WORDREADY® more information - learning
learning with WORDREADY®
(back)What exactly is WORDREADY®? (back)
WORDREADY® is an innovative online multimedia resource for young learner vocabulary learning. It is easy to use, safe & secure. Learners simply log in to WORDREADY® with their username and password using a browser. WORDREADY® remembers where they last left off, how they are progressing, and creates the best exercises for them to do next.
WORDREADY® is designed to be used primarily for supplementary self-study and is an ideal resource for homework and further practice outside school - support is provided in the learner's first language. By using WORDREADY® on a regular basis, they will learn some of the most important vocabulary items in English.
Schools using WORDREADY® will have tools for monitoring learner progress (Management Tools) and for classroom presentation of vocabulary (Classroom Tools).
Why not sign up for a trial subscription to see for yourself?
How many words are there in WORDREADY®? (back)
There are over 1,000 English words in WORDREADY®. Each word has a picture, example native speaker teacher pronunciation, example sentences (with recording of native young learner) and translation (into the learner's first language).
If you would like to see the word lists for WORDREADY®, go to Resources on the side Menu and choose word lists.
How were the words used in WORDREADY® chosen? (back)
The word list is based on the Cambridge ESOL Young Learner exam syllabus (Starters, Movers and Flyers).
Is WORDREADY® only useful for Cambridge ESOL Young Learner exams (Starters, Movers and Flyers)? (back)
No, WORDREADY® uses an adapted list of words from the Cambridge ESOL Young Learner exams, but these are the most useful words for young learners to learn if they want to learn English.
What support languages does WORDREADY® currently have? (back)
Arabic, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Czech, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese (European and Brazilian), Spanish (European and Latin American) and Vietnamese.
Note: English is not an option because the learners need to show that they understand the meaning of the words they are learning in a language that they already know.
Why do I need to choose a support language for the learner? (back)
The main reason for the support language is because we want to be sure that the learners understand the meaning of the words that they are learning. WORDREADY® is intended for self-study, and relies heavily on pictures. Pictures can sometimes be misinterpreted, and so for each new word we ask learners to quickly choose the meaning of the word (as indicated by the picture) in their own first language (the support language).
Also, the on-screen instructions in WORDREADY® are in the support language because we want to be sure that the learners (and their parents, carers, guardians, etc.) understand clearly what they need to do. (We have seen too many self-study learning resources where the language used for instructions is more difficult than the language being taught.)
What should I do if WORDREADY® doesn't have the support language I need? (back)
We are always adding new support languages to WORDREADY®, contact us if your language is not currently supported contact@L2.co.uk.
How many exercises are there? (back)
Exercises are automatically created based on the needs of the learners, so the actual number will vary depending on how the learner performs. However, whatever the learner's performance there are thousands of exercises.
How long will WORDREADY® last? (back)
WORDREADY® is designed to be used over a period of approximately 3 years with learners doing several 10 minute sessions a week.
Can learners start at any level? (back)
Yes, learners can start at any one of three levels: 1. Start Up, 2. Move On, and the highest level 3. Fly Away.
If learners start at 2. Move On or 3. Fly Away, the words from the lower level(s) are re-cycled over time.
How much time do learners need to spend using WORDREADY®? (back)
We recommend between 20 and 30 minutes a week for the average learner. This should be broken up into several sessions over a number of days.
Is WORDREADY® any good? (back)
WORDREADY® Young learner English was short listed for the prestigious British Council Innovation Awards 2006 and has been greeted with great enthusiasm by teachers.
WORDREADY® uses proven techniques based on language learning research findings that have been shown to be very effective when learning foreign language vocabulary.
Why not sign up for a trial subscription to see for yourself?
Will WORDREADY® be useful to my children? (back)
Yes, if they:
- are learning English at lower levels;
- are roughly 7-12 years old;
- have access to an Internet-enabled computer;
- are literate in one of our support languages.
see What support languages does WORDREADY® currently have?
Is WORDREADY® better than using a vocabulary workbook? (back)
Learning vocabulary requires repeated exposure to words in different settings. Seeing the word written, hearing it spoken and seeing and hearing it used in context, are all important stages in learning a word. WORDREADY® plans how this exposure will happen and manages the learner's vocabulary learning in a way that no book can.
Will WORDREADY® help with grammar? (back)
Yes, but not directly. Learning words can act as stepping to learning and using grammar. WORDREADY® also has example sentences for each word though, so the learners see how the words and their parts of speech are used in combination with other words.
How is WORDREADY® different from other language learning software? (back)
WORDREADY® is designed to adapt to each individual learner and track their progress over time. This means that any exercises the learner does are specially created for their particular needs.
Also, learners can access WORDREADY® from any computer using a unique username and password. This means that the learner can practise from anywhere (e.g. home, school) and their progress will still be stored centrally in a secure location.
WORDREADY® is a completely online solution. There are no discs to distribute and no maintenance worries.
Why not sign up for a trial subscription to see for yourself?
