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Home (https://www.experteditor.com.au/) Blog (https://www.experteditor.com.au/blog/) The 101 Best Websites For ESL Students in
2016

The 101 Best Websites For ESL Students in 2016

Posted January 2, 2016 by Brendan Brown

The Internet is full of resources for English language learners at the university level.
However, the problem lies in which material is valuable and which isnt. Like with any topic, the internets a mix bag. Theres amazing
materials for ESL students and also material that could prove detrimental to your learning.
Ifyoure heading o to university or already studying, you dont have time to surf the net in the hope of nding valuablewebsites.
This is why weve created this helpful list of the101 best websites for ESL students.
The list is divided intological sections, including:
Grammar and Usage
Grammar Check
Writing
Reading
Speaking
Pronunciation
Vocabulary
Listening
Academic Skills
Dictionaries
General Academic Research
IELTS
This compilation of websites will blow your mind, and of course improve your English at the same time.

Grammar and Usage

Learning grammar is probably one of the most frustrating things for any language learner. It doesnt matter whether youre learning English
or learning German there always seems to be a million rules and exceptions to get your head around.
From tenses to propositions, here are some of the best ESL grammar sites to improve your grammar.

(1)a4esl (http://a4esl.org/)

If youve already learned the English grammar basics and just want to review grammar, this website is perfect with easy to moderate selfMenu grammar activities. There are numerous interactive quizzes (http://a4esl.org/a/g3.html) to choose from, such as articles and word
access
choice. With this site, you wont run out of ESL grammar materials any time soon.

(2)English Club (https://www.englishclub.com/)

English Clubs grammar pages for ESL learners are some of the best on the web. They are broken down into easy manageable topics that
cover all aspects of English grammar and usage.
And if youre really stuck, you can always get your own personal English grammar help for free from their grammar help desk.
(http://www.englishclub.com/esl-forums/viewforum.php?f=199)
How
awesome
is
that?
(http://www.englishclub.com/eslforums/viewforum.php?f=199)

(3)Using English (http://www.usingenglish.com/)

Imagine falling upon what seems like an endless list of specic grammar points to help you understand and practice the areas of English
grammar you dont understand. Thats exactly what youll nd at Using English. Practice the activities online or print them o, the choice is
yours.
But one thing is guaranteed, youll soon know the dierence between an adjective and an adverb and the dierence between the past
simple and the past perfect!

(4) Grammar Quizzes (http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/)

Grammar Quizzes is not your average ESL grammar site. If youre looking to practice real English with a realistic meaningful context, this
grammar website will give you a range of realistic everyday scenarios using a specic grammar point. This will make the learning
experience that much more enjoyable and valuable.

(5)5-Minute English (http://www.5minuteenglish.com/)

Do you need a quick answer without spending too much time trawling the hundreds of grammar websites out there? 5-Minute English
breaks everything down into easy-to-understand bite size pieces. See the English grammar in use with carefully colour-coded examples,
and then practice what youve learnt with a quick English grammar quiz (http://www.5minuteenglish.com/grammar.htm) at the end.

(6)Edu Find (http://www.edund.com/english-grammar/english-grammar-guide/)

Test your English grammar. How good are you? And then brush up on your grammar skills by studying specic English grammar guides.
Broken down into themes, youll never make an English grammar mistake again.

(7)English Grammar Secrets (http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/)

This grammar sites number one advice about grammar is dont get obsessed with it. Its so easy to become engrossed in English grammar
and usage you forget all the other aspects of learning a language. This is why this site has broken down the grammar into realistic learning
sections.
Make your life easier by learning a little bit at a time with a few explanations and plenty of interactive grammar activities.

(8)English Grammar (http://www.englishgrammar.org/)

As the name suggests this website covers the ins and outs of English grammar from basic prepositions to the complexities of English
grammar needed in business writing.

(9)A Guide to Grammar and Writing (http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/)

Hold your horses; this grammar site for university students is a real gem. With hundreds of grammar explanations, this website, specically
designed for academic students, is the ultimate A to Z grammar point of reference. Youll be guided through every point from the adverb to
the zero article.

(10) The Brief Penguin Handbook

(http://www.pearsonhighered.com/pearsonhigheredus/educator/product/products_detail.page?
isbn=9780205030071&forced_logout=forced_logged_out)
If youre looking for a quick go-to grammar reference, the Brief Penguin Handbook lives up to its name. This focuses on typical grammar
errors of ESL students, and it even goes beyond that and oers some (brief) advice on how to improve your grammar in everyday
situations.

