Quizlet Link & Study Guide

Hi L4 Class,

Here is a link to join Quizlet when we use this website in class and work on our vocabulary.

Click here: Quizlet Vocabulary L4

Here is a useful list to help you study for the Unit 1 exam:

decided to (+ verb)
start to (+ verb)
start (+ verb + ing)
end up (+ verb + ing)
expect to (+ verb)
seem to (+ verb)
try to (+ verb) or try (+ verb + ing)
keep on (+ verb + ing)
hate (+ verb + ing) or (+ verb)
stop (+ verb + ing)
stop to (+ verb)

Enjoy!
Teacher Bonnie

L4: The fabulous "as...as" (equatives)

Hello L4 Class,

Attached is a helpful video using "as...as" to compare equals.

as...as adjectives.  

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

L4 Fun with Gerunds and Infinitives

Hi L4 Class,

Here are links for Infinitives and - ING Verbs

ING Verbs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLA4SrKYMkY

Infinitives and Gerunds:

...this is fun:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKfEG9IqTeQ

This is about Infinitives and Gerunds:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlx0uiAR8a4

Exercises using gerunds:

http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-gerunds.htm

http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/index.htm

http://a4esl.org/q/f/z/zz97mkm.htm

Enjoy!!!!

See you in class!

- Teacher Bonnie

Work or Job? You decide!

Hello Fabulous Students,

This week there is some confusion over when to use the word "work" or "job".

WORK or JOB?

"Job" is a noun.  "Work" can be a noun or a verb.  However, when do you choose "job" or "work" when deciding between the two nouns?  Are they the same or different?

Here is a link to a great explanation:   Go here to learn the difference-between-job-work-and-career

COLLOCATIONS WITH GET

There are many phrases and words used with "get" - these are called "collocations".  Here is a link to help explain the difference:  Click here for "get" collocations

Looking forward to your final projects!   

Reading Free Books Online

Do you like to read books?  Classic books?  Do you like to listen to audio books? Here is a link to free books online:

Gutenberg free ebooks, click here.

Click here for Digital Books

These books are classic novels and are in the public domain - this means that they are available to everyone to use for free.

Use the search box on the website to find the novel that you want to read or listen to. They come in many formats - html (direct link), kindle, cloud, google drive, dropbox and more.  The quickest way to get your book is to click on the html.

Additionally,  we are studying "might" this week:

Form:  might + base verb

Use: possibility

Might (positive):  Deborah might study tonight. 

Might (negative): Deborah might not study tonight.

Links to online practice with "will, going to & might":  
Click here for online practice using "might, will, & going to"

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

L5A Simple Past and Past Continuous

Hi Level 5 Class,

Happy Thursday!

Are you excited about learning more about the past continuous tense?  Would you like some practice?
You've come to the right place.

Simple Past and the Past Continuous:

Click on the link for an online explanation of the past continuous: Past Continuous - Go here!  

and here: more practice

Here's practice to distinguish between the simple past tense and past continuous tense: Click here for simple past and past continuous tense practice.

Past Continuous Video on YouTube


Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

Collocations, Adjectives & Adverbs, and Celebrating a Great Man, Dr. Martin Luther King

Hi Class,

Monday is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Why is it a holiday? - To celebrate a great, great man, statesman and Civil Rights Leader.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday:

Monday we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  He was a powerful civil rights leader and activist. He believed in peaceful protest. His leadership changed America by advancing equal rights in the US. Without the actions of the civil rights movement under his leadership, you would not be in this ESL class today, there probably would not be ESL classes at community colleges for free if it were not for MLK.

Here is a short video on his life and great work.

http://www.biography.com/people/martin-luther-king-jr-9365086

What do you think about his leadership?  How does the civil rights movement of the 1960s affect you today? Think about it...

This week we are studying collocations with adjectives and nouns. Our book doesn't cover the many collocations that there are, however, collocations are important to learn and know so that you can build your vocabulary.  There are collocations for everyday living, work, and leisure time.

Here's a description of collocations from englishclub.com

Collocations

What is a collocation?

