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Independent Learning

ELRC Students Library

The path to becoming an independent learner involves using your initiative to try new study techniques and access the resources you require to achieve your academic goals. Being able to work independently, taking responsibility for your own learning, and making informed choices are key elements of being an independent learner. Working independently requires motivation, and the confidence to try things out – and learn what works and what doesn’t work for you. A successful independent language learner - at any stage of their studies - recognises when they need help and what kind of help they might need, and sets themselves goals for ongoing development. Small group learning situations and one-to-one teaching sessions offer useful opportunities to get feedback, and monitor your own learning development.

There are a number of ways that we encourage independent language learning and development in CeTTL:

  • The links below direct you to a number of websites that can you help you with a range of language learning needs.
  • You can book in for 1:1 English language consultations with Student Learning tutors.
  • University of Waikato College students can join the online conversation groups and writing 1:1 sessions.
  • You can use the range of English language resources located in the library, which include grammar, IELTS preparation, graded readers, writing and listening resources.

University of Waikato students and staff can login to use the online English language resources:
Online resources

  • Clarity Active Reading - contains video, passages for reading, short answer questions & vocabulary lists.
  • Clarity Practical Writing for life - includes essay writing; stages, job applications, emails, graphs & reports, plagiarism, taking notes, text speak and official letters.
  • Clarity Tense Buster - 33 grammar areas (simple present to phrasal verbs).
  • Clarity Study Skills Success - critical thinking, avoid plagiarism, research, reading, writing, listening (to lectures), speaking (seminars) & grammar.
  • Clarity Road to IELTS - ebooks for question type on reading, writing, speaking & listening, tutorials and interactive activities modelled on the real IELTS test papers.
  • Clarity Clear Pronunciation 2 -  43 sounds in English can be learnt in clearly understandable speech. Consonant clusters, word stress, sentence stress, connected speech and intonation are covered. Also, Australian, British, North American pronunciation models can be chosen with multiple accents.

For further help contact us.

Useful websites to practice your English language skills:

Free websites:

Free websites:

Free websites:

  • English Club – reading lessons
  • University of Victoria, Study Zone – free ESOL Self Access reading exercises (beginner to advanced levels)
  • wyzant – reading – student quizzes and activities
  • ESOL Courses – online Reading Lessons and Activities
  • Fishpond – some free ebooks, and some you need to pay for
  • Global – reading practice, with exercises for pre intermediate to upper intermediate levels
  • HundrED – pictures to improve reading comprehension and critical thinking
  • Loyal Books - free downloadable public domain ebooks
  • Ako Aotearoa – NZ books, audio versions of books and learners’ guides.
  • News in Levels – news website for English language students (levels 1-3; 1000-3000 useful words)
  • NZ Driving Tests – Information and quizzes for driving in NZ
  • NZ Herald Online
  • Macmillan Education – reading exercises, including vocabulary and grammar from the Guardian newspaper

Websites where you have to pay:

Free websites:

Free websites:

Beginner to Intermediate levels:

  • English Club – writing lessons
  • ESL GALAXY – writing exercises with answers, and worksheets for beginner to intermediate levels
  • ESOL Courses – online Gap Fills and Cloze Exercises
  • Smore – create free online flyers using text & graphics
  • Walden University – sentence structure and types of sentences

English for Academic Purposes (EAP):

Free websites:

Free websites:

Free websites:

  • British Council – IELTS practice material for listening, speaking, reading and writing modules
  • Canadavisa.com – IELTS tests, for general training practice
  • eltresourceful – writing part 2
  • Exam English – IELTS band score calculator
  • Exam English – IELTS practice tests for listening, speaking, reading and writing modules
  • ESOL Courses – online English for Advanced Learners and IELTS students
  • Farlex – dictionary
  • IELTS – for test dates and locations, advice on test preparation, sample practice materials and hints and tips to help candidates perform at their best
  • IELTS Advantage – writing task 1
  • IELTS Advantage – 10 most common writing task 2 topics
  • IELTS ADVANTAGE – IELTS Blog, IELTS Tips, Student Advice, Sample Answers and Lessons.
  • IELTS-Exam.net – IELTS exam preparation
  • YouTube – samples of IELTS speaking tests

Free websites:

Useful resources