The Best Free Tools for Teaching English Language Learners
Teaching English Language Learners (ELLs) requires tools that support comprehension, build vocabulary, provide speaking practice and give meaningful feedback quickly. Here are the best free digital options available right now.
Vocabulary and word learning
Quizlet
Quizlet is the gold standard for vocabulary learning. Students study word sets using flashcards, matching games, spelling tests and the "Learn" mode — an adaptive algorithm that prioritises words the student keeps getting wrong. Teachers can create class sets of vocabulary (or find existing ELL sets created by other teachers). Free for core features; paid plan adds some study modes.
Padlet vocabulary wall
Create a Padlet where students post new words they encounter — with a definition, a sentence and an image. A growing, student-built vocabulary wall is more meaningful than a teacher-provided word list because students chose the words.
Speaking and pronunciation
Flip (Flipgrid)
Flip lets students record short video responses to teacher prompts. For ELLs, this is invaluable: speaking practice that can be recorded multiple times (students record until satisfied) and reviewed asynchronously by the teacher. Completely free for educators.
Google Read Along
A free reading app from Google that listens as students read aloud and provides real-time feedback on pronunciation and fluency. Works offline and requires no teacher account. Best for ages 5–10 but useful for older ELLs practising basic fluency.
Reading comprehension
Newsela
Newsela takes current news articles and provides them at five reading levels — Lexile-adjusted versions of the same article from a 5th-grade level to a 12th-grade level. Students read the same content as their peers but at their comprehension level. Free for core access; paid plan adds assignments and quizzes.
CommonLit
A free reading platform with thousands of texts — fiction, non-fiction, poems — all with comprehension questions, vocabulary support and discussion prompts built in. Teachers can track individual reading progress. Genuinely free with no significant paywalled features for teachers.
Writing support
Google Docs + Mote
Google Docs allows teachers to leave comments on student writing. Adding Mote (a free Chrome extension) means comments can be voice recordings instead of text — clearer and more personal for students who struggle to read detailed written feedback.
Grammarly (Free)
The free version of Grammarly flags grammar, spelling and punctuation errors as students type in any browser-based text field. For intermediate ELLs, the real-time correction is valuable — they see errors immediately rather than submitting work and waiting for teacher feedback.
Assessment and comprehension checks
Mentimeter word clouds
Instead of asking ELLs to write extended answers (which can be a barrier to participation), use Mentimeter word clouds: "What is one word that describes [character / setting / concept]?" Every student can contribute a single word — participation barrier is minimal, data is immediate.
Quizizz image questions
Create vocabulary quizzes that use images rather than written definitions. Students match the word to the image — assessing comprehension without requiring students to read a definition in a second language.
Practical tips
- Always check a tool's language support — some platforms (Quizlet, Duolingo) support dozens of first languages for interface navigation.
- Build in think time before any tool-based speaking task — ELLs need more processing time.
- Allow students to draft in their first language and translate — this is a legitimate comprehension strategy, not cheating.
