No, I'm not going to mention Duolingo
In the rapidly evolving field of educational technology, English language learners now have access to a wide array of sophisticated tools designed to enhance their language acquisition process. I’m going to take a quick overview on some lesser-know EdTech tools that are particularly beneficial for advanced English language learners and educators in the field.
Lextutor is a comprehensive suite of tools for vocabulary analysis and development. It offers features such as vocabulary profilers, which break down texts into frequency bands, helping learners identify and focus on higher-level vocabulary. The concordancer tool allows users to see how words are used in context across various corpora, enhancing understanding of nuanced language use.
Writefull is an AI-powered writing tool specifically designed for academic and professional writing. It provides language suggestions based on analysis of large corpora of academic texts, helping learners improve their academic writing style and use field-specific terminology accurately.
If you haven’t used this before, prepare to be amazed! Youglish utilises YouTube videos to provide authentic examples of English pronunciation and usage. Users can search for specific words or phrases and see how they are pronounced in various contexts and accents, making it an invaluable tool for improving listening comprehension and pronunciation.
SkELL provides learners with access to large corpora of English texts, allowing them to explore word usage, collocations, and grammatical patterns. This tool is especially valuable for advanced learners looking to fine-tune their understanding of natural language use.
This tool allows learners to input text and highlights words from the Academic Word List, helping students focus on vocabulary that is crucial for academic success. It’s particularly useful for learners preparing for university studies in English-speaking countries or engaging with academic literature.
These are just some of the many advanced EdTech tools on offer for English language learners. They allow learners to use a range of sophisticated methods to enhance their language skills beyond basic vocabulary and grammar thereby supercharging their self-study. By focusing on aspects such as academic writing, corpus linguistics, and authentic language use, these tools cater to the needs of learners aiming for high-level English proficiency in academic or professional contexts.
As the field of educational technology continues to evolve, it is crucial for both learners and educators to stay informed about these innovative resources. This is the same message I mention in nearly all of my talks. It is vital as educators that we are at least aware but ideally we should be enchancing our classes and the learning experience by integrating these tools into their language learning strategies, advanced learners can more effectively navigate the complexities of the English language and achieve their linguistic goals.