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Kenneth Beare

Kenneth's ESL Blog

By Kenneth Beare, About.com Guide to ESL

Adverb Clauses

Friday November 20, 2009

This adverb clause quiz tests a number of adverb types including time, cause and effect, opposition and conditions. For example:
"_____ I find mathematics difficult, music is easy." Because / Whereas / Until - In this case 'Whereas' is correct. You may also want to review the different types of adverb clauses.

Classroom Management Issues

Wednesday November 18, 2009

Classroom management in the ESL / EFL classroom can be challenging at times because of a number of variables in English classroom management. However, one key element of classroom management remains the same: The desire to communicate in English. This article discusses the challenges of classroom management that occur in one form or another in most ESL / EFL settings. Also provided are a number of suggestions to deal with these issues. There is also an opportunity for teachers to learn from each other by contributing your own experiences in classroom management, as well as tips for effective classroom management.

Thanksgiving Reading Comprehension

Monday November 16, 2009

This holiday feature includes a Thanksgiving reading comprehension with difficult vocabulary explanations about the history of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving followed by a Thanksgiving reading comprehension quiz.

Question Tag Quiz: You Understand, Don't You?

Friday November 13, 2009

If we want to ask for information we usually use the standard question form. However, sometimes we just want to keep a conversation going, or confirm information. In this case, question tags are often used to solicit input or confirmation to what we are saying. Using question tags well also promotes a keen understanding of the use of various auxiliary verbs.
Question Forms Review Quiz

Cultural Awareness

Thursday November 12, 2009

Speaking English is not only about using proper grammar. To use English effectively, you need to understand the culture in which it is spoken. Here are a number of important tips to remember when speaking English in the United States.

More British and American English - Choose an American English term, click on the button and get the British English equivalent - or vice-versa

How to Write Business Reports, Memos and Emails

Tuesday November 10, 2009

This section focuses on common business documents that you will probably need to write at some point if you use English for work. The most common of these is email, which, as you will see, is much less formal than written letters. Each of the three document types is introduced by an example document and is followed by a guide to writing that particular type of document.

Business Reports
Business Memos
Business Emails

Parallelism - Parallel Structure

Friday November 6, 2009

Hoping to help you and wanting to provide excellent learning resources, I've put up this new page! This introductory sentence is a perfect example of a parallelism (a participial phrase parallelism to be exact). Not all parallel structures are this complicated, but they can be tricky.

Starting Conversations

Wednesday November 4, 2009
This beginning level page focuses on ten common questions used for starting conversations. Each question is then followed by a number of follow-up questions to help keep the conversation going.

Combine this sheet with the following conversation lesson plans to help beginning level students start communicating in English.

Asking Questions
Learning Maze
Guilty!

Finding a Job for English Learners

Monday November 2, 2009

The cover letter should always be included when sending your resume or CV for a possible job interview. This letter of application serves the purpose or introducing you and asking for an interview. Here is an outline to writing a successful cover letter.
Understanding your potential employer can help you get the job you are looking for. This section focuses on developing interviewing skills that will help you prepare for a job interview in an English speaking country.

Finding a Job - Writing a Cover Letter

Writing Your Resume

The Interview: Basics

Example Interview Questions

Useful Job Interview Vocabulary

Social Language Key Phrases

Friday October 30, 2009

English employs many fixed expressions in social situations such as introducing someone, or greetings during the holidays.

Introductions
Greetings
Special Days
Speaking to Strangers
Traveling phrases

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