Vocabulary is essential for language acquisition, and a solid command of it is required, particularly for developing one’s style of writing and speaking abilities. Learning a new language is now simpler than ever, owing to the Internet. Both teachers and parents may access a broad range of materials to help them enhance and develop their vocabulary with a single click.
As a middle school student, it can be difficult to find fun and informative vocabulary resources. However, there are many websites available that can help you improve your vocabulary skills. In this post, we will introduce some websites that can help augment your vocabulary.
Vocabulary websites: Features to look out for
As an educator, you know that a strong vocabulary is essential for success in both reading and writing. You also know that it can be difficult to find high-quality vocabulary resources online. Below added are some essential features to look for when evaluating a Vocabulary website. With these tips, you can choose the best site for your student’s learning needs and help them build a foundation that will support their future academic success.
1. Simple UI – It should always be kept in mind that the students will spend the maximum time on these websites. Hence, it becomes imperative that the user interface of any website that your kids involve into, comes with as simple a UI as possible. User Interface Design is critical since it has the potential to build or ruin the participation of an individual. In addition, it reduces difficulties, doubles interests, improves functionality, and establishes a strong bond between language education and your kid.
2. The age range of the site: Some sites are geared towards younger children, while others are better suited for older kids. Make sure to choose a site appropriate for your child’s age.
3. The content of the site. Some sites focus on teaching academic words, while others focus on more everyday words. Choose a site that offers the vocabulary you think your child needs to learn.
4. The format of the site. Some sites offer games and other interactive activities, while others provide more traditional lessons. As per the age, grasping ability, and usability of your child, parents must pick websites that suit their needs in particular. Choose the format you think your child will be most interested in and engaged in.
5. The cost of the site. Some sites are free, while others require a subscription. Choose the option that fits your budget and your child’s needs. With so many different vocabulary websites available, one is sure to be perfect for your child.
Take the time to explore your options and find the site that offers your family’s right mix of features.
Websites to improve vocabulary for Middle schoolers
Vocabulary is key to being successful in middle school and beyond. These seven websites will help students learn new words and definitions in an engaging and interactive way. Have a look below.
1. EdClub
EdClub is a teaching and learning platform that concerns Vocabulary & Spelling activities. The game comes with a School and an Individual Edition. Teachers and schools can use the School Edition. Whereas, the Individual Edition can be used by students. The latter comes with a dashboard and customization options to play and learn vocabulary.
Each sequence of Common Core-aligned tasks of this activity game is divided by grades. Students begin with a visually appealing course video that is divided into:
- word parts
- definitions, and
- word usage.
Once the video is over, students have to answer brief questions in concern to the words taught in the video. Next, students play games and can gain stars, points, and badges.
2. Vocabulary.com
This website, as the name suggests, assists students in improving their vocabulary using games and enjoyable learning exercises. The website also offers a dictionary with thousands of sample phrases from contemporary newspapers, journals, and literature. Vocabulary.com, in addition to the dictionary, provides vocabulary items, word challenges, often misunderstood terms, exam prep, vocabulary jams, and various other educational activities.
Whether searching for a specific term or just exploring, you’ll discover a world of helpful explanations and entertaining games. Teachers can engage their students in an incredibly quickly Vocab Jam or provide fully prepared word lists for hundreds of books and themes.
3. Breaking News English
Breaking News English is a website that provides English language learners with breaking news stories. The stories are written using simple, easy-to-understand language, and they include audio clips so that learners can also listen to the story. Each story also includes comprehension questions and vocabulary lists.
Breaking News English is a ideal resource for English learners because it provides them with current, real-world examples of the language. The stories are also short and focused, which makes them easier to understand than longer, more complex texts. In addition, the audio clips help learners to improve their listening skills. Finally, the comprehension questions and vocabulary lists help learners to consolidate their understanding of the story and expand their vocabulary knowledge.
4. The International Children’s Digital Library (ICDL)
The International Children’s Digital Library (ICDL) is a non-profit organization that provides free, high-quality children’s books from around the world through its website. The ICDL Foundation believes that all children deserve access to books regardless of their geographic location or economic circumstances. It offers over 10,000 digital books in more than 60 languages. These books can be read online or downloaded for offline reading.
The ICDL website helps kids who are beginners in learning English. The books are engaging and the site is easy to use. If you’re looking for a way to help your child improve their English skills, the ICDL is an ideal option.
5. Online Etymology Dictionary
The Online Etymology Dictionary is a resource for middle schoolers looking to improve their vocabulary. The dictionary provides definitions for over 16,000 English words and etymologies ( origins) for each word. This can help students understand the meaning of words in context and learn new words by understanding their roots. In addition, the dictionary includes audio pronunciations for each word, so students can hear how the word is pronounced.
6. Flocabulary
Flocabulary has a very different twist and takes on this purpose. It is a site that uses rap/hip-hop songs to assist students in building cross-curricular academic vocabulary. In addition, Flocabulary provides a wide range of pre-made courses and activities to assist students in progressing toward mastery. These include the Vocabulary Game, Vocabulary Cards, Lyric Lab, Quiz, and various additional games.
Teachers may form classes, ask kids to participate, and begin exchanging lessons and homework. They can also evaluate students’ replies, offer timely feedback, and track their learning progress. This is a must-take-in tool for teachers, making their job easy and smooth.
7. Memrise.com
It’s all about repetitions and memorization at Memrise.com. You start in a “course” and progress through several levels by studying 5 sentences or words at a time. Memrise will constantly bring back previously learned words to help them stay in your mind! In addition, teachers or parents can motivate their children and students by setting daily goals and earning points to motivate them.
Memrise is a useful language and vocabulary learning tool, especially for beginners discovering new characters and fundamental vocabulary. The fact that it is more than flashcard software keeps it interesting. It has a variety of lessons, videos, and a lot more!
Conclusion
For middle schoolers, it’s the perfect time to incorporate better and more sophisticated words into their vocabularies. It helps them become better English speakers and writers in the longer run. They even get to discover their style of writing and experiment with it alongside. With constant support from teachers and parents, middle schoolers are bound to fall into such processes of learning new words, and that is the key to becoming proficient in the English language.
An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’,