El-Community

Teaching Tips

2009-02-08T12:21:00.000-08:00

These are some hints for classroom discipline
1.Start by being firm with students.
2.Get silence before you start speaking.
3.Know and use students' names.
4.Prepare lessons thoroughly.
5.Walk around the class.
6.Maintain interest and curiosity.
7.Speak clearly.
8.Make sure your instructions are clear.
9.Have extra material prepared.

10.Look at the class directly when speaking.
11.Make work appropriate to pupils age, ability, cultural background...
12.Developed the art of timing you lesson.
13.Vary your teaching techniques.
14.Anticipate discipline problems and act quickly.
15.Avoid confrontations.
16.Clarify fixed rules and standards.
17.Show yourself as supporter and helper.
18.Use humor.
19.Choose topics that will activate students.
20.Be warm and friendly.
An interesting web to have a look: http://www.webenglishteacher.com/discipline.html

Teaching Tips

2009-02-08T10:13:00.000-08:00

To help children when learn a new language teachers should:
1.Use English in class as the main language for communication.
2.Use gestures, actions and pictures to help children understand you.
3.Use gestures, actions and pictures to help children understand you.

4.Children need to talk in order to learn - let children use their mother tongue for communication especially to star with.
5.Recast in English what children say to you in their mother tongue.
6.Answer children in English.
7.Use their mother tongue for support when you do a new activity or if no one understand.
8.Talk a lot in English, they need to hear English.
REMEMBER:
- The more English the children hear, the more they will learn.
- They will learn gradually. Encourage them by responding positively.
- Use their mother tongue for support when you do a new activity.

Traffic Jam

2009-01-30T08:21:00.000-08:00

Objective

To be the first team to successfully move their

Description

Imagine you have seven sheets of paper on the ground. Numbered from 1 - 7. You then will have 2 teams of three people. Have team one stand on numbers 1-3, and team two stand on numbers 5-7. Teams need to be facing the number four. The object of the game is to mover all three of your team to the opposite teams numbers. You have unlimited moves but you have to follow these two rules

1. You can only move into one space at a time.

2. You can only move into an empty space directly in front of you.

Or, you can move around a person who is facing you into a empty space.

The object is to be the set of teams that can do it the fastest.

Solution: - The trick is to move one side and then the other, alternating as you go. If often takes the group a while to see that you need to make sure that two people facing the same way are not standing next to each other. Once they see the pattern developing it is quite easy to complete the solution. Move 1 to 4, move 5 to 3, move 6 to 5, move 2 to 4, move 1 to2, move 3 to 1, move 5 to 3, move 7 to 5, move 6 to 7, move 4 to 6, move 2 to 4, move 3 to 2, move 5 to 3, move 4 to 5.

Requirements

Number of Players: multiple of six, minimum of 12

Ages: 8 and up

Activity Level: medium

Equiptment: None

people 2 people

2009-01-30T08:20:00.001-08:00

Objective

Learn about each other

Description

Set up small groups of 8-12 players and have them sit in a circle for this icebreaker. One person is given the ball of yarn and finds the end of it. They will toss the ball of yarn to anyone within the circle while they are still holding the end of the ball of yarn. Now ask the person that caught it one or two questions. If this is a new group that doesn't know everyone they are to introduce themselves first before answering the questions at the beginning of the game. Here are some ideas as to what questions to ask; What is your favorite color, music group, the person that has influenced you the most, what are you afraid of, your favorite food, time of the year, or any other question to might pertain to this event.

That person then holds part of the yarn and then tosses the ball of yarn to anyone that hasn't received the ball yet. You repeat this until everyone has had the ball of yarn and you will notice that you have created a unique web that has connected all the players together in one way. You can pass the ball again to ask one - two more questions from each player.

Requirements

Number of Players: Small to medium groups

Ages: 10 and up

Activity Level: low

Equiptment: ball of yarn or string

Quotes I Enjoy.....

