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  • The Academic Word List (AWL) – EAP Foundation (https://www.eapfoundation.com/vocab/academic/awllists/)
    • Overview: Based on a comprehensive study of academic texts, the AWL comprises 570 word families that appear frequently in academic writing across various disciplines. This site provides the full list, sublists, and information on how to study them.
    • Highlights: Essential for building a strong academic vocabulary. Understanding these words significantly improves comprehension of academic texts and the ability to produce academic writing.
  • Academic Phrasebank – The University of Manchester (https://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/)
    • Overview: A general resource for academic writers, providing examples of phraseological “nuts and bolts” organized by sections of a research paper or dissertation (e.g., introductions, literature reviews, discussions).
    • Highlights: Invaluable for non-native English speakers to learn conventional academic phrasing, structure arguments, and ensure appropriate tone and register.
    • Overview: One of the most comprehensive and widely used free writing resources available. It covers a vast array of topics from grammar and punctuation to research, citation styles (APA, MLA, Chicago), and specific types of academic writing.
    • Highlights: Detailed guides on essay structure, thesis statements, developing arguments, avoiding plagiarism, and writing in various academic disciplines. A must-have for any postgraduate student. Their ESL resources section is particularly helpful.
    • Overview: Offers a rich collection of handouts on various aspects of the writing process, from brainstorming and outlining to revising and editing.
    • Highlights: Clear, concise advice on common writing challenges, including topics like logical fallacies, argumentative essays, literature reviews, and working with sources.
    • Overview: Provides extensive guidance on planning, drafting, and revising academic papers, along with grammar and punctuation advice.
    • Highlights: Practical strategies for addressing writing assignments and improving clarity and conciseness.
    • Overview: A free online tool that helps you practice your writing and receive instant feedback on grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and even overall text quality.
    • Highlights: Allows for repeated practice and helps learners identify areas for improvement in their written English.

General English Language Skills

    • Overview: A comprehensive site offering a vast array of free resources for all levels. It includes sections for listening, reading, writing, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary.
    • Highlights: High-quality audio and video materials, interactive exercises, model texts for writing, and clear grammar explanations. Excellent for all-around skill development.
    • Overview: Provides free materials for learners of all levels, focusing on current events, common phrases, and grammar.
    • Highlights: Daily lessons, news reports, videos, and interactive exercises. Their “The English We Speak” series is excellent for idioms and colloquialisms, and their “6 Minute English” podcasts are great for listening practice.
    • Overview: Uses simplified vocabulary and slower-paced audio for news stories, making it ideal for improving listening comprehension and vocabulary in a real-world context.
    • Highlights: Current events, various topics (science, culture, health), audio with transcripts, and vocabulary explanations.

Grammar Resources

    • Overview: Detailed grammar explanations with practice exercises, organized by CEFR level (A1-C1).
    • Highlights: Clear, simple explanations with example sentences and interactive quizzes. Includes a grammar reference section.
    • Overview: Offers structured lessons on various grammar topics, from parts of speech to sentence structure and punctuation.
    • Highlights: Video lessons, practice exercises, and quizzes that track progress. A more academic approach to grammar.
    • Overview: Covers a wide range of grammar topics with explanations, quizzes, and games.
    • Highlights: User-friendly interface with clear explanations, frequently asked grammar questions, and interactive elements.
    • Overview: Offers free video lessons on specific grammar points.
    • Highlights: Focuses on common grammar challenges with clear explanations and examples.

Vocabulary Resources

    • Overview: Helps learners acquire new vocabulary through thematic lists, exercises, and games, organized by CEFR level.
    • Highlights: Interactive exercises, word games, and pronunciation support.
    • Overview: An adaptive learning platform that helps users master new words through a game-like experience.
    • Highlights: Provides various explanations for words, tracks progress, and offers engaging activities to reinforce learning.
    • Overview: Offers a wide array of thematic vocabulary lists with audio and example sentences.
    • Highlights: Useful for expanding vocabulary related to specific topics, with pronunciation guides.

Pronunciation Resources

    • Overview: Provides free video lessons on various aspects of English pronunciation, including sounds, intonation, and word stress.
    • Highlights: Clear video explanations and practical tips for improving pronunciation.
    • Overview: Offers a wide range of audio and video materials for listening practice.
    • Highlights: Exposure to various accents and natural speech patterns, which is crucial for developing pronunciation and intonation.

Other Useful Resources

    • Overview: Features a vast library of talks on diverse subjects by experts.
    • Highlights: Excellent for listening comprehension at an advanced level. Many talks offer interactive transcripts, allowing learners to read along, look up unfamiliar words, and note pronunciation.
    • Overview: A gamified platform that makes language learning engaging and accessible. While often recommended for beginners, it can be a useful supplementary tool for all levels to reinforce vocabulary and grammar through short, daily exercises.
    • Highlights: Bite-sized lessons, progress tracking, and a fun, interactive approach.
    • Overview: A flashcard-based learning tool that allows users to create their own study sets or use existing ones.
    • Highlights: Highly customizable for vocabulary building, and includes various study modes like flashcards, quizzes, and games.
    • Overview: Aims to help self-studying learners achieve fluency with lessons and exercises.
    • Highlights: Focuses on comprehensive skill development.

Important Note for Postgraduate Students: While these resources are free and valuable, remember that consistent and active engagement is key to successful independent language learning. You are encouraged to integrate these resources into a structured study plan, setting specific goals for each area of improvement.