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An Introduction to Pragmatics

Business English Vocabulary:

12 Money Idioms

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OUR NEW BOOK

Global Issues: Wealth and Poverty

A Language Arts Textbook For

English Language Learners

12 content-based units that focus on raising awareness of global issues while developing English language communication skills. A wide variety of exercises provides students with practice in using cause-and-effect logic, categorizing and analyzing information, making inferences, discussing facts, voicing opinions, and more.

Features

Over 200 target vocabulary words and essential expressions.
Uses a “Receptive Skills <==> “Productive Skills” Reciprocal Reinforcement Approach to language acquisition.
Numerous guided-output
Specific instruction on a variety of grammar points.
Each unit includes a video to accompany a cloze exercise.
Complete with answer key and transcripts to videos.

Links to Videos for Book Exercises

Featured Articles

1^st Conditional (Real Situation) vs. 2^nd Conditional (Unreal Situation)

Level: Intermediate (350 TOEIC score)

Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will be able to differentiate and use the first conditional and second conditional to talk about real and unreal situations.

Why is English So Difficult to Learn?

You have probably had at least one ESL student ask you, “Why is English so difficult to learn?” Were you able to answer the question to their satisfaction? I imagine, that like me, you may have started answering the question only to realize that there are many reasons. Trying to pinpoint one or two reasons that would be a segue into you giving advice to the student only ended up confusing the student more.

The English language is known for its complex grammar rules, extensive vocabulary, and challenging pronunciation. Many non-native speakers of English find it difficult to learn, even after years of study. While there are many reasons why English is challenging, one aspect that often goes overlooked is its pragmatic complexity.

Pragmatics is a subfield of linguistics that deals with how context contributes to meaning. It looks at how people use language to achieve their goals and communicate effectively. Pragmatics is concerned with the many ways in which people can convey meaning beyond the literal interpretation of words. This includes things like tone of voice, body language, and social cues.

Lesson Plan: Earth Day and Ocean Pollution

(Link to Printable PDF Version)

Level: High school students learning English as a Foreign Language with a TOEIC score of about 450.

Time: 45 minutes

Materials:

Video: "How Plastic in the Ocean Impacts Your Health" ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQQajO5yIUE )
Short reading: "5 Ways You Can Help Reduce Ocean Pollution" (attached)
Cloze exercise: "5 Ways You Can Help Reduce Ocean Pollution" (attached)

Objectives:

To develop students' listening, reading, and writing skills in English.
To increase students' vocabulary related to environmental problems and solutions.
To motivate students to take action in addressing environmental issues.

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Passport For Global Citezenship E1644987914211

Studying a Second Language is a Passport to Global Citizenship

Learning a foreign language is a passport to global citizenship. The commitment to learning a new language demonstrates an interest in broadening one’s view of the world and the desire to understand other cultures. As a language learner’s worldview expands, so should knowledge and interest in global issues.

Wider View of the World

The acquisition of a second language and the acquisition of socially responsible behavior are similar in that they are both processes that affect a person’s view of the world and foster the development of a global mindset. As a person’s view of the world expands, it becomes easier to understand how global issues transcend political and cultural borders. Addressing those global issues and planning sustainable global development require communication among all members of the international community. Therefore, people learning a second language have the opportunity to become ambassadors for peace, equality, human rights and the environment.

A Critical Thinking Lesson for Teaching Argumentation and Persuasion

This is a great interactive lesson to get students talking and thinking about a number of controversial issues. The lesson is designed as an idea-generating activity for advanced ESL/EFL students who are preparing to write an argumentative essay or do a persuasive speech. The lesson takes about 90 minutes. The best way to do the lesson is put students in small groups. First, go over the vocabulary. Next, explain that they will watch several videos and then in their groups, they will discuss and answer the questions on their worksheets. Here are the links and videos for teaching the lesson: