Site Review: Dave’s ESL Cafe

What is it, and who is it for?

Dave’s ESL Cafe has been around since 1995. It is primarily a site for ESL teachers worldwide to find jobs, resources and discuss all aspects of the profession. Historically, its forums were an essential resource for teachers embarking on overseas jobs to network and share their experiences. More recently , the forums have become archived and the site is mostly a job noticeboard. The founder, Dave Sperling, also writes a blog reflecting on his years in ESL and offering advice to teachers.

Best features

For ESL teachers, the site remains an essential way to find freelance work worldwide. For both teachers and self-study students, there are many pages of FREE study resources. These include directories of literally 100’s of idioms, slang and phrasal verbs, lesson plans, quizzes and grammar lessons. Dave’s blog is also an interesting read.

Worst features

The site has become heavily monetized, with payment plans prominently displayed for anyone looking to post a job or resume. The resources remain free to access, however. And it’s a shame the forum has become obsolete, although this is understandable – Dave’s ESL Cafe predated Facebook groups and all other social media.

Recommended?

For teachers looking for overseas work, yes. And the resources bank is great for students and teachers alike – especially the browsable directories of phrasal verbs, slang and idioms.

Ultimately, Dave’s ESL Cafe is an institution in the ESL teaching world. I hope it will be with us for years to come, and thank the founder Dave Sperling for giving us this iconic and groundbreaking resource.