|
Online Resources for Students of English as a Second Language |
Students learning English are in luck on the Web. Many sites are available to explain specific language matters, answer questions, put you in touch with other English learners, and provide games and activities to strengthen your confidence and knowledge. Here are some starting points: - Elaine Khoo has compiled an excellent set of resources for the U of T at Scarborough program in English Language Development. See especially her files on vocabulary building.
- Online concordancers search for specific words or phrases from databases of actual English usage. They can be used to check for usage patterns such as the choice of preposition or the use of modal verbs for particular shades of meaning. These ones are free of charge -- try them out for yourself, or ask your instructor for guidance on using them well. (For instructors: a detailed set of guidelines and comments is available on request.)
- To get a sense of the rhythm, speed and "melody" of English conversation, try Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab. It lets you listen to English conversations while reading captions, then answer questions to test your understanding. You need speakers or a headset for your computer, but you can download a free audio program to create the sound.
- Meet other people at Dave's ESL Cafe. Dave Sperling of California State University, Northridge, provides a place for students and instructors to talk via e-mail. The menu also includes practical tips, questions and answers, samples of student writing, and information about other resources.
- schMOOze University (really the International English Language Institute at Hunter College, City University of New York) is another online centre where you can "talk" with other ESL learners in real time..
- Rong-Chang Li's site called English as a Second Language offers a huge range of links to other online sources for learning English
- Try the Interactive Activities at Internet TESL Journal.
|
