Grammar and Vocabulary | British Council

“While without grammar little can be conveyed, without vocabulary nothing can be conveyed.” - David Wilkins, British linguist

A wide range of lexical resource is important for conversing in any language, not to mention getting high scores on English tests. In order to communicate effectively, you must have enough vocabulary which you can use in a way that people find easy to understand. We acknowledge your desire to be understood in English. Therefore, we have found some useful resources for your self-study and have included them below.

General Grammar Exercises

General Grammar Exercises:

Here are some grammar exercises for you to improve your English anytime.
Learn more English here with interactive exercises, useful downloads, games, and weblinks. Practise your grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, and reading, and have some fun too.
Improve your English with help from this free website from the British Council with videos, listening activities, texts and grammar exercises for learners at every level.

Grammar All Levels

British Council App: Johnny Grammar's Word Challenge
English in a minute - short videos that teach grammar, vocabulary and everyday phrases
BBC Learning English: Grammar – everything you want to know in 6 minutes. Improve your grammar with our weekly grammar podcasts and short videos about specific areas of grammar.
Online Course: English Grammar and Style - learn key concepts and strategies in grammar and style to help enhance your writing and confidently respond to the demand of high levels of literacy in the 21st century.

Grammar B1+ / Intermediate+

Exercises that have been developed to help you test your understanding
Grammar for Academic Writing
Academic Skills

Vocabulary A1 / Elementary

Prepare to study at university, explore the qualities of a successful student, and learn key vocabulary in an academic context.
This free online course will help you learn basic English skills. It will give you confidence in everyday situations and help you improve your listening skills

Vocabulary A2 / Pre-Intermediate

This course is for people who are learning English and who are interested in developing English language skills for employability and workplace contexts.
On this course you will build your English skills. You will develop your use of English in a wider range of everyday situations and grow your listening ability.

Vocabulary B1+ / Intermediate+

This course is designed for high-intermediate ESL students who need to develop better listening comprehension and oral skills, which will primarily be achieved by detailed instructions on pronunciation. Our focus will be on (1) producing accurate and intelligible English, (2) becoming more comfortable listening to rapidly spoken English, and (3) learning common expressions, gambits, and idioms used in both formal and informal contexts.
Academic vocabulary is the vocabulary you really need to learn in order to succeed in your studies.

Vocabulary All Levels

The English we speak - the very latest English words and phrases

6 Minute English - topical discussion and new vocabulary, brought to you by your favourite BBC Learning English presenters

X Uses of Y - a brand new series that brings you multiple uses of familiar words through the medium of stories new and old, classic and modern

BBC Learning English: Vocabulary – become a vocabulary expert with these guides. Everything you need to know to help you build and improve your vocabulary.

How To – everyday phrases. Watch these videos and learn useful English phrases that you can use immediately.

Learners' Questions - the series where questions you want to know about English are answered