Home | Global Digital Citizen Foundation English Language Resources from Macmillan Dictionary After the success of Real Grammar – a series where we discussed 10 grammar topics that people are often uncertain about – we are now opening up the debate with Real Vocabulary. As part of this Real Vocabulary series, we are welcoming Scott Thornbury, author of An A-Z of ELT, Beyond the Sentence and Uncovering Grammar. In his 10-part video collection, he will discuss common misconceptions about certain vocabulary questions, such as “When do you say awesome” and “Can you grow a company?”. In these videos, Scott will explain whether these usages are acceptable. Over on the blog, Editor-in-Chief Michael Rundell will follow up each video with a post about a similar topic, explaining which vocabulary ‘rules’ should be followed – or ignored. Scroll down to watch the first videos and read the accompanying blog post. Quiz An introduction to Real Vocabulary In this video, Scott Thornbury introduces Real Vocabulary and explains what this new series will be about. Welcome to Real Vocabulary Can I get…?
WordNet Augmented Reality in English Language learning | ELT MATERIALS I recently attended Interfacing with Public Space: Embodied language learning with mobile technologies a workshop delivered by Paul Driver who is an educational technologist and co-author of Language Learning with Digital Video series. During the workshop I got introduced with a free augmented reality application Aurasma and how it is used to create and design learning materials for classes. Augmented Reality (AR) is defined as ”a variation of Virtual Environments (VE), which allows the user to see the real world, with virtual objects superimposed upon or composited with the real world.” AR-based mobile learning material helps engage learners in numerous learning activities. The students were asked to introduce their campus. ( The above picture is taken from Liu & Tsai study: shows the AR application) He et al. (2014) designed and used augmented reality application to promote pre-schools efl kids vocabulary. You can check what Paul Driver did with AR in his classroom. References
Spelling guide Why is English spelling so difficult? Many languages don't have a word for "spell". In Spanish and Italian, for example, it is almost a meaningless concept, because the way words are written corresponds exactly to the way they sound. It's this mismatch between what we say and how the words are written that makes spelling in English such a challenge. A bit of history A good place to start is knowing some language history. Germanic words Old English was a Germanic language and most of our basic vocabulary comes from here – words like head, house, cold, and eat. Latin and Greek words Words from these classical European languages first came into English with the Norman conquest, and there was another big influx at the time of the Renaissance. Loanwords from other languages English has always borrowed words from other languages, such as bungalow (from Hindi), ketchup (Chinese) and graffiti (Italian). As we will see later, a word's origins will often affect the way it is spelled. Very long words
Infoplease.com Cool Tools for School | Its all about the learning! English Language Resources from Macmillan Dictionary We frequently create unique English language resources from our dictionary content. These resources are designed to help make the information on macmillandictionary.com more accessible to English language learners. Using all of our expertise in the area of language learning, we create educational material that is both unique and entertaining. Keep your eyes on this page. New resources will be added regularly! Red Words & Stars pack The Red Words and Stars are one of Macmillan Dictionary's most popular features. download the pack Classroom poster Get your hands on the new Macmillan Dictionary classroom poster that includes a grammar and vocabulary quiz. download the poster download quiz answers Watch Michael's webinar on Top Tips for Building Vocabulary Did you know that you can do a lot more with dictionaries than searching for definitions? download the presentation Do the Trending Words of 2015 Quiz! Are you up to scratch with the latest lingo? Infographics BuzzWords quiz Real Grammar Pragmatics
hyperDictionary Learning First, Technology Second The Educator’s Guide to Designing Authentic Lessons By Liz Kolb By Liz Kolb Learning with technology doesn’t happen because a specific tool “revolutionizes” education. It happens when proven teaching strategies intersect with technology tools, and yet it’s not uncommon for teachers to use a tool because it’s “fun” or because the developer promises it will help students learn. Learning First, Technology Second offers teachers the professional learning they need to move from arbitrary uses of technology in their classrooms to thoughtful ways of adding value to student learning. This book includes: About the Author Liz Kolb is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan. Media Reviews Kolb’s Triple E Framework is an excellent tool for helping teachers focus on using technology to support learning and not just using technology for its own sake.
Free Dictionary Toolbar | English Dictionary Gadget | Plugins | from Macmillan Dictionary We provide a selection of ways to enable quick access to definitions directly from your browser or webpage. You can use our free dictionary toolbar in your browser to search the dictionary direct. And you can enhance your website by allowing your users to find definitions with our English dictionary gadget or our double click dictionary plugin. Since launch in 2009, we have established partnerships with a number of organizations in the fields of media, education, general reference and charity work. If you wish to power a large website or intranet with a customized version of the Macmillan Dictionary, please contact us by clicking here. There is also an API available for developers interested in using the data within their own applications or websites – further information can be found here. Share At the top and bottom of each entry, you will see buttons allowing you to link your community site profile to the entry. Free Dictionary Toolbar for Browsers Get your free dictionary toolbar
Cobuild To meet the needs of people learning English, Reverso offers a free English dictionary that goes far beyond what a normal monolingual dictionary or thesaurus can provide by explaining the use of words and phrases in natural language and providing real-life examples. This English dictionary for learners features definitions written in language that is easy to understand, examples taken from actual texts and conversations, and explanations of grammar. See the latest user contributions to the English dictionary and add your own: To add entries to your own vocabulary, become a member of Reverso community or login if you are already a member.It's easy and only takes a few seconds: How to take part: Add words and phrases and their definition or synonyms Comment on an English definition submitted by other users Vote for or against the synonyms and definitions of English words » Contribute Help us write our English dictionary A wide-ranging dictionary lookup tool »See more
Why Schools Should Be Wary Of Free Tech Products -- And Startups Shouldn't Make Them When I was a middle school science teacher, I oftentimes found myself digging into my own pockets to pay for equipment — Bunsen burners, test tubes, dead frogs. And that didn’t change when one-to-one iPad programs in schools became popular; in fact, it added yet another item, software, to my to-buy list. So, you can imagine my excitement when I found free online products, especially those that seemed flashy. It didn’t even cross my mind back then that using free tools (and more importantly, asking my students to use free tools) could be problematic and even potentially dangerous — more so than the free consumer products I was finding online and using in my own time. But in the world of edtech, “free” isn’t only a danger to the users — it’s quickly becoming more and more of a danger to the makers of edtech, as well. To the users: Nothing is really free There really is no so thing as a free education technology product for the user — because what's more valuable than money?