When in College, the word organization takes a whole new meaning if you wish to be on time, meet deadlines, study for tests, impress professors, and yet, have fun in your free time.  You definitely need a good plan, because professors will not remind you of upcoming assignments or give you extra time to present them; and, if still you’re taking, for example, ESL lessons or working part time, you will have to know exactly where your time is going, or else, you will collapse.

Follow these steps and you can be certain you will go through it smoothly.

1.    Print or collect syllabi for each class

2.    Get your books, a pile of unlined 3×5 cards and a heavy duty, bright colored, plastic folder

3.    Place the syllabi in the folder.  Tag it “syllabi folder”.  Keep it close when you study; at home, the library, or during class

4.    For each syllabus, highlight what is due the first week in one color and what’s due the second week in another color.  This way, you can follow your tasks weekly

5.    Assign a card for every book.  Place it vertically and write the dates for which you have assignments for that specific book, and next to it, write the pages you must read.  Use it as a bookmark, to know where you are and how far you need to go

6.    Get a good size calendar or academic planner and write down the assignments and tests due on specific dates

7.    Make a Project Syllabus.  Chronologically, write down every assignment that needs more than one day to complete.  This way, you can space out your work so that you do not spend all night working on a last minute paper

8.    Write your schedule down or have it in your computer so that you know exactly when you have class.  Plan at least one hour of study for every hour of class, two if you are at grad school; treat this time as sacred, and do not miss it

9.    In your computer, make a folder called “School” and inside of it, create a folder for each class you are taking.  Use these to store downloads required by your professors and other important information.  Make sure you lock your folders with a password for safety

10.    Now it’s time to get to work.  At this point, you do not have to figure out how to organize all the work, take advantage of your time and resources and get the best out of your learning experience!

It is a fact!  When in Denver Colorado, forget about needing money to have fun.  Some of the best, most fun activities and gorgeous destinations are completely free.

Get ready to free your mind from troubles, breathe clean air, and feed your soul with the natural beauty that Denver Colorado possesses.

1.    Take a free ride on the 16th Street Trolley.  The 16th Street Pedestrian Mall in downtown Denver, Colorado is one of the principal attractions.  It is composed of 15 blocks filled with restaurants and shops, and, in the months of good weather, you can see lots of street entertainment happening there, from jugglers to musicians.  The trolley goes up and down the mall, so take it and get a great view of the whole place; identify activities or places you would like to visit later or just sit down and relax watching the people walk, or meditate, or think, if you need some time for yourself.

2.    Take a free tour of the U.S. Mint.  Inspect how money is made in this building.  Tours are available every hour from 8 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon, and it’s recommended that you make a reservation here: Mint Website, however, you can risk it and just arrive unannounced, there could be a free space on a walk-up tour.

3.    Visit the Denver Art Museum.  It is newly expanded and offers free admission to the DAM for Colorado residents every first Saturday of the month.  There are free digital gallery games that are played on Game Boys, and you can borrow them for free.  Families can ask for the Family Backpacks, which are filled with activities, games, and puzzles to do in the different galleries.

4.    Go to the park.  Denver Colorado has over 200 parks.  Go jogging or ride a bike while enjoying the scenery.  Play Frisbee, read, or even go fishing.  And, do not forget about the best activity to do at any park: lie down on your back and watch the sky.

5.    Go trail hunting.  There are over 850 miles of bike paths in Denver, Colorado.  There is no excuse here to not be fit!  As the saying goes: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”, follow the locals and walk, run, roller blade, or bike along the beautiful and peaceful paths that frame Cherry Creek and the Platte River.

6.    Visit free festivals.  The Mile-High City is full of outdoor festivals running throughout the year, like Cinco de Mayo Celebrate Culture Festival, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, and the Free Parade of Lights in December.  Look for free events at the Denver’s Year-Round Events Guide.

As you can see, there is no excuse to no have fun in Denver Colorado.  Enjoy the rich opportunities offered to practice what you’ve been learning in your ESL classes and make it an experience of a lifetime!

