Beginner ESL Curriculum: Level 1 for Pre-beginners
Level 1 is the pre-beginner stage in the Teachers Together English kids-to-teen progression. It is designed for learners who are just starting to build confidence with English through first vocabulary, highly supported sentence patterns, and simple classroom communication. Inside The Tutor Resource, Level 1 gives tutors an easy way to teach true foundations without spending hours creating materials from scratch.
Kids-to-teen progressionFree preview availableBuilt for independent tutors
Best for
Kids and teen learners who are new to English or still need very early foundational support.
Stage
Pre-beginner
Focus
First vocabulary, early phonics, simple sentence patterns, and confidence-building speaking support.
Format
Ready-to-teach lessons inside The Tutor Resource app.
What learners work on in Level 1
Level 1 helps students take their first real steps in English through familiar, high-interest topics and simple, repeatable language patterns. The lessons are designed to make early success feel achievable for both the student and the tutor.
Language skills
Learners begin building basic vocabulary, early phonics awareness, simple sentence patterns, listening confidence, and guided speaking practice.
Communication goals
Students start learning how to name familiar objects, describe simple ideas, answer very basic questions, and respond with more confidence during one-to-one lessons.
Lesson experience
Lessons are built to feel structured, visual, and approachable, so pre-beginner learners can participate without feeling overwhelmed and tutors can move through each lesson with confidence.
Sample themes in this level
Feelings and Size
A gentle introduction to simple descriptive language students can use right away.
Colors, Fruit, and Vegetables
Learners build first-topic vocabulary through familiar categories that are easy to recognize, repeat, and practice.
Family and My Home
Students begin talking about the people and places that matter most in their daily life.
School Supplies and Toys
This theme helps learners use everyday classroom and play vocabulary in a natural, engaging way.
Meal Times and Daily Routines
Students begin using English to talk about common parts of their day with simple, practical language.
Gardening and Things in My Home
These lessons expand first vocabulary while giving tutors plenty of concrete, visual language to work with.
Who this level is best for
Level 1 may be a good fit if your student…
is brand new to Englishneeds highly guided lessons and very early vocabulary workbenefits from visual support and simple repetitionis not yet ready for broader conversation practiceneeds a true starting point before moving into basic beginner work
Not sure? Use the placement test or compare all levels on the Curriculum page.
What tutors can expect
Less prep
Level 1 gives you structured pre-beginner lessons that are ready to teach, so you spend less time building slides and more time helping students feel successful.
Clear progression
This level gives tutors a reliable starting point for learners who need true first-step English support.
Better support
Inside The Tutor Resource, Level 1 is part of a wider tutoring system that also helps with placement, tracking, and lesson support.
Available inside The Tutor Resource
Level 1 is not just a set of isolated lesson files. Inside The Tutor Resource, tutors can use it as part of a broader teaching workflow that supports lesson delivery, student placement, progress tracking, and everyday tutoring organization.
You can pair Level 1 lessons with features like:
classroom lesson viewingplacement supportstudent trackingfeedback and homework toolstutor support tools
How to preview Level 1
Create a free account
Start with a free account to explore the platform without a credit card.
Browse sample content
Preview selected lessons and get a feel for how the pre-beginner curriculum is organized inside the app.
Upgrade only if it fits
If Level 1 feels like the right fit for your students, you can move to a paid plan for broader access.
Need help choosing? Start with the placement test if you want extra confidence before deciding.
Explore Level 1 inside the app
Start with a free account and see whether Level 1 fits your students, your teaching style, and the kind of first-step support you want to provide.