ESL Newcomer Curriculums
The below list contains a growing list of ESL newcomer curriculums. Tab one contains elementary ESL newcomer curricula, and tab two contains secondary ESL newcomer curriculums. This list is a growing list of resources. Please feel free to suggest any resources to grow this resource.
| Secondary Curriculums | ||||
| Name | Grade Level | Description | Vendor | Link to Curriculum |
| Hands on English | ELL, Various | Focuses on engaging ELL with practical activities, emphasizing real-world communication skills, vocabulary, grammar, and cultural understanding. | Ballard & Tighe | Hands-on English |
| National Geo INSIDE | Various (ELL Focus) | Provides intensive language and literacy instruction for ELL students. Combines language development with academic vocabulary and content area skills. | National Geographic Learning | Access National Geographic |
| National Geographic Reach | K-6 | K-6 program offering cohesive language and literacy learning, incorporating reading, writing, speaking, listening, skills mastery, and assessment. | National Geographic Learning | Access National Geographic |
| National Geographic Time Zones | Middle to High School | Language learning integrating English instruction with cultural insights. Helps students understand English in different cultural contexts, develops linguistic proficiency alongside cultural awareness. | National Geographic Learning | Access National Geographic |
| Read 180 | 4-12, Adult Education | Research-based program to raise reading achievement for struggling readers. Incorporates adaptive technology, whole- and small-group instruction, and student-centered learning. | Houghton Mifflin Harcourt | Access Read180 |
| Rigor from Benchmark | Secondary | Offers rigorous literacy instruction for diverse classrooms. Focuses on comprehensive literacy development, including reading, writing, listening, speaking, and language skills. | Benchmark Education Company | Access Saddleback |
| Saddleback | Various | Known for providing engaging materials for struggling learners, especially in literacy and ELL contexts. Emphasizes high-interest, low-readability texts, culturally responsive materials, and integrated skill development. | Saddleback Educational Publishing | Access Saddleback |
Newcomer ESL Curriculum Resources Link
- BBC Learning English: Free online resources for English learners of all levels. Website
- Breaking News English: Free, regularly updated lessons based on current news stories, adaptable to different levels. Website
- Cambridge English: A range of English teaching resources for all levels, including beginners. Website
- Colorín Colorado: A bilingual site offering free resources for educators working with English language learners. Website
- ESL Library: Subscription-based service offering lesson plans, flashcards, and other teaching resources tailored to different proficiency levels. Website
- National Geographic Learning: Offers materials for English language learners, including the “Reach” series. Website
- New Readers Press: Educational materials tailored for adult education, including ESL resources for newcomers. Website
- Newcomer Toolkit from the U.S. Department of Education: A free resource to help educators support newly arrived immigrant students, including English language learners. Website
- Oxford University Press: Publishes the “Oxford Picture Dictionary” and other ESL materials suitable for newcomers. Website
- Pearson English: Provides materials for teaching English as a second language, including resources for beginners. Website
- Rosetta Stone: Language learning software suitable for newcomers to English. Website
- Saddleback Educational Publishing: Focuses on high-interest, low-readability texts, suitable for newcomers to English. Website
- Scholastic Education: Includes resources designed for young English language learners. Website
- TESOL International Association: Professional development, books, and other resources for teachers of English language learners. Website
| Elementary ESL Curriculum | ||||
| Name | Grade Level | Vendor | Description | Link to Curriculum |
| Benchmark Hello | Early Education | Benchmark Education Company | Emphasizes literacy skills through structured reading, writing, and language activities for early learners. | Access Benchmark Hello |
| Carousel of Ideas | English Language Learners | Ballard & Tighe | designed to stimulate students’ creativity, critical thinking, and comprehensive understanding by taking them through a rotating series of topics or themes. Much like a carousel’s circular motion, the curriculum offers an engaging and dynamic approach to learning, where ideas are explored from various angles. This approach fosters a multidisciplinary perspective, encouraging students to make connections across subjects and allowing for a more holistic understanding. The flexibility of the carousel structure makes it adaptable to various age groups and subject areas, creating an exciting and ever-changing educational journey. | Access Carousel of Ideas |
| Connect K for Kindergarten | Kindergarten | VHL | A set of newcomer curricula that is constantly updated. Includes webinars and training for a monthly fee. | |
| Equipping ELLs | K-12 | Equipping ELLs | A kindergarten program includes early literacy components like letter recognition, phonics, and reading activities. | Access Equipping ELLs |
| Language Power | K-5 | Teacher Created Materials | Explicitly aimed at developing language arts skills; includes literacy-focused content. | Access Language Power |
| Learning Packets | Various (Educational Level) | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | The Ready, Set, Go! Newcomers Kits are designed as a progressive workbook series to assist students recently coming to the United States. These kits focus on cultivating vital language abilities, empowering them with confidence in communication and reading. | Access Learning Packets |
| Our World by National Geographic (Nat Geo) | Young Learners (English) | National Geographic Learning | Focuses on foundational English language skills, including reading and writing, suitable for literacy development. | Access Our World |
| Oxford Picture Dictionary Content Area for Kids | Elementary | University Press | This dictionary uses vibrant illustrations and clear definitions to introduce children to essential English vocabulary in various content areas. Organized by thematic topics such as family, school, nature, etc., it provides context to words, helping children understand their meanings and usage in daily life. It often includes activities and exercises that reinforce understanding and application of the vocabulary. | Access Oxford Picture Dictionary Content Area for Kids |
| Ready, set, Go! Newcomers Kit | K-5 | Continental Press | A set of newcomer curricula that is constantly updated. Includes webinars and training for a monthly fee. | Access Ready, Set, Go! |
| Summit K12 | K-5 | Summit k12 | Summit k12 offers a flexible learning approach, adapting to individual needs through Individualized Language Learning Plans (ILLPs) and utilizing enhanced AI for autoscored assessments. It includes specific rubrics for speaking and writing and is designed to differentiate across six WIDA grade bands. The program is structured around four key language uses: Narrate, Inform, Explain, and Argue. “Connect to Literacy” offers interactive video lessons for all multilingual learners, covering five ELD standards at six grade levels. It aims to support growth in all four domains with only 30-60 minutes of weekly practice. | Access Summitk12 |
