Online Resources for Literacy Learners
Phonics
Reading Horizons YouTube Channel
Search for the skill you want to teach, and watch others teach that topic. Great tool for learning how to teach reading skills. Put English vowel sounds or final silent e rule in the search box and see what you get!
This site was developed by the US military to help adults improve their reading skills. The first 10 lessons are free.
Basic phonics instruction geared for children, but still very useful for adults.
This organization has a wealth of free resources for in person and remote tutoring, including some great downloadable workbooks for pre-lit and beginning literacy learners.
Reading
Reading passages, organized by grade level and topic, with vocabulary and comprehension questions.
News articles at different reading levels with comprehension questions and writing prompts.
The Times in Plain English is a free online newspaper that takes current news articles from various publications and re-writes them in easier to understand language. Each article also offers a "Tips for Teachers" link with comprehension/discussion questions. Translation into a wide variety of languages is also offered.
Reading and comprehension practice with informational text. Requires creation of an account.
NALC subscribes to this monthly newspaper written for adult ELL learners. Let us know if you would like to try this with your learner. Free monthly Teacher’s Guide is available for each issue with quizzes and suggestions for supplemental activities. If you sign up for the “Free Teaching Aids” blog you will also receive a monthly email with additional videos and instructional materials, but these can also be found on the website (see links below):
Here is how to access a digital version of the newspaper, if you would like to share your screen and read some articles with your student during your tutoring sessions.
The website URL is my.bigtimbermedia.com
Username: tutor
Password: teachNALC
A curated collection of digital books for adults and children, including titles tailored to the reading levels and interests of adult learners. Feel free to make an account or click “Continue without an account.”
HISET/GED
Test prep resources including sample test questions.
Free HiSET Practice Tests
Ted Talk videos with accompanying quizzes and activities.
Free Math, Science, Grammar
A+ MathThis site is good for drills and practice in basic math. You can also use the website to make your own flashcards and worksheets or you can play some interesting math games. Try playing math bingo, concentration or hidden picture to work on your adding, subtracting, multiplying or division skills. Worksheets can be printed out for basic math, algebra, fractions, money, and decimals.
This site covers all levels of math.
Free online calculators.
Misc.
Spelling games, quizzes, lists, etc. Includes a section for teachers as well as learners.
Make your own crossword puzzles.
Free, standards-aligned, arts integration curriculum that uses the history of popular music and culture to help teachers engage students. Innovative lesson plans developed by experienced educators and top experts in the field foster genuine learning in areas including social studies, language arts, geography, science, STEAM, general music and more—for learners of all ages.
Advocacy/Professional Development
This organization, of which NALC is a long-time member, is dedicated to improving literacy for adults. It is a great resource for more literacy statistics, professional development and advocacy for literacy issues. You can also use it to search for literacy services by zip code.