan for practicing. Try to dedicate one hour each day to English learning. A good way to divide your time is to spend AT LEAST: Reading Vocabulary building Listening 30 minutes per day (pages 5-8) 15 minutes per day (pages 11-12) 15 minutes per day (pages 13-14) ESL Resources 2

3 DICTIONARIES and TRANSLATORS When you are reading, you should always have a dictionary. Using your school ipad makes this easy. These are the best dictionaries we have found. The Free Dictionary by Farlex ipad App This is our recommended dictionary because it lets you see the Best for ESL 1, ESL 2 and ESL 3 translations on your home language AND the definitions in English. It has translations of English words into more than 40 languages. Learner s Dictionary ipad App Best for ESL 2 and ESL 3 Contains simple definitions, pronunciations and examples of the words in use. All definitions are in English. No translations. ESL Resources 3

4 Google Translate ipad App/Website Translates between dozens of languages. Speaks many of the languages. An excellent basic translation app. Longman Dictionary Website Best for ESL 2 and ESL 3 A nice web-based dictionary that gives definitions in simple English terms. ESL Resources 4

5 READING The most important thing you can do is read books at your appropriate reading level in your free time. We measure your reading level with a number called Lexile score. Your Lexile score is so you should read books between and. Easy English News - Website Best for ESL 1 and ESL 2 Check your vocabulary level. This is a simple test that will show the level of your vocabulary in one minute. You will read 15 words. Count for yourself how many of these words you know. The words are: book understand river responsible solution catch experience brave suggest consist peak appreciate edge approve maintain Now, multiply the number of words which you knew by 200 and you will get a number. This number shows how many words you know in English. If you know words, read news for Level 1. If you know words, read news for Level 2. If you know words, read news for Level 3. ESL Resources 5

6 Newsela Website Good for ESL 2 and ESL 3 newsela.com This is the best reading plan for students in ESL 2 and ESL 3. Check your Lexile level. We can give you your score. Choose stories and read. This includes news stories about current events and stories about science, health, school and many other interesting topics. Take quizzes to measure your growth and practice writing assignments. ESL Resources 6

7 Start to Finish Library - Website to- finish.com Good for ESL 2 and ESL 3 Many famous stories, fiction and non- fiction. You can listen and read at the same time. You need a log- in and password from Mr. Weiler before you can start. Read books on the computer or ipad but you MUST have an internet connection. Listen while you read to hear the words spoken aloud. Take a short quiz after each chapter. Good for All Levels ESL Library Find a book from our color coded library. We have books on American history, teen life, adventure and famous classics. Use this link to record your thinking about books as you read them. ESL Resources 7

8 Oxford Bookworms If you choose a book from the Oxford Bookworms series, you will find some questions available at this website. Complete one packet for each book you red. Remember, some books have questions to answer BEFORE you read. These books are available in the ESL office, or you can buy them online. Good for All Levels Use this link to fins the correct packet for your book: bit.ly/oxfordpackets Independent Reading Books Find a book based on your Lexile level (your reading level). Use this website to find other books you might like. lexile.com/fab/ Best for ESL Resource If you are interested in reading some books that are popular with teen readers in American schools, this list will give you some titles. bit.ly/yaclassics Record your reading work here: ESL Resources 8

9 BUILDING VOCABULARY The best way to build vocabulary is through reading, writing and speaking, but sometimes it can help to study words and prepare for a certain subject or unit. Here are some lists that may help you. Quizlet is a great way to practice words using flashcards and quizzes. Study Words in Translation ESL Chinese-English Academic Vocabulary Quizlet bit.ly/eslchinese ESL Korean-English Academic Vocabulary Quizlet bit.ly/eslkorean ESL Spanish-English Academic Vocabulary Quizlet bit.ly/eslspanish Beginners (ESL 1) New Trier ESL 1 Vocabulary Study Quizlet bit.ly/esl1vocab Intermediates (ESL 2) New Trier ESL 2 Vocabulary Study Quizlet bit.ly/esl2vocab High Intermediates (ESL 3) New Trier ESL 3 Vocabulary Study Quizlet bit.ly/esl3vocab ESL Resources 9

10 Advanced (ESL English Resource) These lists are for more advanced students and are available on the website for Vocabulary.com Learn The Top 60 Most Common Academic Words - Vocabulary List : Vocabulary.com bit.ly/acadwords60 Best for ESL Resource Learn 100 Words Every High School Freshman Should Know - Vocabulary List : Vocabulary.com bit.ly/acadwords100 Other Vocabulary Lists NT ESL -Vocabulary for World History Quizlet bit.ly/eslworldhist Good for All Levels NT ESL -Vocabulary for US History Quizlet bit.ly/eslushistory NT ESL -Vocabulary for Science Quizlet bit.ly/eslsciencevocab NT ESL -Vocabulary for Math Quizlet bit.ly/eslmathvocab NT ESL -Vocabulary for Health Quizlet bit.ly/eslhealthvocab NT ESL -Vocabulary for Drivers Ed Quizlet bit.ly/esldriver NT ESL -Vocabulary for Consumer Education Quizlet bit.ly/eslconsumer ESL Resources 10