"A collocation is two or more words that often go together. These combinations just sound "right" to native English speakers, who use them all the time. On the other hand, other combinations may be unnatural and just sound "wrong". Look at these examples:

natural English...	unnatural English...
the fast train fast food	the quick train quick food
a quick shower a quick meal	a fast shower a fast meal

Why learn collocations?

• Your language will be more natural and more easily understood.
• You will have alternative and richer ways of expressing yourself.
• It is easier for our brains to remember and use language in chunks or blocks rather than as single words.

Here are some links to practice exercises online (be sure when you get to the websites that you scroll down so you don't click on advertisements.) 

Click here for a quick quiz on collocations. 

Go here for practice with collocations, scroll down to find the exercise. 

Word Forms

Here's some practice with word forms - adjectives, nouns, adverbs, verbs that stem from the same word. 

Click here to learn about types of word forms. 

Go here for more practice with word forms. 

Click here for additional information on word families, another name for word forms. Scroll to the end of the article for exercises. 

Should you choose an adverb or adjective: go here.

At 9pm we're playing Kahoot.it

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie 

Welcome Level 5A! Winter 2020 is here!

Hello Level 5A Class;

Welcome to Level 5A, Winter 2020 session.  Below is the syllabus for the course, which you will also get in class, below that are practice exercises for this weeks lessons.

This blog is updated frequently by me with posts containing links to lessons and/or more information about topics and grammar points covered in class.  There is a endless stream of information online to enhance your ESL skills. You should take advantage of all that's available to improve your English communication skills.

I'm very excited to meet you, and assist you in advancing your English language learning.

Please see the activities below the course overview for this week's lessons.  Enjoy!

Course Information Sheet
English as a Second Language, ESL 1065A, Level 5A.

A double rainbow I saw this summer in Massachusetts.

CRN# 75209, January 6, 2020 to February 13, 2020
Instructor: B. Cheeseman, MA, M.Ed.
E-mail: BLCheeseman@pasadena.edu
Class Blog: http://myeslclass.blogspot.com

Class Schedule:    Monday through Thursday, 5:30pm - 9:45 pm, Rm 226B
Instructor’s Mailbox:  PCC-CEC Administration Office, Room 102

Course Description: 
Development of high-intermediate English proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing to meet many life and work-related demands.  Emphasis is on reducing miscommunication through the correct use of grammatical functions and content organization.  Total of 108 hours lecture.  

Required Textbooks:  Life 4 - Student Book & Workbook, by H. Stephenson, J. Hughes. ISBN #978-1-337-90565-7 and #978-1-337-90800-9

Students are required to purchase textbooks. Textbooks can be purchased at PCC bookstore.

Lancerpoint & Canvas (PCC’s course management system) is used.

Evaluation Policy:
• ESL Appraisal Assessment: Diagnostic Test
• CASAS Pre Test: Required
• CASAS Post Test: Required
• Quiz after each unit is required to evaluate student’s understanding and comprehension of each unit’s content (listening, grammar, and reading/comprehension)

Office Hours:
Office hours after class are scheduled by the instructor. Instructor will inform students of the dates, times, and location.

Attendance Procedures:

Your teacher floating down a river last summer.

This course is open-entry, open-exit.  Students may be dropped at the discretion of the instructor due to first day absence and/or excessive absences.  Students may be added to the course at any time during the semester.

Student Learning Outcomes (ESL 1065A, Level 5A):
1. Listening / Speaking: Collaborate with others with increasing fluency in various types of conversation
2. Reading: Choose reading strategies to interpret print and digital content.

3. Writing: Formulate and convey meaning by writing paragraphs with sophisticated syntax and organization.

-----------------

This Week's Lessons: Week 1:

This week we've been studying Stative Verbs, Direct and Indirect Questions and learned about the significance of the various uses of color in diverse cultures. 

Here is a PowerPoint slide presentation on Stative Verbs: Click here to review rules for Stative Verbs.

As we talked about, YouTube is a great platform to learn English.  Click here for a video lesson on Stative Verbs, also Go here for more lessons on Stative Verbs.