(11)Grammar Girl (http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl)

Get some quick and dirty grammar tips from a self-professed grammar queen. Not your average grammar site with lists of grammar terms
and rules, the grammar girl has divided dierent grammar points into some funny and sometimes controversial topics.
For instance, nd tips how to email your university professor to the downright confusing theme of apostrophe use.

(12)Common
Errors in English Usage (http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/)
Menu
There are a number of common errors that ESL learners make. If you cant gure out why your tutor or professor has marked something as
wrong, visit this thorough site and nd the answer youve been looking for. Youll never make the same mistake again.

Grammar Check
When you hand in your paper or research assignment at university, it needs to be free of simple language mistakes. So, before handing
them in, remember to proofreadyour work (https://www.experteditor.com.au/proofreading-services/) and check for any grammar errors.
The following websites will help you do that.

(13) Grammarly (http://grammarly.com)

Have you written an essay or research assignment and want some help checking whether thegrammar is correct? Microsoft Word is great
when you make the obvious mistakes, but it inevitably misses a few.Ensure your grammar is perfect with this easy-to-use online grammar
check thats 100% free it doesnt get much better than that.

(14) Reverso (http://grammar.reverso.net/)

As well as being a translator and dictionary, Reverso is also a spell and grammar checker. Simply copy and paste your text into this fee
online tool, and it will correct the sore of mistakes that Microsoft Word isnt designed to.
And thats not all. If you want an explanation of your grammar mistake in your thesis (https://www.experteditor.com.au/thesis-editing/),
say, this intelligent online grammar checker will give one. Thesis proofreading (https://www.experteditor.com.au/thesis-proofreading/) has
never been easier.

Writing
Writing in English is one of the most dicult skills to master. If youve never had to write an academic piece before, this is a particular
challenge. Refer to these writing sites and get themost authoritative writing tips available.

(15) Harvard College Writing Center (http://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/)

Youll be pleasantly surprised with what this comprehensive siteoers you in terms of university and college writing. This covers everything
Menureading and comprehending the essay question correctly right from the start to the nitty-gritty writing and editing at the end
from
(http://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/editing-essay-part-one).
The fact that the sites associated with one of the worlds most prestigious universities is just an extra-added bonus.

(16) Daily Writing Tips (http://www.dailywritingtips.com/)

Are you a keen writer or do you want to perfect your academic English writing skills? Have no fear this fun site will help you get there.
Forget about the mundane online writing lessons and read these helpful writing tips to take your writing to the next level

(17) OWL Purdue (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/)

This is perhaps one of the most comprehensive academic writing sites available today. Here youll be able to brush up on your grammar
skills,
learn
how
to
paraphrase
properly,
but
most
importantly
learn
about
what
plagiarism
is
(https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/) and how it would aect youthe consequences are harsh, so its not worth it.

(18) About Education Writing in English (http://esl.about.com/od/writinginenglish/)

It doesnt matter what kind of writing you need to write, this thorough guide will show you how to write anything from a CV to a personal
statement or an admissions essay to a detailed scientic report.

(19) LEO Literacy Education Online (http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/)

Of course you want your work to be logical and well presented. Of course you want to understand the essay question and answer it
correctly. And of course you want to ensure that your university paper is plagiarism free. You can guarantee that your work will follow all
the academic English rules when you follow this comprehensive writing guide for university students.

(20) Suolk University Boston (http://www.suolk.edu/academics/53809.php)

APA, MLA, Chicago Manual Stylethese are all terms youre going to have to become familiar with when you want to cite your reference
materials correctly and avoid plagiarism. On this site, youll nd an abundance of resources that will take you through the motions when it
comes to citing your work correctly.
Dont forget to refer to your course manual or ask your tutor what citation style they require, because every subjects dierent.

(21) Learn Higher (http://www.learnhigher.ac.uk/)

If youre studying in the UK, youll need to abide by UK academic rules, which are of course slightly dierent to American expectations.
Learn Higher has a plethora of valuable information, which will help you become a procient writer and avoid all those rewrites. We love
the easy layout and the interactive activities and MP3s that come with this site, and its all FREE!

(22) Edinburgh Napier (http://www.napier.ac.uk/)

Do you have a report to write for university, but youve got no idea how to go about it? This easy to understand site explains everything in
detail from what is a report to tips on how to edit and proofread it. This is one site that will help boost the credibility of your report and get
you those greatly desired marks.

(23) RMIT University (https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/)

Dont let the fact that this is an Australian university put you o. Australians speak and use British English, and this is one site thats not to
be missed when it comes to invaluable writing tips for ESL university students.
Learn how to get started with simple brainstorming techniques and master the ins and outs of academic writing. The site also links you to a
Careers Toolkit, which youll need as you near closer to nishing your degree. Learn how to write application letters in English and win over
prospective employers in interviews.

