Common Sense Media Review
By Ana Beltran
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Expand vocabulary with engaging activities; best for teens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Climb – English Vocabulary
Parent and Kid Reviews
Privacy Rating Warning
Privacy Rating
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Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
What's It About?
CLIMB – ENGLISH VOCABULARY starts with a list of words that range in difficulty, asks users to tap on all the words they confidently know, and then creates a personalized word list. It also has several general vocabulary lists organized into 11 categories for users to explore, such as sports, wine and dine, day-to-day, and studying. When kids tap on a word, they see its definition, other key dictionary information, and a visual representation or GIF. The word analyzer shows users how challenging a word is in comparison to their vocabulary level and suggests similar words representing various difficulty levels. The practice feature is a sequence of prompts that ask users to identify definitions, identify meanings of words in sentences, and match words to GIFs. Additional features include a Google Translate option and a link to Urban Dictionary. A "word of the day" feature offers a related news article that allows users to see the word used in context. Users can create personalized lists using any words they see within the app. They can also use the app to look up words when reading in Safari.
Is It Any Good?
This engaging language tool, ideal for teens and adults, can be used as a study aid or as a fun way to expand vocabulary. Although Climb - English Vocabulary has quite a few features, the interface is user friendly and easy to navigate. It offers more than the typical dictionary by giving users a sense of the word in context through examples of the word in sentences and links to related news articles or pop culture references. The app integrates translation to any language and links to Urban Dictionary, making it an efficient and comprehensive tool. Users will appreciate the ability to look up words from text they read in a Safari web browser and then add the words to their in-app vocabulary lists. The app offers several vocabulary lists organized into fun and quirky categories, but it also allows users to create lists that focus on their personal needs and interests. By incorporating GIFs and finding inspiration in popular movies, TV shows, books, and slang, Climb – English Vocabulary keeps learners engaged. Folks looking for a study boost while preparing for standardized test such as the SAT, GRE, GMAT, or TOEFL will find this to be a useful tool. The practice component, which allows users to practice learned words by combining repetition, visual representations, definitions, and words in context, could be good preparation for such tests. Teens who use this tool to build their English language ability will find the word analyzer particularly useful since it compares words to their current vocabulary level and offers synonyms ranging in difficulty for additional reference and learning. A glaring hole in the app's design is the lack of a search function. Although there are lots of ways to list words, there are tons of words to explore, and finding a word on demand can require significant extra work and recall.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about different ways to take learning new words beyond the app when using Climb – English Vocabulary. Encourage using new vocabulary when speaking or writing, and find opportunities to express ideas in a variety of ways.
Talk about the importance of repetition and practice when learning something new. Can this app be a valuable resource for expanding vocabulary? How about a study aid when preparing for standardized tests?
Reading is a tried and true method for increasing vocabulary. Encourage your kids to read widely, including novels, nonfiction, newspapers, magazines, and more.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Subjects : Language & Reading : letter or word recognition , spelling , vocabulary
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : applying information , memorization , Creativity : combining knowledge , Self-Direction : academic development , achieving goals , effort , personal growth , self-assessment
- Pricing structure : Free to try (Limited content available for free. Subscribe for full access; subscriptions range from $9.99 to $59.99. 7-day free trial available.)
- Release date : July 1, 2020
- Genre : Education
- Publisher : Climb Apps, LLC
- Version : 1.6.5
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 12.0 or later
- Last updated : September 3, 2020
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