Adjust text size: A | A | A

English as a second language

Databases

Mango Languages

Interactive online language courses available from home and on your mobile device. Mango focuses on everyday, common conversations to enhance vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar and cultural understanding. Choose from among more than 40 languages, plus ESL courses for speakers of 15 different languages. Download our instruction guide [PDF]. Mango Languages can be accessed on a mobile device – see our Mobile and Apps section for details.

In the library and at home with your BPL card.

Recommended websites

ESL classes | Learning activities

ESL classes

ELSA Net

English Language Services for Adults (ELSA) provides basic- and intermediate-level English training for adult newcomers to Canada. Use their online directory to find a program.

Vancouver Community College ESL Learning Centres in Libraries

VCC's ESL learning centres in libraries provide free one-on-one and small group tutoring in ESL to adults. Each learning centre has various operating hours and is staffed by experienced instructional assistants with ESL training.

Learning activities

BBC Learning English

The British Broadcasting Corporation Learning English site has lessons in general and business English, news stories with grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation exercises , quizzes and the fun animated series “Flatmates”.

Interesting Things for ESL/EFL Students

This site for learners of English is written by two ESL teachers.There are quizzes, word games, word puzzles, proverbs, slang expressions, anagrams, a random-sentence generator and other computer assisted language learning activities.

Merriam-Webster's English Learner's Online Dictionary

This is an American English Dictionary for ESL, EFL, and TOEFL Students.

Purdue University Online Writing Lab

The Purdue University online writing lab provides ESL and academic writing resources.

Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab

Listen to English for everyday conversations and conversations for academic purposes.

The English Club

The English Club provides online English lessons and interactive forums and games.

This page maintained by YW

Stories from our ESL Fiction Writers' Workshop

In the fall of 2012, BPL hosted an ESL fiction writers' workshop led by well-known Canadian author Caroline Adderson. We are pleased to present four of the touching stories that came out of the workshop. Read more >>

Additional resources

ESL classes in Burnaby [PDF]
English as a second language instruction in Burnaby.

ESL and literacy programs at BPL
Browse our events and programs for ESL conversation circles and more.

ESL book club sets

Develop your English reading skills by sharing books with others! ESL book club sets include 15 copies of a single title available for an extended loan period of six weeks.

© 2013 Burnaby Public Library