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Turn English lesson notes into a mind map you can edit

Upload a PDF, DOCX or photo of a handout and get an explorable map of grammar and vocabulary branches you can edit.

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Drop files here or browsePDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or photos of your notes · several files with Plus

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How mind maps help English learners retain new material

Vocabulary, verb tenses and connecting words rarely stick when they sit in a long list of notes. Mind maps for ESL students group related ideas around one central topic, so a learner can see how a verb form, its irregular past tense and its negative fit together. DeckOwl reads your PDF, DOCX or photographed handout and builds the map for you.

Organize grammar rules by tense, article or connector
Pair each English word with its part of speech and an example
Review a topic as a map before a quiz or class discussion
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Example mind map branches for English grammar practice

Past tense verbsRegular: add -ed · Irregular: learn forms like went, saw, took · Negatives use didn't plus the base form

Articles a, an, thea or an for a first mention of a singular countable noun · the for specific or known nouns · often no article before general plural or uncountable nouns

Phrasal verbsVerb plus particle with a new meaning · look up, give up · Many are separable: turn the light off or turn off the light

Academic word familiesNoun, verb and adjective forms · analyze, analysis, analytical · Learn the family together

Contrast connectorshowever, although, whereas · however starts a new sentence · although joins two clauses

Generate the full set

Built from your material

Upload PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text notes or a photo of a page. Photos are read with text recognition.

Editable and explorable

Rename, move or add branches, then click through the map to expand each idea.

Export options on paid plans

Free accounts study in the browser. Plus and Pro add export options such as PDF, DOCX and Anki.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF, DOCX, slides, plain text or a photo of a handout.

Generate the map

DeckOwl groups the main topics into branches with sub-points.

Edit and explore

Change any branch, then expand or collapse parts as you study.

Many English learners find it easier to remember a rule when they see its exceptions next to it. An editable map lets a teacher or student move branches, rename nodes and add examples as the class moves forward.

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Frequently asked questions

How do mind maps help ESL students learn English?

They show how words, grammar rules and exceptions connect, which can be easier to remember than a flat list. Learners can follow one branch at a time and see related forms side by side.

What should an ESL mind map include?

Start with one central topic, such as past tense or academic vocabulary, and add branches for rules, common exceptions and example sentences. Keep each branch short so the map stays easy to scan.

Can I edit a mind map after DeckOwl makes it?

Yes. You can rename nodes, move branches and add your own examples to match what your class covered.

Do I need to pay to export my mind map?

The free plan lets you study in the browser without exports. Plus and Pro add export options, and Plus is $39/year or $7.99/month, with 40% off for students using a school email.

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Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.