The industry of English as a foreign language (EFL) and English as a second language (ESL) teaching has grown immensely. There are many curricula, academies, schools, and methods available. Learning English is a need that can be met with relative ease in almost every country in the world. However, it is also true that there are qualities within the spectrum of options, and there are certain identified characteristics, methodologies, and philosophies that have been found to be the most effective in bringing about the attainment of the goal: to be fluent in English.

The best practices in ESL teaching are many and are documented in several manuals and catalogues of organizations dedicated to the study of teaching English, such as the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS); the International Association of Teachers of EFL (IATEFL); International Association of Language Teaching Technology (IALTT); Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and many others. The following are a few of the more important practices and philosophies to look for when selecting an ESL program:

-    Integration of four language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking
-    Holistic approach to reading and writing skills. This means you should not only be taught reading and writing mechanics, but comprehension, peer evaluation, lectures, and other tools should be used in order to make you apply the skills and gain better comprehension.
-    Integration of language and content. This means you should not just be taught vocabulary and grammar, but they should be presented within a context that makes them more comprehensible.
-    Emphasis on language use rather than form
-    Emphasis on authentic meaning and function. This refers to not being stuck on formal definitions, but on the meaning and use of words and phrases
-    Skills taught in context through topics of interest to students

The above practices would be considered essential in a modern ESL or EFL teaching environment. The last ingredient is the use of technology, such as collaborative online groups, streaming video, and other teaching aids that are widely available in our technology-driven society.

I read a post today from a guy who’s planning on a career break. I thought at first that it was from a man who had worked practically his whole life and now was finding a way to rest and relax before retiring. Not at all. The post was written by a 26-year-old engineer, who got his degree last year, worked for 11 months straight and who now wants to travel for at least 6 months. What caught my attention was his interest in using this time for improving his English skills, and he asked for assistance to find the best ESL programs available. My curiosity drove my hands to type “ESL programs” and my always-faithful search engine gave me hundreds of results. Now I know what they are, and not only was I able to determine what these programs do, but I also dared to give this guy my advice. I am sharing with you my newly acquired knowledge on the topic.

What is an ESL program?
First of all, ESL stands for English as a Second Language. That means that you were born in a country where English is not your mother tongue, but it is very much used as a second language for business and a lot of other areas. ESL programs refer to the instruction in listening, speaking, reading and writing of English, provided by any institution (in an English-speaking country) to non-native speakers of English.

So, that’s what it is: A good way to learn English in another country, with native speakers and immersed in an English-speaking environment. If you know just a couple of words, it can be horrifying at first, but the survival instinct is stronger, so the speed for learning in this case increases so much, that you are bound to be speaking more or less fluently in almost a month. Or maybe less.

ESL programs are designed to prepare students from the very basic levels of English to the top ones, in an environment of native speakers. And here comes the best part: You can find lots of ESL programs offering not only standard instruction in English, but also special interest courses (TOEFL preparation, Business English, Idiomatic English, Literature, etc.), and providing you with proper housing (dormitory, homestay, hostels and others), health insurance, meals, and a variety of social and recreational activities…all for a set price. Of course, this price will vary depending on the length of your stay and your housing choice. There is even the possibility to get a part-time job there, so you can make your stay longer and more financially attractive.They really have so many benefits that I’ve started thinking about a career break myself. Staying for a couple of months in the States or Canada, or even the UK for a fixed price and not having to work (or only part-time), well, that sounds like paradise to me. Besides, I can make new friends, travel up and down the country and build-up a whole background that will certainly help me in my career life back here. Huuuummm…why not?

Everyone is unique, thus, each one of us needs to find the best way to study effectively in order to stand out from the crowd.  It is imperative to develop good study habits that will surely help us get the most out of our time and brains, while setting a solid foundation for future learning efforts and to enhance our lives.

Here are some good study tips that will fit your normal college plan or any other learning activity you undertake, like ESL programs, for example:

1.    Establish a place to study.  It has to be a place you enjoy; quiet, comfortable, practical, and nice.  Make sure it has everything you need, from a space for your books and pens, to your favorite cushion to recline on.  Make sure you do not have to waste time and concentration to looking for things outside this area.

