Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

You'll find a huge collection of interactive quizzes on this site, testing student comprehension in many subject areas, including elementary math, foreign language (Spanish, French, Italian), SAT content, science, history, and economics. Some quizzes are multiple choice, others drag-and-drop, but all offer immediate feedback with sound effects.

tag(s): quiz (67), quizzes (90)

Practice recognizing and using common words from daily life with this interactive, illustrated activity designed for self-paced practice. After choosing a topic, students are presented with a series of pictures and must select the correct vocabulary word from a list of five. Perfect for ESL classes (but preview first - there are a few unusual translations you may need to clarify) or first-year French students.

tag(s): french (75), vocabulary (238)

This visual dictionary is a gem of a site for ENL/ESL or world language students. Visitors can choose a topic, view the associated words and pictures. The words are Interactive (click the word) to see the pronunciation. The audio uses Flash, but there is plenty here to learn with out the audio.

tag(s): spelling (98), vocabulary (238)

Choose a country and publication, then tap into the latest news of the day with this easy-to-use directory that links to newspaper Web sites from around the world. This is an excellent resource for building authentic reading comprehension skills in a world language class.

tag(s): news (229)

You'll love this library of interactive quizzes to test knowledge of Spanish vocabulary. Organized by topic (numbers, family, colors, time, etc.), each quiz contains sound clips, so make sure you have headphones available.

tag(s): sound (72), spanish (109)

Created by the Charlotte & Mecklenburg County libraries, this is an interesting, bilingual resource for finding children's books and related activities. In addition to a kid-friendly book search, there are theme reading lists for both elementary and preschool age groups. Inquisitive reading teachers - especially those working with Spanish-speaking students, will find this a welcome addition to their web lists.

tag(s): book lists (167), reading lists (77), spanish (109)

Google Maps gives you live visuals of any location, ideal for planning a trip, picturing the relationship between places, and viewing physical characteristics of almost anywhere in the world. Type or paste in an address and click "search maps." If you click Satellite or hybrid versions of the map, you will see actual satellite images of the terrain. Zoom in and out, use the street view "orange man" to walk among the buildings and trees, or plan and share a route easily with Google Maps. Using your (free) Google membership allows you to save favorite places and more. Find businesses and other features near a specific map location: hotels, restaurants, schools, parks, and more. Google Maps has become more and more sophisticated, now offering many features previously only available in Google Earth, such as opening and/or saving placemarker files. Unlike Google Earth, Google Maps does not require software installation and does not use as much bandwidth for constant reloading. You can even play a tour of places you mark in Google Maps. They just keep adding more features! Google Maps is available as a free app for Android and iOS, too. The handy embed codes let you put any Google Map in a web page, blog, or wiki. Of course you do not need a membership or any special skills to simply SEE, share, or navigate a map. Membership gives you more ways to save.

tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (147), directions (11), maps (220)

Foreign language students will love this one. Visitors can choose from more than a dozen languages, scroll through the online library, then read and/or listen to the selection. A great way to build comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency. While you're visiting the site, check out some of the other links including the "universal conjugator" and the "children's dictionary." You'll want to have headphones handy for this one.

tag(s): vocabulary (238)

Originally designed to help students in Great Britain prepare for the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education), this collection of activities based on real-life interactions is ideal for independent practice of listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. With an emphasis on understanding and comprehension, the site offers "revision bites," which focus on key concepts, and "test bites" which allow students to test themselves on mastery of these concepts. Make this site available in your foreign language classroom or recommend as an "at home" resource. Headphones recommended.

tag(s): french (75)

This site has been archived but can still be accessed. The information is no longer updated, but still available. This self-paced, self-evaluating tool asks users a series of questions - based on language fluency - that increase in difficulty. When an incorrect answer is given, the site provides recommendations of related Web sites that offer online activities, course books, and audio/video clips appropriate for the demonstrated level of competency. This is a useful site for out-of-class language practice and reinforcement.

tag(s): fluency (26), french (75)

This self-paced, self-evaluating tool asks users a series of questions - based on language fluency - that increase in difficulty. When an incorrect answer is given, the site provides recommendations of related Web sites that offer online activities, course books, and audio/video clips appropriate for the demonstrated level of competency. This is a useful site for out-of-class language practice and reinforcement.

tag(s): fluency (26), spanish (109)

This self-paced, self-evaluating tool asks users a series of questions - based on language fluency - that increase in difficulty. When an incorrect answer is given, the site provides recommendations of related Web sites that offer online activities, course books, and audio/video clips appropriate for the demonstrated level of competency. This is a useful site for out-of-class language practice and reinforcement.

tag(s): fluency (26), german (49)

Send your Spanish students to this site to review and practice their language skills. A series of eight progressive units cover a wide range of topics involving vocabulary and grammar. Use headphones and tap into the audio lessons that allow students to listen to and repeat vocabulary. Individual lessons are followed by a collection of interactive quizzes and tests. Complete the free registration and save the quiz results on line.

tag(s): spanish (109)

Students can test their core knowledge of English, French, German, math, social studies and more with this entertaining collection of interactive quizzes, puzzles and games. Click on the Learning Hub and select a level (elementary, middle school, or high school) to explore age-appropriate challenges across content areas. Many of the activities on this site are free, but registration and a fee are required to access some of the special features.

tag(s): quiz (67), quizzes (90)

Ancient history isn't always approachable, and this site offers great information on Greek mythology and the history and civilization of Rome in a context that both elementary teachers and secondary students will find interesting. If you teach Latin, "Salve!" - there are great resources here.

tag(s): greece (47), greek (47), greeks (46), latin (23), romans (52), rome (37)

This well-organized, searchable site, created and maintained by the Internet Scout Project of the University of Wisconsin, contains a wealth of useful, interactive, and motivating resources for teachers, students and parents. Currently, the site focuses on French, Spanish, and Japanese, although German and Italian resources can be found by following links to many of the recommended sites. Content levels range from beginner to advanced. Links to interactive flash cards, quizzes, and games that strengthen vocabulary and language comprehension are among the high points of this site. Many of the resources provide independent practice, authentic exposure, and opportunities for cultural exploration. Becoming a member is free and enables the site to personalize your visit by preferred language. A new "Word of the Day" is a homepage feature, as are daily updates of the newest additions to the site.

tag(s): french (75), japan (57), japanese (47), spanish (109)

Language students will appreciate this extensive site that amounts to a sort of "Cliff Notes" for the Spanish language. The site explains details of grammatical structure and usage, vocabulary, and reading practice. While it's set up for reference, not instruction, there is plenty of help for the faltering Spanish student here.

tag(s): spanish (109)

The University of Virginia has compiled a meta-listing of sites offering on-line editions of European literature. This site could also open up a new resource for reading material that is otherwise unavailable.

tag(s): french (75), spanish (109)

PravdaReport (english.pravda.ru) is an online Russian news and opinion platform that publishes articles on global politics, science, society, culture, and current events. The site states that it aims to give "voice to the voiceless," providing a space for diverse perspectives and reporting through openness and diversity. PravdaReport's mission centers on offering its engaged audience unbiased and plural viewpoints, with a strong belief that accurate information can only emerge from transparent and inclusive dialogue. While the content may reflect distinct editorial choices and cultural viewpoints, the website can be used as a resource for exploring international perspectives and media literacy in the classroom.

tag(s): diversity (40), media literacy (109), perspective (14), russia (36), russian (26)

Discover thousands of sources for French language and culture, including Canadian French resources. From a faculty member at the University of Tennessee.

tag(s): france (41), french (75)