Native English Teachers Only?
It's common practice to hire only native English speakers in many private schools specializing in English instruction around the world. Many non-native English teachers rightly ask whether this practice is fair as they have gained mastery of the language, as well as have earned teaching credentials. I've presented some of the main arguments in this discussion of non-native English teachers, as well as my own opinions. Please join the conversation at the end of the article.
What's he like?
Here's a short quiz, choose the best answer to this question:
What's he like?
- He's a friendly guy and very smart.
- He likes playing tennis and cooking.
- He's tall and very well built.
The answer: He's a friendly guy and very smart.
Questions with 'like' can be confusing because they sound similar, but ask about different things. Review these basic questions with 'like' or use this lesson plan on 'like' to help your class. Once you understand, take this quiz on questions with 'like' to test your understanding.
Sentence Structure Chart
Learning tenses can be difficult, but one thing remains the same: basic sentence structure. This sentence structure chart provides structure for positive and negative sentences, as well as questions. It provides an example in each of the thirteen English tenses. Studying this chart will help you understand how changes in English are minimal and help you focus on the changes that take place in the auxiliary verb.
Focus on the Prepositions At and To
Here are two sheets that focus on the prepositions at and to. These prepositions are used with both verbs of movement and to express place. Each explanation sheet includes explanation of various uses of these prepositions, as well as common phrases that begin with each preposition such as At any rate, to that end, to sum up, etc,
What would you do if you were in his shoes?
To be in someone's shoes is an idiom often used to express what you would do if you were that person. This is also an example of a conditional sentence. Conditionals are used to imagine situations in the future, present and past. There are also a number of similar expressions used to speak about hypothetical situations such as I'd rather be lying on the beach on vacation!
Capitalization and Punctuation
Capitalization and punctuation go hand in hand. Why is that? Well, The first word of every sentence or question is capitalized, and the last word of each sentence or question is followed by a punctuation mark. In other words, the first place to look for understanding in capitalization and punctuation is at the end of one sentence and the first word of the next. Of course, there are other rules which this guide to capitalization rules and this guide to basic English punctuation rules will help you learn.
Focus on the Prepositions On and In
Here are two sheets that focus on the prepositions on and in. Each explanation sheet includes explanation of various uses of these prepositions, as well as common phrases that begin with each preposition such as On the contrary, on the way, etc. and in any case, in conclusion, etc.
Improving Reading Skills
Ask yourself a simple question: Do I read every word of every text in my native language? My guess is that you don't. Unfortunately, when reading in English (or another foreign language) people want to understand every word. Learn how to improve your English reading skills by using the techniques you already use in your own language.
Next, you can use these reading skills in a number of ways to improve other areas of English learning such as pronunciation, grammar and increasing vocabulary.
Reading Tips to Improve Your Pronunciation
Reading Tips to Improve Your Vocabulary
Reading Tips to Improve Your Conversational Skills
Reading Tips to Improve Your Grammar
Reading Tips to Improve Your Listening Skills
I've worked here last year OR I worked here last year?
The correct answer is: I worked here last year. Understanding the use of tenses is key to using English correctly. Use this tense review to quickly check your understanding, and follow links to resources explaining and providing quizzes on English tenses. This visual guide to tenses will help by providing pictures of when tenses are used on a timeline. There's also a tenses timeline which provides an overview of all tenses on one page.
Find the Mistake: We met to the cinema.
In this sentence, 'to' is a mistake. The correct version of this sentence is: We met at the cinema. These find the mistake worksheets ask you to find the mistake in each sentence focusing on one grammar point. Answers are provided on the following page:
Have to / Must / Don't Have to / Mustn't
Question Forms
Prepositions of Movement
Prepositions of Place - In, At and On
Homophone Mistakes
Definite and Indefinite Articles - A, An or The
Past Simple or Present Perfect
Present Simple or Present Continuous