These free crossword puzzles are designed for ESL students from beginning to advanced levels. They are downloadable and may be reproduced for classroom use. Crossword puzzles can be used to teach, introduce, and reinforce vocabulary words. Each crossword puzzle comes with an answer key. Answer keys can be shown on classroom interactive whiteboards, making it easy for students to correct their own work. The vocabulary words can be repeated chorally or read individually for pronunciation practice. Note: Interactive crossword puzzles are available for some EL Civics subjects and they are clearly marked.
Civics
These EL Civics puzzles are designed to help students learn about the American government and history. They include information about American figures, symbols, landmarks, and buildings. Some of the crossword puzzle clues are from the US Citizenship Test.
Part of civics education is knowing about your state. Each of these state crossword puzzles includes information such as the state's nickname, the date it entered the union, its flower, highest mountain, or longest river. Some answers can be found on this website's state lessons page.
Everyday language helps ESL students operate in their day to day English speaking environment. Crosswords in this section review common survival vocabulary words about subjects like classroom items, numbers, and family members.
Lifeskill vocabulary includes words related to everyday subjects like emergencies, employment, shopping, and housing. ESL lifeskill lessons teach basic survival skills to students who are new to the United States. Photo dictionaries are a good way to introduce the vocabulary. Crosswords can be used to extend the lessons.
Holidays are special days of the year when we celebrate an event or tradition. There are ten national holidays: New Year's, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. There are also holidays like Valentines Day which are not national holidays.
