Academic word list tool

The academic word list (AWL) contains 570 of the most important words that will help you to be successful in your studies.

Four great reasons to learn the AWL

Understand your lectures more easily.
Read your course material more quickly and effectively.
Improve your academic writing and complete assignments more quickly.
Build your confidence in talking with lecturers and other students.

How to use this resource

Start at list 1 & 2 and use the games and quizzes to help you check that you really know these words and can use them effectively. Then continue with the other lists. You'll be surprised what a difference ten minutes a day can make!

References

Coxhead A (2000) 'A new academic word list', TESOL Quarterly, 34(2):213-238, doi:10.2307/3587951.

Coxhead A (1998) An academic word list, ELI Occasional Publications 18, School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington.

Using English for Academic Purposes

This is a great resource on the Academic Word List with links to definitions as well as other practice activities.

Keywords

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information

Learning Lab homepage