What if learners can't keep up with WORDREADY®? (back)
Learners can move at their own pace because WORDREADY® adapts to their performance and personalises the language learning experience. We recommend between 20 and 30 minutes use a week for the average learner. However, whatever they do, WORDREADY® will keep up with them rather than them having to keep up with it.
Can learners who know very little English use WORDREADY®? (back)
Yes, support for the learners is provided in their own language. Log-in screen (optional), menu items, instructions and translations of words are all provided in the learners first language.
see What support languages does WORDREADY® currently have?
How will I know if a child is using it? (back)
Teachers or parents/guardians can monitor each learner's activity with easy-to-use tools that show how the learners are progressing with their vocabulary learning.
Are there any other WORDREADY® products? (back)
WORDREADY® Young learner French and WORDREADY® Young learner Spanish are due for release later on in 2007.
WORDREADY® products for teenage/adult learners of English, are also planned.
Why is the focus on vocabulary learning? (back)
Vocabulary learning is perhaps the most important aspect of language learning: it underpins all skills and grammar work. It has been neglected recently but is thankfully experiencing greater recognition and a marked increase in popularity.
Here are some things people have said about the importance of vocabulary:
"Building up a useful vocabulary is central to the learning of a foreign language at primary level."
Cameron, L (2001)
"...most learners identify the acquisition of vocabulary as their greatest single source of problems."
Meara (1980)
"Arguably, vocabulary is the most important component in L2 ability. Students ranked "more vocabulary development" second only to "more opportunities to speak in class"."
Folse, K (2004)
see Will WORDREADY® help with grammar?
Can I edit the contents of the word list in WORDREADY®? (back)
No, the list is not currently editable by users.
For new words to be added to WORDREADY®, each word would require an illustration, examples and recordings to be produced, as well as translations into the various support languages. However, we are setting up a system for subscribers to suggest new words for inclusion in WORDREADY®.
What if I need words that aren't included in the 1,000 included in WORDREADY®? (back)
Subscribers to WORDREADY® will be able to suggest new words. We will add selected new words at regular intervals.
Can I choose which words my learners will learn? (back)
No, not directly. The words are chosen by WORDREADY® from the available words at the learner's current level. The order in which learners encounter words is matched to the three levels of the Cambridge ESOL exams (Starters, Movers & Flyers). In WORDREADY®, words are not intended to be lock-step in the order that they are met in the classroom. Over time, teachers can rest assured that WORDREADY®, if used regularly, will help to ensure that learners learn the core words for their level.
However, teachers can use the Classroom Tools to support the vocabulary teaching in their lessons with the WORDREADY® Multimedia Flash Cards via projectors or digital whiteboards - here they can choose from the full 1,000+ word list.
If you would like to see the word lists for WORDREADY®, go to Resources on the side Menu and choose word lists.
I already have CD-ROMs (or books, websites, etc.) that cover vocabulary practice. Why should I buy WORDREADY®? (back)
Most language learning materials that include vocabulary practice do not offer the same level of individualised tracking, adaptivity and re-encountering that WORDREADY® offers. With WORDREADY® the needs of individual learners are catered for.
"Learning words is not like ticking items on a shopping list when they have been bought. It is more like the continual process of trying to keep a house clean; the cleaning (or learning) can be done one day, but needs doing again the next."Lynn Cameron (2001)
see Why the focus on vocabulary learning?
How many kinds of exercises are there? (back)
There are 12 different Exercise types based on variations of Multiple-Choice, Matching, and Typing. These are combined to make the different Activity Types used in WORDREADY®.
Can I have the instructions in English? (back)
No, the instructions have to be in one of the support languages.
The reason for this is that the language used in the instructions is above the level being taught, and because WORDREADY® is designed to be used a self-study resource, we want to feel as certain as possible that learners will understand what they have to do and the feedback we give them. In practice though, because WORDREADY® is so easy to use and intuitive, after features have been encountered, the support text is not usually necessary and tends not to be read.
see What support languages does WORDREADY® currently have?
What do I do with WORDREADY®? How do I use it? (back)
Learner simply log in to WORDREADY® and do the exercises that are chosen for them. By doing so, the most important vocabulary learning for them will be taken care of to a large extent.
Teachers and parent can monitor the progress of learners they are responsible for.
Why not sign up for a trial subscription to see for yourself?
Can I see which words are used in WORDREADY®? (back)
If you would like to see the word lists for WORDREADY®, go to Resources on the side Menu and choose word lists.
Is the content culturally sensitive? (back)
We have tried to ensure that the illustrations and language content of WORDREADY® are culturally acceptable worldwide.
If we receive reports of issues, we will do our best to respond with alternatives. If you have seen something that you feel is culturally (or otherwise) inappropriate for your learners please contact us here contact@L2.co.uk.
Do you have an American English version of WORDREADY®? (back)
WORDREADY® currently only fully supports British English. However, there are a number of words included from American/International English, e.g. 'elevator', 'apartment'. The voice recordings use a variety of British English accents.
If you would like to use WORDREADY® with American English (or other variety), please contact us here contact@L2.co.uk.
What kinds of words are included? Is it just nouns? (back)
No, we have included a variety of different word types, including: nouns (concrete & abstract), verbs, adjectives, adverbs, numerals, and prepositions.
