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