(24) Re-Writing Basics (http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/rewritingbasics2e/)

Become an incredibly talented writer by completing these writing exercises that increase in diculty. Tick the boxes while you write by
following the sites comprehensive writing checklist, and if thats not enough follow the step-by-step tutorial on how to avoid plagiarism and
make your writing uniquely yours.

Reading
Reading is a big part of your studies, and its an important English youll use every day regardless of whether youre at university or not.
Improve your reading skills and speed by taking on board these great reading tips for ESL and academic learners.

(25) UNSW Reading Eectively (https://student.unsw.edu.au/eective-reading)

Menu

Do you have a million and one things you need to read? Do you lack condence and speed when reading? Youre not alone and most new
university students nd themselves overwhelmed with all the reading materials regardless of whether theyre a native English speaker or
not. This site teaches you to be an eective reader. Follow the tips and youll be on the road to success.

(26) Adult Learning

Do you lack condence in reading? This can be drastically increased once youre faced with numerous texts to read. This site is divided into
various topics from everyday situations such as working to biology related readings in the nature section. Readings are short and easy to
comprehend, meaning youll be able to boost your reading speed in no time.

(27) Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org/)

Are you looking for a new book to read and cant be bothered heading out to the local public library? Look no further Project Gutenberg has
an impressive selection of FREE ebooks you can read. Theres no need to worry about breaking any piracy laws here, because this is a
reading project thats been going for some time. And if youre really stuck, check out the sites recommended top 100 books, and get your
reading game on.

(28) University of Victoria Study Zone (http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/)

Choose your level, choose your text, and work your way through a series of reading activities and exercises from pre-reading activities to
post-reading comprehension activities. There are so many texts to choose from which includes modern classics such as Pulp Fiction; theres
basically something for every taste.

(29) Garnet Education (http://www.garneteducation.com/)

This carefully planned academic reading site allows you to work your way through dierent leveled reading activities. Mix and match and
test your understanding of the academic reading content and specic vocabulary. This is the perfect site to prepare you for those dreaded
IELTS and English prociency exams.

(30) Breaking News English (http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/)

Keep up to date with the latest thats going on in the world and improve your English at the same time. Choose your level and the news
story that interests you and read up on the latest. Youll also get a chance to build your vocabulary and improve your listening skills with all
the related interactive activities.

(31) Rong Chang (http://www.rong-chang.com/)

Are you interested in advancing your reading skills while learning about dierent cultures in other English speaking countries? Choose your
level and read some of the many interesting English articles specically written for ESL learners like you!

(32) The UNC Writing Centre (http://writingcenter.unc.edu/esl/resources/academic-readingstrategies/)

Forget the misleading name. This site oers you all the necessary hot reading tips to really become procient in your academic reading.
Youll no longer have to worry about falling behind with those endless reading lists your tutor gives you, because here youll nd all the info
you need to help you skim, scan, and even read between the lines.

(33) University of Washington |Bothell (http://www.bothell.washington.edu/wacc/forstudents/eslhandbook/reading)

Anyone can become a good reader in English. It doesnt matter what your current level is. With these invaluable tips and academic reading
Menu
strategies,
youll soon know how to read quickly and nd that all-important information you need without worrying about unknown words
and terms.

Speaking
You may think you dont need to improve your English speaking skills as much for university, but youre misguided. Speaking English is a
necessary skill to have. It will help you survive in the real world, integrate into university life, communicate with your professors, and help
you with your presentations.

(34) Talk English (http://www.talkenglish.com/)

One thing you need to perfect is your speaking. You might be able to hide the fact youre a non-native English speaker through your
reading, writing and listening skills, but youll give the game away as soon as you open your mouth if you havent mastered those endless
colloquialisms and idioms.
Talk English is the answer youve been looking for with over 9,000 audio les that covers topics from general English to more specic
business related scenarios. Youll be speaking like a native English speaker in no time.

(35) Open English World (http://www.openenglishworld.com/)

When you move to another country to study, youll need more than just academic English. Youll also need a decent amount of
conversational English to help you get by and integrate into society. Study and practise your conversation skills by listening to samples,
mimicking and practising everyday English through vocabulary exercises.
Speaking and communicating well in English will open up so many new doors for you, and of course make your life that little bit easier.

(36) Iteslj (http://iteslj.org/questions/)

Never run out of things to talk about again. Small talk and talking about everyday subjects is a big part of your English language skills, and
perfecting your speaking skills by practicing answering these questions and answers at home will take your English to the next level. There
are countless topics from Accidents in the home to Wishes.