2009-01-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

Quotes I enjoy
Do more than exist: LIVE.
Do more than touch: FEEL.
Do more than look: OBSERVE.

Do more than read: ABSORB.
Do more than hear: LISTEN.
Do more than listen: UNDERSTAND.
Do more than think: REFLECT.
Do more than just talk: SAY SOMETHING!

I am living on a shimmering line between my old thinking and my new understanding, always in a state of learning!

You must be the change you wish to see in the world~ Ghandi

Before I knew Your name.....

2009-01-14T08:58:00.001-08:00

Before I knew your name,
Before I saw your face.
Your chin and your nose,
Before I counted your fingers and toes,
I asked heaven for someone as wonderful as you,
And every prayer and wish came true.
Before I knew your name.

Idial Planning

2009-01-14T08:52:00.000-08:00

2009 - My year to shine!
(Took the title from a friend who was talking with her boyfriend about things that rhyme with 2009 - she said I could borrow it - thanks My Friend!)

I've decided 2009 is my year! I turn 30 in May, I'm applying for postgraduate programs (haven't decided if I'm going or not - plus I may not get in) and I'm seeing my life as an open book - ready for me to write the next chapter in my story.

I decided years ago not to make resolutions - I decided I would create goals for myself when New Years rolls around.

So - below are the goals I've set for 2009.

Goals:
1. Be able to run 1 mile.
I started this morning - headed out to Pahlawan St. and walked/ran 1.4 miles.
2. Lose more weight (not going to assign a # here - just want to keep losing!)
Keep going with Weight Watchers!
3. Be more fashionable
I've already purchased 2 new pairs of shoes, 2 shirts, and a new purse. I have friends that
always look put together and cute, even if they're just running to the store or hanging out at
home. I want to work on this.
4. Travel more
I always talk about going places - this year I'm going! Already planning a trip to Java for
Spring Break, and need to go to visit a friend in somewhere else.
5. Keep up with my Blog
I don't have any idea who reads my blog - but I hope they enjoy what I put up. I try to think
of it as an online journal of what I'm up to - and don't worry about who's reading it. Hopefully
it's interesting!
6. Keep going with my daily devotionals
I've done really well this year doing a daily devotional - and I want to keep it up. I enjoy my
quite time with God each day.

I may add or delete from this list - but that's it for now!

Parking.......

2009-01-14T08:49:00.000-08:00

A paeon to parking
Early this morning as I walked to the garage I saw snow sparkling in the moonlight along the deer-track-pocked path--but anyone unfamiliar with our immense complex garage saga has no idea why that statement is so remarkable.

We have a garage! And for the first winter since we moved out to the woods, I can park my car in the garage every single day if I want to! Which is a really good thing, because last week one day when I left the car outside in some wet weather followed by a hard freeze, my car doors froze shut and then froze open, refusing to latch despite all our efforts. "I can drive to work holding on door shut," I said, "but it's hard to drive while holding both doors shut!"

When I get home from work these days I'm so exhausted that I function on auto-pilot: drive halfway up the driveway, get out of the car, open the garage door, get back in the car, pull into the garage, close the garage door, walk the rest of the way up the hill to the house....I do it without much awareness. But early in the morning when I walk back down the hill, I am grateful for my garage. No more scraping, no more doors frozen shut, no more wondering whether the car will make it around that last steep icy curve; just snow sparkling on moonlight and the sound of woodland creatures scurrying into the undergrowth and a car safely stowed where ice and snow can't go.

