BusyTeacher

Overview

BusyTeacher is a web resource for ESL and EFL teachers, pairing printable classroom materials with a separate library of digital teaching books. It is best suited to teachers who want ready-made activities across age groups and English skills, with the option to buy a broader reference library for their own classes. The free materials make it easy to start; the paid library’s individual-use license makes it a poor fit for teams that need to share resources.

Key features

The free collection includes 18,421 printable worksheets and lesson plans and requires no registration. Topics span grammar, vocabulary, speaking, reading, listening, writing and pronunciation, with materials such as flashcards, posters and puzzle activities for young learners, teenagers and adults. That breadth is useful when a teacher needs materials for varied lessons without paying for a subscription.

Built-in tools create custom word searches, word or sentence scrambles and double puzzles, which can help teachers turn lesson vocabulary into activities. The paid library adds 80 PDF e-books on subjects including grammar, speech, business English, classroom management, age groups and proficiency levels. Books arrive by email download link, can be read on a computer, phone or tablet, and can be printed. The library is digital-only, so teachers who want physical books should look elsewhere.

Pricing

The free collection suits teachers who mainly need printable lesson materials. The one-time library purchase is for teachers who want the full set of books for their own classes; its individual license prohibits sharing with colleagues, so it does not serve a department or shared staff library. The store does not refund individual e-book or bundle purchases because they are digital products. Customers can email [email protected] for a replacement download link, but technical support for bundle items is not offered.

Platforms

BusyTeacher is available on web, Android and iOS. Its e-books are PDF downloads that can be viewed on computers, smartphones and tablets, giving teachers a way to consult them across common devices. Printing is possible, but paper copies are not provided.

Who it's for

BusyTeacher is aimed at English teachers, particularly those teaching ESL, EFL, TESL or TEFL. Its range of skill topics and age groups is useful for teachers who prepare lessons for different learners, while the free materials suit those who prefer to select individual printables. The library is a better match for an individual teacher building a personal teaching reference collection than for colleagues who need to share books.

Pros and cons

• Pros: 18,421 free worksheets and lesson plans are available without registration, so teachers can browse and use a large collection without an account.
• Pros: Topic coverage includes core language skills and classroom subjects, with resources for young learners, teenagers and adults.
• Pros: The 80-book library is a one-time purchase and can be read on computers, phones and tablets or printed.
• Cons: The library license permits use with the buyer’s own classes but bars sharing with other teachers, limiting its usefulness for teams.
• Cons: Digital purchases and bundles are non-refundable, and technical support for bundle items is unavailable.
• Cons: The paid collection has no paper editions, which may not suit teachers who prefer ready-made physical books.

Alternatives

For another set of classroom resources, browse Teacher Resource Libraries. Choose Topmarks if you want a free website with no subscription, or its Hit the Button Maths app as a separate one-time purchase. Myatt & Co may suit teachers looking for films and teaching resources through a free selection or a monthly plan. CommonLit offers a free text library and curriculum for teachers and students, with a paid school plan also available. ReadWriteThink is another free option for educational materials. Scootle offers free resources with guest access, as well as registration using an education or university email. Australian Teacher is a free web resource, with downloads and printing subject to its copyright terms. Classroom Secrets has a free plan and paid options, including a monthly one-user plan. Education World is a free educator resource funded by sponsors and advertisers.

Verdict

BusyTeacher is a strong starting point for ESL and EFL teachers who want a large, no-registration collection of printable materials, with an optional 80-book library for their own classes. Choose it for the range of free lesson resources and the breadth of the paid reference collection. Look elsewhere if you need shared licenses, technical support for bundle items, refunds on digital books or print editions.