Blog Entries

Thursday's Links of the Day (May 14)

daniel@sendecki.com — Thu, 14 May 2009 05:00:00 +0100

PBS - Online NewsHour Extra: News for Students. For advanced students. This is designed for native-English-speakers. Quotes of the Day (Michael Moncur) Get a few quotations each day. This is designed for native English speakers. RTHK (Hong Kong) - English News Read the scripts that the radio announcers read on the air. Scholastic News Zone Top news stories written for native-English speaking school children. SmartNoise's Idiom of the Day (Denise Daniel & Benjamin Blair) For example, on Octob [...]

Four Tips for Learning English

daniel@sendecki.com — Mon, 11 May 2009 05:00:00 +0100

If you have decided that you want to learn English, you are about to start on a fairly difficult journey. While English is one of the most widely spoken languages, particularly in the western hemisphere, it is also one of the most difficult to learn. If you have committed yourself to learning the language, here are some tips you can use to make it a little easier.

Tip 1 - Identify Your Motivation and Desire

Before you start down the path of learning English, make sure you really w [...]

10 Best Ways to Learn English in a Non-English Country

daniel@sendecki.com — Fri, 08 May 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Even in countries in which English is not the primary language, it is important to learn English for a number of reasons. First of all, many English-speaking individuals tour other countries and they may not speak the native language of that country, so it is necessary for them to speak to others who can speak English. Then again, many wish to learn English because they are hoping to visit or even live in an English-speaking country someday.

However, learning how to speak English [...]

Immersion is the key to learning English!

daniel@sendecki.com — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:00:00 +0100

English is a challenging language to learn. Those who try to learn English find that the many grammatically rules are often broken, so the minute you think you have enough knowledge to speak the language well, you come across an exception to the rule. Add to that the fact that people rarely speak English correctly, and you are facing an incredibly tough challenge. The best way to learn English is to immerse yourself in the language. You can use the best online English school, pass every Engli [...]

Thursday's Links of the Day (May 7)

daniel@sendecki.com — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:00:00 +0100

SuperKids Word of the Day for SAT Preparation. The word, its definition and an example sentence. (See yesterday's word, too.) Time for Kids - Now in the News (Time Magazine) News written for native English speaking children. Top News Headlines from AP (The Associated Press). A list of clickable headlines. Click the ones you are interested in reading.UniLang.Org's Dailys (Daily Word) (Erik Zidowecki) Bilingual Daily Words - English to Lituanian, Spanish, Tagalog, Russian, ... VOA News in Regular [...]

Learning English Online

daniel@sendecki.com — Wed, 06 May 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Learning English online can be a very economical and effective way to learn the language. There are numerous websites and software programs that can help you use the computer to learn English. However, you could be wasting your money if you do not find an online English school that has the right properties to help you succeed.

Focuses on Immersion

One feature to look for as you look for a place to learn English online is a focus on immersion. The online teacher should sp [...]

The Difference Between ESL and EFL, or TESOL

daniel@sendecki.com — Tue, 05 May 2009 05:00:00 +0100

English as a Second Language, or ESL, has many similarities to English as a Foreign Language, or EFL. In fact, the two types of learning may seem the same to some observers. However, there are some notable differences between these two approaches to learning English. The terms are often used interchangeably, but understanding the differences can help you to be clear when you speak of them. Also, the term Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is sometimes used in place of ESL or [...]

Kids Learn English Language through Interactivity and Colorful Design

daniel@sendecki.com — Mon, 04 May 2009 05:00:00 +0100

One of the most important ways to learning and mastering the English Language is to read. It is said that a good reader is also a good writer and a good speaker. One's proficiency in English hinges a lot on his interest and patience in reading.

Learn English the fun way, Free Online English for kids, Free English for kids, Fun English for children, Learning English for kids

One of the most crucial methods in determining and mastering the English Language is to read, read, and read [...]

Feautred Two Lies and a Truth

daniel@sendecki.com — Fri, 01 May 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Students should play the game in groups of three. A deck of playing cards will sit in the middle of the students on a desk. The first student will draw a card. The student with the card must read the topic on the card to his peers.

The person must then tell three stories about the topic, only one of which is true. Two of the stories would be false and one true. The other two students must gues [...]

Phrazzleme: A great idea!

daniel@sendecki.com — Fri, 01 May 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Just came across this excellent idea at phrazzleme.com

The idea is to make a phrase and put it on the board for points. The next person puts a phrase using an existing word from the last phrase, like a puzzle! This continues until someone wins!

