Let’s face it. We all know that building vocabulary is an essential part of learning any language. However, finding ways to not only make learning new words stick, but fun can be quite the challenge. The following is a list of useful tools and resources to aid you in your vocabulary lessons.
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List of Vocabulary Resources
- Oxford Picture Dictionary: A comprehensive dictionary that uses pictures to illustrate vocabulary, making it especially useful for beginners.
- Merriam-Webster Learner’s Dictionary: A learner-friendly dictionary that provides clear definitions and example sentences tailored for English language learners.
- Cambridge English Vocabulary in Use: A series of books that cover a wide range of vocabulary topics, including idioms, phrasal verbs, and specific areas of interest such as business or academic English.
- Quizlet: An online platform that allows teachers and students to create flashcards and practice vocabulary through interactive games and quizzes.
- FluentU: A language-learning platform that offers a vast collection of authentic English videos, with interactive captions and quizzes to reinforce vocabulary learning.
- WordReference: A popular online dictionary and thesaurus that provides translations, definitions, and forum discussions for a variety of languages, including English.
- com: An engaging website that offers vocabulary quizzes, word lists, and adaptive learning features to help students expand their vocabulary.
- Memrise: A language-learning platform that uses spaced repetition and mnemonic techniques to help students memorize and retain vocabulary through interactive courses.
- English Vocabulary Exercises: A website that provides a wide range of vocabulary exercises and quizzes categorized by topic, level, and skill.
- English Vocabulary Builder App: A mobile app that offers vocabulary exercises, flashcards, and quizzes to help students learn and review English vocabulary on the go.
- Visual Thesaurus: An interactive online thesaurus that visually displays word relationships and helps students explore synonyms, antonyms, and related words.
- English Vocabulary Profile: A resource developed by Cambridge University Press that provides information on the vocabulary learners need to know at each level of English proficiency.
- Online News Sources: Encourage students to read news articles from reputable English-language sources like BBC News, The Guardian, or The New York Times to expose them to new vocabulary in context.
- Academic Word List (AWL): A list of words frequently used in academic contexts, compiled by Averil Coxhead, which can be useful for students preparing for academic English or exams like IELTS or TOEFL.
- Vocabulary Apps: There are several vocabulary apps available, such as Duolingo, Anki, and Vocabulary.com, which offer interactive exercises, flashcards, and quizzes to help students build their vocabulary skills.
Remember to choose resources that align with the specific needs and proficiency levels of your students. Adapt and supplement these resources as necessary to create a well-rounded vocabulary learning experience.