ESL Online Resources

ESL Guide to Resources - Capilano University Library
Dictionaries
Grammar
Listening
Pronunciation
Reading
Vocabulary
Writing
Other ESL Links
Vancouver and British Columbia Links

DICTIONARIES

http://www.dictionary.com – Dictionary.com

Type in an English word and get definitions from a number of English dictionaries. It also has a thesaurus (for synonyms), translation dictionaries, and daily crosswords and word search puzzles.

http://pewebdic2.cw.idm.fr/ - Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

This ESL dictionary is a limited-feature version of the CD ROM; includes suggested headwords, sample sentences and pictures

http://www.m-w.com/ - Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

References the print version of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition; includes audio clips, pronunciation symbols, etymology and a thesaurus; can also reference geographical and biographical names, foreign words, phrases and abbreviations

http://www.oxfordadvancedlearnersdictionary.com/ - Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Based on the paperback dictionary for ESL students, the online version provides pronunciation and a sample sentence

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GRAMMAR

http://a4esl.org/ - Activities for ESL Students

Over 1,000 activities to help students learn English as a second language, including crossword puzzles and quizzes for grammar, vocabulary, idioms, slang, phrasal verbs, and much more.

http://ww2.college-em.qc.ca/prof/epritchard/ - ESL Blues

Grammar, reading and vocabulary exercises for pre-intermediate to high intermediate level students.

http://www.eslpartyland.com/ - Karin's ESL Party Land

A collection of activities, games and quizzes on grammar, vocabulary, idioms, slang and phrasal verbs, plus chat rooms and discussion forums.

http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/esl-english-grammar-exercises.html - LearnEnglishFeelGood.com

Contains a variety of online ESL grammar quizzes/tests

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LISTENING

http://a4esl.org/p/ - Activities for ESL Students

Contains links to various podcasts for ESL students and native English speakers; some cover the news and include transcripts

http://www.cbc.ca/ottawa/esl/index.html - CBC - ESL

Contains Canadian news stories from CBC's Television and Radio archives; watch videos, listen to audio clips, read transcripts, answer interactive questions and explore external resources about each topic

http://www.cbc.ca/ - CBC Radio and TV

Contains current Canadian and international news from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Read text, listen to audio clips from CBC radio, and watch video clips from CBC TV.

http://www.eslpod.com/ - ESLPod

Podcasts are organized by category; ESL podcasts are spoken at a slower rate and explanations are provided; topics and key words can be listed in the ESL category; other podcast categories may contain transcripts with key words emphasized

http://www.esl-lab.com/ - Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab

A variety of listening activities, including stories, conversations and lectures, for beginner to advanced level students.

http://www.voiceprintcanada.com/content/view/176/112/ - VoicePrint

Articles from newspapers such as the Vancouver Sun are read aloud

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PRONUNCIATON

http://iteslj.org/links/ESL/Pronunciation/ - The Internet TESL Journal

Contains various ESL pronunciation links

http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/ - Phonetics Flash Animation Project

Contains phonetic sounds of English with animated diagrams, steps, video and audio

http://www.manythings.org/e/pronunciation.html- Interesting Things for ESL Students

Pronunciation practice using minimal pairs

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READING

http://www.cbc.ca/ottawa/esl/index.html - CBC - ESL

http://www.cbc.ca/ - CBC Radio and TV

Contains current Canadian and international news from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Read text, listen to audio clips from CBC radio, and watch video clips from CBC TV.

http://www.uefap.com/reading/readfram.htm - Using English for Academic Purposes

Contains information on reading, note-taking, paraphrasing, scanning, skimming, summarizing and text structure/organization; exercises are provided

http://www.westcoastreader.ca/ - The Westcoast Reader

http://bestofthereader.ca/ - Best of the Reader

Online version of the newspaper for ESL readers; published by Capilano University

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VOCABULARY

http://www.academicvocabularyexercises.com/- The Academic Word List (AWL)

Contains 150 gap-fill exercises using high frequency vocabulary in different contexts found in academic texts and popular media; useful for students improving their understanding of academic vocabulary in various academic subjects and in popular media: television, movies, magazines and newspapers

http://www.manythings.org/e/vocabulary.html- Interesting Things for ESL Students

Includes many quizzes, games, slang, proverbs, and a number of different kinds of word puzzles to help students learn vocabulary.

http://a4esl.org/q/h/vocabulary.html - Self-Study English Vocabulary Quizzes

Quizzes are organized according to level

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WRITING

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar - Guide to Grammar and Writing

Covers the writing process, grammar, structure and organization; includes over 170 interactive grammar quizzes

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_paraphrEX1.html - OWL Practice Exercises in Paraphrasing

http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/sensen/ - Sentence Sense

Four sections cover grammar, common sentence errors, writing and resources

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OTHER ESL LINKS

http://www.aitech.ac.jp/~iteslj/links/ - A Huge Collection of ESL Links

A superb collection of interesting links for ESL students and teachers, frequently maintained by The Internet TESL Journal.

http://www.eslcafe.com/ - Dave's ESL Cafe

A huge ESL web site, including grammar, idioms, phrasal verbs, slang, quizzes, chat rooms, discussion forums, and more.

http://goenglish.com/Index.asp - English Idioms

A variety of English idioms with explanations and examples.

http://www.idiomquest.com/ - Idiom Quest

Idioms are defined and include a sample sentence, language translation and context (e.g. ESL, business or call centre) ; searches can be performed by root meaning, semantic, context or category

http://www.online-college-reviews.com/resources/online-esl-help-resource-center/ - Online ESL Help Resource Center

A comprehensive list of ESL resources for teachers and students covering pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and other competencies; includes ESL organizations and associations

http://www.toefl.org/ - TOEFL

The official web site for Test of English as a Foreign Language programs and services.

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VANCOUVER AND BRITISH COLUMBIA LINKS

ATTRACTIONS AND EVENTS

http://www.hellobc.com/ - B.C. tourist information

What to do and what to see in British Columbia

http://www.findfamilyfun.com/ - Find Family Fun in Vancouver

Contains an alphabetical list of activities in Vancouver, monthly special events and the top picks; search activities by region

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CITY AND LIBRARY INFORMATION

http://www.cnv.org/ - City of North Vancouver

Maps, park locations, and community events in the city of North Vancouver

http://www.northvanrec.com/ - Recreation centres in North Vancouver

Swimming, ice skating, fitness, and arts and crafts classes at recreation centres in North Vancouver.

http://www.nvdpl.north-van.bc.ca/ - North Vancouver District libraries

Online catalogue and locations of North Vancouver District libraries

http://www.vpl.ca/ - Vancouver Public Library

Vancouver's largest library; website lists all Vancouver branches with hours of operation

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LOCAL NEWSPAPAPERS

http://www.straight.com/ - Georgia Straight

Weekly periodical covering Vancouver news, arts, culture and entertainment

http://www.nsnews.com/ - North Shore News

Online version of North Shore News newspaper

http://www.vancouversun.com/ - Vancouver Sun

Online version of The Vancouver Sun

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TRANSPORTATION AND MAP LINKS

http://www.bcferries.bc.ca/ - BC Ferries

Contains ferry fares and schedules

http://www.translink.bc.ca/ - Translink

Contains general transit information including schedules for buses, Skytrain and Seabus

http://www.bctransit.com/ - BC Transit

Contains links to BC public transit throughout the province including Vancouver Island

http://maps.google.ca/ - Google Maps