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Sophisticated English for Global Souls
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1-310-390-0131 - Outside U.S.
01
JUL
2014

Creating Simple ESL Lesson Plans Around Top Ten Lists for Advanced English Classes

Advanced ESL/EFL classes benefit from making top ten lists “Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.” ―Tenzin Gyatso (1950-) 14th Dalai Lama Americans love to create, read, and discuss top ten lists. Newspapers and magazines use the simple format to summarize...
28
JUN
2014

Learning by Doing and Making “Good Mistakes” in English classes

Why English learners must practice and make “good mistakes” in order to grow “A man’s mistakes are his portals of discovery.” ―James Joyce (1882-1941), Irish novelist and poet How can English language teachers create a rigorous, tolerant and focused classroom...
20
SEP
2010

Conversation Tip #9: Ask Clarifying Questions!

What is a clarifying question? What do you mean? Can you be more specific? Can you give us some examples? What do you exactly mean? Sometimes our English students need help asking questions, especially critical questions that allow them to clarify concepts and better participate...
11
SEP
2009

Reading Pleasures and Conversation Starters

Teachers, especially English teachers, love to talk about their summer reading. Reading remains a cheap pleasure and an excellent conversation starter. Can you recommend a good book? What did you this summer? What are reading these days - besides student papers?
05
SEP
2009

Conversation Tip #4: Ask Questions and Take Turns

Asking follow up question can provide clarity and allow our conversation partners to elaborate on details. Use these simple phrases to go beyond hello and create better conversations. And? So? Where? When? How? Why? Meaning? Smiling and nodding your head also indicate...
02
MAR
2009

Worksheet – or Cheat Sheet – for English Teachers to Observe Conversations and Lead Class Discussions

Many English teachers, especially novice ESL instructors, talk more than ideal - and allow their English students to talk too little. Ironically, many ESL instructors make this "good mistake" because they are so dedicated. What, after all, are they supposed to do while students...
15
NOV
2008

Exploring Cities in ESL Classrooms

Cities attract the young, the strong, the ambitious, and the hungry. Millions move from countryside and across the globe to live in new cities every year. Cities provide jobs, culture,and education. Cities are exciting. Yet, sometimes danger also lurks in cities. Do you like...
14
SEP
2008

How many languages did you hear today?

Sometimes living in Los Angeles feels fantastic. Beauty – in many forms – pervades. You look around, and you smile. The sun shines, the scene looks great, and many languages fill the day. I visited the Huntington Gardens, a beautiful oasis near California Institute of...
23
AUG
2008

Conversation tip #15: Seek to Understand

Seek to Understand Have you ever seen two emotional people talk past each other? Both talk and neither listen. Both want to tell the other, and don’t want to hear – or understand – what the other person is saying. This happens too often in stressful workplaces. Stephen Covey,...
30
JUL
2008

Simple questions to ask English Language Learners in Week 1

In conversation, it is often helpful to show other people that we understand what they are trying to say. A smile, a nod of the head, and eye contact are encouraging to others at work and at home. Frowning, shaking one’s head no, or looking away while others are speaking...