Concordancers for Academic English Study

Introduction

This tutorial provides an overview of using concordancers for academic English study. Concordancers are powerful tools that help you analyze language patterns by searching through large collections of texts (corpora). This guide will review four main online concordancers: Lextutor, BNC, MICUSP, and SKELL. Each tool has unique features that can enhance your academic writing and research.

Step 1: Understand What a Concordancer Is

• A concordancer is a computer program designed to search through a corpus of texts.
• It functions similarly to a search engine, providing lists of sentences that contain your search terms.
• Concordancers help identify:
  • Usage patterns of words or phrases.
  • Frequency of specific terms.
  • Collocations, or how words commonly combine with others.

Step 2: Explore Lextutor

• Visit the Lextutor website.
• Use the platform to analyze vocabulary and word frequency.
• Key features:
  • Access to various corpora, including academic texts.
  • Tools for vocabulary profiling and context analysis.
• Practical Tip: Use Lextutor to enhance your vocabulary knowledge by examining how words are used contextually in academic writing.

Step 3: Utilize BNC (British National Corpus)

• Navigate to the BNC website.
• Search for words or phrases to see examples in context.
• Key features:
  • A vast database of written and spoken texts.
  • Provides information on word frequency and collocation.
• Common Pitfall: Ensure you understand the context of the examples you find, as meanings can vary based on usage.

Step 4: Leverage MICUSP (Michigan Corpus of Upper-level Student Papers)

• Access MICUSP online.
• Use it to find examples of academic writing by students at a graduate level.
• Key features:
  • Focus on real student papers which can guide your writing style and structure.
  • Analyze common academic phrases and structures.
• Practical Tip: Compare your work with examples from MICUSP to identify areas for improvement.

Step 5: Navigate SKELL (Sketch Engine for Language Learning)

• Go to the SKELL website.
• Search for specific terms to see how they are used across various texts.
• Key features:
  • Provides detailed statistics on word usage.
  • Allows you to explore different collocations and phrases.
• Practical Tip: Use SKELL for writing assignments to ensure you are using terms correctly and effectively in your sentences.

Conclusion

Concordancers are invaluable tools for academic English study, allowing you to explore language patterns, improve your vocabulary, and enhance your writing skills. By utilizing Lextutor, BNC, MICUSP, and SKELL, you can gain deeper insights into language use and refine your academic work. Start experimenting with these tools today to elevate your understanding of academic English.