Materials and software
This section of the website is divided into 3 main parts:
1. advice on selecting materials and software for language learning,
2. products to buy, and
The products to buy section also contains:
- multi-lingual proofing tools
- multi-lingual wordprocessors
- multi-lingual speech recognition/dictation software
Translation software and dictionaries are found in other sections of the website.
Advice on Selecting Materials
Nowadays, there is a wide variety of materials available for learning languages. Modern materials and software such as CD ROMs, DVDs, cassettes, and videos, provide colour, variety and sources of authentic input (examples of real language used by native speakers). Traditional materials are mainly text-based and tend to focus more on reading and writing skills e.g. course books, work books, text books, graded readers, and grammar exercises - these can also be very useful. All these materials are designed for language learners, but we should not forget that there is a huge amount of authentic material designed for native speakers which can be used for advanced learners, and adapted for those who are less proficient: books, magazines, newspapers, games, music, films, radio, and tv.
When selecting materials for language learning you should try to find those that match your:
- language level e.g. advanced level
- age group e.g. adult
- reason for learning the language e.g. to improve your letter writing ability
- preferred approach e.g. like to do repetitive exercises
- mode of learning e.g. self-study
- price range e.g. £15 to £25
- equipment available e.g. using Windows 95+
Look for attractive materials, which you find interesting, colourful and useful. They should be clearly laid out and well-structured. Borrow materials from a friend or a library first, if you can, to make sure that you can get on with them. You can also ask your teacher or fill in a short online form to use our advisory service.
You can also consult the CILT resources library . Another possibility is the Hull CALL software database.
Global Office - an enhancement to Microsoft Office for 100+ languages
Global Writer - a word processor with a wide range of languages
Microsoft Office Proofing Tools - allows users to proof documents in 50+ languages
CD ROMs and DVDs from Eurotalk for learners of most languages and all levels
Selected English materials to buy
- for beginners, beginners - intermediate, elementary-advanced, intermediate-advanced, advanced, children, business & all levels
Selected Products
Beginner to Advanced |
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Auralog |
RRP: £49.99 |
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Usually dispatched in 24 hours, but click on the image for our latest price and availability
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Beginner |
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Eurotalk Limited |
Our Price: £24.99 |
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Platform: Macintosh, Windows Features
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Beginner |
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Eurotalk Limited |
Our Price: £20.99 |
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Platform: Macintosh, Windows Features
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Beginner - Intermediate level |
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English Tutor Box Set |
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ESL Pro Systems |
RRP: 59.99 USD |
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This 6-CD collection of English language software is just
like having your own tutor in a box! |
Elementary - Advanced |
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The Listening Business: listening exercises based on BBC Radio Programmes |
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Language learning software from Clarity - order online now - see tense buster and mind game! |
Intermediate - advanced level |
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Authentik- resources in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and English for intermediate and advanced level language learners |
Advanced level |
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Eurotalk Limited |
Our Price: £34.99 |
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Platform: Macintosh, Windows Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours, but click on the image for our latest price and availability Features
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For Children |
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Bridge to English |
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Our Price: £9.95 |
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For children |
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Idigicon |
RRP: £9.99 |
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For Children |
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Letts |
Our Price: £9.99 |
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Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours, but click on the image for our latest price and availability CD-ROM Features
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For Children |
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Letts Educational |
Our Price: £8.99 |
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These papers provide all the practice necessary for total success in the SATs National Tests, with brand new questions reflecting the latest curriculum changes. "Letts'" authors are examiners and teachers with proven records of helping children to achieve top grades. The book's questions and format are similar to the real National Tests and the answer section is clearly laid out for both parents and children. This book gives children essential practice for SATs success. It tests all topics on a need to know basis. It builds a child's confidence by previewing the test format.
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For Children |
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Idigicon |
RRP: £16.99 |
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Garfield and the tiger activities include:
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Business English |
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Eurotalk |
RRP: £29.99 |
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All levels |
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Bridge to English |
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£19.99 |
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CD ROMs from Intense e.g. Bridge to English for speakers of French, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian and Turkish |
All levels |
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English Dialogue Course by Linguaphone on CD |
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RRP: £279.90 |
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Orders by email only Send full contact details |
LINKS (in alphabetical order)
Cambridge
Certificate Tutors (FCE, CAE & CPE) (demos),
Educational Software Products 1999.
Information about the exams plus graded practice tests
with feedback on each question.
Also available: Crossword Challenge and Beat the Clock.
Churchill
House First Certificate English Program (freeware),
Churchill House 1999.
Prepare for Paper 3, section 4 (error correction)
by checking sentences for errors with prepositions,
quantifiers, articles, pronouns, verbs etc. Windows
95 or later.
Grammar
Slammer (shareware), J. Bair 1996.
"Answers the questions grammar checkers can't". Assistance
with (American) grammar, as a Windows Help file. There
are also versions tailored to run as macros in Word
for Windows, WordPerfect for Windows, AmiPro and Lotus
Word Pro.
Hot Potatoes Authoring software.
Kristina's Scripts for Educators Free Perl CGI programs.
Lingonets(freeware),
Lingonets 1997.
Lexical gapfill puzzles to promote learning of word groups associated
by common setting or situation (thematic clusters). Recall is prompted
by category labels, and students can get help from synonyms, definitions
and typical sentence contexts. A password (available by e-mail)
is needed to start the browser, and fifty or so puzzles can be downloaded.
Macromedia Downloadable software for writing web pages....
Mantex(demos
and free documents).
Demonstration versions of English
Language, HelpDisk!
and Study
Skills packages to help overseas and native students
with essay writing and studying. Plus free
downloadable documents on a wide variety of similar
topics, and articles & reviews on writing, design
and typography.
Scripts for Educators To develop writing skills
Teach Yourself Courses - over 1 million people buy these courses each year!
TEFL Pitstop. Free EFL teaching materials and CALL software.
TESOL Software Database A searchable, and alphabetically browsable, database of TESOL software for all levels. (Oregon State University, USA).
WordWeb(freeware),
Antony Lewis 1998.
Powerful English thesaurus and dictionary, featuring
120,000 root words and 100,000 sets of synonyms.