LexTutor’s VocabProfiler is a powerful tool that allows you to identify which words in a text belong to the first 1000 most frequent words of English (K1), the second 1000 (K2), and the Academic Word List (AWL). Additionally, it identifies “off-list” words, a catch-all category encompassing less frequent words, technical words, and proper nouns.
To use the VocabProfiler, simply type or paste the text you wish to identify, then click the yellow submit button.
To use the VocabProfiler, simply type or paste the text you wish to identify, then click the yellow submit button.
For comparison, here are results from two types of articles in the New York Times. On the left is the vocabulary profile of a feature article on bookstores in Seattle; on the right, an international news story on pro-Russian demonstrations in Ukraine. Here, each word list is color coded with K1 words appearing in blue, K2 in green, AWL in yellow, and off-list in red. As you can see below, the news article on the right contains comparatively less K1 and K2 words, and more academic and off-list words.
As you scroll down in the results, you will also see your text reproduced and color coded.
Additionally, all of the words are categorized into their respective word lists.
For teaching preparation, VocabProfiler can help you identify potential vocabulary words or whether a text may be too difficult for your students. In the classroom, a live demonstration can be used to illustrate to your students the importance of learning academic words. All in all, a very powerful tool!