Parts of the meeting

2008-12-23T14:24:00.000-08:00

Have you ever joined in an English meeting club? have you already known all parts of meeting? Here is briefly illustrated about English meeting activities:
1.Opening Speech
Assalamu Alaikum Wr, Wb.
Good morning/good afternoon/good evening everybody.
First of all, I would like to convey many thanks to Allah SWT, who has given us a complete body health to attend this meeting. Salawat and salam we send to our great prophet Muhammad SAW, who has brought us from the darkness era to the brightness era as nowadays, and also my deeply gratitude to you all for coming here.
Well, before telling more and more, I’m going to read the whole items one by one:
a.Welcome speech by………..
b.Self introduction by……….
c.Short story by……….

d.Continued story by…………
e.Discussion by………..
f.Games by………..
g.Grammar correction by………
h.Closing speech by……….
i.Some announcement by the President of the meeting club.
After reading the whole items, now I’m going to invite Mr/Mrs…….… to deliver welcome speech. Time is yours……….., clap hands for him/her.

2.Welcome Speech
Assalamu Alaikum Wr. Wb.
Happy ladies and gentlemen.
In this good time, I would like to say many thanks to the master of time who has trusted me to deliver welcome speech in this meeting. We ought to realize that the main purpose of our coming here is to practice our English together. So, let us practice our English without being shy in order to be able to speak English fluently. Finally, I sincerely hope that this meeting will be running well, and we derive profit from it, if I have any mistakes in speaking English, I totally need a constructive criticism from you. Thank You…………

3.Self Introduction
Good morning/good afternoon/good evening everybody.
First of all, I would like to say thank you very much to the master of time who has kindly given me a good chance to introduce my personal identity in front of you all. I’m also grateful to the God almighty who has bestowed me good health and long life, so I can still attend the meeting this morning/afternoon/evening.
Well, I am going to introduce myself:
My full name is………
My nick name is………
I live in/on/at…………
I was born on…………
I come from…………
My hobby is……………
I think that’s all my self introduction, thank you very much.
Wassalamu Alaikum Wr, Wb.

4. Closing Speech
Assalamu Alaikum Wr, Wb.
On this happy occasion, I would like to bring you all to pray and remember our God Almighty who has given us good health and long life so that we can still attend this meeting together. Furthermore, I emphasize that the purpose of this meeting is to enhance our ability in speaking English and also to tighten our friendship in this English meeting club.
I don’t forget to say thank you for your participation so that this meeting was running well. Finally, may God blesses and gives us long life to assemble in the next meeting…….
Wassalamu Alaikum Wr, Wb.

However, all parts in an English meeting as explained above could be changed by another items depends on the current situation. it's only an example how to start practicing our English especially for the speaking skill.
Good Luck...

English @rticles: "the and a/an"

2008-12-23T14:15:00.000-08:00

What is an article? Basically, an article is an adjective. Like adjectives, articles modify nouns.
English has two articles: the and a/an. The is used to refer to specific or particular nouns; a/an is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. We call the the definite article and a/an the indefinite article.
the = definite article
a/an = indefinite article

For example, if I say, "Let's read the book," I mean a specific book. If I say, "Let's read a book," I mean any book rather than a specific book.

Here's another way to explain it: The is used to refer to a specific or particular member of a group. For example, "I just saw the most popular movie of the year." There are many movies, but only one particular movie is the most popular. Therefore, we use the.
"A/an" is used to refer to a non-specific or non-particular member of the group. For example, "I would like to go see a movie." Here, we're not talking about a specific movie. We're talking about any movie. There are many movies, and I want to see any movie. I don't have a specific one in mind.
Let's look at each kind of article a little more closely.

Indefinite Articles: a and an
"A" and "an" signal that the noun modified is indefinite, referring to any member of a group. For example:
•"My daughter really wants a dog for Christmas." This refers to any dog. We don't know which dog because we haven't found the dog yet.
•"Somebody call a policeman!" This refers to any policeman. We don't need a specific policeman; we need any policeman who is available.
•"When I was at the zoo, I saw an elephant!" Here, we're talking about a single, non-specific thing, in this case an elephant. There are probably several elephants at the zoo, but there's only one we're talking about here.
Remember, using a or an depends on the sound that begins the next word. So...
•a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a boy; a car; a bike; a zoo; a dog
•an + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an elephant; an egg; an apple; an idiot; an orphan
•a + singular noun beginning with a consonant sound: a user (sounds like 'yoo-zer,' i.e. begins with a consonant 'y' sound, so 'a' is used); a university; a unicycle.

If the noun is modified by an adjective, the choice between a and an depends on the initial sound of the adjective that immediately follows the article:
•a broken egg
•an unusual problem
•a European country (sounds like 'yer-o-pi-an,' i.e. begins with consonant 'y' sound)

Remember, too, that in English, the indefinite articles are used to indicate membership in a group:
•I am a teacher. (I am a member of a large group known as teachers.)
•Brian is an Irishman. (Brian is a member of the people known as Irish.)
•Seiko is a practicing Buddhist. (Seiko is a member of the group of people known as Buddhists.)

Definite Article: the
The definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is specific or particular. The signals that the noun is definite, that it refers to a particular member of a group. For example:
"The dog that bit me ran away." Here, we're talking about a specific dog, the dog that bit me.
"I was happy to see the policeman who saved my cat!" Here, we're talking about a particular policeman. Even if we don't know the policeman's name, it's still a particular policeman because it is the one who saved the cat.
"I saw the elephant at the zoo." Here, we're talking about a specific noun. Probably there is only one elephant at the zoo.

Count and Noncount Nouns
The can be used with noncount nouns, or the article can be omitted entirely.
•"I love to sail over the water" (some specific body of water) or "I love to sail over water" (any water).
•"He spilled the milk all over the floor" (some specific milk, perhaps the milk you bought earlier that day) or "He spilled milk all over the floor" (any milk).

"A/an" can be used only with count nouns.
•"I need a bottle of water."
•"I need a new glass of milk."
Most of the time, you can't say, "She wants a water," unless you're implying, say, a bottle of water.
Geographical use of "the"
There are some specific rules for using the with geographical nouns.
Do not use the before:
•names of most countries/territories: Italy, Mexico, Bolivia; however, the Netherlands, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, the United States
•names of cities, towns, or states: Seoul, Manitoba, Miami
•names of streets: Washington Blvd., Main St.
•names of lakes and bays: Lake Titicaca, Lake Erie except with a group of lakes like the Great Lakes
•names of mountains: Mount Everest, Mount Fuji except with ranges of mountains like the Andes or the Rockies or unusual names like the Matterhorn
•names of continents (Asia, Europe)
•names of islands (Easter Island, Maui, Key West) except with island chains like the Aleutians, the Hebrides, or the Canary Islands

Do use the before:
•names of rivers, oceans and seas: the Nile, the Pacific
•points on the globe: the Equator, the North Pole
•geographical areas: the Middle East, the West
•deserts, forests, gulfs, and peninsulas: the Sahara, the Persian Gulf, the Black Forest, the Iberian Peninsula

Omission of Articles
Some common types of nouns that don't take an article are:
•Names of languages and nationalities: Chinese, English, Spanish, Russian
•Names of sports: volleyball, hockey, baseball
•Names of academic subjects: mathematics, biology, history, computer science

Blanket Game

2008-12-23T01:06:00.000-08:00

Here is a game with many variants, so you should be able to use it regardless of how big your class is.

In fact you can play this with anything from 2 to 60 players. Free flashcards are also available with each game which you can download. AND today, there is a bingo game included too.

Enjoy!

CONTENTS

The Blanket Game - & Variants
1. How to Play
2. Language ideas to use with this game

3. Question practice variant
4. Sentence practice
5. A Lively variant
6. Materials for you to use with this game
7. Reading and spelling
8. Tell us what you think

The Blanket Game
Category: Speaking
Group size: From 2 players. Small & large class variants
Level: Beginners to intermediate
Materials: A sheet or blanket and flashcards
Age: 4 to 12
Pace: Calm down, & lively version
This game is to be played once your students are familiar with the vocabulary and sentences that you wish to practice. This is a speaking practice game, or a revision game.

