All Things Topics Review: Free Themed ESL Worksheets and Videos
All Things Topics is a free, topic-organized ESL resource library with printable worksheets, video lessons, audio files, and a free spelling board game. Here's what teachers actually get, what works in class, and what to pair it with.Ready to try All Things Topics?
"An entire ESL resource library organized A to Z by topic — pick a theme, print, teach."
Best for
ESL teachers who need themed, printable, ready-to-use materials for elementary and intermediate learners.
Pricing
Free (Patreon tiers optional)
What is All Things Topics?
All Things Topics is a long-running ESL resource site built and maintained by a teacher who goes by "Gemma" (Gemma Saunders). It is best known for one simple idea: organize English learning materials by topic, from A to Z — Airports, Aliens, Animals, Art, … through to Weather, Writing, YouTube, and Zoo.
The site combines four kinds of material in one place:
- Word bank videos — short vocabulary videos on a topic, with the words on screen and read aloud.
- Printable worksheets and quizzes — PDFs with answer keys for vocabulary, reading, and listening.
- Listening lessons with scripts — A1-B1 dialogues and B1+ listening passages with comprehension tasks.
- Free spelling board game — "Spelling Town", a printable board game shared for classroom use.
The site has been active for over a decade, with regular uploads and a Cambridge University Press blog tie-in. It is supported by Patreon (Super Teacher and Ultra Teacher tiers) but the core library stays free.
How teachers use it
All Things Topics is a strong fit for these specific classroom moves:
- Themed vocabulary weeks: pick a topic from the A-Z menu, hand out the word bank video, then run the printable quiz. Whole week planned in 5 minutes.
- Listening practice with transcripts: short dialogues and B1+ listening videos come with printable scripts and comprehension questions. Useful for students who need the safety net.
- Substitute teacher cover: print the PDF quiz + answer key, leave a video link. No prep needed from the absent teacher.
- Conversation classes: topics are designed to spark discussion (Holidays, McDonald's, Dating and Marriage, Climate Change…). Pair a word bank with a speaking prompt.
- Printable homework: every worksheet prints cleanly. Students without reliable home internet can still complete written work.
Tip: filter by the simpler topics first (Family, Food, Colors) for true beginners, then move to B1+ topics (Climate Change, War, Space) for stronger students.
Is it worth your time?
Yes, with one caveat. All Things Topics is one of the most generous free ESL libraries on the web, and the A-to-Z topic structure is genuinely useful for thematic planning. The PDFs, answer keys, audio files, and videos save real prep time.
The caveat: the design is functional, not polished. Navigation is by topic list, not by level or skill. You will need to skim the topic menu and pick what fits your class. Once you find a topic you like, the supporting materials are consistent and high quality.
Honest recommendation: bookmark All Things Topics as a primary free resource, especially if you teach thematic units. Pair it with a structured paid option (ESL Brains, Teach-This) for full lesson plans, and with All Things Listening for leveled listening practice.
The honest pros and cons
What works
- Truly free core library Printables, videos, and audio are free. Patreon is optional support.
- Topic-based, A to Z Pick a theme, get matching vocabulary, listening, and quizzes.
- Printable PDFs + answer keys Ready for class. No need to make your own.
- Audio files included Listening practice for lower-tech classrooms.
- Long-running and consistent Site has been active for years, with regular uploads.
- CEFR-tagged materials A1 to B1+ clearly labeled on each resource.
What doesn't
- Navigation by topic, not level No global 'A1 filter'. You pick the topic, then check the level.
- Some advanced content is Patreon-only Ultra Teacher tier unlocks select listening and bonus materials.
- No formal placement or testing tools It's a materials library, not an assessment platform.
- Single-author voice The style and topic choices reflect one teacher's preferences.
- Limited writing/speaking production tasks Most output is comprehension, not free production.
- Older page layout Functional, but not a modern web app experience.
Best alternatives
If All Things Topics isn't a fit, these are the resources teachers actually switch to:
ISL Collective
Huge library of free printable ESL worksheets, filtered by level and skill.
ESL Printables
Teacher-shared worksheets and lesson plans, free to download with free registration.
All Things Listening
Sister site to All Things Topics. Listening practice tagged by level.
ESL Brains
Lesson plans built around TED talks and authentic videos for adults and teens.
Teach-This.com
3,000+ printable ESL worksheets, CEFR-aligned, updated monthly.
Frequently asked questions
What is All Things Topics?
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What are the best alternatives?
Ready to plan a themed ESL week in 5 minutes?
Pick a topic from the A-to-Z menu, print the worksheet, queue the video. All Things Topics is one of the most generous free libraries on the web — bookmark it.
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