The best spelling app for ESL and ELL students (2026)
Full disclosure: I make Spelling Test Buddy, and ESL teachers are some of its heaviest users, from elementary newcomers to adults. But English learners need meaning as much as spelling, and some of the best tools for that aren’t spelling apps.
| Tool | Best for | Price | Works for adults? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spelling Test Buddy (mine) | dictation-style spelling with sentences, accent choice | $49.99/year, up to 150 students | Yes |
| Quizlet | flashcards with definitions or translations | Free; Plus for teachers $35.99/year | Yes |
| Vocabulary.com | academic vocabulary and meaning | Free to start; paid classroom licenses | Yes |
| Spelling Training | free practice on a single list | Free | Aimed at kids |
| Spelling Shed | young learners who respond to games | Free plan; Premium by quote | Aimed at kids |
What English learners need from a spelling tool
Clear audio, in the right accent. A student in Sydney learning from an American recording is learning a different set of vowel sounds than they hear every day.
Context. Hearing their, there, and they’re on their own is a guessing game. Hearing each one in a sentence isn’t.
Meaning. A word you can spell but don’t understand isn’t much use. That part usually needs a different tool or the teacher.
Not feeling like a little kid. Many ESL learners are teenagers or adults.
1. Spelling Test Buddymine
Mine. Every word is read aloud with a generated example sentence, and you choose the accent for each list. If a sentence is too hard for your students, edit it. Teach Me shows a word letter by letter while it’s spoken, which helps connect sounds to spelling, and the tests are dictation style, which is also good listening practice.
Adult and teen learners use it without it feeling childish, and students only need a class link and a code. More on using it as a TESOL tool.
What it won’t do: translate, or teach meaning beyond the sentence.
2. Quizlet
For meaning, Quizlet is better than any spelling app. Put the English word on one side and a translation, picture, or simple definition on the other. Audio works in many languages, which helps with bilingual sets. It’s weaker for spelling tests. Spelling Test Buddy vs Quizlet.
3. Vocabulary.com
For older students working on academic English, Vocabulary.com’s adaptive questions teach meaning in context very well. It’s less suited to beginners.
4. Spelling Training
Type in a list, and students listen and type. No accounts, reports, or sentences, but it’s free and fast for extra practice at home.
5. Spelling Shed
For young learners, Spelling Shed’s games and sequenced phonics help with sound-letter patterns, and the free plan includes the games. Spelling Test Buddy vs Spelling Shed.
My pick
Use two tools. Spelling Test Buddy for hearing and spelling words in context, in the accent your students live with. Quizlet for meaning and translation.
Older students working on academic English: add Vocabulary.com.
What I’d do this week
- Pick the accent your students hear outside class and use it for every list.
- Check every example sentence for words your students won't know yet, and simplify them.
- Teach meaning first, then practice spelling. A word's spelling sticks better once students know what it means.
- Use dictation tests as listening practice too: have students say the word back before they type it.
Questions
- Which English accents does Spelling Test Buddy support?
- US, UK, Australian, and Indian English. You choose the accent when you create a word list. See the guides for British English, Australian English, and Indian English.
- Does Spelling Test Buddy translate words?
- No. It reads each word and a sentence in English. For translation, pair it with Quizlet or a bilingual word list.
- Can adults use it?
- Yes. Adult ESL and EFL learners use it for vocabulary lists, workplace terms, and exam prep. The games and tests don’t look like a children’s app.
- Can I change the example sentence?
- Yes. If a generated sentence uses vocabulary that’s too hard for your students, edit it, and the audio regenerates.
Try Spelling Test Buddy
$49.99 a year for up to 150 students, with every game, tool, and report included. Start with a 14-day free trial, and if 14 days isn’t enough, email me and I’ll extend it.
Start your free trialI checked prices and features for every product on this page in October 2026. Prices change, so confirm on each company’s site before you buy.