11 LISTENING Try to listen to spoken English daily, especially over the summer. These apps and websites will focus on academic English and they have subtitles so you can see the words as you listen. Best for ESL 2 and ESL 3 CNN Student News (with English subtitles) Website CNN Student News presents a 10 minute newscast each day. There is an American newscaster who reads the news story, and there are subtitles so that you can see the words that are being spoken. It is an easy way to practice listening to English and learn about the news. It will also improve your listening and vocabulary. It does not add new newscasts over the summer. VOA NewsWords Website These are 1 minute long videos that teach you important American vocabulary, especially words used in the news. Best for ESL 3 ESL Resources 11

12 VOA English in a Minute Website bit.ly/englishidioms Best for ESL 2 and ESL 3 This is a website that has 1 minute long videos which explain idioms and phrases in American English that people from other countries might not understand, such as go with the flow, piece of cake, burned out. VOA Learning English News - Website bit.ly/voanews Best for ESL 2 and ESL 3 Short news stories in English with subtitles so you can learn vocabulary and practice listening. LearnABC - ipad App Best for ESL 3 An excellent way to practice listening and reading by following news stories from the Voice of America and PBS. Students listen and read and have access to translations in the app. It has great stories on American history. ESL Resources 12

13 SPEAKING If you have problems with pronouncing English words, then these apps can help you hear the correct way to say words in English. StoryBuilder for ipad - ipad App Students listen and speak to create their own stories. The app provides pictures and asks students questions about what happens. Best for ESL 1 Best for ESL 2 and ESL 3 English File Pronunciation - ipad App Practice sounds, words and sentences and see your communication and pronunciation improve. Switch between British and American English. Sounds: The Pronunciation App - ipad App Practice the correct pronunciation of all sounds in English. Clear Speech From the Start - ipad App Games and activities teach students the correct pronunciation of English sounds. Includes British and American pronunciations. ESL Resources 13

14 U.S. HISTORY You may want to learn more about U.S. History, so these books and websites can help you get more information. US History for ESL Students - website Best for ESL 2 and ESL 3 bit.ly/ushistoryinfo Ben s Guide to U.S. Government - website Good for All Levels A clear and helpful explanation about the basics of American government. Very helpful for students who are new to the United States and need a little background, especially before they begin US history. bit.ly/ushistesl1 bit.ly/ushistesl2 bit.ly/ushistesl3 bit.ly/ushistesladvanced This site also has some good games about American history. bensguide.gpo.gov ESL Resources 14

15 U.S. Geography - website Good for All Levels bit.ly/ushistesl1 A good way to learn about U.S. geography. There are many practice activities and exercises to learn about places in the U.S. U.S. Geography by Discovery Education - ipad App Good for All Levels This app helps you learn about United States geography. There are games, videos and news stories about different parts of the U.S. Highly recommended for all students. Vocabulary Building Good for All Levels NT ESL -Vocabulary for World History Quizlet bit.ly/eslworldhist NT ESL -Vocabulary for US History Quizlet bit.ly/eslushistory ESL Resources 15

16 RESEARCH You may want to learn more about some topic. This app can help you find information in your home language or in simple English. Wikipanion - ipad App This is a great app to search Wikipedia. It helps students find articles on many subjects. It also makes it easy to choose your home language or simple English. Excellent for finding background information before studying a new topic in science, math, history, etc. NOTE: Wikipedia is written by users and some information may contain bias. This is recommended for background research, not definitive information. How to change the enabled languages and find articles in those languages: ESL Resources 16

17 SCIENCE and MATH You will learn science and math in school, but if you want to study a bit on your own, try one of these apps or look at the vocabulary lists in the VOCABULARY BUILDING section. Video Science - ipad App A growing library of over 80 hands-on Science lessons that are great for home and the classroom. These short videos demonstrate inexpensive and easy to recreate experiments that are designed to inspire and excite kids of all ages. Khan Academy - ipad App A huge library of videos where teachers speak, draw and explain lessons from high school. This is especially good for students who need extra help on a math or science lesson. There are also other subjects. The speaking is probably too fast for many beginners in ESL, but lessons can be paused and repeated. Math and Sceince Vocabulary Building Words to Learn By - ipad App Good for All Levels An excellent list of important vocabulary words needed in American high schools. Study and take quizzes to learn academic vocabulary words used in all subjects. NT ESL -Vocabulary for Science Quizlet bit.ly/eslsciencevocab NT ESL -Vocabulary for Math Quizlet bit.ly/eslmathvocab ESL Resources 17

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