Randall's ESL Blog - For ESL/EFL Teachers and Students

Freedom: What does it mean to you?

2009-07-07T15:48:00.002-06:00

The idea and concept of the word, "freedom," can vary from person to person and place to place. Personally, I appreciate the freedom to share my beliefs and ideas with others without fear of action against me. If I want to, I could stand in a park and pass out information on my personal views, and I allow others to do the same.

However, with freedom comes responsibility and respect and potential consequences. Freedom doesn't mean you violate the freedoms of others. For example, I don't smoke, but in the area where I live, people are allowed to do so as long as it is within local laws and ordinances. If I violate somone's freedom, then I could be arrested.

So, what does freedom mean to you? Are there certain freedoms that you wish you could enjoy? Share your ideas.

Randall

The Perfect Meal: Breakfast and Dinner Recipes

2009-06-29T07:12:00.003-06:00

The one thing I've learned in traveling throughout the United States and the world is that local customs, history, and geography play a role in the food of the area. In particular, the image of the ideal or perfect meal varies widely, and you can expect that everyone has eggs, toast, bacon, hash browns, and tall glass of orange juice for breakfast.

Therefore, if I visited your house for breakfast or dinner, what would be the ideal meal to serve to meal so I really had a flavor for the food and customs of your area? Is there any unique food of your area that I might never have tried before?

Share your ideas on this topic.

Randall

UFOs: Are they real?

2009-06-20T07:08:00.002-06:00

Is there life beyond our own solar system? It wasn't until around the mid 1990s that astronomers confirmed the existence of planets beyond our solar system, and since then, hundreds have been detected. Now, back when I was in junior high school years ago, most people like you and I could not really imagined such a thing, although scientists have long suspected it.

So, if hundreds, thousands, perhaps millions of planets exist out there, what is the chance that life also exists? So, in this case, do you feel that UFOs are real (unidentified flying objects)?

Why or why not? How could their existence impact our life in the future?

Randall

What's Your Favorite Search Engine?

2009-06-16T22:24:00.003-06:00

Let's supposed that you need to write a paper about the effects of smoking on a person's health. Which search engine would you use to collect information and why? Share your thoughts on the topic?

Randall

Randall's Web Conference: Boosting Listening Skills

2009-06-09T18:26:00.003-06:00

I will be holding a limited number of online presentations called, "Seven Keys to Boosting Your Listening Skills." This can be a way for ESL classes to interact with me on language learning online. More about this will be coming.

Randall

Favorite Song: What's the Message?

2009-06-01T06:44:00.002-06:00

Music and song provide enjoyment to people for various reasons. For some, it's an escape or just a way to relax from the tensions of the day. For other people, music provides a soothing way of relaxing and even reflecting on the meaning of life. Personally, I gravitate towards music that has some didactic or practical lesson of life---something that teaches me about some aspect of life.

One song I enjoy is from the Pixar movie, Cars, by Brad Paisley. The song, Find Yourself, is about finding out who you are. Many times, you only discover who you really are when you get lost and find yourself in difficult situations. Discovering the meaning of life often doesn't happen during times of comfort and convenience.

For me, I have learned more about myself in times of great difficulty or during times of emotional struggles. Someone once said: "Smooth seas never made skilled sailors." As it turns out, no one will escape this life without disappointments and unexpected loses. The trick is to enjoy life in spite of challenges.

Now, share your favorite song and tell us what it means to you.

Randall

If I had Invented the iPod . . .

2009-05-27T07:22:00.003-06:00

There are times perhaps that people wonder how their life would be if something or the other had happened to change the course of life's events. If only I had more money . . . . If I had been born into wealth . . . If I hadn't chose this major in school . . . Perhaps it isn't worth imagining the unreal.

HOWEVER, if you personally had invented and come up with idea for Apple's iPod, how do you think your life would be different today? Would you be still be doing the same thing, in the same job? How would you spend your time and money?

Please share your ideas.

Randall

Predicting the Future: Better, Worse, or About the Same

2009-05-12T18:11:00.002-06:00

Right now, there is a great amount of uncertainty about where our future is taking us, particularly with regards to our financial situation and even world peace. So, if you could look into a crystal ball and predict your own future, do you think you will be better off financially and happier in 10 years from now, about the same, or in worse condition than you are now? Please explain your feelings.

Randall

Favorite ESL Resouces: Books and Electronics

2009-05-07T18:17:00.002-06:00

Teachers and students often ask me the books and other electronics that can be used for language learning and teaching. As a result, I've created a page to provides some of my recommendations. This list is by no means exclusive; there are hundreds and hundreds of great resources out there that might help you, depending on your needs:

http://www.esl-lab.com/resources.htm

Best,

Randall

Moab's Red Hot 50K Trail Race

2009-05-03T20:27:00.008-06:00

So, what did Randall do to celebrate Valentine's Day with his wife? Well, I'm somewhat crazy, but I ran an Ultramarathon (a trail race longer than a marathon at over 50 kilometers) in a southern part of the state of Utah near a famous national park called Arches.

It was a really hard endurance run, but my wife supports me in my crazy activities. She was waiting me at the finish line. It took me almost 8 hours to finish the race.

After you've been married more than 20 years like I have, couples do a lot of unusual things to support each other . . . love is great, isn't it.

I have discovered that getting away from computers and enjoying nature is just a more peaceful and relaxing way to spend my time. My wife and I enjoy running street races as well, but we're not fast. Just participating in a running event, whether your first or last, has its own reward.

You can read more about my adventure at:

-- http://www.hikinginutah.com/redhotmoab50k.htm

Randall

The Swine Flu: How concerned are you?

2009-04-30T06:54:00.003-06:00

The spread of the swine flu is of recent concern, and many people are worried how this illness will eventually affect their lives. The potential effects could result in social, health, and economic changes. How concerned are you about how this flu or others like it could affect you now or in the future? Also, what other serious health concerns do people have in your area?

Share your ideas on the current and potential effects on your life.

Randall

Getting Advice: From Mom or Dad?

2009-04-28T17:54:00.007-06:00

When you have problem in life, who do you turn to first: your mom or dad? Of course, friends are important in making decisions, but if you had to choose between your mom or dad for help, who would you ask? Does it depend on the situation and topic? If so, share your experiences and feelings about this topic.

For example, who would you talk to first in these cases:

You need advice about breaking up with a girlfriend or boyfriend.
You want to borrow money for a trip to Europe.
You failed some classes at school, and you might be kicked out of the university, but you have to tell one of your parents your situation.
You don't know how to find a summer job to earn money for school.
You crashed your parents car while speeding, and you need to tell them.

If for whatever reason you can't ask a parent, who would you turn to for advice?

Randall

Languages: Why some learn faster?

2009-04-22T06:50:00.002-06:00

Some ESL/EFL students become frustrated when they are not learning English as quickly as they expect. Others learners feel depressed when they seem to be making progress one day, and level off or appear not to make progress for some time.

What have been your experiences in learning English? Why do some students learn faster than others? How can students improve their language skills?

Randall

The Economy: Getting better or worse?

2009-04-21T06:45:00.003-06:00

The economic situation around the world has being going through drastic changes in recent times, but how has any economic downturn in your country affected you personally? Have you had to cut back on certain expenses such as food (eating out), entertainment, and transportation? Do you think life for your kids and grand kids will be better, worse, or about the same in the future?

Share your ideas.

Randall

Traffic Violations: What should be the penalty?

2009-04-20T21:34:00.003-06:00

In principle, traffic laws are in place to protect the public, both drivers and pedestrians; however, in my travels around the world, I notice that traffic laws are not always enforced. In looking at traffic laws in your country, are these laws obeyed by the majority of people? Which ones are the most difficult to be enforced? What are the penalties for violating the law in these cases: running a red light, illegal parking, drunk driving, and driving without a license?