2.    Get a good night’s sleep.  Sleeping well will enhance your memory, making it easy to understand concepts and think creatively.

3.    Set a schedule.  Plan your study time and honor it.  Make it into a routine as much as going to the gym or going to class.  Make it work along with your other activities so that you do not have to sacrifice anything at some point.

4.    Take regular breaks.  While studying, get up every 30 to 40 minutes for around 5 minutes and stretch, get something to eat or drink, or just look out the window.  This way you rest but do not lose your focus.

5.    Get a partner.  When another person is studying with you, it is easier to concentrate on the topic, and you can also enrich each other with new tips and ideas.  Make sure this person is someone you consider superior to you in some aspects and a great student; someone you can look up to and learn from.

6.    Establish clear goals.  Define what you will study on a given day and how far you will get.  If you can’t make it all the way, rethink the time you need for each subject and adjust your goals.

7.    Exercise regularly.  A regular exercise routine will oxygenate your brain, improving your memory and helping you concentrate easily.

8.    Eat and drink healthy.  This is a must if you want to keep your organism active and energized.  You will not get too far if you’re weak, lacking vitamins and minerals your body requires to work.

Do you know what the key to mastering any language is? 

No?

In order to practice effectively you must find the best tools for you, tools that really inspire you and make it easy for you to improve different skills in other languages.

Here we give you 8 tips to help you improve your pronunciation of business English; choose one or several that work for you:

1. Choose a paragraph and read it aloud. 

1. Choose a paragraph and mark each sentence with a sound script (helpful pronunciation clue).  This will help you read more naturally and pronounce correctly.

1. Choose a few sentences from your reading material and highlight content words.  Read the sentences focusing on accenting these words while quickly speaking over the structure words.

1. Once you become comfortable reading a single paragraph aloud, read an entire page by reading a paragraph aloud and then reading the next one silently.

1. Choose some nursery rhymes to practice.  These will help you with pronunciation through rhythm.

1. Read a short story or a few paragraphs to a friend who is also studying English.  Compare the differences and discuss what might be the reasons for the differences.

1. Choose a paragraph, short article or newspaper story with new vocabulary.  Use the Babylon dictionary or other online pronunciation resource to help you learn the correct pronunciation of the words.

1. Read a play with some friends.  Each friend takes a different part.  Start with short scenes.  Once you are comfortable, read longer pieces together.

Do you know what the key to mastering any language is? 

No?

In order to practice effectively you must find the best tools for you, tools that really inspire you and make it easy for you to improve different skills in other languages.

Here we give you 8 tips to help you improve your pronunciation of business English; choose one or several that work for you:

1. Choose a paragraph and read it aloud. 

1. Choose a paragraph and mark each sentence with a sound script (helpful pronunciation clue).  This will help you read more naturally and pronounce correctly.

1. Choose a few sentences from your reading material and highlight content words.  Read the sentences focusing on accenting these words while quickly speaking over the structure words.

1. Once you become comfortable reading a single paragraph aloud, read an entire page by reading a paragraph aloud and then reading the next one silently.

1. Choose some nursery rhymes to practice.  These will help you with pronunciation through rhythm.

1. Read a short story or a few paragraphs to a friend who is also studying English.  Compare the differences and discuss what might be the reasons for the differences.

1. Choose a paragraph, short article or newspaper story with new vocabulary.  Use the Babylon dictionary or other online pronunciation resource to help you learn the correct pronunciation of the words.

1. Read a play with some friends.  Each friend takes a different part.  Start with short scenes.  Once you are comfortable, read longer pieces together.

“I need the language, but I don’t have the money to pay for a private course”…these are the words that you usually hear from most people when you ask them about their English level. “Why not use the web?”- can be a perfect reply to this. People still don’t seem to be aware of all the good things available on the internet. If you dare to mention the web to them as an option for studying on their own, some might simply look at you, puzzled, waiting for some explanation. “Internet is more than games, news, videos, and chat, you know?”, you could add, so as to give them more information. “There are lots of free courses, exercises, games, and different ways to practice on your own”. This being said, some people might continue looking at you, this time with a “yeah-sure” face…still not getting the picture. What could you do in this case? Give up. Or, to avoid any further objections or displays of disbelief, you could hand them this short list of the best sites to study English for free…They will love it, for sure. In general, there are so many similar websites offering more or less the same, but these are certainly the best available. So, if you or anybody wants to practice out of school/work hours, or wants to have a complete ESL class for themselves and not pay a dime…this is the chance:

WWW.USALEARNS.ORG :  Nice website! Carefully graded exercises which include video, audio, clear pronunciation, and simple explanations. When you enroll for a (free!) course you feel like you’re participating in a real class!