(37) ESL Conversation Questions (http://www.eslconversationquestions.com/englishconversation-questions/topics/)

Have you ever been stuck when it comes to thinking of questions in English? If yes, this great site will help you out immensely. Youll never
be lost for words again in any situation whether its making small talk or speaking for a longer period of time.

(38) Heads Up English (http://www.headsupenglish.com/)

Speak freely about any topic in English with the help of this comprehensive English language site for speaking. Wow your friends, family
and colleagues and chat freely about anything under the sun from shopping to current aairs.

(39) Second Nature (http://2ndnature-online-eikaiwa.com/Expressions/TOC.htm)

Second Nature will get you speaking like a native English speaker in no time. We love the easy layout of the site, which guides you through a
number of modules. Read the conversations, practise them with your friends, and then take your understanding to the next level by
completing a number of online matching and comprehension activities.
If youre looking for a place to learn functional English such as declining, inviting and so on, Second Nature will give you everything you
need.

Menu

Pronunciation

Pronunciation work and drills are often overlooked when studying at university level. But the truth is, if you cant pronounce words properly
or you cant make yourself clear when speaking, it could lead to confusion and possibly even lower marks.

(40) Ted Power (http://www.tedpower.co.uk/phono.html)

Each nationality has its own problems when it comes to learning and perfecting pronunciation diculty problems. Ted Power recognises
these problems, and has divided its site into logical nationalities. Click on your language and practise the common pronunciation problems
associated with your mother tongue.

(41) The Internet TESL Journal (http://iteslj.org/links/ESL/Pronunciation/)

Access numerous pronunciation sites in just one click. Here youll nd a wealth of information that will help you master your English
pronunciation. There are a number of fun tongue twisters to the more traditional pronunciation drills for ESL learners. Take your pick and
start speaking like a native English speaker today.

(42) Sounds of English (http://www.soundsofenglish.org/)

This is probably one of the best pronunciation websites aimed at ESL learners. It provides you with a step-by-step guide as to how to
pronounce the numerous sounds in English. One of the greatest pronunciation diculties ESL learners face is the dierence between
contrasting pairs such as beat and bit.
Youll never have to worry again that your pronunciation isnt like a native English speaker with the plethora of video and audio les youll
nd here.

(43) Spoken Skills (http://www.spokenskills.com/index.cfm?

type=15&content=studentactivities)
Practise your spoken English skills and perfect your English pronunciation at the same time with the very specic pronunciation exercises
for vowel and consonant sounds. Go through the list on a regular basis and drill yourself while looking in the mirror dont worry about
looking silly, because at the end of the day, you want to sound as natural as possible.

(44) eLearning English (http://www.elearnenglishlanguage.com/blog/category/learnenglish/pronunciation/)

Once youve completed every pronunciation exercise from A to Z, youll surely be sounding more like a native English speaker. Speak with
clarity and condence, learn how to practise the past simple pronunciation and distinguish the dierence between voiced and unvoiced
sounds. Sounds complicated, doesnt it? Well, with this comprehensive site it isnt!

Vocabulary
You can never know too many words in English. The more you know, the richer your language will be, and youll nd every English skill that
much easier than before.

(45) Just the Word (http://www.just-the-word.com/)

Improve your vocabulary while learning which word is the right word to use in your writing. Its amazing how one word can change the
meaning of what you want to say, so this is your opportunity to get it right from the start.

(46) Lexipedia (http://www.lexipedia.com/)

Menu

Imagine typing in one word and bringing up an intricately colour-coded mind map of synonyms and near-related words. This is exactly what
this site oers. Its the perfect way to enrich your vocabulary while also improving your spoken and written English skills through using a
wider range of colourful vocabulary that will surely impress your critics.

(47) Wordnik (https://www.wordnik.com/word-of-the-day)

English would be so easy if it wasnt for the numerous meanings and false friends. This site will allow you to type in a word and see it
magically take many forms. Why stop at learning one meaning when you can learn them all? Trust us, its going to save you a lot of
embarrassment in the future, as youll no longer confuse the meanings of words. Once youve mastered this, youll be on the right path to
mastering the English language.

(48) Snappy Words (http://www.snappywords.com/)

Snappy Words lives up to its name. Youll be able to nd a plethora of associated words without even having to click. All youve got to do is
hover over the word of your choice, and youll instantly be inundated with a variety of meanings and uses.

(49) Vocabulary.com (http://www.vocabulary.com/)

Learning new vocabulary from dictionaries gets boring, and if were going to be completely honest about it, it isnt eective at all.
Vocabulary.com is super fun, relevant, and it will soon be a site you want to visit more and more. Its denitely more than a dictionary.

