Frequently Asked Questions about Apps 4 EFL
- Please note that as of January 2019, it is no longer possible to register for an account.
- Most activities will continue to function as normal, but progress will not be tracked.
- For more information about these changes, please read the announcement.
What is Apps 4 EFL?
Introduction
Apps 4 EFL is a Web-Based Language Learning (WBLL) platform for teachers and students of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). It utilizes creative commons data and open web technologies to facilitate engaging online study. It features:
- Integrated access to over 5 million Wiki texts, millions of Quizlet flashcards, and hundreds of thousands of example sentences;
- Automatically generated cloze tests;
- Automatically generated vocabulary matching, typing and dictation tests;
- Text-to-speech (TTS) and speech recognition (ASR) with Converse;
- Text analysis tools;
- And much more!
How do I use Apps 4 EFL?
Activities & Tools
Activities can be completed by students on an independent basis. Points are awarded for correct responses.
Tools can be used by teachers or students. They do not award points, although sometimes output can be saved (e.g. Manga Maker).
Device Compatibility
Apps 4 EFL is designed to work well and look good on all devices, including both desktop and mobile browsers. However, in order to guarantee that all features work correctly, the following browsers are recommended:
- For iPhone/iPad users: iOS Safari on iOS 9 or above
- For Android users: Mobile Chrome on Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or above
- For Mac/PC users: Desktop Chrome on Windows 7 or above / Mac OS 10.8 (Mountain Lion) or above
Private browsing must be turned off, and cookies must be enabled in order to log in to the site.
What research has been done on Apps 4 EFL?
Research Papers
- Raine, P. Building sentences with Web 2.0 and the Tatoeba Database. Accents Asia, 10(2), 2-7 (2018)
- Raine, P. Developing Web-based English Learning Applications: Principles and Practice. CALL-EJ, 19(2), 125-138 (2018)
- Raine, P. Apps 4 EFL: Web-based Language Learning with Creative Commons Data. Accents Asia, 9(2), 41-55 (2017)
- Ono, T. & Raine, P. Apps 4 EFL: Synchronous Learning through Real Time. Annual Report of JACET SIG on ESP 18 (2016)
- Daniels, P. Using Web Speech Technology with Language Learning Applications. JALT CALL Journal, v11 n2 p177-187 (2015)
Who is behind Apps 4 EFL?
Founder & Developer
Paul Raine (MA TEFL/TESL, University of Birmingham 2012) is an award-winning teacher, presenter, author, and developer. His books include the best-selling 50 Ways to Teach with Technology and the innovative multi-path graded reader Journey to Mars. He has also developed his own website for teachers and learners of EFL (www.apps4efl.com). He has published numerous research articles on the teaching and learning of English as a second language, and is particularly interested in Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). He currently teaches at two universities in the Tokyo area.
Contributors
Bob Ashcroft contributes to site testing, research, and feedback. He has taught English in Poland, Germany, and Cambodia, and is currently an Associate Professor at Tokai University in Sapporo. He also works as a dissertation supervisor for the Department of English at Birmingham University (UK). His current research interests include blended learning, vocabulary acquisition and teaching English with movies.
M. Delano Cannegieter contributes to site testing, research, PR, and feedback. He holds an M.A. in TESOL from Columbia University and has been an ‘English coach’ at all levels within the education system in Japan for the past 20 years. He is currently teaching at two universities: Takachiho and Obirin. His research interests include, public speaking, presentation skills, pragmatics, effective usage of online material and classroom management.
Nick DiNunzio contributes to site testing, PR, and feedback. He has been an English teacher in Japan for more than 10 years. He was awarded an MLA in Liberal Arts from St. John's College, Annapolis USA. His research interests include Young Language Learners, Task-based Learning, Usage Based Language Acquisition and Corpus Linguistics.
Dr. Stuart McLean is the mastermind behind the New Vocabulary Levels Test. He is an instructor at Osaka Jogakuin University. He holds an M.S.Ed. (TESOL), a Ph.D. in Forensic Medicine, and a P.G.C.E, and is an Applied Linguistics doctoral student at Kansai University. He has published extensively in journals such as Vocabulary Learning and Instruction, Language Teaching Research, and TESOL Quarterly.
Dr. Tomonori Ono contributes to site testing, research, and feedback. He has taught English in Japan for over 8 years, and is particularly interested in CALL and ESP (English for Specific Purposes). He has a BA in World History, an MA in Teaching English as a Second Language, and a Ph.D. in Education.
Oliver Rose contributes to the design and functionality of Apps 4 EFL, and devised the concepts for Error Spotter and Griddle. He is an Assistant Professor at Kwansei Gakuin University in Hyogo, Japan. He enjoys using technology and games for teaching ESL to his students and children, and has produced several mobile apps for both Japanese and English study.
Joseph Tomei has contributed to the Lyric Learner activity. He is a professor in the Faculty of British and American Studies at Kumamoto Gakuen University. He has taught EFL in France, Spain, and Japan at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.