Many ESL students whether they are enrolled in school or are a business professional find that learning to speak English comes more easily than writing in English. This is probably because – like many languages – English has its peculiarities in punctuation and sentence structure making it a little more difficult to get the message across in writing! (more…)

Many global companies around the world require English as a language for business thus it is necessary for their staff to be trained in business English. Professionals who travel to the United States or other English speaking countries also need to communicate effectively as well. English has become one of the most common languages used for business in the world today. (more…)

For an ESL student or any student for that matter, knowing that you have to take a quiz automatically makes you nervous and worried. But you can make your life easier by intentionally taking quizzes online that will test your grammar skills so that when a REAL test is given you are well prepared! (more…)

Many students think that they can learn by reading their textbooks or studying and tend to not treat listening as an important way to understand English. Listening in class for an ESL student here for high school or college is extremely important. Often key information is lost while students were busy chatting or emailing or text messaging with a friend. (more…)

When you are learning English it is important to use the news as a tool to help you learn the language. You can read newspapers or watch television or catch the news on your cell phone or the internet. Today there are endless ways to access the latest happenings that will not only keep you abreast of what is happening in the world and your community but also give you topics of conversation when you meet someone. (more…)

You are being asked to make a speech for a community fundraiser or you are asked to explain a new product at the annual sales convention – how do you make these occasions less stressful so that you can relax before your turn comes and you don’t make a fool of yourself! (more…)

Every language has its share of idioms or special dialects that can challenge you when first learning but ESL students can really get confused if they travel extensively throughout the United States because different areas of the U.S. have their own special way of talking that is different from the rest of the country! So what can you do about it? (more…)

INTRODUCE YOUR STUDENTS TO DEBATING!

Students in every country of the world have ideas and beliefs about the way things should be done. They enjoy expressing their thoughts with their friends in a restaurant, with their family at home or at an outdoor game in a field or inside an arena. In those venues they would be speaking their own language. Let’s talk about boosting their self confidence and fluency with the English language.

At what Level of English are the students ready for debating?
As a general rule it’s likely that the class would need to be at a high intermediate or advanced level, but there are factors that can alter that.
All groups of students are different as are the expectations of different cultures. Another factor to consider is the subject of the debate. Have the students had exposure to any of the required vocabulary in previous lessons?
If the teacher feels that the subject is of particular interest, then he or she can introduce the background information in one session and have the debate in the next. The students can be encouraged to consider their point of view outside of class or some time can be provided during the English session.

Who will profit from debating experiences?
The discussions and arguments that debates promote are well suited to students over sixteen. The younger ones often feel strongly about athletics; the rules of a game, the way the referee calls it and any inequities that exist between the opposing teams. The more mature students are likely to have a strong bias for one side. They might want to discuss the details of how their favorite team played. Who is the best player? Why their team won or lost.

How does it help their English?
When the content of the English lessons deals with subjects of high interest, the students become engrossed in the discussion. They think of things that they want to add to the discussion and are motivated to look in their dictionaries for the words they need to explain their idea. Although they may tend to discuss the topic with their friends in their own language, they will also help each other with the way to express their thoughts in English. Cheerful reminders are usually enough to keep the English flowing.

Debating is an exciting activity that requires students to think in English. They laugh among themselves, they feel a sense of success when they express an idea that is new the group, and they leave the class talking about the classroom events or arguing about the topic. A teacher can judge the effectiveness of a lesson by the students’ level of enthusiasm as they leave.
Debating is a great way to get students talking. You’ll enjoy your debating classes. Perhaps you’ll wish you were a participant rather than a supporter and cheer leader!

The world has entered a period of difficult times. Millions of people have lost their jobs, companies that have had many years of success are closing their doors and people around the world are looking for ways to reduce their expenses. This article suggests some ideas that could reduce the costs of providing essential English second language materials to your children. (more…)

The wealth of the countries of the world is always changing. When times are good everyone thinks that prosperity and growth will never change. It seems, however, that the economies of many countries are declining while some are improving at a surprising rate. Regardless of the world’s ups and downs, the Internet continues to grow and the need for English second language materials increases. This article outlines ways in which universities, schools, and organizations can cut their expenses during difficult economic times by adapting the presentations of their printable ESL materials. (more…)