The ‘Dacco‘ project (Diccionari Anglès-Català de Codi Obert) started the creation of a dictionary some years ago. The philosophy of this project is that everyone can participate and contribute with words and translations, similar to the way ‘wikipedia’ works.

It is not perfect, but it is getting better and better with time. If you want to look up a word, simply use the search function (‘ctrl + f’ or ‘ctrl + b’) and type the word you want.

The file is compressed to only 5.1 mb zip, but it may take a while to begin the download.

These days it’s all exams, exams and exams. Here’s a video that will teach you how to revise. There’s a transcript on the same page!

After marking the irregular verbs exams, the results show that many of the students didn’t even bother to study them. It really shocks me as a teacher because:

• The irregular verbs are the most frequently used verbs in English. If you study them, you will be able to understand a higher percentage of texts.
• The irregular verbs are studied from 2nd grade of ESO, and by 3rd grade of ESO all the curriculum includes 90% of the irregular verbs. Some students though had their first contact with these verbs as early as Primary School!
• It does not involve understanding. It only involves memory. A student with very bad English marks can have a 10 if he/she studies hard

Després de corregir els exàmens de verbs irregulars, els resultats mostren que una gran part dels alumnes ni es van molestar en estudiar-los. Resulta molt sorprenent com a professor, ja que:

• Els verbs irregulars són els més utilitzats en anglès. Si els estudies, seràs capaç d’ entendre un porcentatge molt més alt de texts.
• Els verbs irregulars s’ estudien des de 2n d’ ESO; a 3r el programa educatiu ja inclou el 90% d’ aquests verbs irregulars. Alguns, però, ja n’ hauràn tingut el primer contacte des de primària!
• No és necessari entendre res. Només cal memòria. Un alumne a qui se li doni malament l’ anglès pot aconseguir un 10 si estudia suficient.