Additional Resources

Please use and consult the following on-campus and online resources to help you succeed both in this course and during your time at NC State!

Campus Resources

Raleigh-area Resources

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 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
  • Google Translate: Uses the Google Translate feature to translate any text
  • Lingua.ly: Allows you to define and collect new vocab words while reading articles/text online
Mobile Apps
  • HelloTalk: Allows you to text (for free) speakers around the world
  • iTalki: Skype/video chat with speakers around the world
Vocabulary
  • Ludwig.guru: Dictionary that includes examples from real online contexts, both popular and academic.
  • Anki: Flash card program that helps you study vocabulary
  • 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
  • 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
Listening
  • This American Life: Weekly podcast that features stories about life and events in the U.S.
  • Voice of America Special News Reports: News reports about current issues, delivered at a slower pace and with English subtitles (the most recent report is from 2012; VOA stopped this version of its reports).
  • 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.
  • TEDed: Short videos about various topics; many of the videos include brief listening comprehension quizzes.  
Grammar
Idioms