NGSL Tools
Every tool here is free, and every one is built on NGSL Project word lists. They fall into three groups: tools for making materials, tools for learning words, and tools for measuring what learners know.
MAKE MATERIALS
NGSL Profiler — developed by Charles Browne, 2024
Paste in any text and see exactly how it measures against any NGSL list: coverage, out-of-level words, proper nouns, and readability statistics. Includes two AI-supported tools for generating and simplifying texts.
Launch the Profiler → · Read more →
The AI Tools — developed by Charles Browne, 2025–2026
Three free AI tools: the NGSL Graded Story Creator generates original stories and activities at seven cumulative NGSL levels; the NGSL Vocabulary Pushed Output Coach builds productive vocabulary through guided written and spoken practice; and the NDL Kids Story Creator makes level-controlled stories for young learners using the New Dolch List.
Explore the AI tools →
LEARN WORDS
NGSL Learning Dictionary — developed by Charles Browne and Brent Culligan
The most powerful of our learning tools. Every word in every list comes with pronunciation, part of speech, definitions from six dictionaries, and instant access to thousands of authentic video clips showing the word in real use. It also powers the placement test, the crossword puzzles, the word searches, and links out to Quizlet flashcard sets.
Open the dictionary →
Word-Learner app — developed by Charles Browne and Rob Waring
A free, fully gamified flashcard app built on the NGSL Project word lists, with LMS support. Available for iOS and Android.
Get the app →
Quizlet flashcard sets — from Quizlet
Word stacks organised by frequency band. The NGSL sets come in three block sizes: 50 and 100 words for regular study, and 565-word blocks matching the levels of the NGSL Test below, so learners can take the test and then study the levels they scored weakest on. Sets for the other lists are on each list's own page. Quizlet was once fully free; only three of its seven activities remain free now, which is a shame for teachers and learners without budgets — but flashcards are among them.
NGSL in 50-word blocks → · 100-word blocks → · 565-word blocks → · All word lists →
NGSL Wordle — developed by Charles Browne and Brent Culligan
A version of the game built from four-, five-, and six-letter NGSL words, so more than half the list can be reviewed this way. Use the Learning Dictionary to help with your guesses.
Play it in the Learning Dictionary →
Crosswords and word searches — developed by Charles Browne and Brent Culligan
Generated from NGSL words and available from the Puzzles menu in the Learning Dictionary. Good for recognition practice and building automaticity.
Find them under Puzzles in the Learning Dictionary →
MEASURE PROGRESS
NGSL Placement Test — developed by Brent Culligan
A short online test, usually under ten minutes, that identifies which 100-word frequency band a learner should be studying.
Take the test →
NGSL and NAWL Tests — developed by Phil Bennett and Tim Stoeckel
Diagnostic tests of written receptive knowledge of the New General Service List and New Academic Word List, with reliability over .90. Free to download along with directions and answer keys.
Download the tests →