5 Best Free AI Tools for ESL Teachers in 2025
Teaching English as a Second Language comes with unique challenges. Between planning differentiated lessons, creating engaging materials, and providing personalized feedback to diverse learners, ESL teachers often find themselves stretched thin.
Here’s the good news: artificial intelligence has introduced a suite of powerful tools that can streamline these tasks without breaking the bank.
I’ve tested dozens of AI tools over the past year (some great, some overhyped, and one that I’m pretty sure made my lesson worse). What follows are the five free tools I actually use in my classroom - not because they’re trendy, but because they save me time and help my students learn better.
ChatGPT: Your AI Teaching Assistant
I’ll be honest - when I first tried ChatGPT for lesson planning, I was skeptical. Then I asked it to create a B1-level reading passage about environmental conservation with comprehension questions.
Thirty seconds later, I had something that would’ve taken me 45 minutes to write from scratch. I was hooked.
This conversational AI can generate customized reading passages, dialogue examples, grammar explanations, and discussion questions tailored to any proficiency level.
🎯 Key Features for ESL Teachers:
✅ Generate authentic reading texts on any topic at specific CEFR levels ✅ Create vocabulary lists with contextual example sentences ✅ Draft comprehension questions and assessment rubrics ✅ Explain complex grammar concepts in multiple ways ✅ Suggest culturally relevant discussion topics
Best Use Cases:
- Quickly adapting materials to different proficiency levels
- Creating supplementary practice exercises
- Generating conversation prompts for speaking activities
- Drafting parent communication in simplified language
💡 Pro Tip: Start with specific prompts like “Create a B1-level reading passage about environmental conservation with 5 comprehension questions” for best results. The more specific you are, the better the output.
Want ready-to-use prompts? Check out our guide to 10 ChatGPT Prompts Every ESL Teacher Should Save for copy-paste prompts organized by teaching task.
Limitations:
The free tier has usage caps during peak times (I’ve hit the limit around 2 PM on weekdays - plan accordingly). Responses may occasionally contain factual inaccuracies that require verification.
Always review generated content for cultural sensitivity and appropriateness.
Google Bard: Real-Time Information for Current Topics
Here’s where Google Bard stands out: it can access current information. Unlike ChatGPT’s knowledge cutoff, Bard can discuss recent news, current celebrities, and ongoing cultural phenomena.
Perfect for creating lessons that feel relevant to students’ lives right now.
Last month, I used it to create a discussion lesson about a trending environmental story. Students were way more engaged because the content felt current, not recycled from last year’s materials.
🎯 Key Features for ESL Teachers:
✅ Access to up-to-date information and current events ✅ Integration with Google Workspace tools (huge if you’re already using Google Classroom) ✅ Multiple draft responses for comparison ✅ Citation of sources for fact-checking ✅ Strong performance with cultural and contextual queries
Best Use Cases:
- Creating lessons about current events and trending topics
- Generating discussion materials about contemporary culture
- Researching authentic examples of language in context
- Finding recent videos, articles, and media for classroom use
💡 Pro Tip: Try prompts like “Find recent news articles about climate change suitable for intermediate English learners” to take advantage of its real-time capabilities.
Limitations:
Responses can be verbose and may require editing for classroom use. The integration with Google services works best if you’re already using Google Classroom or Drive (otherwise, it’s just extra features you won’t use).
Quillbot: Intelligent Text Simplification
Quillbot solves a problem I’ve wrestled with for years: finding age-appropriate content that’s linguistically appropriate for language learners.
You know that perfect article you found - except it’s written at a college reading level and your students are intermediate? This tool fixes that.
🎯 Key Features for ESL Teachers:
✅ Multiple paraphrasing modes (standard, fluency, creative, formal) ✅ Adjustable synonym levels for vocabulary control ✅ Grammar checker and writing feedback ✅ Citation generator for academic writing instruction ✅ Summarizer for condensing lengthy texts
Best Use Cases:
- Simplifying authentic news articles or academic texts
- Creating multiple versions of the same content for differentiation
- Demonstrating paraphrasing skills for writing instruction
- Checking student writing for grammar issues
💡 Pro Tip: Select the “Fluency” mode and lower synonym settings for the most readable simplified versions. This gives you clean, accessible text without weird word choices.
Getting Started:
Visit quillbot.com and paste any text into the paraphraser. The interface is intuitive - you’ll figure it out in about 30 seconds.
