BASIC ESL TOOLS

THE BASIC ESL TOOLS

Learning a second language is never easy. To make it easier, you need the following necessary tools.

A dictionary

• Use a dictionary to find out what words mean and to make sure that words mean what you think they mean.

• Use a dictionary to see a word in context so that you have better understanding of how that word should be used in your own writing.

• Use a dictionary to find out the preferred spelling of a word because the same word can be spelled differently.

• Use a dictionary to determine the usage of a word, such as the preposition that normally goes with it.

A thesaurus

A thesaurus may help you find the right word to use. Sometimes you cannot recall a certain word that you may wish to use; in that case, a dictionary may not be able to help you. A thesaurus provides words and phrases that are close in meaning.

A pronunciation dictionary

An English pronouncing dictionary with words in international phonetic transcription is a great help in getting the right pronunciation.

All the above books are indispensable to any ESL learner who wants not only to learn but also to master the English language.

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau