The websites on this list were not designed with education in mind, but which can easily be used for learning purposes — particularly, though not exclusively, for English language development. I only hope that creators of “educational” content can learn from the qualities that make these sites so engaging.

You might also be interested in:

The Best “Fun” Sites You Can Use For Learning, Too — 2010

Part Two Of The Best “Fun” Sites You Can Use For Learning, Too — 2009

The Best “Fun” Sites You Can Use For Learning, Too — 2009

The Best “Fun” Sites You Can Use For Learning, Too — 2008

Here are my choices for The Best “Fun” Sites You Can Use For Learning, Too — 2011:

VIDEOS:

These would be fun clips to to use in any of the video activities I describe in The Best Popular Movies/TV Shows For ESL/EFL.

This is video is from a “talent” show in India. You would only want to show it to a class that you would be sure were mature enough not to be inspired to go out and try some of the stunts:

Five thousand people from Grand Rapids, Michigan came together to create what Roger Ebert has called “the greatest music video ever made.” And it is, indeed, pretty amazing. It was shot in one take. Even though the song’s lyrics are probably not the best for English Language Learners, the video itself would be a lot of fun.

Here’s a video of The Great Escape — Panda style:

This is a video of Remi Gaillard, known as France’s greatest prankster:

Luke Burrage juggles around the world in this clip:

Check out this Stop-motion animation and drumstick music video:

How about this surfing bulldog:

Show this next video, but only if you don’t think your students will be inspired to try some of the stunts themselves!

“Bridge” is a short and delightful animation that is perfect to show English Language Learners (in fact, to any students) and then have them write and discuss it. It’s a great opportunity for them to literally describe what they see, plus incorporating the messages of the film. As its creator says:

Bridge is a story about four animal characters trying to cross a bridge, but ending up as obstacles to one another in the process. The moral behind this story revolves around how there are often disagreements or competing paths in life, and the possible results of pride, obstinance, and compromise.

I’ve embedded it below:

Bridge from Ting on Vimeo.

ONLINE VIDEO GAMES:

“Dr. Stanley’s House 2” is what is known as a “point-and-click” adventure game. Its “Walkthrough,” or instructions on how to win, can be found here. You can my article, Free Online Games Develop ESL Students’ Language Skills, to learn how I use these kinds of games as a great language-development exercise.

Inspector Kloo 4 is another fun online video game that offers a great opportunity for English language learning. You can find its walkthrough (instructions on how to win) here.

Inspector Kloo 5 is a fun online video game that offers a great opportunity for English language learning. You can find its walkthrough (instructions on how to win) here.

The Ballad of Ketinetto 8 is an online video game that provides lots of language-learning opportunities. Here is its “walkthrough.”

Mild Escape is an “escape the room” game with a walkthrough.

OPTICAL ILLUSIONS:

These are excellent tools for students to write about and discuss:

25 Brilliant Optical Illusions For Kids

Best Illusions of 2011

Check out the illusion in this video. And if you like it, you can find more here.

BONUS:

Draw a Stickman is an amazing adventure where you…draw a stick and he comes to life. You’re given instructions about what to draw and when, and then the stickman uses what you have drawn. It’s an excellent language learning opportunity for ELL’s and fun for everybody. You can also write your own message that shows at the end of the activity.

Feedback is always welcome.

If you found this post useful, you might want to consider subscribing to this blog for free.

You might also want to explore the 700 other “The Best…” lists I’ve compiled.