The C-Pen Reader 2 and Reader 3 do more than read words aloud. Students can look up a word's meaning from the built-in dictionaries, then revisit the words they found hardest in practice mode. It turns everyday reading into vocabulary building. The Exam Reader 2 has no dictionary, so it stays exam-safe.
Built-in dictionaries
| Model | Dictionaries |
|---|---|
| C-Pen Reader 2 | English: Collins, Oxford Primary Dictionary and New American Oxford Dictionary. Also French, Spanish and Italian |
| C-Pen Reader 3 | Built-in dictionary definitions, plus online definitions and translation in more than 40 languages when connected to Wi-Fi |
| C-Pen Exam Reader 2 | None |
The Oxford Primary Dictionary suits younger students, because its definitions use simpler words.
Look up a word
- Open the Dictionary app from the main menu.
- Scan the word you want to look up.
- Read or listen to the definition.
- To see a word more clearly, long-press when it is marked on screen to zoom in.
On the Reader 3, you can also scan a line in the Reader app, select one word, and look it up.
Practise difficult words
The pen keeps track of the words a student scans, listens to again or looks up most often. Practice mode brings those words back in a short, game-like round:
- Open Practice from the main menu.
- Choose a recent set of words, such as today's or last week's.
- Listen to each word, check its meaning, and move to the next.
Words the student has mastered drop out over time, as they stop scanning them, and new tricky words take their place.
Classroom ideas
- Vocabulary log: students note three words they looked up during independent reading and use each in a sentence.
- Pre-teach topic words: give students the key terms before a new unit to scan, define and practise.
- Five-minute review: start or end the lesson with a round of practice mode.
For EAL/D learners, pair definitions with translation on the Reader 3 (see reading pens for EAL/D learners).
Dictionaries and exams
Dictionaries are not allowed in most exams. Use Exam Lock on the Reader 2 or Reader 3 for class tests and mock exams, or an Exam Reader 2 for formal exams (see Exam Mode setup).
Frequently asked questions
Does a C-Pen have a dictionary?
The Reader 2 and Reader 3 have built-in dictionaries. The Reader 2 includes Collins, Oxford Primary and New American Oxford English dictionaries. The Exam Reader 2 has no dictionary.
Can a C-Pen read definitions aloud?
Yes. Definitions can be read aloud as well as shown on screen, so students who struggle to read the screen can still use the dictionary.
What is practice mode on a C-Pen?
Practice mode brings back words the student scanned or looked up most often, so they can listen, check the meaning and learn them over time.
More C-Pen guides for schools and therapistsSetup help, exam provisions, funding and model comparisons in one place.
