NEW!! Chat with SALC-bot!

17 12 2011

SALC-bot is a friendly computer program that knows a lot about the SALC. If you agree, SALC-bot will save your conversation for a study about how students use chatbots.  For more information about the study, contact Troy Rubesch at troy-r@kanda.kuis.ac.jp.

Here is some advice for chatting with SALC-bot:
 -  SALC-bot can chat about anything, but especially the SALC and English learning.
 -  Type in complete sentences
(not just “No” or “Yes” or “Really?”)

 -  SALC-bot cannot understand bad spelling or bad grammar.

*** If you do not see SALC-bot in the box above, click here! ***




Podcasts

7 07 2011

Better at English podcast  – Short episodes. Natural conversation. Transcript and notes on website, with vocabulary and grammar.

6 minute English – A 6 minute podcast every week from the BBC World Service (British English). Almost natural speed and an interview format. Key vocabulary is explained. Transcript available from website.

OneStopEnglish – the road less travelled – 4-minute episodes of this mini-drama for English learners. Fun characters and easy to follow stories.

Listen to English – learn English – UK based, short episodes (3 – 5 mins) with transcript

ESL podcast – US English. Many episodes on different topics. Intermediate level. Some free services – some you have to pay for

Echat Vancouver – English conversation from Yuko in Canada!

British Council – Learning English podcast – Conversational, simple English on a variety of topics. 5 – 10 minute programmes.

Exclusive!   Travel Podcasts

Try these travel podcasts to improve your listening and learn about some interesting places at the same time. The lessons can help improve your vocabulary and pronunciation, as well as your listening skills.

Click on the links below to listen to the travel podcast mp3s and complete the worksheets (available only for KUIS students in the SALC and on Moodle).

Bangkok, Thailand:  Podcast (on Moodle)    Worksheet (on Moodle)
Sapporo, Japan:  Podcast (on Moodle)    Worksheet (on Moodle)





Chatbots!

22 06 2011

 Chat with a Computer Program (“Chatbot”)!

AliceOne of the the most popular chatbots online.  She can tell lies, spread gossip and even ask you to teach her some Japanese phrases.  To start chatting, type into the box in the middle of the screen that says “You say:”


Elbot - A very nice and funny robot that likes to joke around.  Push Elbot’s red button and start a conversation.


JoanA smart chatbot that asks a lot of questions


George – Another smart, friendly chatbot that speaks many languages. George learns from users.



Ultra Hal – A semi-animated bot which learns from users.  Type your name under the first green button and then click “Let’s Chat”



John Lennon ChatbotThis chat bot impersonates John Lennon by using his own words from conversations and interviews.


Other “Artificial Intelligence” games

Akinator – Think of a TV, movie, or animation character, then answer some easy questions and the web genie will guess the character you are thinking of.



20Q – Play an amazing game of 20 questions with a very smart computer.  It really can guess what you’re thinking!





Dictionaries

12 12 2010

Try some useful dictionaries designed for English Language learners like you!
They all have clear explanations and examples.

Merriam-Webster’s English Learner’s Online Dictionary



Newbury House Dictionary of American English



 Cambridge Dictionaries Online





Vocabulary

11 12 2010

Vocabulary practice

British Council – Learning English GamesLearn and practice a large number of areas of English vocabulary, and have some fun as well.

Free Rice- A non-profit website run by the United Nations World Food Programme.  Answer vocabulary questions to help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people.

Idioms – Use digital flash cards to match common idioms to their English meaning.

ESL Memory and Match – An easy flash game to practice some common English words and expressions

Tests and word lists

Levels Tests On-line – Use these tests to quickly  find your vocabulary level and focus your study

Academic Word List – 570 academic words and their definitions to improve your academic vocabulary 

Quizlet - A vocabulary quiz maker for learners.  Test yourself on the words you upload.  You can either choose for ready-made definitions, write your own, or use translations.

Katherine









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