Classroom resources for primary English teachers

Here you can find a wide range of practical resources for teaching English in your primary classroom. There are full lesson plans to choose from, covering different topics and themes, all organised according to the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR).

We also have shorter activities, as well as ideas for using songs, poems and stories to help your learners improve their English in engaging, motivating and enjoyable ways.

All of our practical materials are written by experts in English language teaching and are free to use and download.

Find practical resources for the primary English classroom

Lesson plans

In this section you will find complete lesson plans to use in the primary classroom with learners aged 5-12.

Find primary lesson plans

Home: Welcoming refugees

This lesson uses the heartwarming short animation Home by Aardman Animations to explore the experiences of refugee children. It celebrates fun, empathy and friendship in welcoming new classmates from different cultures.

Age

9 - 12

Language Level

Duration

A group of four diverse boys and girls build a tower of blocks together in a classroom

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We can all do these jobs

In this lesson, learners consider gender sterotypes associated with different jobs, and draw and describe a job they would like to do.

Age

5 - 8

Language Level

A young girl is smiling and wearing a fire fighter's uniform and helmet

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Activities

In this section you will find activities to use in the primary classroom with learners aged 5-12.

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Easter egg hunt

This is a paired speaking activity on the theme of Easter. Learners work in pairs to 'hunt' Easter eggs that are hidden around the classroom, and describe them to their partner.

Age

9 - 12

Language Level

Duration

A teenage girl whispers instructions to a female classmate during a lesson

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Creepy crawlies

This can be done over a series of lessons as part of an ongoing project, dedicating each lesson to a different insect, or otherwise as one lesson. Children love squeamish subjects so you may find that they want you to extend what you originally planned to do.

Age

5 - 8

Language Level

Duration

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Stories and poems

In this section you will find stories and poems to use in the primary classroom with your learners aged 5-11.

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Tusk Tusk

This lesson plan for A1 level primary learners aged 9 to 10 years old explores racism, prejudice and tolerance.

Age

9 - 12

Language Level

Duration

180

Five elephants standing on a hill, one is a very small calf

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Promoting diversity through children's literature

At the British Council’s Teaching Centre in Paris, as part of our holiday programme for children, we are using carefully selected storybooks from the rich world of authentic children’s literature to raise awareness of diversity. Children attend these week long, 15 hour story-based courses for three hours each afternoon.