(50) Self-Study Vocabulary Quizzes (http://a4esl.org/q/h/vocabulary.html)

Students learn languages in dierent ways. Not everyone is the same. This is a great site for ESL learners who prefer to learn in the
traditional method through doing specic vocabulary quizzes and tests. There are hundreds of online vocabulary quizzes that you can
gradually work your way through. Learn basic opposites or test yourself more with more specic word groups such as analogies and
business expressions.

(51) Free Rice (http://freerice.com/category)

Learn and practise new vocabulary while feeding the world at the same time. This sponsored site is 100% free, and with every correct
vocabulary answer the organization donates a set amount of rice to a developing country. Topics dier, but they are all relevant to your
further studies with themes ranging from humanities to geography.

(52) ESL Gold (http://www.eslgold.com/acad_vocab_denitions.html)

Go for gold with these well-organised lists of academic words. Youll nd absolutely all the basic academic words needed to kick-start your
further education while picking up some great speaking tips at the same time such as how to speak with more uency and how to build
condence when speaking.

(53) Word Sift (http://wordsift.com/)

Word Sift is an awesome new online vocabulary generator that will help you learn and visualize new vocabulary in an easy way. Type in
your key word and learn a bunch of new connecting (or associated) words via an attractive mind map.

Listening
University is very dierent to school, and a lot of the time youll spend there will involve listening. Youll need to work on your listening skills
in English to understand and follow your lectures, so get cracking now and dont let yourself fall behind.

(54) Elllo (http://www.elllo.org/index.htm)

Menu

Follow real-life people talking about their lives and experiences studying and living in dierent countries. We love how authentic this site is
with the use of real people. The language is natural and the pauses are realistic. You can even click on a link afterwards and learn and
review any new vocabulary you came across while listening. This site not only is an excellent listening site, its also a great way to practice
your speaking, so grab a friend afterwards and chat using the new words and topics youll be amazed at how quickly you become uent in
English.

(55) ESL Pod (https://www.eslpod.com/website/)

One of the best ways to practice your listening skills is to do it through podcasts. ESL Pod is updated on a weekly basis with fresh material
that you can easily download to your mobile device or iPod. All it takes is a simple press of the button and youve downloaded a podcast.
There are topics to suit everyone. Choose something youre interested in or something more specic to your studies, listen, and do the
corresponding exercises.

(56) English Central (http://www.englishcentral.com/videos)

Heres a site that will inspire you to listen more. Based on a series of videos ranging in levels of diculties, youll be able to watch and listen
about dierent topics from parenting to the Internet and from wheelchair racers to the dierent colours of Mars. Its amazing that such a
great site is free; all you need to do is to register your email address and youre good to go.

(57) Listen and Write (http://www.listen-and-write.com/audio)

One of the main skills youll need to survive in an English university lecture is being able to listen and write at the same time. Its hard
enough doing it in your own language let alone another language, but if you regularly practise your listening skills via this news dictation
site, youll improve your listening and writing skills two-fold. Who said you couldnt multi-task in the lecture room?

(58) National Public Radio (NPR) (http://www.npr.org/)

Sometimes you just have to throw yourself in the deep end when it comes to practising and improving your English listening skills.
Authentic listening pieces are the best way to do this. It doesnt matter if you dont know and understand everything its a case of the
more you practise the better youll get. This site will connect you to a range of radio programs. Theres something for everyone from up-todate news bulletins to radio shows about the arts.

(59) Randalls Listening Lab (http://www.esl-lab.com/)

Youll nd almost any topic to listen to. Every day new topics are added to the corresponding levels, meaning youll never run out of
listening materials for ESL learners. The great thing is that you can relate to all the topics. Activate your schematic knowledge by doing a
few pre-listening activities rst then listen and follow up with a number of comprehension activities.

(60) English Listening (https://www.englishlistening.com/)

English Listening will allow you to explore and learn at the same time. If youve always wanted to get an idea of what youre listening level is
like, do the online test and determine your listening level in accordance to the common European framework.
The easy lter allows you to choose your level, what kind of English you want (British, American or global English), and the purpose of the
listening text, making this the perfect way to test and improve your English listening skills.

(61) BBC World Service (http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/)

The BBC is one of the most reputable news sources out there, and theyve made learning English as a Second language that much more
enjoyable with their news podcasts related to current news aimed at ESL students. This is a no-brainer if you want to listen to a broader
range of more authentic listening.

(62) English Class 101 (http://www.englishclass101.com/)

Sign up for a free account today and become a lifetime member to a series of podcasts aimed at the ESL learner. Regularly updated, youll
Menu
be
able to click on the podcast link youd like to listen to while following the PDF notes that go with each listening post. Youll pick up new
vocabulary specic to certain scenarios, and youll also improve your speaking skills.
But theres more. You can listen any time you want with the sites user-friendly mobile app, meaning youll no longer have an excuse not to
practise your English.

