​[This excerpt is taken from EnglishClub.com.]

"Grammar is the way we arrange words to make proper sentences. Word level grammar covers verbs and tenses, nouns, adverbs etc. Sentence level grammar covers phrases, clauses, reported speech etc."

To review the parts of speech click on this page: The English Club or click on the image below. 

​[The excerpt below is from Grammarly.com. Click on the link at the end to read more on this topic.]

"What is a run-on sentence? Run-on sentences, also known as fused sentences, occur when two complete sentences are squashed together without using a coordinating conjunction or proper punctuation, such as a period or a semicolon.  Run-on sentences can be short or long. A long sentence isn’t necessarily a run-on sentence. "



To continue learning more about this topic and how to make corrections, click on the following link:  RUN-ON SENTENCES 

To practice finding and identifying run-on sentences in your writing, click on these links: 

• Repairing Run-On Sentences
• Run-On Practice Exercises
• Run-On Sentences Quiz ​

"Most ESL students learning to write an English passage have a hard time understanding the purpose of a thesis statement.
Here’s a simple approach: one thesis sentence pattern suitable for intermediate+ level students.

Part 1. What’s a Thesis?

A thesis has a few important features:

• usually one sentence
• tells the reader the main idea
• is the focus of the essay or story

Everything in the story, passage or essay explains and proves the thesis. If someone asks what your essay is about, the best answer is to say the thesis.

To continue reading about Thesis Statements on eslwriting.org, click HERE. 

Here are some other sites that have some very helpful information on writing thesis statements:

• ESL: Thesis Statements
• The Writing Center: Thesis Statements

And, to practice identifying good thesis statements, click here. 

Finally, click on the video below to review your understanding of writing a good thesis statement. 

What is a fragment and why do I need to fix them?

A fragment is like a train without an engine. It may look kind of pretty just sitting there, but it doesn't work, and it won't take your reader anywhere. It will only frustrate him.

For example, if I walked into the room and said to you, "When I woke up this morning..."

You'd say, "So, what happened?"  And if I didn't tell you more, you'd be probably be somewhat  frustrated with me.

Fragments are incomplete thoughts. To read more about Fragments and how to fix them, click the following links:

• ​Purdue Owl (Fragments)

• Finding and Fixing Fragments.

[The excerpt below comes from Medium.com. The link to the rest of the article can be found at the bottom of this post.]

"Grammar is like a game. Some who are well-versed with the language learn grammar intuitively; some struggle with tenses, clauses, sentences, and so on. Below we put forward some effective ways to learn & improve English grammar.

1. Make a commitment
Learning English grammar needs a lot of motivation. Once you are ready to begin studying, stick by it until the end.

2. Keep a grammar book at your disposal
Keeping an English grammar book will allow you to revise what you have learnt in class, as well as force you to learn grammar as often as you can.

3. Utilize a grammar app
Nowadays, everyone has a smartphone. Make use of it. Download a dictionary app and a grammar app. You can use it while commuting or in your free time."

To read the rest of these tips, click on the following link:

12 Practical Tips for Learning and Improving English Grammar. 

​The following excerpt is from ELC Study Zone: 

​These three verbs are modal verbs.

• should
• ought to
• had better

Modal verbs are helping/auxiliary verbs that express ideas like ability, advice, and obligation. Many modal verbs have more than one meaning. They are always followed by the simple form of a verb.

For example:
Amanda should go to the doctor.
This shows that we think it is a good idea for Amanda to visit the doctor.

To learn about Modals for Advice and to practice using them correctly, click on the following links:

Modals for Advice Practice Exercises 1
Modals for Advice Practice Exercises 2 

​Are you struggling to find ways to practice your English speaking skills? I know that many of my students have expressed that during the pandemic, it has been difficult to find those opportunities. I have provided some other posts on this topic, but here are some additional apps that you might find helpful: 

1. Lingo Blabla
2. Duolingo
3. Speaky
4. Cambly
5. HiNative

To read more about each one of these and to find a link to each app, click here! 

American poet and educator, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), wrote many poems that went on to become quite well known. My favorite is "Three Kings" which tells the Bible story of King Herod's search for the King, the one prophesied about in the Old Testament, the one who would become known as Jesus. Of course, we do not know how many "wise men" or kings there actually were who came seeking the Child. People often associate the number "three" with this story because there were three gifts mentioned in the Scriptures: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In any case, Longfellow accurately and beautifully captures the hatred directed toward the would-be King and the way in which He would be protected. 

The current pandemic has presented many challenges for each of us, but I know that it has been especially hard for you as an English language learner. One of the challenges that I have heard some of you express concerns the lack of opportunities to practice speaking English with others. Like me, I am sure that your teachers are doing their best to try and give you some opportunities to speak with your fellow classmates via ZOOM, but there is only so much time available during class. This means that if you want to really practice your speaking skills, you are going to need to find ways of doing this on your own more. 

Conversation practice is very important. It is how you build confidence in your ability to communicate with others. However, that is only one way to improve your speaking skills. Another way is to work on pronunciation. There are many websites online where you can find pronunciation practice. 

Here are a few: 
Pronunciation Exercises
Pronunciation Tips
American English Sounds 

To find more pronunciation exercises including how to sound out certain words, when to stress certain syllables, and how to pronounce certain nouns, click on this link: www.catesol.org

​​