Please share your thoughts on this topic.

Randall

Parties: What time should I arrive?

2009-04-11T07:03:00.003-06:00

Imagine that you are invited to a friend's house for a barbecue in your home country. What time would it be appropriate to arrive? A little early, right on time, or a little later? Would you do anything differently if it were a formal party at the house of your boss?

Every culture has its social rules for time, and knowing this when visiting a new culture can help smooth relations between you and others. Share your ideas on this topic.

Randall

Positive Thinking: What if you could change the world?

2009-04-08T22:18:00.002-06:00

We live in an imperfect world, and many people suffer from personal, social, environmental, medical, and even political problems, but if you had the power to change one thing in the world for the benefit of others, what would it be? Share your idea and explain why your choice would make a difference.

Randall

English Skills: Which is most important to you?

2009-04-07T07:01:00.000-06:00

Students spend a lot of time trying to learn English, but which language skill area is most important to you:

grammar
listening
pronunciation
reading
speaking
writing

Please share your ideas and experiences on this topic.

Randall

Computer Viruses: What can you do to protect yourself?

2009-03-31T21:23:00.002-06:00

Computer viruses can be a real problem for business and home computer users. So, what techniques to virus creators do to try to infect your computers? What can people do to protect themselves? Has your computer ever been infected with a virus? If so, what happened? Share your experiences.

Randall

Video Games: Harmful or Helpful?

2009-03-21T07:16:00.004-06:00

For many years, video games have been a popular, recreational activity for the young and old. However, there is concern that they can have negative effects on people as well. Share your ideas on the benefits and possible negative effects on people. How can we learn to balance playing video games with other actvities?

Watch Randall's Video on this topic and then post your reaction to this topic:

http://www.esl-lab.com/game-boy/videogames-video.htm

Buying a Car: New or Used?

2009-03-16T21:13:00.004-06:00

Imagine that you are in need of a buying a car. Would you prefer to buy a brand new car or a used car? What factors do you consider when choosing a car: age, mileage, cost, reputation of company, reliability, or other? Share your ideas on this topic.

Randall

Senior Citizens: Who will care for them?

2009-03-13T06:52:00.003-06:00

By and large, societies around the world are slowly aging, and this is creating its own unique challenges to care for this segment of our population. In your country or culture, what is the current situation of senior citizens:

Are many of them finding it necessary to work?
Do seniors often live alone or with family in their old age?
Do you have a grandparent that lives or lived with you?
What lessons of life can the elderly teach the youth of your country?

Please share your ideas.

Randall

Driver's License: A right or a privledge?

2009-03-09T07:07:00.004-06:00

Many people have different thoughts on whether getting a driver's license is a personal right of society or a privilege that should be earned, and not just given.

Furthermore, if teenagers have a driver's license, what are they family expectations for how and when the person should drive, and what they are expected to pay for.

Watch this video of Randall explaining the rules in his own family:

http://www.esl-lab.com/driverslicense/driverslicense-video.htm

Do you think such rules would work in your own family? Why or why not? Please share your ideas.

Randall

Randall's Culture Videos

2009-03-04T19:29:00.002-07:00

One of my newest projects at my Web site is the development of language and culture videos on aspects of US culture, including family, pets, movies, and education. Now, you can not only hear language, but you can also see me talk about it and life in the US.

Each video comes with practice questions and the transcript:

http://esl-lab.com/videoclips.htm

Let me know if you have an idea for a new video.

Best,

Randall

National Flags: Celebrating Special Events

2009-03-04T06:57:00.002-07:00

The national flag of any country often represents the values and beliefs of the country. So what about your flag? What does it symbolize to you? On which specific holidays and occasions is your national flag put on display? Do homes display the flag outside or so you only see it at schools or government buildings?

Share your ideas.

Randall