Top Ten Gift Ideas for ESL Teachers

The wish lists of teachers of English as a second or foreign language (ESL or EFL) differ from those of other English teachers, but there's still plenty of items on them that make affordable, easy-to-find gifts. Forget the coffee cups and scented candles and make your favorite ESL teacher smile with one of these practical gift ideas.

1) Listening material
Quality listening activities are always in demand in an ESL class. A collection of recordings based on realistic situations and accompanied by vocabulary and grammar exercises will be much appreciated. Northstar: Focus on Listening and Speaking published by Pearson ESL is a good choice for adult learners, but almost any compilation of listening material will be useful.

2) Textbooks
For those times when it's just not possible for the teacher to plan as much as they'd like, books of fully developed lessons are a lifesaver. The best focus on everyday situations and encourage thinking beyond just correct language use. Some series that work well are Northstar published by Pearson ESL, Inside Out from MacMillon and Tapestry from Heinle & Heinle.

3) Discussion-starter material
Most ESL classes, particularly advanced level, go through a lot of discussion material. Books that pose ethical questions help teachers always have a meaty conversation starter ready. For those who teach adults, pick up a book like 101 Ethical Dilemmas by Martin Cohen or Hard Choices: Ethics Dilemmas from Frank Schaffer Publications. Younger learners can enjoy Two Sides to Every Story: Ethics, Dilemmas and Points of View by Greta Barclay Lipson. Lateral thinking puzzles are not only great for discussion, but can also be turned into games or fillers. Outstanding Lateral Thinking Puzzles by Paul Sloane and Des MacHale and One-Minute Brainteasers by Alan Stillson are two books to consider.

4) Language humor
Language-related humor is a fun way to learn and it often helps the knowledge stay put longer. Puns, anecdotes based on word play, riddles and even tongue twisters can all work well. 101 American English Riddles: Understanding Language andCulture Through Humor by Harry Collis and Anguished English: An Anthology of Accidental Assaults upon Our Language by Richard Lederer and Nathalie Dupree are two particularly good gift choices. Less contemplative language humor books, like The Play of Words by Richard Lederer, also make good gifts for ESL teachers.

5) Visuals
ESL teachers often use pictures in warm-up activities or to spark conversation. Charts, diagrams, usual maps, and postcards are all good to have on hand. Complex artwork or images of visually busy scenes also invite discussion. For a unique gift, put together a collection of interesting small (approximately 8 1/2"x11") posters or prints and have them laminated or attached to firm backing for durability.

6) Games
Regardless of what age they teach, ESL teachers can always use language-related games such as vocabulary flash cards, MadLibs, or Rootonym (the print version). Games meant for native speakers, such as the I.Q Challenge Lateral Thinking Game by Lagoon Games, make good educational entertainment for more advanced students, too.

7) Portable cassette/CD player
For teachers who work in locations that don't supply equipment, a quality CD or cassette player makes a great gift. The handheld models with speakers powerful enough for a whole class to hear are ideal. Sony makes several teacher-friendly models, such as the Portable Cassette Player model TCM 150, which retails for around $35 or the Pressman PTCS-30D, for around $50.

8) Portable dry erase board and pens
In classrooms with no dry erase board on the wall, the portable type can save a lot of paper. Choose one that's at least 8 1/2"x11" for easy use. For less than $10, you can pick up a Magnetic Dry Erase Board by Sanford Ink Company, with an aluminum frame and magnetic surface that can be used for display. To go with the board, colored pens are useful for grammar lessons, but black is always needed, too.

9) Hands-on discussion starters
Interesting small objects are useful in discussion-based creative thinking activities, so a collection of hands-on discussion starters makes a useful small gift. Look in toy stores or "dollar stores" for unusual objects, especially those that don't have an immediately obvious purpose. Another affordable gift idea is a pack of children's colored building blocks, which ESL teachers can use in grammar lessons.

10 Classroom supplies
You can't go wrong with consumables. ESL teachers are always in need of writing paper, high quality pens that don't die in the middle of lessons, folders, paper clips, dry erase pens in black and other colors, construction paper, and even magazines that can cut up for projects.