Learning English opens doors to education, employment, and self-expression. This page offers ESL books and instructor-created worksheets designed specifically for adult learners in correctional settings.
The focus of these materials is on:
- Real-life communication skills
- Workplace and career-related language
- Building confidence in speaking, reading, and writing English
Whether learners are strengthening basic communication skills or preparing for future job opportunities, these resources aim to support personal growth, independence, and successful reentry
Text Books
- English Grammar: Step by Step:
- This is a favorite resource! A sample is attached. It is designed specifically for Spanish speakers and includes two levels, along with a separate writing book. The program is suitable for learners at any level and offers clear, step-by-step instruction.
- English for Everyone: Grammar Guide & Practice
- This workbook-style resource provides structured grammar instruction with clear explanations and practice exercises. It is well suited for independent study, small-group work, or supplemental instruction. The visual layout and self-paced format make it accessible to adult learners with varying educational background
- New Interchange (Cambridge)
- New Interchange is designed for adult learners who are developing conversational English skills. The series focuses on real-life topics such as work, community, and daily routines, with strong emphasis on speaking and listening. It is best suited for intermediate learners and supports the development of confidence in communication while reinforcing grammar and vocabulary through structured practice.
- Oxford Picture Dictionary
- The Oxford Picture Dictionary is a versatile vocabulary reference that supports learners at all proficiency levels. It provides visual representations of common words and concepts related to daily life, work, health, and community. This resource is particularly useful in multilingual classrooms and as a supplemental tool alongside any ESL curriculum
- Stand Out (Beginning–Intermediate)
- Stand Out offers step-by-step language instruction with a strong focus on building confidence in speaking, reading, and writing. The content is adult-oriented and avoids juvenile themes, which is especially important in correctional settings. The clear visuals and predictable lesson structure support learners who are new to English or returning to education after long periods away from school.
- Ventures (Basic–Level 4)
- Ventures is an adult ESL series developed specifically for adult education programs. The curriculum integrates language instruction with workforce readiness, civics, and life skills, making it highly relevant for incarcerated learners preparing for reentry. The structured lessons and adult-appropriate content make this series suitable for multi-level classrooms and long-term instruction. This series comes with free online worksheets altered to reach multiple levels.
Websites
- Breaking News
- Free news articles written at multiple difficulty levels with lesson activities and exercises for English learner
- ESL-NEWS.com
- News articles organized by language level (beginner to advanced) to help learners improve reading and listening skills.
- EngageNY
- EngageNY is a free online education resource created by the New York State Education Department that offers curriculum materials (especially for English Language Arts and Math) aligned with state standards. It is widely used by teachers and schools for planning and instruction.
- ESL-Bits :
- Help students improve their listening and reading comprehension of the English language through video clips
- Newsela
- A news platform where you can adjust reading level for articles across many topics (free account has limited access).
- News In Levels / English News in Levels
- News written in different levels of English, often with audio and vocabulary support. (These types of sites are recommended widely by ESL teachers and learners.)
- Teachy.ai
- AI assistant for teachers that can generate lesson plans, quizzes, presentations, summaries, and more — helping save prep time and adapt materials for different student needs. Can utilize some of the site for free.
- UsingEnglish.com
- Online English as a Second Language (ESL) tools & resources for students, teachers, learners and academics, covering the full spectrum of ESL, EFL, ESOL, and EAP subject areas.
- English for Everyone :
- Resource for printable English worksheets
- AmeriLingua:
- Hundreds of ESL lessons and worksheets designed for adults / young adults
- JimmyESL:
- Resources and ideas for English language teachers. From lesson plans to worksheets and vocabulary lists, we’ve got everything you need to create engaging and effective learning experiences for your students