This page contains links to English language websites to help you practice speaking, listening, reading, pronunciation, and grammar. We have also listed several sites that we like around the topics of life in the US and life in Chicago.
Speaking
This is an in-person event. Every week during the university 鈥渓unch hour,鈥 meet with international and domestic students and English language instructors to practice your spoken English. Lunch is provided! See our for more details.
Tips and resources to help with public speaking and giving presentations, including mini-courses, podcasts, and videos to develop your public speaking skills.
The University of Michigan developed this extensive list of phrases commonly used in discussion. Also includes audio for pronunciation
Large collection of videos featuring native English speakers and tools for pronunciation practice. Also offers Interactive exercises and quizzes that reinforce vocabulary, comprehension, and speaking skills
The BBC has a large collection of audio and video lessons, interactive exercises, quizzes, and language tips. Go to 鈥渃ourses鈥 and scroll down. There are also free short courses to practice speci铿乧 skills in speaking.
Many videos with useful speaking tips (pronunciation / vocabulary / functions)
Vocabulary
This site helps you create 铿俛shcards to practice new vocabulary. You can also add images and access shared lists of vocabulary from other users.
The BBC has a section dedicated to building spoken language vocabulary 鈥 more of a focus on idioms and phrases
Good videos and activities to building vocabulary skills
Many useful podcasts with focus on building vocabulary
Listening sites with audio and video for different levels. Includes transcripts and vocabulary quizzes
Pronunciation
Wide variety of short videos with pronunciation exercises
YouTube channel with a wide selection of pronunciation and conversational videos
Listening
Hundreds of authentic business conversations, lessons, and quizzes
Listening sites with audio and video for different levels. Includes transcripts and vocabulary quizzes
Different audiobooks and audio stories in English together with their transcriptions. All the audio materials are available for listening online (no downloading option).
Audio and video lessons, interactive exercises, quizzes, and language tips. Go under 鈥渃ourses鈥 and scroll down. Many lessons have video and comprehension questions to improve listening skills.
Short videos with questions to test comprehension
Other Listening sites
A variety of news and entertainment podcasts
Voice of America news podcasts, and videos on several topics. Includes audio at slower speeds and transcripts to follow along as you listen.
Several news鈥 podcasts and videos on scienti铿乧 topics
Several podcasts on many topics such as business, politics, contemporary topics, and issues.
Academic lectures from MIT courses to practice academic listening skills
A local show about Chicago restaurants and food
A collection of stories on several cultural topics including justice, love, military, and parenthood
Interesting short videos on current subjects in science and technology
New York Times podcast that is released daily on a current event. Short podcasts of 20-30 minutes
Many different listening activities with pre-listening exercises, comprehension questions, and post-listening tasks
Short (~5 min)stories about people helping each other
Reading
Shortreadings sorted by level, followed by comprehension quizzes
Selection of audiobooks and novellas to read online
Science and engineering related articles from a popular magazine
Articles attempting to enlighten the current events in our world from various standpoints
Hundreds of short news stories to choose from
A variety of links to essays, short stories, mini novels, and dictation practice organized by level
A collection of short stories to choose from
A variety of news and academic articles for the general public
Writing
This website gives students the chance to practice all the basics of academic writing online. Click on the yellow 鈥淓xercises鈥 tab on the left to access topics.
A collection of grammar exercises to help students practice grammar skills
Practice grammar, vocabulary, and general writing skills independently, anywhere and at any time, without the physical presence of a teacher. You submit your writing and the tool gives you feedback and advice on your writing.
A list of useful phrases for academic writing
(University of Michigan collection)
(George Mason University collection)
(University of North Carolina collection)
Other Writing sites
Purdue University Writing Center website that includes information on academic writing and citation
A tool to help you collect, cite, and store research. Online tutorial available
Online dictionary that includes grammatical information, examples, and pronunciation
Online thesaurus which includes synonyms, antonyms, related words, and phrases
Online dictionary that includes the most popular words, as well as vocabulary quizzes
Dictionary site that also includes how the word is being used right now on Twitter and other social media sites
Grammar
Site with explanations and quizzes on a wide variety of English grammar points
Grammar practice with many different grammatical errors
Several links to grammar exercises and tips
A collection of grammar exercises to help students practice grammar skills
A collection of grammar exercises organized by skill and topic
A collection of grammar exercises (and explanations!)
Learning about American Culture
News
(10 min news videos for students)
To access your free New York Times subscription through 老王论坛鈥檚 Galvin Library, follow to the library website.
Life in the U.S.
Exploring Chicago
These sites give up-to-date information on what is happening in and around Chicago:
Other Resources
A local magazine with different up-to-date current events and topics mostly about Chicago
A popular TV show on which local people review and discuss restaurants in the city
Local restaurant news and ratings as well as ideas of places to dine in the city
Chicago鈥檚 largest daily newspaper
A daily Chicago newspaper