Limitations:
The free version limits paraphrasing to 125 words at a time (annoying but manageable). Simplified texts may lose some nuance or cultural references, so review output carefully.
Elsa Speak: Pronunciation Practice
While many AI tools focus on written language, Elsa Speak addresses the critical speaking component. It uses speech recognition AI to provide personalized pronunciation feedback.
Basically, it’s the pronunciation practice partner your students can access at 11 PM when they’re finally done with their other homework.
I assigned this to my intermediate class last semester. One student - let’s call her Ana - struggled with /th/ sounds. She practiced with Elsa for 15 minutes a day for two weeks.
Her improvement was noticeable. Worth it. 🎉
🎯 Key Features for ESL Teachers:
✅ Real-time pronunciation feedback using speech recognition ✅ Targeted practice for specific phonemes and sounds ✅ Progress tracking for individual learners ✅ Minimal prep required from teachers ✅ Gamified practice activities
Best Use Cases:
- Homework assignments for pronunciation practice
- Self-paced learning for students needing extra support
- Flipped classroom pronunciation activities
- Diagnostic assessment of pronunciation challenges
Getting Started:
Students download the Elsa Speak app (iOS or Android) and create accounts. Teachers can assign specific lesson focuses or let students practice independently.
Limitations:
The free version offers limited lessons. Some students may feel self-conscious practicing speaking with an app (though honestly, they get over it). Works best as supplementary practice rather than primary instruction.
DeepL: Superior Translation for Language Learning
DeepL consistently outperforms other translation tools in accuracy and natural-sounding output.
I tested it side-by-side with Google Translate for parent communication letters in Spanish. DeepL’s version sounded like a human wrote it. Google’s version sounded… well, like Google Translate.
🎯 Key Features for ESL Teachers:
✅ More accurate translations than Google Translate ✅ Natural, contextually appropriate phrasing ✅ Formal/informal register options for some language pairs ✅ Glossary feature for consistent terminology ✅ Document translation capabilities
Best Use Cases:
- Translating parent communication materials
- Creating bilingual vocabulary lists
- Understanding student questions in their native language
- Translating authentic materials from target cultures
- Verifying meaning in student work
Getting Started:
Visit deepl.com and paste text into either side of the translation interface. Compare results with Google Translate to see the quality difference (seriously, try it - it’s striking).
Limitations:
Supports fewer languages than Google Translate. Students may over-rely on translation rather than developing comprehension skills if not used judiciously (this is where your professional judgment comes in).
Choosing the Right Tool for Your Needs
Each of these AI tools addresses different aspects of ESL instruction:
Tool Selection Guide:
- For lesson planning and content creation: ChatGPT or Google Bard
- For adapting authentic materials: Quillbot
- For pronunciation practice: Elsa Speak
- For translation needs: DeepL
The most effective approach? Combine them strategically.
Use ChatGPT or Bard to draft initial content, Quillbot to create differentiated versions, DeepL to provide native language support, and Elsa for pronunciation practice.
Want to explore more options? Check out our complete AI tools directory for additional resources organized by teaching need.
Implementing AI Tools Responsibly
Look, these tools offer tremendous benefits. But let’s be real about responsible implementation.
Maintain Pedagogical Control:
AI should support your teaching expertise, not replace it. You’re still the expert in the room. Always review, modify, and validate AI-generated content before using it with students.
Teach Critical Evaluation:
Help students understand that AI tools make mistakes. I build lessons around identifying and correcting AI errors - turns out, it’s a fantastic critical thinking exercise.
Address Equity Concerns:
Ensure all students have access to the technology needed. I learned this the hard way when I assigned an app-based homework and three students didn’t have smartphones.
Provide alternatives for students with limited device access or internet connectivity.
Protect Privacy:
Avoid inputting sensitive student information into AI tools. Use anonymized examples and be aware of data privacy policies (boring but necessary).
Getting Started Tomorrow
Start small with one tool that addresses your most pressing need.
Experiment with different prompts and approaches to understand each tool’s strengths and limitations. Share successful strategies with colleagues and iterate based on what works in your specific context.
The AI shift in education isn’t about replacing teachers. It’s about giving us tools that handle repetitive tasks so we can focus on the irreplaceable human elements of teaching: building relationships, fostering critical thinking, and inspiring learners.
What AI tool will you try first in your ESL classroom?