Useful Links and Resources
An Amazing Way to Watch Movies and TV Shows
Lingopie
Lingopie puts language learners in control of their viewing experience. A subscription gives you access to an immense library of TV shows and movies in English as well as in other languages. You don’t need a Netflix account to watch the bulk of the offerings. Gain control of the playback speed as well as captions and translations. The interactive captions allow you to study grammar and vocabulary. Take vocabulary quizzes to review. There are other features on the platform, like 1:1 tutoring, but the customized viewing experience is the most valuable feature in my opinion. (Disclosure: As an affiliate, I earn commission from sales.) Take a 7-day trial to test it out.
VR Language Learning Platform and Community
Immerse
Immerse is a social virtual reality language learning platform and community. They offer a 14-day free trial, and you can access all resources and events via desktop or VR headset. I personally tried it both ways and loved it more with my Meta Quest 2 headset. They currently offer English, Spanish, and French for levels A1-B1. Use my coupon code for a discount: JENNIFER5. (Disclosure: As an affiliate of Immerse, I earn commission from sales.) Learn more by watching my full review on YouTube.
Pronunciation Self-Study App
Blue Canoe
Blue Canoe is a self-study app that helps you improve your spoken English, particularly your pronunciation. They teach you why stress and vowel sounds are so important in spoken communication. The exercises are easy to understand. There’s a speech recognition feature and a virtual AI Teacher, so you’ll get feedback on what you can do to improve. I like their methodology, and I think you’ll appreciate the learning experience, regardless of your language level. The first couple of lessons are free. You also get free access to one exercise type that lets you practice 200 common words in English. Please use my affiliate link to sign up. iOS users can use this link. Android users may use the code JENNIFER20. (Disclosure: As an affiliate, I earn commission from sales.)
Sites for General Language Practice and Reference
LingQ
Polyglot Steve Kaufmann invites others to pursue the joy of learning languages, not just English. His site provides learning materials for many of the world’s languages. Want to get inspired? Listen to Steve’s insights. Click to watch my interview with Steve from November 2022. (Please note that the link to LingQ is an affiliate code. I earn commission from sales.)
About.com: English as a 2nd Language
Follow Kenneth Beare’s blog, read his well-written explanations, and take his interactive quizzes. There is instruction for all levels on many different topics, from general grammar to Business English.
Englishpage.com
Useful collection of interactive exercises with text tutorials. Student forums are offered, too.
Grammarism
This is a growing collection of interactive grammar exercises for beginners and intermediate students. There are also printable worksheets with answers keys.
Activities for ESL Students
Very large collection of exercises at all levels for grammar and vocabulary. There are bilingual quizzes, too.
ESLVideo.com
Free quizzes based on videos such as TV commercials, news reports, and music videos. There are quizzes for different levels of English.
USA Learns
The site is everything it says it is on the home page: A free site for adults to learn English and improve basic reading, writing, speaking, and life skills. The lessons are professionally designed and very well organized. Wonderful for beginners and intermediate students.
Sites for Listening Practice
Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab
A large collection of listening quizzes for general and academic study at all levels. The quizzes come with transcripts.
Real English
Mike Marzio creates videos which thoughtfully expose learners to real English as it is spoken by different people around the world. His editing allows you to develop your listening skills and improve your understanding of grammar and vocabulary. The interactive quizzes are very well designed.
iSLCollective
iSLCollective has free listening materials for students. Check out their interactive video lessons. You can easily choose grammar and vocabulary videos at your level.
Elllo
The English Listening Library Online is a great site with wonderful audio recordings of different speakers. Listen to interviews and discussions, take a multimedia quiz, and learn vocabulary in a memorable way.
TED
TED stands for Technology, Education, and Design. TED describes itself as “a nonprofit dedicated to ideas worth spreading.” Many high profile people, such as Bill Gates and Michelle Obama, have given a TEDTalk. Topics range from innovations to the environment. Their YouTube channel TEDTalksDirector features these inspiring lectures. Closed captions and translated subtitles are available on their site.
Archive of American Television
Videotaped interviews with different actors, producers, directors, and more. Many provide good speech models. Visit their YT channel as well.
PBS Public Broadcasting Station
The U.S.-based public broadcasting station has a large collection of videos for adults and children online. The videos provide good speech models. Videos range from documentaries to musical performances
Sites for Reading Practice
National Public Radio
U.S. and World News. Many articles have an audio podcast with a transcript. The comments posted are generally well written.
ReadTheory.org
This is an online resource with texts that range from easy to difficult. They match the U.S. grade levels K-12 (kindergarten through 12th grade). Take the initial test and the site will determine your reading level. Log in regularly and read texts that match your level. Each text has questions to test your understanding.
Literature.org
The Online Literature Library makes works in the public domain available online.
ReadOasis
This site facilitates English language learning through stories. You’ll build reading, vocabulary, and listening skills. The platform offers goal setting and tracking. Increase your reading speed too! (Sign up with the code JENNIFER. As an affiliate, I earn commission from sales.)
Online Dictionaries
Dictionary.com
A useful online dictionary with audio recordings of key words.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
A great dictionary for language learners. Common phrases and uses are highlighted. Differences between American and British English are noted.
Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary
Another great dictionary for language learners. Audio recordings are given along with plenty of examples.
Sites for Academic Writing
Guide to Grammar and Writing
This site offers guidance at all levels: sentences, paragraphs, and essays. It nicely recognizes the strong connection between grammar and writing skills. The site is sponsored by the Capital Community College Foundation in Hartford, Connecticut.
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
This site has a wealth of writing resources for academic and general writing. Clear examples along with in-depth explanations help writers avoid common mistakes, such as sentence fragments. There are also pages for specific purposes, for example, Medical Writing. For their grammar resources, click here.
Writing 101
Need a review of the basics? Got doubts about punctuation? How about some tips on paraphrasing? Check out this library of resources for writers.
Sites for Spelling Practice
VocabularySpellingCity
Interactive spelling games and a whole lot more for students, teachers, and parents.
Funbrain.com
Interactive spelling exercises.
Rhyme Zone
A rhyming dictionary that can make you aware of similar sounding words (but which may have very different spelling patterns).
YourDictionary
In addition to being a good online dictionary, YourDictionary provides spelling rules for reference.
Sites for Vocabulary
Learning Chocolate
Basic English vocabulary with interactive exercises. Good visuals.
University Word List Materials from Eli Hinkel
Eli Hinkel offers a quiz tool to practice the University Word List as well as flashcards.
Academic Word List Exercises
Try these interactive exercises from Konan University and ZbEnglish.net.
Test Your Vocabulary
Find out how much you know. Take a free test on MyVocabularySize. You’ll need about 15-20 minutes.
Textbooks for English Language Learners
Azar Grammar Series Azar and Hagen
A three-level grammar textbook series. Betty Azar is the original author. Stacy Hagen joined her to revise and improve the books. The books are good for self-study and have clear explanations and helpful exercises.
English Pronunciation Made Simple Dale and Poms
A pronunciation textbook with CDs. Easy to follow because it’s well organized.
Looking for Russian Language Lessons? See below.
RussianPod101.com - Learn Russian with Free Podcasts
Some YT viewers know that I speak Russian and have asked me about online resources. There are teachers on YT posting Russian language lessons. That’s one place to start. However, if you’re looking for a full course, I’d recommend RussianPod101. I’ve sampled some of their materials. They offer well-designed lessons at different levels.
