LibGuides: English Language Proficiency: eResources

Databases

This database helps learners of English improve their English in specific areas such as listening, speaking, reading and writing. Besides English Language learning, this resource also gives learners tips on career preparation and study skill success.

E-Dictionaries

Oxford English Dictionary This link opens in a new window
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is widely regarded as the accepted authority on the English language. It is an unsurpassed guide to the meaning, history, and pronunciation of 600,000 words— past and present—from across the English-speaking world. You can find present-day meanings in the OED, but you can also find the history of individual words, and of the language.

Cambridge Dictionaries Online
Select any English or translation dictionary to search in that dictionary. This site from Cambridge University Press also contains dictionaries for English language learners at all levels. They're ideal for anyone preparing for Cambridge English exams and IELTS.

Business Writing

5 Business Writing Skills Every Job Applicant Should Master (Vault)
How to Improve Your Business Writing (Harvard Business Review)
Business Letters (Colorado State University Writing Center)
Tips for Better Business Writing with Natasha Terk
Online video via LinkedIn Learning (intranet)

Other web resources

Databases

PressReader This link opens in a new window
Access over 5000 newspapers and magazines from 100+ countries in 60+ languages in full colour, full page format. Registered library users can use the PressReader app remotely for 7 days before they have to authenticate again by connecting their device to the NTU Wi-Fi network. App set up must be completed on campus. We recommend downloading issues using your NTU network account while on campus. Note that PressReader only provides access to the last 2 months of each publication.

The Straits Times, Lianhe Zaobao, The Business Times and other SPH newspapers are not available via PressReader.

More details

Oxford Reference This link opens in a new window
If you need to look up a term or need a quick explanation of a concept, you can use Oxford Reference to retrieve dictionary entries easily. Click Subject from the top bar and click “linguistics” for a list of ebooks related to the subject.

Example: Hinton, L.(2003). Endangered Languages. In International Encyclopedia of Linguistics. : Oxford University Press.

Online videos

Academic Insights – 9 top tips for academic writing (BBC Learning English)

This video is targeted at students doing academic writing, with 9 top tips given by an instructor who is currently teaching at a University. This episode is part of the Academic Insights series from the BBC Learning English site.

Academic Writing: The Basics (Simon Fraser University)

“Academic writing: the basics” is produced by the Simon Fraser University and it gives students some study tips and a quick overview on how to write assignments at the University level.