1. HOW TO PLAY
First create a barrier for someone to hide behind. You can do this by setting up a clothesline and pegging a blanket on it, or by having two students hold the blanket up, or by draping the blanket over a couple of chairs so some one could sit behind it and not be seen. Now you have your barrier, here is an example of how to play this using clothing vocabulary: A class member hides behind the blanket and puts on a selection of clothes, or props, such as a hat, belt, tie or scarf. The class asks in unison, "What are you wearing?" The person behind the blanket replies, "I'm wearing a hat", or "I'm wearing a red hat". Each class member decides whether he or she thinks this is true or false.

Whoever thinks it is true stands up. Whoever thinks it is false sits down. Now the person behind the blanket reveals whether or not he is wearing a red hat. (He may use real clothes or use pictures, of clothes or any vocabulary). If he is wearing a red hat then all those who sat down are out and only those standing up are in. If he is not wearing a red hat, but a black coat, then those standing up are out and have to sit down while those sitting down, who are still in, stand up again for the next round.

Another way to play is for each class member to up a paper with either a "True" or "False" on it. Every one starts the game standing up. The person behind the blanket chooses whether or not to wear the red hat and the class hold up either a True or a False card. Then everyone who got it wrong sits down and stays seated while you play the next rounds until you only have a few students standing. With younger children play with a tick or a cross rather than the words true or false.

Continue, and then swap over the person behind the blanket. Only allow that person a few seconds to dress up, to ensure that the class do not get bored waiting. You can have the class count up to thirty, or say the alphabet while the person puts their prop on.
If there are only 2 of you - you and your student - then you can take it in turns to go behind the blanket. You can keep score each time one of you guesses correctly.

Dressing up is only one idea for this game to practice clothing vocabulary and short questions and sentences such as "What are you wearing?" However you may use flashcards instead of props. See just below for ideas on how to adapt this to different language and vocabulary.

2. Language ideas to use with this game
So now I'd like to explore how else we can exploit this basic idea, and what other language we can use in this game.

Simple vocabulary repetition variant – small class
For elementary levels, or to revise vocabulary you could place two pictures (or word cards) on the floor behind the blanket – for example a picture of a plane and a truck.
A class member stands on one of the cards and says, "Plane".

(Or a sentence such as "I'm going to Paris by plane"). The student may stand either on the plane or the truck and the class must guess whether what he says is true or false as described above.

Simple vocabulary repetition variant – large class
If you have a fairly big class then you will not have time for everyone to go behind the blanket, so in that case, to get the most out of the time spent, instead of the person behind the blanket saying "plane", you could have your class say "plane" or "truck" depending on which one they think their classmate is standing on. Once the person behind the blanket is on their chosen picture you say "Ready, Go!" and the class call out the picture they think
is correct. They may also call out the sentence you are requiring them to practice. That way everyone has a chance to say the words, rather than just the person behind the blanket. They can award themselves points if they get it right. I imagine many of the children will cheat and pretend they said the right word – but does it really matter? I mean, who cares, after all we only want them to practice English and feel good about it.

3. Question Practice Variant
This isn't a true or false variant, but while we've got the blanket out we might as well use it to the full.

Put one class member behind the blanket along with a few picture or word cards. Lay out 3 to 4 picture cards for the young children, and up to twelve for older children. The words should all be in the same theme and if you need to you can also have a set of these cards in view of the class. With the older children you would probably not do this to make it more challenging for them.
Allow the class member behind the curtain five seconds to select a picture to stand on. He or she now cannot move from that spot. See below for how to continue depending on whether you have a large or small class.

Question practice – large class
Display pictures, or write up, the words you are using. One class member comes up to the front and points at one of the words – for example the car. The class ask the question form you wish to practice in unison, such as "Have you got a car?" The person behind the blanket replies "Yes I have, or no I haven't", or "True" or "False", or they answer the question as appropriate according to the language you are teaching.
The class see how many questions they need to ask each time. Alternatively you could divide them into two teams and each team tries to guess in fewer goes than the other one.