WWW.TALKENGLISH.COM : Good for practicing with simple dialogs and pronunciation. The dialogs are integrated in the same page as the explanation, so there’s no need to start downloading, or open a different tab or window. Nice and quick. Good for remembering most common sentences.

WWW.ELLLO.ORG: Yeah, it’s three Ls, not two. This is a special website. It contains podcasts with real, normal speed conversation. The topics are prepared, but the pace and pronunciation are natural, so they become a very good way to train your ear. The website has specific exercises, games, songs, and lots of other activities. You are bound to like it!

WWW.OMPERSONAL.COM.AR: This is the one with the best score. All kinds of exercises, but really meaning ALL KINDS …audio, movies, quizzes, jokes, grammar, pronunciation, and a lot of free courses to start from zero. It also contains a complete list of verbs and verb tenses, and all the material comes with the corresponding translation into Spanish, so finally you know all the time what you’re saying. Simply a must!

It can happen to you that after handing in this little list, the person you gave it to returns and says that he/she is enrolling in a Language School next week…(”group course” and “special ESL program” are usually the words they use). Don’t worry. Maybe he/she will get so enthusiastic about his/her course that he/she won’t pay attention to a word about websites and online exercises…Not even to the part where you said it was for free…Remember, it’s their loss. And don’t start wondering what you’re going to do with those valuable tips…just keep the list at hand. You may find sooner than you think that you have some free time after all, and you could do an exercise or two per day, to at least maintain your English level…better than playing solitaire, of course…Wanna try?

What type of visa do I need to get?

If you are coming to the U.S. with the sole intention of studying, you must get a student visa. A visa allows you to travel to a Port of Entry of the United States; it does not grant you permission to enter the country or stay for any length of time.

How do I get a student visa?

1. Send an application to Language Consultants International (LCI) with the registration fee and tuition deposit of: USD$ 270 total.

2. When you are accepted into an English program, LCI will mail you a SEVIS I-20 form.

3. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires F-1 applicants to pay a $100 fee for the SEVIS I-20. You must pay this before your visa interview.   You can do this on-line at https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml.

Be sure to print out a temporary receipt.  You will also receive an official receipt in the mail.  You will need to take it with you to your visa interview.

4. Make an appointment at the embassy or consulate in your country for a visa interview.   It may take several months for them to schedule an interview, so apply early! Click on “visa interview” for more information about this interview.

5. If you are approved, you will receive a student visa after this interview.

May I study with a B1, B2, or F2 visa?

The most important question in order to answer this is:  What is your intention is for coming to the U.S.?  Anyone coming here with the sole intention of studying has to get a student visa. A B1 visa is for business, a B2 visa is for tourists, and an F2 visa is for anyone accompanying a spouse or parent who is studying in the U.S.

The visa issuance system is set up this way for visitors to let immigration know specifically what the purpose of their visit is, and immigration does not look favorably upon anyone who misrepresents that purpose. However, this communication is only between the student and immigration. Schools are not required to reject a student’s application or even report him to immigration for wanting to study with the wrong type of visa.

If I enter the country with a B1, B2, or F2 visa can I change it to F1 later?
While it is possible to change your status after coming to the U.S. it is complicated, time-consuming and very difficult to get approved. If you plan to study in the U.S. our best recommendation is to come with a student visa.

What happens when I first arrive into the U.S.?

The Immigration Officer at the Port of Entry (usually a major airport) is the one person authorized to allow you to enter the U.S.  The immigration officer will look at your I-94 (arrival/departure card that you fill out on the airplane), your visa, passport and I-20. He or she will mark your I-94 with how long you can stay here.

