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Vocabulary.com, Vocabulary practice

Description: Vocabulary.com turns learning new words in English into a game. A series of flashcards, at times with single words out of context or with words being used in a phrase, is presented to the user. Then four different definitions of the word appear and the user must decide which one is most correct according to the context. If the answer selected is correct, an explanation with other possible meanings and uses is provided (also in English). The difficulty level varies and the software provides statistics that show your progress. Users can compare their scores and compete with one another.

Evaluation: Vocabulary.com is user-friendly since the flashcard system is intuitive. The process of signing up and starting training vocabulary is simple. As the tool learns which words users find more difficulty memorising, it adapts the selection. The explanations provided are all in English. The tool already has many English lists with easy-to-understand dictionary definitions. It is not for other languages and is best for advanced learners, even native speakers. A downside is that the program follows the logic of a game, allowing users to compare themselves with others in a ranking and track their achievements: this can be a source of motivation for some learners, but it could cause anxiety to less-competitive users.

Cost: Free. Educational paid plan available.

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