These are the free websites I send my own students to. Each one has a short note on how to use it well. All links open in a new tab.
Dictionaries
- Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (LDOCE)
My first choice for students. Check the spoken and written labels: a word that is fine in a seminar can be wrong in an essay. - Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries
Clear definitions and example sentences. Look for the OPAL symbol next to a word: it means the word is common in academic English. - Cambridge Dictionary
Good for British and American pronunciation side by side. Press the UK button, not the US one, if you study in Britain.
Academic writing
- Academic Phrasebank, University of Manchester
Use this when you cannot start a paragraph. Find the function you need, such as introducing a topic or comparing sources, and adapt the phrase to your own content. - OPAL word lists (Oxford Phrasal Academic Lexicon)
The words and phrases you will meet most often in academic reading and lectures. Learn them in small groups, with an example from your own subject. - The Academic Word List
The classic list of university vocabulary. Start with sublist 1: those words appear most often.
IELTS
- IELTS Prepare (official, from IDP)
Free official practice tests with answers. Do a full test under timed conditions before you book, so you know where you stand.
Pronunciation
- YouGlish
Type a word and hear real people say it in real videos. Choose UK to hear British speakers.
Want help using these in a structured way? Book a free 30-minute chat with me.