For a video lesson on Indirect Questions, Go here for a video lesson on Indirect Questions.

For online practice exercises on Stative Verbs go here.

For online practice exercises on Indirect Questions, click here ...and here.

For online practice using Phrasal Verbs, go here.

Later, we'll be playing Kahoot!  Go to Kahoot.it when we are ready to play and please wait for instructions. 

Have fun!

Teacher Bonnie 

Somebody, Anybody, Someone, Anyone? ...Hello!

Hi Class,

Some of my students are confused about the use of Indefinite Pronouns, here's a good explanation, and a good online exercise to sort them out. 

Indefinite Pronouns Explanation


Indefinite Pronouns Online Practice

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie 

CONVERSATION CLASS: WHAT MAKES SOMETHING FUNNY?

Hello Class, 

This week we're studying what makes things funny.  Do you have a good sense of humor?  Is humor different in different countries? 

Let's explore ideas, or theories, what makes something funny or humorous.

"Humor can be dissected, or cut up, as a frog can,” author E. B. White wrote, “but the frog dies in the process and the insides of the frog are ugly to most people, except for those with a scientific mind.” 

Start with this:

TED Talk: What Makes Things Funny?

...and here:  The Skill of Humor

Tag endings are fun, aren't they?

Hi Class,

Here is a link to a VOA video on tag endings which we are studying.

Click here for tag endings video review

Click here for a game on tag endings, for 2 players.

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

Writing Final Information

Hello L2 Class,

Here is what you need to know to pass your writing final.

This is important!!! 

WRITING FINAL PRACTICE & WRITING FINAL DIRECTIONS:

1.)  Use a lined piece of notebook paper and a pen.  Bring those on the day of the exam.

2.)  Testing Rules:  During writing practice and the writing final, there is absolutely no talking. This is not a group test, it is an individual test of your writing ability at Level 2.  If you have a question, ask the teacher.  There are no cell phones or books.  You must do your own work.  When you are finished, give your paper to the instructor and remain quiet so that others can continue their work without interruption. 

3.)  You will be given the topic and told when to start and when to finish. 

4.)  Format:   Write your name and date at the topic of your paper.  Give your paragraph a title.  Indent on the first line of your paragraph.  Remember “the hamburger”: introduction, support, and conclusion. Space your writing on every other line (skip 1 line and start the next). 

Here is how you will be graded on writing practice tests and the final writing test, your teacher will attach this paper to your writing so you know your skill level and area for improvement:

Not developed   = 0 pts.	Developing  =   1 pt.	Developed  =   1.5 pts.	Well-Developed  2 pts.
No example of progress according to the standard and writing format that we studied in class.  Many errors.	The writing shows some progress by talking about the prompt question, however, there are many incorrect spellings, grammar errors, etc.	The writing shows progress with few errors.  The writing talks about the prompt question and has a clear beginning, middle and end.	The writing shows clear progress, addresses the prompt question clearly, and shows development of writing skills with almost no errors.

STUDENT’S WRITING SKILLS:

1.  Content  (6 points)   =  _________ /6

a.  The prompt question is clearly and completely answered.  ____

b.  Topic and concluding sentences are clear.  ____

c.   Supporting sentences and details are clear and develop the main idea of the paragraph.  ____

2.  Grammar and Use (8 points)  =  _______/8

a.  Level 2 verbs are correct.   ________

b.  Level 2 grammar is correct.   __________

c.   Level 2 vocabulary, conjunctions, and transitions are correct.  ________

d.  Sentences are complete and follow correct word order.   _________

3.  Mechanics  (6 points)  =  _______/6

a.  Paragraph neatly follows the writing format studied in class, with indenting, margins, and title.  _______

b.   Capital letters and punctuation are correct in the paragraph.   _______

c.  Level 2 spelling is correct. _______

Total  _______ /20        Percent ________       Pass _________     No Pass ________

Practice on Past Continuous and Reflexive Pronouns and Articles

Hi Level 2 Class,

Happy Wednesday!