How long can I stay in the U.S.?

The immigration officer at the Port of Entry will mark the I-94 with the length of time any non-immigrant can stay in the country. For students, they will usually write D/S, which means you may stay in the country for the Duration of Status. This means you are legally allowed to stay here as long as you maintain a valid I-20, and you remain a full-time student making normal progress.

Can I go to the U.S. before my English Language courses start?

You can enter the country up to 30 days before the date on your I-20, but not afterwards.

What if my visa expires in the middle of my semester?

The visa is only used to get to the Port of Entry of the U.S.; it does not affect your status once you are in the country. You will have legal status as long as you remain a full-time student making normal progress in your studies and your I-20 does not expire. However, if you plan to take a vacation from your studies and leave the country and then return, you will need to renew your visa if it has expired.

Do I need HEALTH INSURANCE

Yes, all F-1 non-immigrants are required  to have medical/health insurance. Proof of insurance is required with the first semester of enrollment. Students will not be allowed to register for classes after the first semester without proof of health insurance. LCI has information on some insurance programs. Students can apply through our office or find one on your own.

What is Full Time status?

This means that all F-1 non-immigrants must maintain full-time status at all time. Students must schedule a minimum of 18 hours per week for ESL programs  Students enrolled in English language programs may not take any of their full-time courses online or any distance-learning courses.                    .

Today we want to give you a very valuable business writing tip to share with your ESL class:

Get organized, and do it by listing your reader’s questions.

Before you start writing a message you have to think about what you want to communicate in it. This is the time to organize your thoughts; to decide what to include and what to leave out.  

If this sounds difficult, we have a secret to make it easier: forget about what YOU have to say and instead focus on your reader. What does your reader need or wish to know? What are his or her questions?

Imagine a conversation with your reader.

Let’s say you are writing a message to announce a meeting. Imagine telling someone in person about this meeting. The person would probably ask the following questions:

-      Why are we meeting?

-      When is it?

-      Where is it?

-      What’s the agenda?

-      Who else is invited?

-      Do I have to be there? What if I can’t make it?

-      Do I need to prepare? How?

Make a list of all the questions your reader may have and then think about the order in which he or she would ask them. Sort out the questions to meet your reader’s needs and, one by one, write the answers.

For example:

-      Why are we meeting?

We are meeting to brainstorm ideas for the launching of the new product.

-      When is it?

The meeting will take place on Thursday, October 5, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

-      Where is it?

We will meet at our headquarters, second floor, room A-2.

Go through each question and answer it as clearly as possible. As soon as you’re done, you will only be more organized, but have also finished writing your message!

The only thing left to do is edit, proofread, and click the send button.    

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention our ESL blog as the original source).

Sign up for a FREE English Business Word of the Day on our Facebook Page!

Yes… many ESL students don’t know this and find it difficult to believe, but some words in English have no plural form.

These words are called “mass nouns”, this is, nouns that don’t have a plural form in English and can’t be used in plural or with plural verbs. Mass nouns are singular in form.

Mass nouns cannot be counted; thus, they are also called uncountable nouns or non-count nouns, which are common nouns that cannot be modified by a numeral without specifying a unit of measurement and can’t combine with an indefinite article-a or an-.

For example, the words “moose”, “sheep” and “shrimp” do not have a plural form, but they can be used in singular or plural form as they are:

- The moose is/are migrating.
- The sheep is/are ready to be fed.
- The shrimp is/are very well cooked.

Thus, these three are not mass nouns.

Here is a list of words that are “mass nouns”; share it with your ESL class and start a very interesting game to discover more of these words:

Furniture
Information
Knowledge
Jewelry
Homework
Marketing
Livestock
Education
Courage
Bravery
Luck
Cowardice
Greed
Clarity
Honesty
Evidence
Insurance
Butter
Love
News
Curiosity
Satisfaction
Work
Mud
Weather
Racism
Sexism
Patriotism
Chaos
Scenery
Help
Advice
Water
Fun
Wisdom
Silence
Sugar
Coal
Spelling
Money

Try to use these words in the plural form and you will discover it is not possible.

