Savvy ESL Book Recommendations for American Immigrants, Refugees, and International Students

  “What we know is a drop; what we don’t know is an ocean.” —Isaac Newton (1643-1727), English physicist    Do you teach new American immigrants, refugees and international students of English? Are you seeking fresh English as a second language (ESL) book recommendations for improving both… The post Savvy ESL Book Recommendations for American...

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In the News: Will the U.K. Debate over Teaching English to Reduce Islamic Extremism Travel Here?

“Education is an ornament in prosperity, and a refuge in adversity.” ~Aristotle (384-322 BCE), Ancient Greek philosopher and scientist Can teaching English to new immigrants and refugees make the United Kingdom safer? Is learning English essential to successfully integrating into England? Will forcing fundamentalist Muslim immigrant women to attend English classes lead to their...

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Teaching Tips: Approaching Immigration Issues in the Classroom

  “For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.” ~George Washington (1732-1799), 1st President of the United States   Millions of people, around the world,...

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Paraphrasing is an Essential Conversation Skill!

Why English teachers should not overlook the importance of paraphrasing “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” ―Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German physicist Paraphrasing matters in conversation too-especially when learning a new language! Experienced English teachers know that students must learn paraphrasing skills to complete academic writing assignments....

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Why We Wrote Compelling American Conversations for Intermediate American English Language Learners

“America needs new immigrants to love and cherish it.” – Eric Hoffer (1902-1983), American writer and longshoreman Compelling American Conversations: Questions and Quotations for intermediate American English language learners explicitly emphasizes American English, speaking skills, and democratic values. The primary audience remains newcomers to the United States, recent and...

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Dwell in Possibility: Discussing Books Enlivens ESL Classes

“A word is dead when it is said, some say. I say it just begins to live that day.” Emily Dickinson Cheap pleasures can sometimes be the most satisfying. Reading, an activity that often costs nothing, falls into that category. Reading provides many pleasures and many insights. So does talking about reading. Following a December ritual, I’ve been reviewing the year and find many...

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