You learn English because the longer the phrase, the more points you get. You get immediate rewards and this makes you want to learn English and WIN! Up to 7 people can play and you can play at a beginners, intermedi [...]

Featured: Level Two Grammar Review Game

daniel@sendecki.com — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0100

This game reviews grammar required for completion of Level 2 (as defined by AZQQ).

It includes questions on topics such as talking about: What you're going to eat tonight? What you usually have for breakfast? About a good film you've recently seen? About something you bought last week? About something you are going to buy in the future?What you're going to wear tomorrow?About your mother, etc.

This student can demonstrate an understanding of some classroom directions and attempts [...]

Thursday's Links of the Day (April 30)

daniel@sendecki.com — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Add 'VOA Special English Words' to your iGoogle page. Personalize your iGoogle page with this handy gadget BangkokPost.net - Words in the News. Word of the day for ESL/EFL learners who want to be able to read a newspaper BBC News Online: World. This is the 'low-graphics', fast-loading version. BlackDog's Word of the Day for Kids. (Suzanne Craig) This is for native English speaking kids, so it might be good for ESL students. CNN Transcripts You can read what is broadcast on CNN TV.

Featured: Talk About Your Experiences Game

daniel@sendecki.com — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0100

One of my colleagues once asked "How many activities can you make for the present perfect?"

Since the present perfect is used to talk about experiences, the possibility for activities is as endless as that of experiences that human beings can have!

Have you ever... board games are good for restricted personalised practice, too. Group the questions around a particular theme, if you like. The attached game board comprises a number of these different questions. Feel free to [...]

Cell Phone Troubles? Not for long!

daniel@sendecki.com — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Saw this on Dave's ESL Cafe Idea Cookbook:

I have found a great way to solve the cell phone problem. I explain to my students that although some of their teachers will take their cell phones for a week, month, semester, etc. I will only take their cell phones for 5 minutes. At first they are very happy about this, but then I explain that I will use it to call my brother back in Canada. No 001 (in Korea), no use of a calling card, just a straight forward direct call. Then I te [...]

Featured: Level Two General Conversation Game

daniel@sendecki.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0100

When I taught it, Level 2 was a non-credit course that was intended to provide students with a sound basis in English conversational skills. The course involved individual, paired and group work with the main emphasis being on speaking, but also included some listening, reading, and writing work. Classroom activities used group work to encourage student interaction and were designed to build fluency and conversational skills.

This was one of those activities, which blended some of [...]

Fresh: TV Feud!

daniel@sendecki.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Some fresh Tuesday content for all our members!

I played this game with my class in Korea to learn the vocabulary at the begining of each unit and they loved it - I've included here my handout from our ‘Entertainment Unit'.

It's simply the same kind of thing as the TV game show ‘Family Feud'. So, I call it ‘TV Feud'!

Pick a category for example ‘TOP 5 THINGS YOU WOULD FIND IN THE KITCHEN', then on the pieces of paper individually write wor [...]

Description of ESL Levels

daniel@sendecki.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0100

AZQQ provides these descriptions of ESL levels to help you think about how to apply the learning materials on this side to the lessons that you teach your students.

Level 1: Beginning
This student is often a new arrival with little previous English training and --this is the key -- a very limited vocabulary. This student is lost in the classroom and has nothing on which to base his ability to function, comprehend, and respond. The student has no knowledge of Engli [...]

Featured: Level One General Conversation Game

daniel@sendecki.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0100

I teach in Korea—I start my days working with kindergarten and elementary students, then rush home for private tutors with ages up to 90! As well as weekly adult conversation classes! I often find that the Koreans are shy to speak so I need new and exciting ways to hear their voices!

This is a simple to make/do game that works great with lower levels in small group settings, especially one on one tutoring!

Included is a game board with a start and finish. In each of th [...]

Featured: Classroom Games

daniel@sendecki.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Activities such as ESL classroom games are very important. Although, there are different daily school timetables from country to country, it is common for children from five to nine, to have a playtime breaks during their lessons. The class time after the morning break is an excellent time to learn, that's why more difficult parts of the program are assimilated better in this period. However, the last hour before lunch is a tired, a low energy period, when ESL classroom games can help.&n [...]

Featured: Find someone who... Bingo!

daniel@sendecki.com — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0100

A ‘find someone who' activity is a speaking activity which involves learners trying to find someone in the group who matches a description.

Example

The group are practising using the present perfect for experiences. Amongst the group there are learners who have to:

find someone who has been abroadfind someone who has eaten something really strangefind someone who has done a bungee jump

[...]