(63) ESL Aloud (http://ESL Aloud)

This site literally has 1000s of English language podcasts to choose from. Since its regularly updated, youll never run out of authentic
listening materials. Listen carefully how the speakers use their voices for intonation and pronunciation, and youll improve your English
skills in a number of areas.

Academic Skills
There are a number of academic skills youll need to acquire and perfect while studying at university. Youll need to learn how to surf the
web properly in English, brainstorm, use dictionaries, and cite your work appropriately. All of these can be overwhelming, but thankfully
today, there are a number of sites dedicated to developing your academic skills further.

(64) Uefap (http://www.uefap.com/)

When you get to uni, youll nd youre inundated with countless writing assignments this will be enough to send you over the edge. This
comprehensive site will help you perfect your academic skills no matter what your level is. Writing is a process, and this is something this
awesome site will help you understand.

(65) Write Fix (http://writex.com/)

As the name suggests, youll be able to x your writing (https://www.experteditor.com.au/book-editing/) and write like a native English
speaker in no time. Theres more to writing than just the standard 5-paragraph essay, and this academic writing site will help you explore
and ne-tune your various writing styles. Youll no longer cower in fear when faced with a complex graph for IELTS; instead youll tackle it
face on and be even more amazing than you already are.

(66)English Online France (EOLF) (http://eolf.univ-fcomte.fr/)

When it comes to writing and reading academic English, you might nd yourself in a bit of a panic. Impress your tutors right from the start
with your amazing writing skills. Youll soon master topic sentences, and if you dont know what these are, you soon will.

(67)The Academic World List at UoP

(http://www.pbs.plymouth.ac.uk/academicwordlistatuop/exercises_1.htm)
If you dont know the dierence between the various words that are appropriate and those that arent when it comes to academic writing
and reading, youll soon be able to bring yourself up to scratch with this comprehensive academic word list thats logically divided into
dierent topics.
But thats not all. Youll be able to test your knowledge in a fun way through various interactive English games, which also includes
crosswords youll love it!

(68) The Academic English Caf (http://www.academicenglishcafe.com/)

No matter what your English level is youll be able to practise at your own pace. Its all about interactivity with this site, so get on your
smartphone now and practice your essay writing skills in a fun way say goodbye to tedious English lectures on paragraphing, youll learn it
all here and in half the time.

(69)
MenuEnglish for University.com (http://englishforuniversity.com/)
If you havent discovered English for University yet, youre missing out. How is this site dierent from the rest? For starters, it was designed
and written by a university professor with people like you in mind. Here youll nd absolutely everything you need and more when it comes
to improving your English language skills specically for university.
There are even bonus sections telling you about life as a university student this really is the whole package!

(70) Prepare for Success (http://www.prepareforsuccess.org.uk/)

Imagine being able to have access to a wealth of interactive information about what life at university is really like. This amazing site must be
checked out if youre really keen on learning the ins and outs of being a university student in an English speaking country. Learn about the
dierences in university programs, how you can overcome those language barriers, how you can manage course work well without being
bogged down, and how to communicate with your course tutors theres very little advice this site doesnt oer when it comes to preparing
for success.

(71) Bib Me (http://www.bibme.org/)

Make your life a whole lot easier with this comprehensive guide to all the dierent citation styles. Read up or get some extra help this fun
and simple citation website will also do the dirty work for you. Simply ll in the necessary details, and it will cite it for you you wont have
to worry about being caught out not citing again!

(72) Cite This For Me Citation Guides (https://www.citethisforme.com/guides)

Choose to do it manually or do it automatically online the choice is yours. Your bibliographies will be perfect, and youll have your course
tutors falling all over you with your meticulous referencing skills.

(73) Ref Me (https://www.refme.com/)

As the name suggests, this site will help you cite in style awlessly. All youve got to do is tap in the relevant information and the website will
do it all for you. Simply sign up with Facebook and the rest is history.

(74) Cite U Like (http://www.citeulike.org/)

Cite U Like generates your citations for you, but thats not all. The cloud storage addition also allows you to record and save any citation you
nd online in the style you want. Who said academic citing was tricky?

(75) Easy Bib (http://www.easybib.com/)

It doesnt matter whether youre citing a website, a book, a journal, a newspaper, or something else, Easy Bib has got your back. Put in the
info, sit back, and your computer will do all the work without you having to worry about putting things in alphabetical order or worrying
about whether you use a comma or a full stop it doesnt get much easier than this!