Question practice – small class
Each class member in turn asks a question and hopes to be the one to guess correctly. For example, the first student asks, "Have you got a car?" Answer, "No, I haven't". The second student asks, "Have you got a plane?" etc. until the answer is "yes I have." You can give points if you wish. If you only have one or two students then join in the game with them.

Here are some examples of questions you could practice with transport vocabulary: "Is it the car?" "Are you going by car?" "Have you got a car?" "Do you have a car?" "Can you drive a car?" "Are you buying a car?" "Are you going to buy a car?" "Will you buy a car?" "Did you buy a car?" "Have you bought a car?" "Did you go by car?"

And here are some more questions you could practice if you used countries: "Are you from China?" "Are you Chinese?" "Do you like China?" "Do you like Chinese food?" "Have you been to China?" "Are you going to China?" etc.

And here are some questions you could practice with animal vocabulary: "Do you like fish?" "Do you eat fish?" "Are you a fish?" "Is it a fish?" "Are there any fish at the zoo?"
"Have you seen a fish?" "Have you eaten fish?" "Did you see a fish?" (when you went to Africa?) "Would you eat a fish?" "Could it be a fish?" "Have you been eaten by a fish?" etc.

As you can see you can adapt this game to ask any question.
Think of the question form you would like to practice and then pick some vocabulary that goes well with that question form.

4. Sentence practice

Instead of questions, play as above but using sentences.
Here are some examples using the countries theme:
You're in China. You're Chinese. You are going to China. You have been to China. You went to China. You speak Chinese. I'll see you in China. You're in China, aren't you? You've been to China, haven't you? You said you were going to China.

If you like this game, remember that there are 101 great games in my book 101 Teaching English Games for Children. There are games for speaking like this one, and also many games for listening, spelling and writing.

See http://www.teachingenglishgames.com/4-12.htm to find out more.

5. A lively variant

Here is a rather more lively variant on this game:
One child goes behind the blanket and the class all say this rhyme together – quickly and rhythmically if possible.

What is it? What is it? What could it be? What is it?
What is it? One two three.
It helps if the children clap on the 'what', 'what', 'what' and 'be' And on the 'what', 'what'; 'one', and 'three'.

By the time the class reach 'three' the person behind the blanket MUST be standing on their chosen card. After the class have pronounced the word three they are free to call out any possible word. Each class member can only call out one word but they can all call their words out together.
There will be some noise! As soon as the child behind the blanket hears the correct word they jump out and all those who called out that word award themselves points (mass cheating no doubt, but I shouldn't pay attention to it).
The next child up to go behind the curtain heads over there while the class immediately start up the rhyme again. The pace should be fast and exciting with no time in between rounds.

You can replace the simple rhyme above with one that you make up, which may include the sentence or question structure you wish to practice, or it may be a rhyme with some vocabulary you would like to reinforce. Here is an example: Travel on a bus, Travel on a train. Ride on a bicycle, Fly in a plane.

When played well this game is really pretty noisy and fun, and the children have a chance to repeat the same words over and over so they will remember them.
You might want to teach the rhyme in a previous lesson, and you can use it again in all sorts of other games. The first time you play start slowly, and pick up the pace as and when your class understand what is happening. When you play it again in future lessons – using the same words
if you are revising, or using a new set of words, you'll find that you can pick the pace up another notch.

6. Materials for you to try this game
You can use any pictures or word flash cards you may already have to play The Blanket Game. In addition I have prepared a set of picture and words cards for you using transport.

You can download these materials free at:

http://www.teachingenglishgames.com/games/blanketgame.htm
PS. I have included a bingo set for transport in the materials as well, as an extra free bonus. For full instructions and ideas on how to play bingo please treat yourself to a copy of my e book, English Language Games for Children, available on
www.teachingenglishgames.com/4-12.htm

7. Reading and spelling
Please see sections 1-5 for how to play, for ideas on using the game, and for where to get your materials.Use word flashcards instead of pictures. This allows the children to read the words and become familiar subconsciously with the spelling.

