Quizlet is a flashcard website/ application that can be used for learning, practising and testing vocabulary or grammar in teaching English (or any other language!). It offers games and other fun learning tools as well, that can be easily used in the classroom. It works for every level and is an incredibly customisable tool for the classroom. You can cover them all and it makes a great interactive addition to your teaching repertoire. I have been using it in the classroom for several months now and the students really enjoy it and it offers a break from the traditional Spanish chalk board classrooms and brings the class into the 21st century. It’s free to use (you only need a computer and Internet connection) and very straight forward with a wide range of options to suit lots of needs.
Below are listed some advantages and disadvantages to Quizlet so you can better decide whether it’s for you or not:
Advantages
- One of the most interesting and useful features I discovered when I watched the webinar is that you can import vocabulary lists from Excel/ Word/ Pdf document by copying and pasting the words. Forget the endless hours of adding vocabulary sets word by word, as you can now simply import whole lists!
- Selecting audio language is very important so that your students can listen to the words/text in the appropriate accent.
- Combine sets you’ve already made to make one revision set.
- Copy HTML to post a set on a website.
- You can also send vocabulary sets to specific students and share them with other teachers to reduce workload. Sharing is caring!
- Use hints in definitions to help students find the answer
- Texts in brackets aren’t read aloud.
- As I said before, you can practise grammar as well by creating multiple choice and gap filling sets in the definitions cards but make sure students see the definition card first!
- Select privacy.
- There’s also the option to buy the Premium version: it gives you the possibility to record your text/examples/words yourself!
Disadvantages
- Offline mode: although it is supposed to work offline, it has been noticed that sometimes it doesn’t, especially on tablets and mobiles phones and when the vocabulary sets include pictures. So, be prepared to deal with anticipated problems if you want to use it offline.
- The newest feature of Quizlet is called ‘Quizlet live’ and it’s a teacher-led game very similar to ‘Kahoot’. You should definitely give it a try if you a) work on a computer, as it’s not available on tablets and mobiles yet, b)have more than 6 students in you class, as that’s the minimum number of players. Also, make sure that your students have their mobile phones with them!
If you want to learn more information about how to get the most out of using quizlet click here and watch a webinar/tutorial.
What do you think about Quizlet?
What educational tools do you use in your lessons?
Teaching in Spain: An Englishman and a Greek 
I use Quizlet in my ESL class for a Kagan Cooperative Learning Structure called Quiz Quiz Trade. Each student begins with a flashcard that has the vocabulary word on one side and the definition or example sentence on the other. I make these quickly by entering the words and definitions from an Excel document as explained in number one above. I print it, make a vertical fold down the center, and then glue it front to back. Then I cut it into separate flashcards and I’m ready to go. If I have more students than words, I simply print again and double up on some words. Just Google: “Kagan Cooperative Learning Quiz Quiz Trade” for an image that shows the steps for the lively interaction. It’s a great way to review and students love it!
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Wow cool! That is a great use of Quizlet! I will definitely use it my class. Thanks!
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Quizlet is nice, but I’ve actually been a bit more into Memrise to be honest, mostly because of how it’s based off the science of memory retention and recycles words according to the student’s performance. It has similar features but allows you to add audio without upgrading and various attributes to cards (word family, phonetic script, translation, etc.). I find it really useful to train learners to collect words on their own, then assemble personal dictionaries, then create their own Memrise course for review.
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