Dictionaries
Youll soon discover that dictionaries will be your new best friends at university. Perhaps youve always just relied on Google translate in the
past, but at university this isnt enough, especially since Google translate often doesnt take things into context. Dont mistake words again
and use some of these reliable dictionaries that are perfect for ESL university students.

(76) The Oxford Learners Dictionary (http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/)

The Oxford Learners Dictionary is up there with one of the most simple and comprehensive dictionaries for ESL learners. While it doesnt
Menuon academic English, youll be able to nd everything else here. Learn a multitude of words on a daily basis or look up that word
touch
thats been bugging you. The sites super easy to use, and if you want, simply click on the word for the right pronunciation.

(77) Longmans Contemporary Dictionary (http://www.ldoceonline.com/)

Like any language, the English language is forever changing, and every year hundreds of new words are added to our standard vocabulary.
Keep up to date with the latest language and usage, and nd the right relevant word that ts your needs.

(78) Dictionary of Idioms (http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/)

Did you know there are over 4,000 idioms in English? Its said you wont ever master a language completely until you understand and can
use the languages idioms and colloquialisms rst. This comprehensive idiom reference will put you on the right track.

(79) Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs (http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/phrasal-verbs/)

If knowing prepositions wasnt hard enough, try mastering phrasal verbs. Show your professors and peers that you know English well by
using this everyday language naturally. Its bound to make life much easier, and youll also be able to rene your writing skills, knowing
when you should and shouldnt use phrasal verbs (heres a hintnot in your essays)!

(80) The Visual Dictionary (http://visual.merriam-webster.com/index.php)

They say a pictures worth a thousand wordsand this is exactly what this dictionary does. It has thousands of terms and words you need
to know, but with labeled pictures accompanying them. Divided into topics and sub-topics, youll be able to nd the word you want and
nally connect it to its image.

(81) Merriam-Webster (http://www.merriam-webster.com/)

Write in the word or phrase you want and get a list of denitions and examples. This learners dictionary has been designed with the ESL
learner in mind, so both the denition and example are clear-cut.

(82) Cambridge Online Dictionary (http://dictionary.cambridge.org/)

Woah, heres a dictionary that has it all. From everyday English colloquialisms to specic academic English terms, youll be able to nd the
word or phrase youre looking for. Learn where the word comes from (if thats your cup of tea) or nd the closest synonym to spice up your
writing.

(83) Ozdic (http://www.ozdic.com/)

Fool everyone else into thinking youre a native English speaker by using collocations correctly in English. If you want to sound like a natural
English speaker, collocations are an all-important building block to get there. With over 150,000 collocations listed, this easy-to-use site will
keep you busy for hours on end. If youre doing your Cambridge English or IELTS exams, this site will prove to be invaluable.

(84) Dictionary.com (http://dictionary.com)

If youre not already familiar with dictionary.com, youre about to discover that this online dictionary is not only a dictionary, its also a
comprehensive thesaurus. Give yourself a daily challenge with the dictionary.com word of the day, and youll soon rival your native Englishspeaking friends when it comes to vocabulary knowledge and usage.

General Academic Research

The Internet is full of useful and useless information. Some of its credible, and some of it is questionable. Be sure you nd real academic
articles from credible sources so you dont fall into the trap of pulling any old document for review and writing a poorly researched or
contradictory assignment.

(85) Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com.au/)

Menu

Google just got a whole lot smarter. Now you can research articles or case studies on a specic topic, and be guaranteed valuable texts to
work with instead of having to sift through pages and pages of unrelated texts. If this impresses you, youll be even more impressed with
the fact that you can save your articles to your own personal online library for future reference and even your citations.

(86) Scholarpedia (http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Main_Page)

Are you looking for a reliable academic article on a specic topic? Scholarpedia has a wealth of knowledge from esteemed professors and
academics from around the world. There are so many articles it will be hard not to nd what youre looking for. And unlike many other
academic research sites, this one is regularly updated, so youre guaranteed the latest research on your topic of choice.

(87) Bartleby (http://www.bartleby.com/)

To be or not to be, that is the question and the answer of course is to be, well it is with this awesome academic reference site. Use it to
pull up some amazingly cool quotes that will knock the socks o your professors or nd some more in-depth material about a specic
topic.

(88) Virtual Training Suite (http://www.vtstutorials.ac.uk/)

You know how to use the Internet, but do you know how to use it eectively for research purposes? This amazing online tutorial designed
for non-native speakers of English will take you on a free guided tour and show you how you can research specic topics in English. Its
worth checking out. It will save you a whole lot of time and stress in the future, and youre bound to get your assignment right from the get
go.