8. Tell me what you think

I'd love to hear how you get on with the game.
Please send your comments, questions, and ideas for upcoming issues to me at: info@teachingenglishgames.com
Let me know what you want. Your feedback matters.

9. Tell a friend

If you know someone who would like this game, feel free to let them know here:
http://www.teachingenglishgames.com/tellafriend.htm

I hope you enjoy using this game in class.

Countries & Nationalities

2008-12-20T11:09:00.000-08:00

Vocabulary

The word 'Nationality' is not often used in spoken English. It is a formal and official word and it appears more frequently in written English. You will find the word 'Nationality' is used a lot in the travel industry and for immigration.
We almost never say: What is your nationality?
We usually say: Where are you from? OR Where do you come from?
To tell someone your nationality you DON'T say: My nationality is Chilean.
You say: I'm Chilean

Remember:
I am from Chile: To Be + from + country
I am Chilean: To Be + Nationality

Singular / Plural
Country / Countries
Nationality / Nationalities

Below is a list of countries with the appropriate nationality. The Language that appears is the main language that is spoken in the country. We have not included all the languages that they may speak in that country.

Country / Nationality / Language

Afghanistan / Afghan / Afghan
Argentina / Argentine (Argentinean) / Spanish
Australia / Australian / English
Belgium / Belgian / French (Flemish)
Bolivia / Bolivian / Spanish
Brazil / Brazilian / Portuguese
Cambodia / Cambodian / Cambodian
Canada / Canadian / English / French
Chile / Chilean / Spanish
China / Chinese / Chinese
Colombia / Colombian / Spanish
Costa Rica / Costa Rican / Spanish
Cuba / Cuban / Spanish
Denmark / Danish (Dane) / Danish
Dominican Republic / Dominican / Spanish
Ecuador / Ecuadorian / Spanish
Egypt / Egyptian / Arabic
El Salvador / Salvadorian / Spanish
England / English/ English
Estonia / Estonian / Estonian
Ethiopia / Ethiopian / Amharic
Finland / Finnish / Finnish
France / French / French
Germany / German / German
Greece / Greek / Greek
Guatemala / Guatemalan / Spanish
Haiti / Haitian / French (Creole)
Honduras / Honduran Spanish
Indonesia / Indonesian Indonesian
Ireland / Irish Irish / English
Israel / Israeli / Hebrew
Italy / Italian / Italian
Japan / Japanese / Japanese
Jordan / Jordanian / Arabic
Malaysia / Malaysian / Malay
Mexico / Mexican / Spanish
Morocco / Moroccan Arabic / French
Netherlands / Dutch / Dutch
New Zealand / New Zealander / English (Maori)
Nicaragua / Nicaraguan / Spanish
Norway / Norwegian / Norwegian
Panama / Panamanian / Spanish
Paraguay / Paraguayan / Spanish
Peru / Peruvian / Spanish
Philippines / Filipino / Tagalog
Poland / Polish / Polish
Portugal / Portuguese / Portuguese
Puerto Rico / Puerto Rican / Spanish
Romania / Romanian Romanian
Russia / Russian / Russian
Saudi Arabia / Saudi / Arabic
Spain / Spanish / Spanish
Sweden / Swedish / Swedish
Switzerland / Swiss / Swiss
Taiwan / Taiwanese / Chinese
Thailand / Thai / Thai
Turkey / Turkish / Turkish
Ukraine / Ukrainian / Ukrainian
United States / American /* English
Uruguay / Uruguayan / Spanish
Venezuela / Venezuelan / Spanish
Vietnam / Vietnamese / Vietnamese
Wales / Welsh / Welsh (English)

*You will notice that people from United States have the nationality 'American'. Some people from other parts of the American continent (especially Central and South America) tend not to like the word American for people from the United States. You will find that they will call them North American.

