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

Black Friday: A Busy Shopping Day

2009-11-28T08:35:00.005-07:00

Listen to this topic and share your comments.

Randall

Here are some listening activities from my Web sites on shopping:

- http://esl-lab.com/shop1/shoprd1.htm
- http://esl-lab.com/flea/fleard1.htm
- http://www.trainyouraccent.com/a-online-shopping.htm

Keys to a Successful Relationship

2009-11-21T10:07:00.005-07:00

Listen to this topic and share your ideas.

Randall

Then, listen to this conversation on my Web site. What quality would help the man in his relationship with his wife?

- http://www.esl-lab.com/anniversary/anniversaryrd1.htm

Mastering a Language

2009-11-18T07:20:00.004-07:00

Although many students focus on just passing language tests and classes, the same students often don't focus on mastering a language. In other words, mastering a language means that a person has almost complete control over a language (let's say at the 90% level) verses just being able to get language right 75% of the time. Language mastery requires a lot of work, practice, and dedication. It also requires a constant recycling of the language structures students have learned previously.

In your case, what strategies, techniques, or activities have you used to improve your language skills?

Randall

Social Networking Sites

2009-11-09T13:06:00.002-07:00

Listening to this recording and share your ideas on the topic.

Randall

How to Become the Ideal Learner

2009-11-06T07:53:00.003-07:00

Most learners focus most of their time on learning language skills, including grammar, writing, and reading, without regard to other equally important aspects. Too often, I have seen students who have learned a great deal about the language, but lack the cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with people. Someone once said that a person who speaks a language, but doesn't know the culture is a fluent fool.

Unfortunately, most students don't fully realize that they don't live in a vacuum. In other words, they often don't realize that culture and language go hand in hand. You can't divorce the two. As you learn the culture of another people, you become a more effective communicator and a more sensitive person overall.

How do you feel about this?

Randall

Freedom: What does it mean to you?

2009-11-02T20:38:00.002-07:00

The word "freedom" might have different meanings to different people. Personally, I enjoy the freedoms I enjoy of being able to express my personal views in public and the freedom to disagree with local and national political leaders if I feel policy needs to be changed. I also enjoy being able to walk down the street and enter into any church---even if it isn't of my own faith---and talk freely and learn from people of other religions whether I agree or disagree with their beliefs.

So, what does freedom mean to you? Please share your ideas.

Randall

Halloween: October 31st

2009-10-31T09:06:00.003-06:00

Halloween has arrived in the United States, and many children will be out tonight Trick-or-treating. However, a growing tradition in some areas is called Truck-or-treating. For years, some parents have expressed safety concerns for their children (traffic, strangers, pranks), and in response to this, some people have organized Truck-or-treating: families decorate their cars or car trunks, meet with their cars in a local parking lot, and pass out candy. They might also have dinner together. This can be a fun alternative to traditional door-to-door Trick-or-treating . . . and it can be a great social event with family and friends.

Do you by chance have any similar holiday in your country or area?

Randall

Cultural Misunderstandings

2009-10-23T12:13:00.003-06:00

Learning the language but not the culture of a particular country or area can lead to great misunderstandings. In particular, I have seen many cases in which stereoptyes---often negative mental images of another people---have led to great misunderstandings. Often, people think that their way---raising a families, eating, dating---is the best, or even, the only right way, and when something new comes along, they quickly reject other ideas.

Can you think of a time when you experienced misunderstandings dealing with culture? Share your ideas.

Randall

Pony Express Trail Endurance Race

2009-10-22T17:55:00.004-06:00

One of the most interesting points of US history is the Pony Express Trail which was a means of carrying the mail across part of the United States by horse. Although not a typical way to see the trail, there is an ultramarathon that follows part of this trail. I ran part of this recently, and you can see the beauty yourself here:

- http://www.hikinginutah.com/ponyexpresstrail100mile.htm

I passed these beautiful wild horse on my run.

Tell us about one scenic or historical place in your country that would be of interest to visitors.

Randall

Speaking English "Correctly"

2009-10-20T17:54:00.002-06:00

In one of my grammar classes, a student told me that it was her goal to speak naturally like an American, and she was surprised when I replied, "Are you sure you want to speak that way?" Not knowing what I meant, she tried to clarify herself by saying that she wanted to speak informally to sound like an American. (As if there were one type of American speak . . .) She continued by saying that Americans don't care about grammar when they talk.

However, I tried to explain to her that in many cases, native speakers have no idea that what they are saying is grammatically incorrect, so you might not want to emulate a native speaker in all cases.

As a simple example, what is the problem in this sentence?

- The girl is tired, so she wants to lay down.

This is a very common mistake that native speakers make. Therefore, just trying to sound like a native speaker isn't enough if you are really concerned about a professional level of English.

Any thoughts on this?

Randall

Growing a Garden

2009-10-14T13:36:00.003-06:00

Growing Melons in Our Family Garden

Have you ever grown a garden (small or big), and if so, what did you plant in it? If you have never planted a garden, what are the reasons: climate, space limitations, no interest, etc.? Do you think there are advantages in growing your own food verses buying it at the store? Are there some foods that you just couldn't plant in your part of the world? Do you predict that there will be more food shortages in the world in the future? If so, why?

Share your ideas on the topic.

Randall

Social Networking Sites - The good and the bad

2009-10-14T08:00:00.002-06:00

Social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace (and many others) have become extremely popular these days; however, there is ever increasing discussion on how these sites benefit users as well as affect users negatively. Do these sites promote better communication and improve old and new relationships, or do they distract users and affect their productivity at school and work? What are your feelings and experiences on this topic?

Randall

"Secrets" to Improving Your Listening Skills

2009-10-07T17:47:00.005-06:00

Learning how to improve your listening skills in English---or in any other language---can be a real challenge if you don't know how to develop these skills. In this video, I talk about some of the "keys" to improving your comprehension. You can download the PowerPoint and a study guide from my Website at:

- http://esl-lab.com/webconference/webcenter.htm

The video below is the first half of the presentation; you can view the entire talk by visiting the link above.

Randall

Recycling: What people can do

2009-09-28T20:59:00.003-06:00

So, how important is recycling to many people, including Randall? Take a look at this video. You can see more video content at:

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

Pet Care: How can animals affect our lives?

2009-09-22T07:01:00.006-06:00

For many people, pets are a part of their everyday lives; however, the types of pets people own and how they care for them can differ greatly from person to person based on experience, living conditions, local laws, and other cultural reasons. In this video, I share a little bit about some of my pets. What has been your experience in raising animals? How can they help us emotionally and physically?

Randall

Learning a Second Langage - Beyond English

2009-09-18T05:21:00.002-06:00

Although there is a great desire by many to learn English as a second or foreign language, it is by no means the only key language in our global communities. With developing economies around the world, other languages are becoming more important. Therefore, besides your own native language, what other languages are important to carry out business, trade, and just everyday communication skills in your communities? How will this change over the coming years?

Randall

Attending a University

2009-09-12T12:37:00.003-06:00

Attending a college in a new country can bring with it new expectations, a different classroom environment, and new friends. However, I often see international students struggle with these new changes, and they often expect that things will be just like home. Listen to the video and share your comments/opinions on the topic. You can find more videos at:

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

Randall on Facebook

2009-09-07T18:35:00.002-06:00

Hi everyone,

Now, you can follow some of my other Web site news and activities on Facebook at this link:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Randalls-ESL-Cyber-Listening-Lab/131109425926

Have no fear! I will continue to make this blog an important part of my online activities, and I encourage visitors to continue to share their ideas here. Thanks for being a part of this site.

Best,

Randall

The Ideal Language Class Size

2009-09-04T07:01:00.002-06:00

Over the years, I have taught listening/speaking classes that range anywhere from 1-2 students to about 50, and each type of class brings its own rewards and benefits. However, for you personally, what is the ideal size for a listening/speaking class? Are their advantages to having smaller or larger classes depending on our goals? How much of a role does the teacher have in the learning process regardless of class size?

Please share your ideas.

