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Top Resources to Learn English Grammar You Can’t Miss

Jennifer Wagaman — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:17:20 +0000

Guest Post from David García:

What if we were to tell you that there’s an easy and even funny way for learning and improving your knowledge of English Grammar? Would you believe us? Probably not, but if you keep reading and try the resources that we mention in this post you might discover that you’re actually wrong.

The free websites that we present you here are very user friendly and contain top quality material to improve your English grammar:

The BBC offers Grammar Challenge, a collection of programs about different grammar topics. Each programme includes a grammar explanation (you can download it in .pdf format), an audio file (in .mp3 format) and complementary material.

There are also exercises to practice each grammar topic. There usually are three really entertaining interactive quizzes and a written exercise per topic.

Link | BBC Grammar Challenge

The British Council (Learn English Central) also offers explanations to the common areas of grammar along with fantastic grammar games to challenge your knowledge.

Both: explanations and games are stored in two archives sorted alphabetically where you’ll find any topic that you need.

Link | Learn English Central

Grammar Girl is the resource that the advanced English grammar learners are looking for: deep, clear and attention to the detailed explanations to learn all the secrets of the English grammar.

You can listen to the explanation (also download the mp3 audio file) and see the whole transcription on the website.

Link | Grammar Girl

Last but not least we’d like to include Free Rice on this list. In there you’ll be able to test your grammar knowledge and for each answer you get right, they’ll donate 10 grains of rice through the World Food Programme to help end hunger.

Pretty cool, eh? What are you waiting for?!

Link | Free Rice

This is a guest post from blogger and education lover David García. David collaborates in different education blogs like Learn English Online and englishdragon.cn (网上学英语).

Internet Slang

Jennifer Wagaman — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:08:27 +0000

Educators deal with the issues of Internet slang more and more in the classroom. Even in the university level, emoticons and abbreviations are creeping in and in some instances taking over, frustrating teachers. While this issue has come about thanks to social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Texting and others, teachers are fighting a losing battle when it comes to ignoring it or banning it.

Instead, teachers need to focus on attacking this problem of Internet slang head-on. For more information on how this issue is effecting teachers and what should be done about it, read: Social Media Downfalls

SpellQuizzer, a Spelling Software

Jennifer Wagaman — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:15:21 +0000

SpellQuizzer is a spelling program that provides parents an alternative to traditional spelling practice that often turns into a fight.

What is SpellQuizzer?

SpellQuizzer is a simple spelling software that parents or teachers can download onto their computer and allows a parent or teacher to create a spelling list, and a student to then be quizzed on that spelling list. Students are given a recorded verbal prompt and must type the word. If spelled correctly the next word is given and if spelled incorrectly, the program provides the correct spelling and the option to respell those words at the end of the list.

The software is simple to install and comes with a thorough and easy to follow help section that will allow any parent the ability to use this program. Need additional help? There are several detailed video helps on SpellQuizzer’s website providing all the additional help a parent might need.

Does SpellQuizzer Work?

SpellQuizzer is a unique spelling program that gives students an alternate to the traditional call and response, paper and pencil spelling practice. This program is a particularly excellent choice for students with writing disabilities as it allows them to learn the spelling words without the burden of writing the words down.

Will SpellQuizzer be right for every child? Most likely not. Some children may need the extra reinforcement of putting pencil to paper to practice their spelling words. Some children may simply not like typing their spelling words. Many children will enjoy this spelling program, though, and with a free trial and low cost, there is nothing to lose.

Want to win a copy of SpellQuizzer? Leave a comment below and earn a chance to win a free copy of SpellQuizzer! Contest runs through Friday, January 15, 2010. Winner will be contacted by email.

Teach Reading by Teaching Writing

Jennifer Wagaman — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:18:06 +0000

Children can learn a lot about reading when they write, and in fact, many students who struggle with reading may improve with some focused attention on writing. Here are some of the things that writing teaches a child:

How to hold a pencil
Directional cues on paper (right to left, top to bottom)
Spelling of sounds
Extending reading cues
Syntax – what structurally sounds correct
Grammar
phonics
phrasing
punctuation – how you read writing like you would say it
one to one correspondence.

20 Free Online Resources for Readers and Writers

Jennifer Wagaman — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:38:05 +0000

The web is a great place for readers to find free books and connect with other book-lovers online. Writers can also use the web to find the tools they need to create, write, and publish their work. Here is a list of 20 free online resources that almost any reader or writer will enjoy:

Resources for Readers

Online Books Page – This University of Pennsylvania resource provides more than 35,000 free books that can be read online. This site is an excellent place to find classic books, banned books, and other popular reads.

Classic Reader – Classic Reader is one of the best places to find free classic books online. The site offers fiction, non-fiction, poetry, short stories, and books for young readers.

Read Print – Read Print is an online library with more than 8,000 free novel, poems, and short stories. It is a great site for students, teachers, and readers who enjoy classic books.

Librivox – Librivox volunteers provide free audio books that can be downloaded to your computer and transferred to MP3s and other music players. New books are constantly being added.

Goodreads – Goodreads is a book-lover’s dream. The site allows you to track what you have read, form a book club, and get recommendations on what to read next.

Reader2 – Similar to Goodreads, Reader2 allows users to create a booklist online and find new books to read. This free social service also provides a virtual community to discuss books and authors.

Shelfari – This book-oriented social media site is a good place to show off your bookshelf and discover new authors.

BiblioPhil – Readers can use this free service to rate and keep track of the books they read. BiblioPhil also lets users track book loans, book recommendations, and the condition of books they own.

Bookins – Bookins is a free service for book-lovers on a budget. The site allows you to trade books with other members. You can get any book (or DVD) shipped to you for less than $5.

Resources for Writers

ThinkFold – ThinkFold is an online brainstorming and outlining tool that works well for individual and collaborative writers. Work-groups can interact on a shared outline and see changes being made in real-time.

Zoho – Zoho is a web based suite of productivity apps. Zoho offerings include an online word processor, spreadsheet maker, document manager, note taker, presentation tool, organizer, and a full-featured wiki.

yWriter – Designed specifically for authors, this free word processor leaves the mind free to write by keeping track of work and breaking novels into scenes and chapters.

RoughDraft – RoughDraft is a free online word processor for writers. It instantly backs up files, automatically creates cover pages, and provides special modes for writing novels, plays, and screenplays.

Writewith – Writewith is an excellent tool for writers who write in groups or work with an editor. This free app allows you to upload and share documents, assign tasks, and track all changes and actions.

Big Universe - This award-winning web community is a nice place for young writers to create and publish their own book online. Big Universe members have created nearly 10,000 books to date.

Writing Room – Writing Room is an expansive online community for writers who want to discuss writing, improve skills, and publish work online. The site also offers contests and trade secret videos.

Novlet - Novlet is a unique web app that supports collaborative, non-linear writing. Writers can use the free app to work together on projects and take current stories in new directions.

NaNoWriMo – This annual writing project encourages amateur and professional writers to use the month of November to write a 50,000 word novel. The site offers endless encouragement and a community forum for writers to get help and discuss ideas.

Blurb – Blurb is free bookmaking software that can be used to create and publish your own books. You can order completed copies for only $4.95 each.

Guest post from education writer Karen Schweitzer. Karen is the About.com Guide to Business School. She also writes for OnlineColleges.net, an online college resource.