Are you excited about learning more about the past continuous tense? Would you like some practice?
You've come to the right place.

Simple Past and the Past Continuous:

Your teacher rafting on the Saco River

Click on the link for an online explanation of the past continuous: Past Continuous - Go here!  and here: more practice

Here's practice to distinguish between the simple past tense and past continuous tense: Click here for simple past and past continuous tense practice.

Example of the past continuous (also known as the past progressive tense):  I was floating down the river when my sister fell in the water. 

Past Continuous Video on YouTube

Reflexive Pronouns:

Click here for practice and information on Reflexive Pronouns.

and Click here for online practice activities on reflexive pronouns.

Articles:

Go here for practice using articles; a, an, the.   and  ...more practice.   and 
...go here for an online quiz on articles.

Enjoy!
Teacher Bonnie

Level 2 Adverbs, IF Clauses & Study Tips for Final Exams! Oh my!

Hi Class,

A)  We are studying adverbs. Follow this link to take a quick quiz: adverb quiz click here

B)  Below are practice sentences from teach-this.com.  Directions:  Put the adverb in the correct position, where does the adverb go? 

1. The temperature was above freezing. (barely) 

2. We felt lucky after winning tickets to the World Cup. (incredibly) 

3. You are walking slowly. (too) 

4. She doesn't know what she'll do after she finishes ESL classes. (quite) 

5. I am exhausted after that difficult workout. (completely) 

6. He didn't work hard to pass the exam. (enough). 

7. This cake is wonderful. (absolutely)

8. My teacher is grumpy today. (terribly) 

9. He is done with his work. (almost) 

10. The presentation wasn’t very good. I could hear the presenter. (hardly)

C)  For practice with IF clauses, go here:  IF clause practice online or here: more IF clause online practice


D). Here are some study tips for your Level 2 NC ESL class final exams coming in December:

These are the grammar points that you need to understand to pass the exam:

Sounds like a lot?  You know this!  You got this! 

If you need practice, do a google search for ESL + grammar point.  There will be many websites that appear and choose one that contains exercises for the grammar point that you are studying. Also, there are many great youtube.com instructional videos, again - search for the grammar lesson that you are studying.   Or, email me!  

Adjectives 
Comparatives
Superlatives
Equative (as . . . as) 
Adverbs of Manner
Comparatives Connectors (because, so)
Count and Non-Count Nouns
Partitives (a can of, two glasses of, etc.) Quantifiers (much, many, some, a few, a little, etc.)
Directions
Future Tense with “Will” Indirect Object Pronouns “Like” vs. “Would Like” Modals
be able to
can’t (for prohibition) could
don’t have to
have got to
might
must (for necessity) mustn’t
should
Past Continuous Tense
Real Conditional (“if” clauses) Possessive Pronouns Reflexive Pronouns
Simple Past Tense
Regular Verbs Irregular Verbs

Tag Questions Simple Past
Simple Present Present Continuous Future
Time Clauses (before, after, when)
Time Expressions (just, in, on, at)
“Too,” “Enough,” “Very” + Adjective
Verb + Infinitive (want to, have to, need to, like to) WH-Questions

Pronunciation

Hello Class,

Happy Thursday!  

Here are some links to pronunciation practice:

Link to pronunciation of the vowel "a"

...And, here is a link to pronouncing minimal pairs:

Ship or Sheep? Click here for practice.

Enjoy!
Teacher Bonnie

Writing a Paragraph and Grammar Practice

Hello GCC Level 2 Class,

We are busy, busy today! 

In the computer lab, we're going to be focusing on the following lessons:

1. Writing!  We are going to review the fundamentals of writing and what makes an excellent paragraph.

Remember: the key to any great paragraph is a clear introduction, 3 supporting examples, and a conclusion.

Think about a hamburger:  The top part of the bun is your introduction, "the meat" is the support, the bottom of the bun is your conclusion. 

2.  You can review the Superlative form on your SBS interactive program. 

3.  You can also follow the links to practice online lessons.

SUPERLATIVES - Click here for practice.

COMPARATIVES & SUPERLATIVES - Go here for practice. 