Randall

Learning verses Mastering a Language

2009-08-28T07:33:00.003-06:00

For many years, I have taught grammar classes, and I often teach advanced-level students. However, in many cases, although students have passed their previous classes to reach the advanced level, they still make many mistakes with basic grammar they should have "learned" in other classes. In other words, while they had a passing score to get to the next class (let's say, 75% or so), they were still missing about 25% of the content.

The result is that students have so many gaps in their learning that they haven't mastered the language at all. The common causes are (1) that teachers often don't recycle or test concepts that the students learn in previous levels and (2) students assume that a passing grade is sufficient for them and then they fail to review and learn the parts they didn't know in the first place.

Students just assume that since they are in the advanced class that they are advanced learners when they really lack a full, comprehensive, and solid grasp of the language.

What teachers can do to help students is to constantly recycle and test all of the gramamr points from all of the classes instead of just teaching new concepts. The more a teacher builds upon earlier grammar points, the more students can apply them better.

So, what has been your experience in studying grammar? What has helped you the most in learning or mastering the language? What can teachers do to help you? Please share your ideas.

Randall

Learning English From Native Speakers

2009-08-21T07:02:00.002-06:00

For the most part, I teach grammar classes to ESL students in an intensive language program in the United States. One of the challenges my students face is that although some of them have native speakers as roommates (or at least associate with native speakers often), my students often feel confused because their friends don't always use the grammar we study in class. In fact, native speakers break the rules quite often or don't even know how to use English correctly, either by choice or ignorace.

However, my ESL students often can't tell the difference between accurate and incorrect usage of the language. Take a look at these examples:

I'm tired, so I want to lay down.
If I was in your situation, I'd go to the party.
Not getting enough sleep can effect your school work.
The student sleeps in class everyday.

I tell my students that if their goal is just to learn English casually for daily conversation, then knowing how to use the grammar precisely isn't as important as if you are studying the language for academic or professional purposes. Keep in mind that this is probably the same case in every language. People tend to use language that their peers and family use, whether it is correct or not.

Any comments on this? I'd be interested in hearing your opinions on this.

Randall

Favorite Travel Destinations

2009-08-17T07:13:00.002-06:00

Most people have their own image of the ideal vacation or dream trip. For some, this might entail traveling to the beach and basking in the sun; for others, a stroll through city streets might just be the recipe for a nice day. Personally, I enjoy the outdoors, and an enjoyable hike in the mountains near my house is just the thing to pass the day.

In this picture, I took a nice 20 km hike with some of the family up towards Mt. Timpanogos, one of the highest peaks in this area. We saw beautiful flowers along the way, a number of birds and ground squirrels, and one of us caught sight of a moose.

The solitude and beauty of the area always seems to remind me of the blessings of this great world.

So, what is your favorite travel destination? Share your ideas.

Randall

School Supplies: Needs or Wants?

2009-08-13T17:03:00.003-06:00

With technology changing so quickly, one wonders whether certain things are really needed for school, or are they just wants that students can do without? For example, do students really need their own laptop to do their work? What about an iPhone, cell phone, or even textbooks?

What do you think a student really needs and what they don't? Should a student buy these things him/herself without asking a parent to do so? What are a child's responsibilities to pay for some educational expenses? Share your ideas.

Randall

Regular Mail or Email?

2009-08-04T21:51:00.002-06:00

Imagine that you want to send a message to a dear friend (partner, spouse, or significant other), and you have the choice of either sending a handwritten letter or an email message? Which would you send and why? Would it depend on the occasion? Please explain your answer.

Randall

Friendly Dental Care: Has that been your experience?

2009-07-24T08:11:00.002-06:00

It seems to me that no matter where I go, most people have some concern, fear, and anxiety about visiting a dentist. Going to a movie? No problem. Eating out at a nice restaurant? A piece of cake. However, going to a dentist, even for a routine cleaning, is like walking through a pool of snakes for some people.

But, what about you? Do you have any concern or worries about visiting a dentist? Have you ever had a painful (physically, mentally, or financially) experience that makes going to the dentist unpleasant?

Share your experiences.

Randall