ONLINE RESOURCES for students
"WHICH ARE THE BEST DICTIONARIES FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS?"
Macmillan Dictionary (web) free
This is an excellent dictionary for learners because the word entry pages contain clear definitions, audio pronunciation, multiple example sentences, collocations, synonyms linked to a thesaurus, and a complete word family. Additionally, the 7500 most frequently used words (which make up 93% of the English language) are shown in red. These red words have a star system: words with three stars are the most frequently used words so you should make sure you know them! Here is the entry for the word reinforce.
learnersdictionary.com by Merriam-Webster (web) free / (iOS) $4.99
This is a very good dictionary for learners. The word entry pages contain clear definitions, audio pronunciation, multiple example sentences, collocations, and a complete word family. Here is the entry for the word reinforce.
This is an excellent dictionary for learners because the word entry pages contain clear definitions, audio pronunciation, multiple example sentences, collocations, synonyms linked to a thesaurus, and a complete word family. Additionally, the 7500 most frequently used words (which make up 93% of the English language) are shown in red. These red words have a star system: words with three stars are the most frequently used words so you should make sure you know them! Here is the entry for the word reinforce.
learnersdictionary.com by Merriam-Webster (web) free / (iOS) $4.99
This is a very good dictionary for learners. The word entry pages contain clear definitions, audio pronunciation, multiple example sentences, collocations, and a complete word family. Here is the entry for the word reinforce.
"HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY VOCABULARY?"
Vocabulary.com (web) free
Start by answering a few questions to help the website know your level, then start playing “The Challenge” quiz! Words are occasionally repeated until you master their meanings. Try out the “Vocabulary Lists” feature too, which lets you input which words you want to learn.
Test Your Vocab (web) free
You can take this online test to find out the approximate number of headwords (word families) you know. You could even try taking it every six months to check your own personal learning progress!
Quizzitive (iOS) free
This app is a fun vocabulary quiz with a goal to help you master “1000 Words Worth Knowing.” The free version contains only the first two levels.
Tip: Improve your vocabulary by reading every day!
Start by answering a few questions to help the website know your level, then start playing “The Challenge” quiz! Words are occasionally repeated until you master their meanings. Try out the “Vocabulary Lists” feature too, which lets you input which words you want to learn.
Test Your Vocab (web) free
You can take this online test to find out the approximate number of headwords (word families) you know. You could even try taking it every six months to check your own personal learning progress!
Quizzitive (iOS) free
This app is a fun vocabulary quiz with a goal to help you master “1000 Words Worth Knowing.” The free version contains only the first two levels.
Tip: Improve your vocabulary by reading every day!
"HOW CAN I PRACTICE WRITING?"
Writing Prompts (iOS, Android) $1.99
This app gives you many creative writing ideas which you can use to practice your writing fluency.
TOEFL Writing Prompts from ETS (web) free
Here is a list of TOEFL writing prompts from ETS, the creators of the TOEFL. There are two essay types: Expository or Persuasive.
TOEFL Independent Writing Prompts from Good Luck TOEFL (web) free
These TOEFL essay prompts have five categories: Agree or Disagree, Preference, Description/Explanation, If/Imaginary, Compare & Contrast.
This app gives you many creative writing ideas which you can use to practice your writing fluency.
TOEFL Writing Prompts from ETS (web) free
Here is a list of TOEFL writing prompts from ETS, the creators of the TOEFL. There are two essay types: Expository or Persuasive.
TOEFL Independent Writing Prompts from Good Luck TOEFL (web) free
These TOEFL essay prompts have five categories: Agree or Disagree, Preference, Description/Explanation, If/Imaginary, Compare & Contrast.
"WHERE CAN I FIND READING MATERIAL ON THE INTERNET THAT IS RIGHT FOR ME?"
True or false: Reading difficult books and articles will help students improve their reading skills and vocabulary. This statement is FALSE! You should actually know 95-98% of the words on the page. Reading a lot at the correct level will improve all your language skills. Read about it here.
Reading Websites for English Language Learners
Linguistadores (web) free
First, choose from six different levels. This website for English language learners will show you current and interesting articles just right for you. Click on any word in the article and get a translation into your native language. Then, save the vocabulary words you want to remember and practice them later in the form of flashcards and exercises. You can also find music videos with lyrics and watch interesting videos which are organized by topic. You can use it to learn other languages too!
BeeOasis.com (web) free
The five different reading levels on this website for English language learners are called “Steps.” Click on the menu item “Basic Steps” to choose a level and find interesting especially written for learners of English. Additionally, each article has a timer button so you can check your reading speed.
Current Events and General Interest
Time for Kids (web) free
Read articles about current events and general interest topics written for American children.
Scholastic News (web) free
Read articles about current events written for American children. Click on “Classroom Magazines” in the menu at the top to find websites for different grade levels.
Reader’s Digest (web) free
This is a family magazine with articles about general interest topics. The articles do not contain advanced vocabulary.
Sports
Sports Illustrated Kids - News and Blogs (web) free
This News and Blogs section features stories on current sports events, written for American children. The 10 Questions section contains interviews with athletes. 10 Questions http://www.sikids.com/blogs/10%20questions
Tip: See the listening section for more reading resources!
Reading Websites for English Language Learners
Linguistadores (web) free
First, choose from six different levels. This website for English language learners will show you current and interesting articles just right for you. Click on any word in the article and get a translation into your native language. Then, save the vocabulary words you want to remember and practice them later in the form of flashcards and exercises. You can also find music videos with lyrics and watch interesting videos which are organized by topic. You can use it to learn other languages too!
BeeOasis.com (web) free
The five different reading levels on this website for English language learners are called “Steps.” Click on the menu item “Basic Steps” to choose a level and find interesting especially written for learners of English. Additionally, each article has a timer button so you can check your reading speed.
Current Events and General Interest
Time for Kids (web) free
Read articles about current events and general interest topics written for American children.
Scholastic News (web) free
Read articles about current events written for American children. Click on “Classroom Magazines” in the menu at the top to find websites for different grade levels.
Reader’s Digest (web) free
This is a family magazine with articles about general interest topics. The articles do not contain advanced vocabulary.
Sports
Sports Illustrated Kids - News and Blogs (web) free
This News and Blogs section features stories on current sports events, written for American children. The 10 Questions section contains interviews with athletes. 10 Questions http://www.sikids.com/blogs/10%20questions
Tip: See the listening section for more reading resources!
"HOW CAN I CHECK THE READING LEVEL OF AN INTERNET ARTICLE?"
Readability Formulas (web) free
First, find an article you want to check, copy the text, then paste it into the box. Check the box that says “Yes” and then click the blue “Check Text Readability” button. The website analyzes the text through several indexes. Scroll down to the pink “Readability Consensus” box. The number shows you for which American school grade level this reading material is appropriate.
First, find an article you want to check, copy the text, then paste it into the box. Check the box that says “Yes” and then click the blue “Check Text Readability” button. The website analyzes the text through several indexes. Scroll down to the pink “Readability Consensus” box. The number shows you for which American school grade level this reading material is appropriate.
"HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY LISTENING?"
Voice of America (VOA) Learning English - Audio Programs (web) free
These audio programs are about a variety of topics such as current events, culture, and science. Each audio program is accompanied by an article. Read along with the articles as you listen. which you can read while you listen.
ELLLO (web) free
This website contains many different listening activities which feature audio clips from English speakers with accents from around the world. Each audio clip has a written transcript and a quiz.
Umano (web, iOS, Android) free
This is a phone app and website that allow you to download audio recordings of real articles from the internet. This app is designed for people to listen to articles in the car when they don’t have time to read, but you can use the website to listen to articles while you read it on the internet at the same time. Click “Explore” to browse articles by topic.
These audio programs are about a variety of topics such as current events, culture, and science. Each audio program is accompanied by an article. Read along with the articles as you listen. which you can read while you listen.
ELLLO (web) free
This website contains many different listening activities which feature audio clips from English speakers with accents from around the world. Each audio clip has a written transcript and a quiz.
Umano (web, iOS, Android) free
This is a phone app and website that allow you to download audio recordings of real articles from the internet. This app is designed for people to listen to articles in the car when they don’t have time to read, but you can use the website to listen to articles while you read it on the internet at the same time. Click “Explore” to browse articles by topic.
"HOW CAN I PRACTICE SPEAKING?"
How to Practice Speaking with Silent Movies (web) free
Watch my video tutorial on how you can practice speaking by yourself, using silent movies on YouTube.
Watch my video tutorial on how you can practice speaking by yourself, using silent movies on YouTube.
"HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY PRONUNCIATION?"
Pronunciation Doctor (web) free
These fun videos are created by an ESL teacher and are designed to help you understand and speak English with American stress, rhythm and intonation.
Rachel’s English (web) free
This website is created by an ESL teacher and features video lessons to help you practice individual sounds, words, and phrases.
Ship or Sheep (web) free
When you pronounce “ship,” does it sound like “sheep”? This website contains activities to help you practice the correct pronunciation for similar sounds (which are known as minimal pairs.)
How to Practice Pronunciation with Video Clips (web) free
Watch my video tutorial on how you can practice pronunciation by yourself, using video clips on YouTube or your own DVDs.
These fun videos are created by an ESL teacher and are designed to help you understand and speak English with American stress, rhythm and intonation.
Rachel’s English (web) free
This website is created by an ESL teacher and features video lessons to help you practice individual sounds, words, and phrases.
Ship or Sheep (web) free
When you pronounce “ship,” does it sound like “sheep”? This website contains activities to help you practice the correct pronunciation for similar sounds (which are known as minimal pairs.)
How to Practice Pronunciation with Video Clips (web) free
Watch my video tutorial on how you can practice pronunciation by yourself, using video clips on YouTube or your own DVDs.
"HOW CAN I PRACTICE USING THE INTERNATIONAL PHONETIC ALPHABET (IPA)?"
The International Phonetic Alphabet is used for writing down sounds. Many dictionaries use these symbols to indicate how words are pronounced.
Interactive IPA Chart (web) free
You can hear examples of each sound by simply clicking on the character in this IPA chart.
Sounds: The Pronunciation App (iOS, Android) free for basic or $5.99 for premium
You can tap any character on the chart to hear the sound or tap-and-hold to hear an example word. There are quizzes for practicing how to read and write using the IPA.
Interactive IPA Chart (web) free
You can hear examples of each sound by simply clicking on the character in this IPA chart.
Sounds: The Pronunciation App (iOS, Android) free for basic or $5.99 for premium
You can tap any character on the chart to hear the sound or tap-and-hold to hear an example word. There are quizzes for practicing how to read and write using the IPA.