Online Resources

The following resources are suggestions for websites and applications you can use on your own to improve various components of spoken language. There are, of course, hundreds of other resources available on the internet.

If you have a suggestion for a great resource that is not included in this list, please email your suggestion to juliana_pybus@ncsu.edu.

Internet Browser Extensions

  • Language Immersion: Translates random portions of a webpage into English (can set the amount of text to translate based on your competencies); works as a Google Chrome extension
  • Lingua.ly: Allows you to define and collect new vocab words while reading articles/text online

Mobile Smartphone Apps

  • HelloTalk: Allows you to text (for free) speakers around the world
  • DuoLingo: Award-winning language-learning program, primarily for a beginning to low-intermediate level.
  • iTalki: Skype/video chat with speakers around the world

Vocabulary Practice

  • Ludwig: Search engine for vocabulary words and phrases that provides the definition and examples of the word/phrase in multiple real-world contexts
  • Quizlet: Flash card program that helps you study vocabulary (with a companion mobile app)
  • Memrise: Flash card study program; customizable or pre-made vocabulary lists
  • Academic words: Flash card set of common academic words
  • Short Vocabulary Exercises for Common Topics: PDF worksheets for vocabulary on certain topics, with the answer key at the end

Pronunciation Practice

  • American English Pronunciation Practice: Various mp3 samples of spoken language, with a focus on consonant and vowel sounds
  • English Sounds: “Rachel’s English” blog, with a full section on how to make English sounds
  • Pronuncian: Podcast providing explanations of and exercises for pronunciation, and stress and intonation patterns
  • Intonation: Short videos explaining English intonation
  • Daily Pronunciation Practice: Each day, this site features 5-6 sentences with audio of the common pronunciation and intonation

Listening Practice

  • Voice of America Special News Reports: News reports about current issues, delivered at a slower pace and with English subtitles
  • This American Life Podcast: A full-length, weekly podcast in regular spoken English, with transcripts provided
  • This is America: Audio recordings with written transcripts about a given topic in U.S. culture. The recordings are read at a slower pace than normal spoken English
  • TED and TEDed: Presentations and short videos about various topics, with transcripts provided. Many of the TEDed videos include brief listening comprehension quizzes

Grammar Practice

  • Study English for Free: A comprehensive website with grammar explanations, vocabulary help, and tests/quizzes
  • Grammar Quizzes: A variety of quizzes to use self-directedly to improve your skills in various grammar areas
  • English Phrasal Verbs: Searchable database of phrasal verbs in English (e.g. “see through,” “go over”)
  • English Irregular Verbs: Alphabetized list of common irregular verbs in English, with irregular conjugations
  • Articles: When to use a/an/the with nouns

Idiom Practice