We have also included past and past participles for irregular verbs, and irregular plurals.
Are there any worksheets or books to accompany WORDREADY®? (back)
WORDREADY® is primarily a digital resource, we are currently assessing the need and desireability of print based support materials. We have, however, designed WORDREADY® and the Classroom Tools to be used alongside other existing learning materials (e.g. coursebooks, workbooks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, etc.).
If you do have suggestions for the creation of specific print materials, please contact us here contact@L2.co.uk.
Are the words in WORDREADY® tied in to any of the popular coursebooks for Young Learners? (back)
Not directly. However, the WORDREADY® word lists are based on Cambridge ESOL YL exams syllabus. These exams are themselves based on an analysis of the content areas (including vocabulary) that frequently occur in a range of popular coursebooks and teaching materials used throughout the world.
What level is WORDREADY®? (back)
The word lists in WORDREADY® are based on Cambridge ESOL YL exams (Starters, Movers, and Flyers). The exams are designed to form a bridge to take learners from a beginner to Waystage level. The levels in the exams are aligned with the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for Modern Language: Starters is the lowest level, Movers is at level A1 and Flyers at A2.
The three levels in WORDREADY®: Start Off, Move On and Fly Away, equate to the Cambridge ESOL YLE levels: Starters, Movers and Flyers.
What vocabulary learning research is WORDREADY® based on? (back)
The main sources for the research findings that underpin WORDREADY® were taken from Paul Nation's authoritative book Learning Vocabulary in a Foreign Language (Cambridge University Press, 2001).
We also found Vocabulary Learning Myths by Keith Folse (University of Michigan Press, 2004) to be a useful resource.
The main findings suggest:- Repetition is necessary to make learning secure (learning is cumulative)
- Spaced repetition (repetitions over time) is preferable to massed repetition (repeating at one point in time)
- First language translations are a valuable aid
- Pictures and translations are complementary sources of meaning
- Sentences providing contextualisation can help learning
- Learn receptively first (reading, listening), then productively (writing, speaking)
- Provide opportunities for recall (rather than giving word & meaning together)
- Keep changing the order of word cards (to avoid serial learning)
- Words of the same semantic set should not be learned together (e.g. all the words for clothes) as it can cause interference and impede learning
- word cards should be kept simple
- There are many aspects to knowing a word (form, meaning, sound, etc.)
Why do you use translations - isn't that old-fashioned? (back)
Using simple clear translations in this kind of vocabulary learning has been shown to be a very effective way of supporting learners.
We use translations for several important reasons:
- Research into this kind of vocabulary learning has shown that a short translation into the learners' L1 can be very effective.
- Because the materials are primarily intended for self-study, and rely heavily on illustrations, the use of translation reduces the danger of learners working on a misconception of the meaning due to unavoidable ambiguity in some of the pictures
- The instructions in WORDREADY® inevitably use more difficult language than that being taught (although WORDREADY® is very intuitive and these tend not to be read - but parents could appreciate them)
We would in no way endorse overuse of translations or the learners' first language in the classroom - but we do believe that used judiciously they can often be very helpful. Note that the WORDREADY® Classroom Tools use with digital whiteboards/projectors have a 'No translation' option.
Aren't the example sentences in WORDREADY® going to be too difficult for learners to understand? (back)
No, we don't think so. When writing the sentences, we carefully controlled the words used so that for each sentence we only used words that the learners have previously encountered at their level, or that they will meet very shortly.
(NB: Each of the three levels in WORDREADY® are sub-divided into three further sub-levels. The use of words in the sentences is controlled at this level.)
Do learners simply learn to recognise words? (back)
No, they also learn to produce words either by typing or clicking on-screen keys. There are a variety of production exercises that get progressively more difficult and demanding.
Can learners record their pronunciation? (back)
At this stage, we do not have a facility for learners to record themselves saying the words aloud. But they can repeatedly listen to the recordings of the individual words and/or sample sentences on the Multimedia Word Cards and repeat them out loud until they feel happy with their pronunciation.
Wouldn't it be better to give them graded readers? (back)
Although extensive reading can help vocabulary learning, learners do require a fairly low density of new/unknown words in order to fully benefit from the experience. We believe that WORDREADY® would complement a graded reader programme. We do not suggest only using WORDREADY® as a means of learning vocabulary: this kind of intensive word list/word-card learning should be balanced with other opportunities for learning.
Is intensive word list/word card-based vocabulary learning effective? (back)
Yes, this kind of vocabulary learning using word cards has been shown to be very effective. By coupling the word-card approach with the power of the computer to mange the learning process, and with the use of multimedia, we believe that WORDREADY® is a very effective vocabulary learning resource.
"Perhaps the worst we can say about learning words from lists is that this activity is potentially dull (but effective). As a result, the big challenge in vocabulary teaching (and learning) is how to make this a pleasant activity given the large number of words to be learned."Folse, K. 2004
In designing WORDREADY®, we have attempted to do just that.
Why not sign up for a trial subscription to see for yourself?
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