First of all you want to know where you stand. Take this vocabulary test and find out your score and a description of your level in comparison with native speakers and speakers around the world.
TIP: Write down your score and do the test again in 6 months and in 1 year. If you are working on your English, there is no way that number wouldn’t increase. The more you surround yourself with natural English, the higher the number will be. All you need is – focus!
2. Bab.la – largest online dictionary and more. All words are shown in context in many example sentences which are also translated! You don’t see that anywhere else online. Pronunciation included. This is an incredibly promising website as apart from the dictionary they have other tools which are superbly handled.
TIP: Check out their Phrases section, Vocab learning section (with flashcards) or Quiz section. Can’t wait for their mobile version!
3. Fraze.it – words in context
You need to learn words in context. Not from a notebook with lists full of unrelated words but on flashcards/post-it notes with example sentences. But where do you find such example sentences? You can go to a dictionary OR you can use Fraze.it! The web application lists hundreds of sentences from NewYork Times, The Economist, CNN and other news sources to show how words and phrases are used in real language.
TIP: Use the filter on the right to choose whether your word appears at the beginning or the end of the sentence (Rule) or in which tense (Tense) and context it’s used (Context). And you can scroll down to find the word’s synonyms.
4. Ozdic – collocations dictionary
A collocation is a fixed expression of two or more words that go together, like “fast food” or “go to bed”. A collocations dictionary is thus very useful if you want to know which words go together, e.g. with the word “choice”.
TIP: This is particularly useful for bloggers and those who need to write more complicated texts in English, such as essays, business proposals or presentations.
5. Lyrics Training – recognize words in songs
If you like music and have been learning a lot of English from songs, you’ll love this website. You find a song and your level and you play the song. You must fill in the missing words, depending on your chosen level, where 10%, 25%, 50% or 100% of the words are missing. It’s perfect for your listening skills as they don’t let you listen further until you guess the word correctly (you do have an option to click the “Give up” button though).
TIP: Work with at least 5 songs per week and watch your English improve.
