EFL/ESL Web Links > Software Companies
Auralog.com
<http://www.auralog.com/en/talktome.html>
"If you think audiolingualism has a place in the classroom then Auralog products offer this approach. Some products are not as intuitive as others and need guidance from a 'real' teacher." said our link submitter. One key product is Talk To Me which applies "speech recognition to foreign language learning".
Clarity Language Consultants Ltd
<http://www.clarity.com.hk/>
Clarity's EFL software products (Windows only, unfortunately) include:
- Tense Buster - multimedia grammar program
- Author Plus - multimedia authoring program
- Exercise Generator - worksheets without the work!
Educational Software Products
<http://www.educationalsoftware.co.uk/>
Quite reasonable prices for network versions. ESP's EFL software (Windows only, unfortunately!) includes:
- Games:
- Word Invaders - "Spot the odd one out in a series of dangerous words before they get to Earth and destroy the planet!"
- Error Terror - "Identify the mistakes and destroy them or they will destroy you!"
- Beat the Clock - "This is a game designed to boost your level of vocabulary, by giving you a definition of a word, which you must type in the box. However, you don't have time to sit and think for ever about the word, because you're playing against the clock. The quicker you can guess the word which is defined in front of you, the better the score you get, so hurry up!"
- Crossword Challenge - Dynamically creates crosswords at chosen level from large database of vocabulary - very popular with our students
- Exam information and practice exercises:
- FCE Tutor - Cambridge First Certificate in English, Papers 1 -3.
- CAE Tutor - Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English, Papers 1 -3.
- CPE Tutor - Certificate of Proficiency in English, Papers 1 -3
pass ENGLISH EXAMS
<http://www.pass-english-exams.com>
The company claims to have a suite of software for students preparing for the Cambridge FCE, Advanced, Proficiency and BEC exams. However, the only link I can find on the website is to pass FIRST CERTIFICATE. There's an order form, and a download link for a demo of the program (4.9MB). The program is described as follows: "Over 500 exercises in grammar and vocabulary; Full grammar explanations and examples; Easy-to-use help functions throughout the whole program; Realistic listening practice; Video sequences to help in the Speaking Part; a 5,000 word multilingual dictionary complete with sounds, explanations and example sentences. Translations are available in French, German, Greek, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese; 5 complete sets of exams. Marks and an evaluation are given at the end of each mock exam taken; Lots of extra games, puzzles and activities." I haven't myself had opportunity to test the program.
Questique - an English language educational word game
<http://www.questique.co.uk>
Not software, but a board game. Quote from producers: "Questique is a strategy crossword board game, rare amongst skill based games, as it can be played by children, families and adults. A simple handicapping system allows mixed ability groups to all compete as equals. It can be used as a resource aid for teaching the English language, especially in relation to word appreciation and vocabulary development."
Topsky software house
<http://www.skysoftwarehouse.com/>
Suite of pronunciation, phonemic alphabet, stress and rhythm and listening software to be used in class or autonomously
speech in action
<http://www.speechinaction.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/>
"Excellent software teaching advanced users of English what happens in rapid spoken English." says our link submitter. "An effective course for students who have not been exposed to much conversational English and still find it difficult to negotiate the 'rapid speech stream' used by native and proficient speakers." The main product seems to be "Streaming Speech: Listening and Pronunciation for Advanced Learners of English... an award-winning ten chapter electronic publication for adult learners of English (EFL/ESOL) who want to achieve the highest levels of skill in listening and speaking. It is a 20-hour course that can be used in the classroom, or in self-access, or both." Streaming Speech is the winner of an ELTON, The British Council's Innovations in ELT awards 2004.
WordHacker
<http://www.wordhacker.com>
WordHacker is a vocabulary builder with voice pronunciation, colorful root coding and illustrations of each word for GRE/GMAT/SAT/ACT/TOEFL test takers, ESL students and teachers. You can download a demo, buy it for 29.95 USD (price on 3 July, 2003). Windows only.
Suppliers
KELTIC Online Bookshop, London, England
<http://www.keltic.co.uk/shop/mainframe.asp>
ELT Bookshop: text books, software and other ELT resources.
Bornemouth English Book Centre, Bournemouth, England
<http://www.bebc.co.uk/>
ELT Bookshop: text books, software and other ELT resources.
Wida Software Ltd, London
<http://www.wida.co.uk/>
Highly recommended source of commercial EFL software for Windows/Macintosh computers, distributing both their own authoring programmes and third party software.
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