You know you need fun and engaging ESL Lesson Handouts and you need to access them from anywhere!
Encourage students to talk about their experiences and share their opinions about interesting and practical situations.
Save Money!
You don’t need to buy textbooks. 12 months Full Access for less than the price of a single textbook.
Find Lessons Anywhere!
Find Lessons from any device with an Internet connection. Download PDF Handouts and take them with you.
In the News
Engage and challenge your intermediate and advanced level students with learning based and interesting current events.
Teaching Online?
Share ‘Student Copies’ of Handouts with students in your Online lessons. These Handouts exclude Teaching Notes and answers.
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!
Halloween is Celebrated on October 31st
C1
4 Pages
90 mins
Seasonal
Grammar, Reading
Students read about the history of Halloween and its origins with topical vocabulary as well as practice constructing the active and passive voice and their associated verb forms. Modals in the passive voice are also reviewed.
John didn’t use to enjoy engineering
A2, A2+
2 Pages
60 mins
Daily Life
Grammar, Reading
Review the structure of statements and questions using ‘used to’ and ‘didn’t use to’. Students can use ‘used to’ and ‘didn’t use to’ to talk about habits or customs they did in the past but no longer do. This also gives students the opportunity to explain how they have changed…
Good. Very good. Amazing!
A2
1 Page
30 mins
Reading, Vocabulary
Adjectives are words used to describe the qualities of something. Some adjectives in English can show different grades, degrees, or levels of that quality. Emphatic or extreme adjectives or non-gradable adjectives are words that mean ‘extremely + adjective.’ For example, ‘freezing’ means ‘extremely cold.’ Learn some new emphatic or extreme…
People and Places
Asking questions, Reading
Students practice asking and answering present simple questions focusing on the second person ‘you’ and the third person singular ‘he and she.’ A reading comprehension activity about Japanese tennis star Nishikori Kei is included. Questions using the auxiliary verb ‘do’ are also introduced and students will practice using them.
Antonio’s Restaurant Menu
B1
2 Pages
60 mins
Food and Restaurants
Discussion, Reading
Your students review a restaurant menu and practice making recommendations. Menu items on this menu are quite descriptive so this handout is suitable for students Intermediate and above. Understanding how to read menu items will help your students picture the dish before they order.
Countries and Nationalities
A1
3 Pages
60 mins
People and PlacesTravel
Asking questions, Game, Grammar, Vocabulary
Students are introduced to nouns and adjectives to talk about a country and nationality as well as questions to introduce themselves and ask more about someone. The verb ‘to be’ is introduced and students talk about themselves and ask about others. A fun Bingo game is included.
My Last Holiday
A2
3 Pages
90 mins
Travel
Asking questions, Grammar
Students focus on past simple tense regular verbs with -d, -ed, and -ied as well as constructing past simple questions. Students will be able to discuss holidays they had in the past and the things they did there.
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.
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.
Devastating Wildfires
B2, C1
3 Pages
90 mins
Environment
Listening, Reading, Vocabulary
In 2019, wildfires were frequently in the news. From the Amazonian rain forests to the suburbs of Australia, raging fires seem to be getting worse. What is the cause of these fires and is climate change to blame? Man-made or naturally occurring, wildfires need three conditions to be present- fuel,…
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…
The Gig Economy
B2, C1
3 Pages
90 mins
TechnologyLifestyle
Listening, Reading, Vocabulary
Smartphone applications put people directly in contact with workers such as, drivers and teachers, who accept a job on a short-term basis (a gig). This style of work, added to the rise in independent contractors or freelance work, means many people around the world are no longer seen as employees…
K-Pop’s BTS Conquers the US Billboard Charts
B2, C1
3 Pages
90 mins
Culture
Listening, Reading, Vocabulary
BTS has achieved its first No. 1 “Dynamite” on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, writing a new chapter in K-pop history as the first Korean band to do so. After having topped the Billboard 200 album chart four times, they have now reached No. 1 on both charts. BTS…
Meatless Meat Products Gaining Popularity
B2, C1
3 Pages
90 mins
EnvironmentHealthTravel
Listening, Reading, Vocabulary
Recently, two American companies have been promoting meatless ‘meat’ products with increasing success. The companies Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat were both founded in California less than ten years ago. Their aim is to make plant-based food products that have the taste and texture of meat.
Coronavirus Causes Panic Buying
B2, C1
3 Pages
90 mins
HealthLifestyle
Listening, Reading, Vocabulary
Many countries around the world are currently experiencing ‘panic buying’ because of the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. Some badly-affected countries have recommended or demanded that people stay-at-home leading to people stockpiling supplies of necessities, in anticipation of an extended period of ‘social distancing’. The stockpiling has resulted in shops…
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…
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 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 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 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 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 Hotel
A2, A2+
2 Pages
90 mins
People and PlacesTravel
Asking questions, Conversation, Vocabulary
Talking about hotels and hotel facilities. Example Questions in this Handout When was the last time you stayed in a hotel? Have you heard of or used Airbnb to find a place to stay? Have you ever ordered room service? What did you order?
Let’s Go to the Bank
A2, A2+
2 Pages
90 mins
Daily LifePeople and Places
Asking questions, Conversation, Vocabulary
Talking about banks, banking, and money. Example Questions in this Handout What are the bank’s opening hours? What is customer 015 doing at the teller? How much is 1 US dollar worth in Canadian dollars?
Let’s Go to Work
A2, A2+
2 Pages
90 mins
BusinessDaily LifeWork
Asking questions, Conversation, Vocabulary
Talking about working and your work week. Example Questions in this Handout What do you do on public transportation? Do you have to attend a lot of meetings for your job? How old were you when you got your first job? At what age do people usually begin to work…
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?
Don’t take our word for it!
See what others say…
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 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
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
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
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
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 am an English teaching 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
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