Resources for Teaching English in China - Pt. 1 TOEFL & IELTS Practice Tests

11/15/2018

I taught in China from 2012 to 2016 and one of the most challenging parts of teaching there was trying to find resources for my students that would work behind the "Great Firewall". So I decided to put together a list of resources that would be helpful for teachers there that I know work(as of this writing in 2018). I have put the list together into a kind of packet webpage you can look at here or you can read the blog below to see it all in written form.

This list includes resources for teaching the following topics: reading, listening, IELTS and TOEFL. It also includes some general classroom management and teaching principles type resources for those who are new to teaching or just want to try something different in their classes. This includes some affiliate links that help me make a little extra money if you buy anything.

TOEFL and IELTS Resources

Practice Tests - These are key to help you understand what the test is like, refine your test taking skills, and gauge your progress. Any of them

     TOEFL - Free

  • FREE/$25 - ETS.org - This website is the official page for the TOEFL and has a few official practice tests. I recommend these be used sparingly as they are the most official options. Keep these for prescriptive tests spaced out throughout your preparation period. They also have a prep book that's reasonably priced that you can find on Amazon here they also have a specific Practice Test book here.
  • FREE -  Test Guide - Find some great reading and grammar practice tests here. This is a great option for those looking for extra work on those parts of the test.
      TOEFL - Premium
  • $25 - Barron's - This book has 8 practice tests and answers. These are well done and also include some preparation and review materials. They make great test materials that I've used with my students over the years.
  • $20 - Kaplan - Practice test book that includes online access as well as a mobile app to practice on the go. These are also very well done and you probably know the Kaplan name if you've ever prepared for a standardized test before.

      IELTS - Free

  • FREE - British Council - The British Council is a great place for resources on learning English, especially British English, but it also has excellent practice resources for the IELTS. 
  • FREE - IELTS.com - This website is the official IELTS website so obviously it has some great resources for the IELTS. I have linked to the preparation page where you can see preparation materials and practice tests.
  • FREE - The IELTS Listening Test Youtube - This youtube channel has a bunch of listening practice tests that are easy to use and helpful as a resource as listening tests are so difficult to find!
  • FREE - ExamEnglish - Has a whole free course on IELTS preparation that includes multiple IELTS practice tests broken up into different parts of the test.
       IELTS -Premium
  • $20 - Cambridge IELTS - This book has CD's included for doing the four parts of the IELTS test. These are actual old tests so they are probably the best resources here.
  • $22 - Kaplan Official - This is a book and online access that gives you not only the practice tests but prep materials all together. Even though it's not free it is well worth the price.
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