Effective Tips for Speaking

2008-12-20T08:11:00.000-08:00

Problem with Speaking? Try these tips and check if you really can do that...

1. Must have high motivation
2. Allocate time
3. Translate every activity you do
4. Make a sentence every new vocabulary you learned
5. Read a short paragraph

6. Do a short presentation
7. Talk to other people everyday
8. Have an English Meeting Club
9. Have an English day
10. Choose the right place

Those tips above will guide you to open your mind because we have to realize that the more we practice, the better we are...

Written by,
EL-Community Crew

The Use of ‘like’ in sentences

2008-12-20T07:55:00.000-08:00

You will know some meanings but there will be some new meanings for you too

1. Verb: Like
Meaning 1: to enjoy something or feel that someone or something is pleasant
Examples: I just like playing my guitar.
I like to walk in my spare time.
She really likes him.

Meaning 2: would like something = to want something
Examples: I would like to talk about it.
I'd like some salad with that, please.

Meaning 3: Would you like...? = used to offer something
Examples: Would you like some tea?
Would you like to eat now?

Meaning 4: if you like = means 'yes' when someone suggests a plan
Example: ‘Shall I come?’ ‘Yes, if you like.’

Meaning 5: if you like = used when you offer someone something
Example: If you like I could drive you there.

Meaning 6: How do you like…? = used to ask someone for their opinion
Example: How do you like my new coat?

2. Preposition: Like
Meaning 1: similar to, or in the same way as someone or something
Examples: I wish I were tall like you.
He looks like his father.
You sound like Harry

Meaning 2: What is ... like? = something you say when you want someone to describe someone or something
Examples: I haven't met him - what's he like?
So what's your new dress like?

Meaning 3: If behaviour is 'like' someone, it is typical of the way that they behave.
Examples: It's just like Emma to miss her bus.
It's not like Tim to be late.

Meaning 4: for example
Example: The room will look best if we paint it a bright colour, like yellow or orange

3. Conjunction: Like (informal)
Meaning 1: in the same way as
Example: Do it exactly like I told you to.

Meaning 2: as if
Example: He acted like he didn't hear me.

4. Noun: Like
Meaning 1: (formal) someone or something that is similar to someone or something else
Example: He had a massive birthday party, the like of which the town had never seen before.

Meaning 2: and the like (informal) = and similar things
Example: There's a big room that they use for lessons and interviews and the like.

2008-12-13T12:11:00.000-08:00

Welcome to El-Community...

Here you can find many articles related to English Language. Therefore, if you want to improve your English skills (Listening, Speaking, Grammar, Writing, etc), just visit and enjoy this bLog anytime. English is a unique language to be learned by English Lovers all over the world, so do not waste your time for the useless things, practice more and more makes you master of English ....

Beside that, El-Community provides some information for all English Learners who want to study abroad in many countries all over the world. Australia, England, USA, Canada, Mexico, Malaysia, Singapore, etc, became the favourite places for learners to improve their knowledge especially in English...

In addition, El-Community shares information about scholarship from many countries outside Just one click and you can explore all sites. And finally you may also visit vary entries especially about JOBVacancies abroad...

So, do not wait until its too late for you to get success in your life coz' when it comes to study and work abroad, we have all the answers... Hope you will enjoy this blog, its contents and the dreams will come true aSaP (As Soon As Possible)...

Good Luck and Warm regard,

El-Community Crew...

Enjoy this Life

2008-12-13T11:34:00.000-08:00

Life is beautiful, isn't it? Here is briefly illustrated the tips how to enjoy our life:

1. Try to get up earlier than others
2. Do some exercises, such as jogging and aerobic
3. Try to always smile at everyone
4. Laugh at least 10 minutes a day
5. Relax in all situations
6. Always think that everything is challenging and exiting
7. Take a holiday out of town at weekends
8. Listen to soft music while you have a rest

The tips above are simple. However, if we really apply them, we will be glad to see the positive effects...

Rewritten by,

EL-Community Crew