There are many other words that belong to this list… remember in essence, mass nouns DO NOT have a plural form.

Ask your ESL teacher to explain “mass nouns” in detail and you will find an interesting learning challenge!

Yep, you read right… road signs provide good

How is this?

Well… take for example the signs on I-5, the main highway between Seattle and Portland.  There, all the road signs that are the same category have identical form:

-      The signs for rest areas are blue.

-      The signs for state parks are brown.

-      The signs for roadwork are orange.

-      Road exit signs have the exit number at the top followed by the destination.  All of these signs are green with white letters.

-      When the next exit is the destination, you don’t see an exit number, only the destination.

Ok… and how exactly does this help business writing???  Simple, like this:

1. Keep like things in identical form

When you present the same kind of information in the same way it is easier for the reader to find it and use it.

• Make all bullet points in a section sentences or phrases, not both.

• Start all action items with a verb.

• If you capitalize only the first word in a heading, do the same in all similar headings.

1. Put first what’s needed first

A list of destinations on a road sign shows the closest destination first, equally, when writing in business, the information your readers need first must appear at the beginning of your piece.

If you are writing an email, first tell your recipient what you want them to do so that they know how to manage the rest of the message.

1. Group similar information together

Always keeping in mind how your readers will use it…

On the road signs, businesses in the same category appear on the same sign along with their company logos. 

One sign lists all hotels, motels and such with the heading “Lodging Exit 21”.

Another sign lists all the places to eat with the heading “Food Exit 21”.

Yet another sign lists the gas stations and another one the tourist activities in the same way.

At the office:

• When making meeting notes, group all the action items and include helpful familiar images. 

You can add photos to the people’s biographies and use the same type of graphics on your newsletter articles every month.

• Unify your pieces using the same type and size of font.  There are some fonts that are easier to read such as “Verdana”, “Times New Roman” or “Arial” so make sure you use one of these.

• Use colors that identify your company, no more than two or three, and keep your pieces simple and clean.

Most surely if you pay close attention you can find many more teachings on road signs.  The next time you are driving along a highway, pay some attention and find new ways to improve your business English writing.

Learning English in the USA will challenge you to excel – to be the best you can be.  Whether your goal to learn English is for career development, further study or personal interest – your course will take you to the next level. English is the language of the future – you can learn it and live it for your purpose right away!

There are a lot of English Schools in USA and here are some important guidelines to consider when selecting the right one for you:

1)    INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH LANGUAGE SCHOOLS

What is the history of the schools you are considering?
o    How long have they been operating?
o    Who is the owner? Other Staff: The Education Director?  Admissions Manager?  Recruitment Director?
o    How many and what qualifications do the Instructors have?  How long have they been teaching ESL?
o    What is the methodology of instruction?
o    What feedback do other students have who are attending or have graduated?
o    What type of English Programs are available? General Purpose? Intensive?  TOEFL?

2)    ACCREDITATION AND ASSOCIATIONS

IS THE SCHOOL ACCREDITED?    DOES IT BELONG TO ANY PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?

There are several accrediting agencies and associations for English Schools in USA:
o    SEVIS approved school to issue I-20’s
o    AAIEP -American Association of Intensive English Programs).
o    ACCET- Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training).
o    Colorado Department of Education
o    National Association of International Educators (NAFSA)
o      Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

All schools approved by SEVIS have to renew their accreditation with the U. S. Department of Immigration every two years.    They are recognized as providing excellent standards of teaching and facilities. There are schools which do not belong to these groups, but you should use caution when evaluating these.

3)    ACADEMIC QUALITY

o    What is the format of instruction and curriculum?
o    What types of textbooks are used?
o    Is homework required?
o    What is the grading system?
o    What is the attendance policy?
o    Is there a student handbook?
o    Is a curriculum and syllabus provided?
o    What is the ratio of teacher to students?
o    What percent of students graduate?
o    What other measurements of success are offered?

