About English as 2nd Language

Thanksgiving Reading Comprehension

2009-11-16T10:43:00Z

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.

Thanksgiving Reading Comprehension originally appeared on About.com English as 2nd Language on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 10:43:00.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

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

2009-11-13T09:15:39Z

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

Question Tag Quiz: You Understand, Don't You? originally appeared on About.com English as 2nd Language on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 09:15:39.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Cultural Awareness

2009-11-12T12:17:44Z

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

Cultural Awareness originally appeared on About.com English as 2nd Language on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 12:17:44.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

How to Write Business Reports, Memos and Emails

2009-11-10T14:57:32Z

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

How to Write Business Reports, Memos and Emails originally appeared on About.com English as 2nd Language on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 14:57:32.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Parallelism - Parallel Structure

2009-11-06T09:46:52Z

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.

Parallelism - Parallel Structure originally appeared on About.com English as 2nd Language on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 09:46:52.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Starting Conversations

2009-11-04T12:57:08Z

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!

Starting Conversations originally appeared on About.com English as 2nd Language on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 12:57:08.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Finding a Job for English Learners

2009-11-02T08:47:01Z

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

Finding a Job for English Learners originally appeared on About.com English as 2nd Language on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 08:47:01.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Social Language Key Phrases

2009-10-30T08:55:54Z

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

Social Language Key Phrases originally appeared on About.com English as 2nd Language on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 08:55:54.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Differences between American and British English

2009-10-28T10:31:18Z

"Should I put this in the boot?" - If you ask an American this, you might get an inquisitive look. "Boot" in American English translates as "trunk". British and American English are very similar, but there are important differences. Once you understand these differences, you might want to try the British / American translation tool to see if you know major differences in vocabulary.

Once you understand the differences, test your knowledge of these difference by taking the British or American English quiz.

Differences between American and British English originally appeared on About.com English as 2nd Language on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 10:31:18.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Ask and Answer Questions

2009-10-26T10:35:22Z

These 50 questions are ideal for beginning English classes and learners. Each question has an appropriate answer or response. They are divided into related categories. Once, you've understood the questions try the 50 basic English questions quiz.

These ask and answer question lesson plans are great for getting students talking about themselves:

Low Level
Upper Level

Ask and Answer Questions originally appeared on About.com English as 2nd Language on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 10:35:22.

Permalink | Comment | Email this