Download PDF Handouts from any device and take them with you.
Let’s Go Places
Encourage fluency! Your students will talk about their experiences and opinions.
In the News
Engage and challenge your students with interesting current events lessons.
Save Money!
Don’t buy textbooks! Get a year of Full Access for less than the price of a single textbook.
Teaching Online?
Share ‘Student Copies’ of Handouts with students in your Online lessons.
Great Teachers need Great Lessons
You know you need interesting ESL Lesson Handouts and you need to access them from anywhere!
Handout Library
Your students want to learn about different cultures, travel, business, and discuss real issues affecting them now.
Encourage your students to practice English with communicative activities such as role plays, discussions, and conversations about topics that are essential for them.
Every handout and worksheet includes detailed Teaching Notes.
The Teaching Notes include tips, techniques, and methods for teaching the range of activities used in our handouts as well as the answers for questions and activities. Read them before you teach your class and be confident teaching the material covered. A Student Copy without Teaching Notes is also provided so you can use our handouts to teach in your Online Classes.
Our Handout and Lesson Plan Library is growing and improving everyday!
Feedback from our teachers and subscribers help us to improve our handouts and lesson teaching notes. Older handouts get updated and the teaching notes improved to reflect suggestions from our teachers, therefore you should check the ‘update date’ of Handouts and Worksheets you use regularly to make sure you are teaching the latest version.
Students are introduced to and review English grammar.
Grammar is taught using fun matching and gap fill activities as well as scripted conversations and role plays. Verb tenses, prepositions, conditionals, countable and uncountable nouns, comparatives and superlatives, articles, modals for advice, permission and obligation, and much more!
Daily Life
Asking questions, Vocabulary
Telling the time is a part of our everyday lives. We hear it when asking about store opening and closing times or when making appointments. Your students will practice telling time with prepositions and use the simple present tense to describe, ask, and talk about their habits and daily lives.
What did you do on holiday?
A1, A2
2 pages
60 mins
Travel
Asking questions, Conversation, Vocabulary
Students can talk about their experiences on their last holiday and practice asking object questions using the auxiliary verb do/did. Travel collocations reviewed in this handout: stay at a resort, order room service, take photographs, buy souvenirs, try local food, visit a museum, go sightseeing, fly first class.
Present Continuous for Future Arrangements
A2+, B1
6 pages
120 mins
Daily LifeTravelWork
Asking questions, Discussion, Grammar
Students discuss how they keep track of things and learn how to use the present continuous to talk about arrangements with people in the future. Students discuss schedules and will be able to plan a holiday with their partner.
Conversation Cards (Nice to Meet You)
A1, A2
2 pages
Any
Class Essentials
Conversation, Game
When students are learning to speak English, starting a conversation can be difficult. They are often not sure what to talk about. These conversation cards will help your students start a conversation. They are great as ice breakers at the start of a lesson or for filling in extra time…
Idioms about Animals
A2+, B1
2 pages
60 mins
Vocabulary
English idioms are often based on analogies and metaphors and are an important part of everyday English. Students can find them difficult to understand even in context. In this lesson, students are introduced to some interesting idioms about animals, their meanings, and usage in a variety of matching and gap…
Formal and Informal Verbs
B1
2 pages
60 mins
BusinessWork
Reading, Vocabulary
Using English that is either too formal or too informal for a particular situation can give a bad impression. Students compare informal verbs used in everyday English to their formal equivalents. Students also practice rewriting an email written using informal English. Phrasal verbs reviewed in this Handout go up: increase,…
Four Ways to Talk about the Future
A2+, B1
4 pages
90 mins
Daily LifeTravelWork
Grammar
Check students’ understanding of talking about the future by reviewing four future forms: will/won’t, be going to, present continuous, and present simple. Students practice using the different ways to talk about schedules and timetables, decisions made in the moment, planned events, and predictions with and without evidence. Consider teaching these…
In the News
Our Current Events series covers news from around the world and features audio.
These topics are trending now and your adult and young adult ESL students want to learn how to talk about them.
‘In the News’ English lesson handouts focus on world politics, science, business, historical events, extreme weather, lifestyle, technology, famous people and places, and more.