Enjoy!

Your Teacher,
Bonnie

GCC Students: Logging on to Canvas & More

Hello L2 Students;

Here is information that will take you to GCCs Canvas, the online learning platform for our class.

GCC ONLINE

1)    Go to the MyGCC homepage from Glendale.edu 

2)    You need to: ACTIVATE YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT.  BEFORE you activate your email account go to the “MyGCC LOGIN” – ENTER YOUR STUDENT ID, THEN ENTER YOUR PIN THAT WAS GIVEN TO YOU WHEN YOU ENROLLED. – If you do not have a pin, go to the ESL office and get your PIN from Silva. 

3)    AFTER you enter your student ID and PIN, you will be taken to an activation page.  The page will ask you what you want to do – Activate Email? – Click on this.  – Then you will be asked to create a password.  AFTER you create a password, you will be in your GCC email account.  

4)    Then, go back to the MYGCC HOMEPAGE.  - Go to the “MyGCC LOGIN” again – ENTER YOUR STUDENT ID, THEN ENTER YOUR NEW PASSWORD THAT YOU CREATED FOR YOUR EMAIL. You will be redirected to an activation page again. The page will ask you what you want to do – GO TO ACTIVATE STUDENT ACCOUNT – Click on this. Accept the rules.  

5)    After you activate your student account, you can now enter CANVAS.

6)   Go to the GCC homepage.  At the top of the page it will say "Canvas" Click on "Canvas", it will take you to a login page. At the bottom of the login page it will say "First Time User", click on that, then...follow these directions:

Use your GCC Student ID number as Username.
Use your initials in caps followed by @ followed by your six-digit date of birth (mmddyy) as the password.
For example, password for John Smith born January 23, 1990 would be JS@012390
You will be asked to change your password the first time you login.

Login Help: Spanish, Russian, Armenian, Farsi

This will take you to our class on Canvas and there is a helpful assignment on Equatives, Comparatives & Superlatives. 

Also, here is an exercise on Equatives, Comparatives & Superlatives: Go here for practice.

Additionally, here is a link to practice EL Civics:

Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/_78h0s9 

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

Level 2 Comparative Adjectives

Wednesdays is ESL Computer Class! 

Hi Class,

We are studying the comparative adjective forms this week. 

Comparative Review:

1 syllable adjectives = add -er = warmer 
2 or more syllables = add more+ = more comfortable
2 syllable words ending in y = change the y to i and add -er = prettier

Here are some helpful links to study comparatives, click on the link:

More Comparative Practice and 

More comparative practice...

Later, we'll be playing Kahoot:

Go to:  KAHOOT!

Have fun!

Teacher Bonnie

Level 5A - Job or Work? When to use one or the other!

Hi Class,


This week there is some confusion over when to use the word "work" or "job".

WORK or JOB?

"Job" is a noun.  "Work" can be a noun or a verb.  However, when do you choose "job" or "work" when deciding between the two nouns?  Are they the same or different?

Here is a link to a great explanation:   Go here to learn the difference-between-job-work-and-career

COLLOCATIONS WITH GET


There are many phrases and words used with "get" - these are called "collocations".  Here is a link to help explain the difference:  Click here for "get" collocations

Looking forward to your final projects!    

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

Reading Free Books Online & Using "Might, Will & Going to"

Reading Free Books Online

Hello Fabulous Students,

Do you like to read books?  Classic books?  Do you like to listen to audio books? Here is a link to free books online:

Gutenberg free ebooks, click here.

Click here for Digital Books

These books are classic novels and are in the public domain - this means that they are available to everyone to use for free.

Use the search box on the website to find the novel that you want to read or listen to. They come in many formats - html (direct link), kindle, cloud, google drive, dropbox and more.  The quickest way to get your book is to click on the html.

Additionally,  we are studying "might" this week:

Form:  might + base verb

Use: possibility

Might (positive):  Deborah might study tonight. 

Might (negative): Deborah might not study tonight.

Links to online practice with "will, going to & might":  
Click here for online practice using "might, will, & going to"

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie