Internet TESL Journal

Internet TESL Journal is one of my personal favorite sites for flash quizzes. (A flash quiz means that each time students access the site, the questions are introduced in a different order.) I prefer this kind of an online quiz because students can be tested on the same information but STILL be seated next to each other ... The other advantage to using this site is that students don’t become accustomed to the order of questions and memorize the answers. From my experience, it really seems like a better way to use the same system to test the student’s understanding of the points.

Sheppard Software

Sheppard Software: The first few times I stumbled across this link, I didn’t include it in any of my resources; the colors of the site are quite bright, the titles of sections are titled “Kid’s Corner”, and even some of the pictures were of children. I was concerned that including the information would make my adult learners feel as if they were not viewed as a mature individual.

However, after taking a closer look, I realized that the site is evolving. The developers realized the information was not only attracting their initial audience – elementary aged students – but it’s also beginning to attract a wider audience. At the bottom of the page, the information is divided into levels, such as what would be interest an elementary, a high school, or an adult student.

One of the problems that many of our students face is loosing academic time while they are acquiring the language skills; thus, the students spend the time learning English rather than the specifics of geography. This site could possible link the two areas if the students are specifically directed to the specific subject. As teachers, we know that students learn faster when engaged and interested in the topic!

Before introducing this to students, pre-screen the site. Be sure that the link that you send the students includes more of the mature material. Thus, sending them to the “Painting Activities” page really wouldn’t be helpful. Nevertheless, the resource is DEFINITELY worth looking into!

BASIC Vocabulary for Students Learning English

This resource is intended for students who are learned English as an ESL/ELL student in the high school setting, an adult student in a community education program, or a student just beginning to learn English as a Foreign Language. All of the resources included in this link are free! If there is an area that you would like to see expanded, please feel free to leave me a note either just below this blog or in the “Reader Feedback” section of http://www.squidoo.com/english-vocab .

Writing 5-Paragaph Persuasive Essays

For students learning how to structure and write a five-paragraph persuasive essay, http://www.squidoo.com/college_writing is the link to use. The objective of this lens is to provide developing writers with ideas how to structure their persuasive essays as well as explain the various parts of essays, such as introduction, thesis statement, topic sentences, analysis, conclusion, and so forth. Also, if there are questions or you would like more information about a specific topic, please add a comment to this blog or in the "Reader Feedback" section at the bottom of http://www.squidoo.com/college_writing add a comment in the section.

Free Resources for the Online Writing Tutor

Free Resources for the On-line Writing Tutor, at http://www.squidoo.com/online-tutor , include links to citations rules and examples of papers using these methods (such as APA, MLA, Chicago …); links to lists of grammar rules and free online tests; and additional links to different types of writing (such as persuasive essays, memos, business letters …)

Common Writing Errors

The page, http://www.squidoo.com/Teachers_cheat_sheet , is developed to show teachers some new common that developing writers in the college setting make. Even though the lens is geared to the developing college writers, it is still very applicable to teachers working in the middle and high school levels.

In this link, there are examples of various types of errors that developing writers and ESL/ELL students make in the college setting, such as in grammar, identifying plagiarism, and other areas of the writing process. Please, feel free to add to add your advice so that other instructors feel that they have the needed resources.

Teaching Links for the ELL/ESL Instructor

This link, http://www.squidoo.com/teaching-links , is a collection of on-line resources for ESL/EFL/ELL instructors. It includes helpful links to free on-line resources, such as how to cite papers, improve listening comprehension, edit grammar, refine pronunciation skills, increase reading proficiency, develop writing skills, foster students’ vocabulary, and other interesting free on-line source. As well, there are examples of books that can be helpful resources to have in the classroom or to use with students. If there is any additional information that you would like added to this page, please send me a note in the "Reader Feedback" section or send me a comment in this blog.