Questions about Crossword Battle

What is Crossword Battle?

Crossword Battle is a science-backed vocabulary game for adults learning English. It uses the study methods research rates highest, recall and spaced repetition, inside quick crossword races, and the words you miss come back until you know them.

Who is it for?

It is for adults who study English on their own and want to grow their vocabulary. It covers beginner to advanced, CEFR levels A1 to C1.

Which languages can I learn?

English only, for now. The words, the clues and the game itself are all in English. Other languages are not supported yet.

Is it free?

Yes. Crossword Battle is free to play. There is nothing to install and no payment to set up.

What English level do I need?

Any level from A1 to C1. Every clue is a plain English definition with an example sentence, written to be solvable by a learner at that level.

How does it find my level?

By playing. There is no test and no question about your level. Your first races find it, and it keeps adjusting as you improve. You can also choose a level yourself at any time.

How does it help me remember words?

Words you miss come back. After each race you see the words you missed with their meaning, and those words return in your next races until you get them right without help.

Learned words still come back now and then, further apart each time, so they stay learned.

Does it help with spelling?

Yes. When you type a word wrong before you get it right, the game notices. After the race you see what you typed next to the correct spelling, with the wrong letters marked.

Your words page keeps a record of these slips for every word, so you can see the spelling mistakes you repeat.

Is there research behind this approach?

Yes. The game is built on well-established findings from learning science: recalling an answer strengthens memory more than rereading it, practice spread over time beats cramming, a failed attempt followed by the answer helps learning, and mistakes teach when they get quick feedback. The how it works page lists the studies.

Why a game and not flashcards?

Because the methods that work only help if you keep using them. Flashcards are easy to put off. A short race with something to win is easy to start and easy to come back to, which is what turns good methods into a habit.

A review of dozens of studies found that gamification improves learning, motivation and behaviour (Sailer and Homner, 2020).

Can I practise my own words?

Yes. On the words page you can type words, paste a list or a piece of text, or take a photo of a page. The game picks out the words and adds them to your next races.

How long is a race?

A few minutes. Races start small and the grids grow as you get stronger.

Do I need to install anything?

No. Crossword Battle runs in your web browser on a phone, a tablet or a computer.

Why do I sign in with Google?

Your progress is the point of the game: the words you have met, missed and learned. Signing in keeps that history safe and lets you continue on any device. There is no password to create or remember.

What data do you keep?

Your Google account name and email, your game history and the words you add. Photos and text you send to add words are read once to find the words and are not stored. The privacy page has the details.