Submission #5

Name: www.rosettastone.com

Level and Skill: Beginner to intermediate speaking, listening, reading, writing.

Interactive: Yes

ESL/Non-ESL: Ideal for all language learners, both ESL and non-ESL.

Synopsis: This is an excellent language learning program that uses the "Dynamic Immersion method" to teach the four language skills. The method mimics first language acquisition by teaching the basics of the new language through the association of new words with familiar objects, actions, and ideas. Learners are moved, at their own pace, through a sequence of pictures which encourages them to associate the images they understand with the words that they do not. No translation or memorization is involved. The program gives positive feedback for correct responses and records the learner's progress.

The interface is very user friendly and the pictorial images are visually stimulating. Native speakers and everyday language are used in order to develop listening comprehension skills. Learners can also improve their accent and pronunciation by using speech recognition software to compare their speech with that of a native speaker. And reading and writing skills are developed through the use of real-life materials. Finally, and best of all, Rosettastone offers this program in a myriad of different languages and regional dialects. Overall, this is an impressive language learning tool.

5 stars out of 5

Submission #4

Website: Dictionaries, http://math-www.uni-paderborn.de/HTML/Dictionaries.html

Level and Skill: Reading and Writing 4-8 (Niagara College levels 1-5)

Interactive: No

ESL/Non-ESL: Designed for all learners.

Synopsis: This site consists of links to a variety of free online dictionaries. Among these are multilingual dictionaries, thesauruses, and specialized dictionaries in such diverse fields as medicine, the arts, electronics, biotechnology, and computing. The site is a useful reference tool for anyone seeking the sense or orthography of a word. Because of the large number of technical dictionaries, this site would be of great use to teachers and students of English for Specific Purposes.

3 stars out of 5

Submission #3

Name: http://lapasserelle.com/lm/pagespeciales/interactivequizzes/index.html

Level and Skill: Reading and Writing levels 2-8 (Niagara College low intermediate to advanced)

Interactive: Yes

ESL/Non-ESL: Primarily ESL but with useful and interesting activities for non-ESL students.

Synopsis: This web site contains a variety of interactive activities and tests that cover a broad range of topics and skills, from grammar and spelling to letter writing and literature. There is also a good deal of content geared toward English for Special Purposes, particularly in the medical, legal and engineering fields. The site is therefore an excellent source of information for both students and teachers of ESP. Finally, the interface is clean, uncomplicated, and easy to use with no banners or other distractions.
Overall, a good site worth 4 stars out of 5.