4)    PRICE

WHAT DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE?

o    Is the price only for instruction?
o    How many hours of instruction per day are included?   How many days per week?  For how many total weeks?
o    Is accommodation and food included?
o    Does the price include teaching materials and books?  If not, what is the cost for these materials?
o    Does the price include any social visits or field trips?
o    Does the price include any local taxes?
o    Is private tutoring available?
o    Is assistance provided for obtaining a student visa?
o    Is a certificate awarded upon successful completion? Or college credits?

A typical price to pay would be from $220 to  $400 per week, depending on the number of tuition hours.   Accommodation costs range between $150 to $250 per week including some meals if staying with a host family .  Accommodations may be an apartment or host family.
All prices are in USD as of July 2008.

5) SCHOOL FACILITIES

WHAT TYPE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE?

o    Is there a language lab?
o    A Computer room with Internet access?
o    A Library?
o    Is the building safe and are emergency procedures provided?
o    Is building security needed or provided?

6) ACCOMMODATIONS

What types of accommodations are offered?

o    Are they on-campus at the college?
o    Are they in local family’s homes in the area?
o    How big are the rooms? Smoking or non?
o    Are all meals included in the price?

7) LOCATION

Is the school located in:

o    A big city?
o    A surrounding suburb?
o    In the country?
o    Will you require transportation, either by car, bus or light rail?
o    What will be the approximate cost and time required to travel to campus?

SOCIAL PROGRAMS or ACTIVITIES

Are visits to interesting places included in the program, such as:

* Local restaurants?  * Popular sightseeing attractions?
* Musical Performances?   * Cultural events?

9) OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS

o    Is assistance offered in the event of an emergency?
o    Is information provided for medical clinics, doctors, dentists, lawyers, hospitals, or other related contacts?

VISA REQUIREMENTS
Citizens from countries outside the United States will need a visa to study in the U.S. Apply for this early. For more details on obtaining your student visa, see our section on”Obtaining Your Visa”.

We welcome you to our beautiful city of Denver and our LCI family. And wish you much success with learning English, making new friends and advancing in your career.

Probably the most common sentence in relation to English is: “I simply don’t have time to study”. Said by 9 out of 10 students, it is an excuse they believe firmly and which keeps them content for not making much progress. Mothers complain about lack of time, so do students, executives, secretaries, lawyers, taxi drivers, and every person trying to learn English.

You may not have time to memorize 500 verbs in one day, or have a complete ESL class on the web, or search in the dictionary the meaning of all words beginning with “E”…but there are bits of time here and there that pass unattended, and that can really make the difference, if you know how to use them for your benefit.

Spare time to study? Where???- You may say.
Easy: on your way to (or from) work or school. During some recreational activities, and almost every activity that you perform everyday. Here are a few tricks :

1.    Listening to music: On the subway, on the street or wherever you go, you see hundreds of people, earphones on, listening to music. Join them! Pick up your Mp3 player or Ipod, choose a group or singer you like (singing in English, of course) and, there you go. 30 minutes a day will do marvels to your pronunciation and vocabulary. Even better if you get the lyrics of the songs you like (available on the web). Repeat them until you know them by heart. Extra time invested: none.

2.    Watching movies: TV, cinema, DVD, everything is valid here. The trick? The movie has to be in English. Start with subtitles in your language, then, as you feel more confident, switch to English. You may be lost at the beginning, but your ear adapts quickly, so be patient. Vocabulary, new expressions and sentence-recognition increasing like by magic. Extra time invested: none.

3.    Browsing the web (in English): Ideally, use your browser in English. Do the same with your Facebook, My Space, and MSN accounts. Search for information in English first, then your language. Read the comments in Youtube!. Your vocabulary, common expressions, and sentence structure will stay in your mind without your noticing. Extra time invested: Just the time to switch everything to English.

4.    Using TV as background noise: Do your housework, take a relaxing bath, play a game online, or do your paperwork with the TV on…in English (a TV series, a movie, a talk-show, anything will do). The purpose? Familiarizing with an English-spoken environment. Do this exercise daily, and in a week you’ll be recognizing not only words, but complete sentences, which you can easily insert into your already-learnt lexicon. Extra time invested: none.