Each ‘In the News’ handout has 3 pages of lesson material aimed at Upper-Intermediate: B2 to Advanced: C1 and C2 level English learners. The 1st and 2nd pages of the handout can be completed in a 60-minute class and the 3rd page can be completed in a longer class or given to students to complete in their own time; have students present their opinions and ideas at the beginning of their next class.
Each ‘In the News’ current events handout features an audio track so your students can practice listening to native English speakers.
The MP3 audio file is available for you to play on our site or download to use in your classroom.
Guy Fawkes face masks worn by protesters in Hong Kong
B2, C1
3 pages
90 mins
Culture
Listening, Reading, Vocabulary
The Hong Kong government has banned face masks in an attempt to combat the protest movement that has affected the city since June 2019. The Hong Kong governor stated that the ban was necessary to restore order. The wearing of masks has been common because people are concerned that they…
Japanese firms develop ocean degradable bags
B2, C1
3 pages
90 mins
EnvironmentTechnology
Listening, Reading, Vocabulary
Japanese companies have developed a plastic that can be used to make shopping bags that degrade in seawater to help reduce plastic waste in the oceans. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation and Kaneka Corporation created functional materials referred to as marine biodegradable plastics drawing on the same mechanism by which microorganisms dissolve…
Biden Plans to End Gun Violence Epidemic
A2+, B1, B2, C1
2 - 3 pages
90 mins
Culture
Listening, Reading, Vocabulary
The 46th president of the United States, Joe Biden, said at a press conference on April 6th 2021 that gun violence in his country was an “epidemic” and “a shame at the international level.” He also announced a series of executive actions aimed at reducing gun violence and the proliferation…
Covid-19 Causing Young People to Return Home
B2, C1
3 pages
90 mins
CultureLifestyle
Listening, Reading, Vocabulary
The latest research suggests that the number of young adults who are currently living with their parents is increasing in the USA. The probable cause of this trend is the coronavirus pandemic. The latest figures for July 2020 show that just over half of young adults (52%) live with one…
CultureHealth
Listening, Reading, Vocabulary
The 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo has been postponed for one year. It is the first Olympic Games to be postponed since the modern games started 124 years ago. The Games have been postponed due to the disruption caused by the coronavirus COVID-19. The International Olympic Committee was under an…
CultureHealthTechnology
Listening, Reading, Vocabulary
In April of 2020, the editors of the Oxford English Dictionary released updates in order to document the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the English language. These include ‘maskne’, an acne outbreak caused by wearing masks; ‘zoombombing’, which is when strangers intrude on public video calls; and ‘quarantini’, an…
Hayabusa2 capsule lands with asteroid samples
B2, C1
3 pages
90 mins
Technology
Listening, Reading, Vocabulary
A capsule containing soil samples from an asteroid named Ryugu was dropped from 220,000 kilometers from space by Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft. It landed as planned in the Australian Outback on December 6, 2020. It will be flown to Japan for research. People in Japan took pride in the successful landing…
All insect restaurant open for business
B2, C1
3 pages
90 mins
EnvironmentHealthTravel
Listening, Reading, Vocabulary
Since June 2019, food scientist Leah Bessa and her partners have been operating a pop-up bug restaurant called The Insect Experience – believed to be South Africa’s first all-insect restaurant. The bug-inspired meals were designed by chef Mario Barnard, who first started cooking with insects after a trip to Thailand. …
Let’s Go Places
Your students explore new vocabulary and build English fluency through a series of challenging and engaging activities.
Your students talk about the supermarket, the train station, the airport, a coffee shop, weather, sports, and more! Have one of these on hand and we’ve got you covered.
Your students talk about the supermarket, the train station, the airport, a coffee shop, weather, sports, and more!
Help your students explore new vocabulary and build English fluency by guiding them through a series of activities that challenge and engage them. Have one of these on hand and we’ve got you covered.
‘Let’s Go Places’ introduces interesting topics through pictures and encourages your students to ask and answer questions to start a conversation.
Sit back and watch your students using English with enthusiasm. This English series uses original high-quality color pictures that look great and your students will appreciate that, but don’t worry, they look great in black and white as well!
Let’s Go to the Movies
A2, A2+
2 pages
90 mins
Daily LifePeople and Places
Asking questions, Conversation, Vocabulary
Talking about movies and movie theaters. Example Questions in this Handout How much does a ticket for a 64 year old person cost? What is the woman carrying on a tray? How much does a large popcorn and drink cost?
Let’s Go to the Zoo
A2, A2+
2 pages
90 mins
People and PlacesTravel
Asking questions, Conversation, Vocabulary
Talking about animals and zoos. Example Questions in this Handout What animals are symbols of your country? What animals or insects are you afraid of? What are the most popular pets in your country? Do you know any endangered species?
Let’s Go Outside
A2, A2+
2 pages
90 mins
Daily LifeSeasonal
Asking questions, Conversation, Vocabulary
Talking about seasons, activities, and weather. Example Questions in this Handout What seasons can you see in the pictures? Which months are these seasons in your country? What is the couple doing in spring?
Let’s Go to a Museum
A2, A2+
2 pages
90 mins
People and PlacesTravel
Asking questions, Conversation, Vocabulary
Talking about museums, art, and exhibitions. Example Questions in this Handout Who are some famous artists in your country? What kind of art do they do? Most museums don’t allow recording devices. Do you agree or disagree with this? How do you think museums could be more interesting for young…
Let’s Go to the Airport
A2, A2+
2 pages
90 mins
People and PlacesTravel
Asking questions, Conversation, Vocabulary
Talking about airports and traveling. Example Questions in this Handout Where can travelers catch a bus or taxi? Which airline is the elderly couple flying with? What is the maximum weight for a carry-on bag?
Let’s Go to the Park
A2, A2+
2 pages
90 mins
People and Places
Asking questions, Conversation, Vocabulary
Talking about parks and outdoor leisure activities. Example Questions in this Handout What was your favorite thing to do in the park when you were a child? Have parks changed since you were young? How? Is there a famous park in your city or country? Do dogs need to be…
Let’s Go to the Department Store
A2, A2+
2 pages
90 mins
Daily LifePeople and Places
Asking questions, Conversation, Vocabulary
Talking about shopping at a department store. Example Questions in this Handout What is the woman with the child thinking about? What is on sale in the Ladies Wear department? How do you feel about sales people following you and helping you when you shop?
Let’s Go to a Restaurant
A2, A2+
2 pages
90 mins
Food and RestaurantsTravel
Asking questions, Conversation, Vocabulary
Talking about food and restaurants. Example Questions in this Handout What kind of fast food restaurant is it? How do you know? How much is a burger combo? Is it cheap? Do you prefer to eat at your parents’ house or a restaurant? What is the worst restaurant you have…
Don’t take our word for it!
See what others say…
I have been using esllessonhandouts.com for a few months now and check every weekend for new current events lessons.
Thanks guys!
Marco Sole
English teacher in Japan
I started using your site [ESL Lesson Handouts] after switching to Online classes because of Coronavirus. Accessible on my phone, I can easily print lessons before private classes or email them to students.
Mark Taylor
Private English Teacher
We use [ESL Lesson Handouts] at our English language school. Our students enjoy the interesting topics and conversation based activities. They are perfect for students who don’t attend regular classes and those with specific study requests.
SpeakOut 英会話
The worksheets are great to use and easy for students to follow. I teach weekly private lessons at cafes and I check for new handouts each week. I don’t need to carry or photocopy textbooks for my classes.
Matt Palmer
English teacher in Japan
I’m in Japan for one year and teach private English classes to a group of lovely students while I travel around Japan – I love Kyoto. We study in cafes or at students’ homes so I can print lessons before I need them that day. My students and I don’t need textbooks.
Rose Keogh
Living and working in Japan for a year
I teach English to medium-sized classes at community centers and businesses in my city. My students are a mix of men and women of all ages. We use your current event handouts in the last week of every month and your grammar handouts to compliment our classroom textbook.
Douglas Kayes
Freelance English Instructor
I teach English at a few Japanese companies around Nagoya in Japan and use ESL Lesson Handouts to give my classes a break from our business text book. Also, I use worksheets to build on grammar we study in the textbook.
Kazuki Sakamoto
Business English teacher
I am an English teacher based in Hong Kong. My students are mostly young company workers who need English in their jobs. We use a popular business English textbook but it’s nice to have worksheets that use English grammar in other ways. My students enjoy the opportunity to speak English.
Kim Fei
Private English Teacher
It’s been a difficult year with the switch to online teaching. Thank you very much for your support so far!
Akihiro Iwamoto
Online and Classroom Teacher