ESL/EFL Website Reviews

Description
This site by The Internet TESL Journal uses simple design and is easy to navigate. It claims to have over 1000 activities, organised in three ways: according to category (grammar, vocabulary, crosswords); by browser requirements (HTML-only, JavaScript, Flash); and for bi-lingual quizzes. Some activities are not grammatical in nature, and cover interest areas such as science, celebrations, cultures and job skills. Activities provide a score and show the correct answer after each attempt at a question. Other options take visitors to Web links and ideas for teachers.

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Description
This site is designed for students who have had limited or no formal English composition training and who have achieved TOEFL scores of 500 or more. Instructions are provided on the following essay styles: giving instructions; cause/effect; comparison/contrast; persuasion; and research papers. Professional and student examples are also given for each style. Further information and quizzes are provided on correct sentence structure, how to write and use adjective clauses, appositives, and topic sentences, and correct use of parallel structure and subject/verb agreements. There are links to present and past student Web sites, free books and other related sites.

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Description
EnglishClub.com is easy to navigate. Visitors can select from options explaining grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation as well as how to improve in four macroskills. There are interactive quizzes and games as well as jokes, information on ESL/EFL tests, a forum and chat room (using ChatSpace). Visitors can sign up to a penpal list and a free e-magazine can be sent to them via e-mail. It contains lessons, quizzes, tips, articles, games, letters and news. Other options include English for Business, English for Kids, English Study Abroad and English Resources.

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Description
This site provides on-line exercises involving grammar and dictation, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and miscellaneous exercises. The exercises provide solutions after answers are attempted, while some also provide users with scores. The lessons may be selected according to level, by subject and also by exercise type. Some activities provide hints to answers. This site also contains an option to reproduce handouts covering areas of text writing, grammar and dictation, vocabulary, and miscellaneous exercises such as a speed-spelling quiz. The ESL Internet Tour shows a list of English language learning and teaching sites.

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Description
Upon entering English Forum, Visitors are confronted with numerous options and information. The blue boxes in the centre of the page contain choices specifically for ESL/EFL students and teachers. There is a student message board, interactive exercises covering grammar, vocabulary and idioms, where immediate feedback is provided in the form of a score, incorrect and correct choices, and information concerning specific questions. Visitors can double click on any vocabulary item to access that word in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. They can also view an international English language schools guide and book catalogues. Links take visitors to interactive activities from English International and Internet TESL Journal, and other sites containing resources, job listings, schools, exams, and reference books.

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Description
Dave's ESL Cafe has simple design features and easy-to-use functions. Student Forums, Teacher Forums and a Job Centre are available from the main menu. Options for ESL activities and quizzes covering the four macroskills and grammar and vocabulary are provided. Pronunciation activities require QuickTime. After completing a language quiz, incorrect and correct choices, and a final score are shown. Students may also participate in numerous discussions, covering cinema, TOEFL, sports, family, health and fitness, music and science. Teachers may participate in discussion forums and some teachers are available to answer questions at the 'Help Center'. Navigators may also find answers to 'Frequently Asked Questions', go to 'Chat Central', a bookstore, and view quotes and slang.

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Description
The ESL Cyber Listening Lab contains numerous quizzes in 'general quizzes', 'quizzes for academic purposes', 'long conversations', or 'short listening exercises', and visitors can select their level. Either Basic RealPlayer or Divace must be installed in order to listen to audio files, however listening task scripts are also available. Each activity prompts students to read pre-listening questions and then to click on the audio component. After listening to the dialogue or story, students complete a number of quizzes testing vocabulary, and general listening comprehension. The answers are assessed and a score provided. Some activities contain post-listening tasks and explanations to answers. There are links to bulletin boards and a voice mailbox, among others.

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Description
Grammar Bytes is an easy-to-follow site, providing visitors with interactive grammar activities, options to print 'handouts' and view an index of grammar terms and their associated rules. The activities are focussed on beginning to intermediate students, however the associated explanations and rules may be incomprehensible for beginning students. Upon answering an on-line activity, an immediate response indicates a correct or incorrect answer choice, with options for the grammar rule to be explained or an option to try again if incorrect.

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Description
A comprehensive list of grammatical terms with detailed explanations and numerous associated quizzes are found at this grammar and writing site. Grammatical explanations can be searched at the word, sentence or paragraph level, and even at the essay and research paper level. Upon completing one of interactive quizzes, immediate feedback with correct and incorrect responses is provided. Visitors can view PowerPoint presentations of various grammar explanations and examples, while a guest book and a grammar poll are also supplied. Links are provided to dictionaries, thesauruses, magazines, newspapers, and other language learning Web sites.

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