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Learning English as a Second Language (ESL) is a process of building understanding step by step. Students do not need perfect grammar to begin. They need consistent exposure, simple practice, and repeated use of everyday English.
SchoolhouseTeachers.com provides the tools to help you teach ESL at home—even if parents are still learning. You do not need a separate curriculum for every subject. With a few adjustments, you can use your existing courses to help your child grow in English.
A Clear Path for Learning English
Most students progress through three stages:
1. Start with support
Use simple English lessons such as ESL courses, early reading, and visual-based content. Use translation tools when needed to understand key ideas.
2. Build confidence
Work through lessons in small sections. Read together, pause often, and repeat new words. Begin using more English and less translation over time.
3. Move toward independence
Gradually complete lessons in English with minimal support. Continue reviewing and practicing to strengthen understanding.
How Do You Teach ESL at Home?
You do not need to be fluent in English to teach your child. Your role is to guide practice and create regular opportunities to hear and use the language. Focus on short, daily sessions rather than long lessons. Begin with listening and speaking before emphasizing grammar, and repeat common words and phrases until they feel natural. Reading while listening can strengthen understanding, and the student’s primary language can be used when needed to support comprehension.
A Simple Way to Practice English
This simple method can be used during any lesson to build vocabulary and understanding:
- Show a picture or object
- Say the word clearly
- Have your child repeat it
- Ask your child to identify it later
For example: Show a picture of an apple and say, “apple.” Have your child repeat the word, then later ask, “Point to the apple.”
This approach helps students connect English words directly to meaning without relying on translation at every step. The method can be used with lesson images and worksheets, World Book articles with visuals, and even everyday objects in your home.
How to Use SchoolhouseTeachers.com for ESL
Students progress in English at different speeds, but most follow a similar pattern. Use the resources below to guide your student from supported learning to independent use of English.
Beginner ESL Student
- ESL for Beginners, Level 1-2 (builds foundational vocabulary and listening skills)
- World Book articles with included translation support
- Simple reading lessons for early comprehension
Familiar content helps at this stage. Students understand more when they recognize the ideas behind the words. Suggestions for reading lessons:
- Bible Adventures (available in multiple languages for side-by-side reading)
- BibleGateway or similar tools for reading Scripture in multiple languages
- Schoolhouse Bible alongside your chosen translation tools for in-depth Bible reading plans for all ages (use lower grade levels for beginning English learners)
Intermediate Student
- ESL for Beginners, Level 3-4 + regular SchoolhouseTeachers.com courses
- Optional courses for additional grammar and variety: ESL Language Arts, ESL Vocabulary
- Partial use of translation tools
- Increased exposure to English through reading and listening
- Continued use of Schoolhouse Bible, reading more in English as skills progress
Students begin working through more content in English while continuing to review vocabulary and repeat key concepts.
Advanced Student
- Full SchoolhouseTeachers.com courses in English
- Minimal use of translation tools
- Continued practice through reading, listening, and discussion
At this stage, students are able to learn across subjects in English with growing confidence and independence.
Smart Ways to Use English Materials for ESL
Most SchoolhouseTeachers.com courses can be adapted for ESL with a few simple changes.
- Use your browser’s translation tools on lesson pages when available to support understanding.
- Work in small sections instead of completing full lessons at once.
- Read together and pause often to explain and repeat new words.
- Choose familiar subjects so students can focus on learning the language.
- Compare English with the student’s primary language when possible.
- Focus on understanding ideas step by step rather than translating every word.
- Use “Read Aloud” features in PDF tools (such as Adobe Acrobat) to listen to small sections in English while following the text. (Need help finding this feature? See our quick guide.)
Quick Links: Use these to view what SchoolhouseTeachers.com offers in the following categories on this page: ESL Courses; ESL Resources from World Book; Multilingual Resources.
The following resources will help you begin or strengthen your ESL journey.
ESL Courses
ESL for Beginners (K–Grade 5) is designed for beginner English learners and follows a structured progression from A1 to A2 proficiency. The lessons cover essential topics, such as greetings, introductions, emotions, numbers, basic questions, daily activities, descriptions, and foundational grammar structures. Each level includes 12 lessons with interactive slide shows, vocabulary practice, and speaking exercises. The curriculum builds confidence in communication and prepares students for more advanced English study.
ESL Language Arts (Family) is designed to introduce grammar concepts to students who are learning English as a second language. Each weekly lesson includes background instruction, guided practice, independent work, and extension activities, with answer keys provided. To support comprehension, the main lesson content and activity directions are also included directly on the course lessons page, allowing families to use their browser’s translation tools as needed.
ESL Vocabulary (Family) is designed to assist English language learners to achieve basic proficiency for an English language class. Each level addresses different activities to continue the learning process. Each weekly unit is a collection of tips and resources that are provided to help parents who are teaching ESL in their homes. Online games, printable worksheets, and more are included.
ESL Resources from World Book
See how to use translation and read-aloud tools in World Book.
Early Learning: Basics is a collection of interactive activities that are useful in learning basic English alphabet and counting skills, along with simple eBooks and songs which can be listened to using the audio button while the words are highlighted. Select the Early Learning library on World Book Online, then click the Basics button at the top.
Early Learning: Videos is a series of videos that are useful in learning basic vocabulary related to sea creatures and land animals, trucks and transportation, parts of the body, telling time and counting, colors, weather, plants, and more. Select the Early Learning library on World Book Online, then click the Videos button.
World Book Discover is filled with thousands of articles that are designed for ESL students. Find by Topic allows you to look for articles by topic visually so it is more engaging with less reading. Select the Discover library on World Book Online, then pick a topic at the top or scroll down the page for more options.
Kids: Dictionary on World Book Online is excellent for building vocabulary. Navigate to the Kids library and select the dictionary button.
Supporting ESL with Multilingual Resources
Bible Adventures (K–Grade 4) is a series of illustrated Bible stories for elementary children. The full-color files are styled like a picture book and can be easily viewed on the computer. Each has a printable packet of related activity sheets such as coloring pages and word searches. Many of the English stories are also available in Bengali, Dutch, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Tip: Try reading the same Bible Adventures story in English and in the student’s native language. This side-by-side comparison helps students naturally recognize vocabulary, sentence structure, and meaning.
The AMO® Program: Nurturing the Heart for God (Grades 2–8) includes two guides: The Book of Psalms (24 lessons) and Little House in the Big Woods (18 lessons plus a final activity). Guides and course materials for both are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. The lesson plan checklists are available in English.
Using World Book Online for ESL: Every article across the Kids, Discover, Student, and Advanced resources can be translated into dozens of languages, from Afrikaans to Zulu.
For ESL learners, a helpful approach is to choose a lower reading level—such as the Kids or Student library—and open the article in English. Use the audio and translation tools to listen while following along with the text.
Banco de Contenidos AulaPlaneta by World Book is a Spanish-language resource that can support ESL learners by strengthening comprehension in their native language. With a large collection of articles, multimedia, and curated links, students can explore familiar topics in Spanish before approaching similar material in English. This side-by-side exposure helps build vocabulary, reinforce understanding, and support the transition to English learning.
We have more support for Spanish-speaking homeschool families.
Explore our Centro de Educación en Casa for resources designed for homeschooling in Spanish.