IELTS
Every foreign student studying in the UK will be required to prove his or her level of English. This can be done in two ways. You have to
either prove you have studied at secondary school in English or youll have to take an English measurement exam, which will test your level
of English in a range of bands. It really depends on which course youll be taking as to which band youll require, but as a rule of thumb
most universities require between 6.5-7.5 out of 9.

(89) The British Council (https://ielts.britishcouncil.org/)

This is the ocial site for IELTS resources, so you can be guaranteed there are no fakes and the information is the real deal. Practice the
Menu skills in isolation or take a few practice tests online and see how you do. Keep in mind your target band score and work with that as
various
your number one goal! And if youre really up for it, you can book your IELTS test online as well, but make sure youre ready rst!

(90) IELTS Exam (http://www.ielts.org/)

What IELTS band do you need to get into your desired university course? Figure it out and set your target today, and work towards it with
this site. Theres an overwhelming amount of IELTS practice information for both the general and academic IELTS exam.

(91) Collins (http://www.collins.co.uk/page/Free+Teaching+Resources+for+IELTS)

The ocial Collins site will help you prepare for IELTS and help you become more condent in every task you do. Learn about the various
skills needed for the IELTS exam, and instead of wasting money on an IELTS course, teach yourself, because this is one IELTS site that really
does cover it all.

(92) The IELTS Blog (http://www.ielts-blog.com/)

Have you ever wondered what a band 5 writing looks like in IELTS? Now you can with this up-to-date IELTS blog. You will be able to read
through REAL IELTS essays and see the band mark they scored and why. Measure yourself against the samples and aim high, because at
the end of the day, your academic writing skills need to be impeccable when studying at university.

(93) Flo Joes (http://www.o-joe.com/)

When it comes to studying for any Cambridge examination Flo Joes probably has the most up-to-date relevant information to help you
study, and this includes the dreaded IELTS exam you need to sit in order to be accepted onto your course. Theyll guide you little by little in
what you need to do to up your game to get a high band mark in the IELTS exam, starting with learning topic vocabulary for academic
purposes through to the strict writing process.

(94) ESL About (http://esl.about.com/)

Learn everything you need to know about the IELTS exam. Why get a 6 when you can get a band 8 in IELTS? Read the blogs, study the tips,
and do the practice IELTS exams online for free, and you can rest assured youll be fully prepared.

(95) Parapal Online (http://www.parapal-online.co.uk/)

Sometimes its a great idea to read other samples of writing. This way youll know whats expected of you and what standard youre aiming
for. This website has every type of essay found in both the general and academic IELTS exam. Read essays on various topics from
descriptions of graphs to cause and eect essays. Theres more to writing than just writing reading will help you too!

(96) IELTS Buddy (http://www.ieltsbuddy.com/)

Prepare for your IELTS exam today with this comprehensive free guide that will help you practise all the IELTS sections from reading
through to speaking. Take on the great tips, and when you feel ready, do a few of the practice IELTS exams to see if youre up to scratch.

(97) Exam English (http://www.examenglish.com/IELTS/)

If you have to take an English exam for some reason or other whether its IELTS, TOEFL, FCE, or EDEXEL, youll be able to learn everything
you need to know right here. Learn about what the test actually involves, how much time you have, and take away a few great exam tips to
fully prepare you for the big day.

(98) IELTS for Free (http://ieltsforfree.com/)

There are many IELTS websites claiming to be free when theyre not. But this one actually is. Once youve practised all your IELTS skills
individually, youll be ready to take a few practice IELTS exams to ensure you know everything you need to know. This site has a range of full
IELTS exams that will help you get used to doing the exam in the right amount of time to ensure you get the band you want in the end.

(99) Road to IELTS (http://www.roadtoielts.com/testdrive/)

Your journey towards achieving your goal will become a lot easier with this app you can easily download to your device for free from
Google play store. Practise the dierent skills necessary for IELTS through over 300 interactive activities, and once youre ready, set yourself
the challenge of completing a few exams in the allocated time.

(100) Test Prep Practice (http://www.testpreppractice.net/)

Choose to practise the dierent sections of the IELTS exam alone or do the test in full it doesnt matter. This site has a range of interactive
activities that cover all the themes and topics youre likely to meet when sitting your IELTS exam. Youll even get a detailed score analysis
once youve completed everything you need to, so youll know which areas need further work before doing the real thing!

(101) IELTS Calculator

(http://www.examenglish.com/IELTS/IELTS_Band_Score_Calculator.html)
The dierent areas of the IELTS exam are measured dierently. If you want to work out which IELTS band mark youre currently sitting on,
plug in your individual scores for an accurate overall calculation.

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