5.    Using the words around you: Switch to English in all the gadgets you use: cell phone, Ipod, laptop, alarm clock, remote control, EVERYTHING. You know how they operate already. Adapting to the new language will be extremely easy. Other options: Read the English version of operation manuals, food content lists,  and anything with a readable wrapping on. Important vocabulary is hidden everywhere in these everyday necessities.

So, there you go. All you need is to make good use of the time you’re wasting everyday. Your brain will be working faster, your language will be improving by the minute and your mood will be better, as you will have fun and learn at the same time. No excuse now to stop making progress with your English, don’t you think?

Many of our incoming ESL students ask us how to prepare for their student visa interview.  Here are a few tips to help you-

Scheduling

The wait time for a visa interview for applicants can vary from days to months, so it’s a good idea to schedule the interview early.  Contact your embassy or consulate as soon as possible to schedule your interview.

Tips for the Interview

We recommend that you take some time to prepare for your visa interview.  Think about how you will answer questions regarding why you want to study English in the United States, and how these ESL studies will prepare you for future endeavors in your home country.

Keep in mind that you want to communicate during your interview that you do NOT want to stay in the United States after you complete your studies.  So any documentation or details supporting your plans to return to your home country after you complete your studies are important; examples are- job, family, or property. 

Additional tips-

• Go to the interview well dressed-  it’s important how you present yourself
• Be on time to the interview
• Be relaxed and friendly
• If you’re employed, bring a letter from your employer
• Provide copies of transcripts for previous institutions attended
• If you or your family maintain any properties in your home country, please bring documentation

In summary, prepare and provide support for the fact that you will return to your home country after you complete your course of studies.  For additional details, please visit our I-20 Student Visa Information page or view LCI’s video on this topic.  Good luck in your interview!

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention our ESL blog as the original source).

I was just chatting about work with a friend of mine this morning when we came across a couple of simple, though meaningful questions: How can you practice English on your own? And How can you make this practice fun? Of course many silly answers arose immediately, like stopping any English-speaking guy you see on the street and forcing him to speak with you, or kidnapping your English teacher, so you can have someone to practice with at home, or an expensive one: making random calls to the States, just to have a nice talk on the phone. But then, when we started to consider the topic seriously, we agreed on giving a shot to the web. So, each of us sat in front of our PCs and started looking for something useful, fun and ideally for free. We just used a typical search engine, and here is what we found:

-ESL lessons: Incredible amount of websites offering a wide variety of free ESL lessons, for both, students and teachers. Most lessons include pictures, downloadable material, audio exercises and automatic checking of your answers, all in a very friendly environment. Some require registration (still free!). All exercises are graded, so finding your level can be pretty easy.

-ESL exercises: Usually as part of easy Grammar explanations, or sometimes as a complement to a whole lesson. Some were especially designed to prepare for tests like TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC or others. Not always downloadable and not always varied, not always free, but still VERY useful.

-ESL web portals: Great sites where you can find all the tips and data from specific websites separated by category. They provide you with the links for coursebooks (in .pdf), esl dialogues, lessons, courses, exercises, grammar explanations…everything you need. Not all the links are working, but they are still a big help.

-ESL websites: These are specific. They usually belong to language schools or promote a specific method for learning. They come with a complete description of their services, but also provide a good amount of exercises (audio, written or games). Some of these websites provide you with instant test to determine your English level. Some even offer you the possibility to chat online with people all over the world (who are trying to learn your language). Some of these sites are a bit dull, but some others are definitely outstanding!

Of course, there are many more tools out there on the web! I’m just naming some, while I get acquainted with the rest. As you can see, there is no excuse nowadays to stay home moaning and blaming the world for not improving your English. As long as you have internet access, you can do marvels for your second language. One important thing, though, the tools are there, all right, but they won’t do the work for you if you are not constant enough to dedicate some time periodically to do the exercises systematically. Still, you might need some extra help, to check pronunciation, syntax and others. But, this is a great way to start, don’t you think?

If your friends think that you are a walking version of Wikipedia and keep asking you for definitions, tips, and counseling on all kinds of stuff, here’s a good way to surprise them with some very useful information.

Or, on the contrary, if you are the one planning to study English abroad and are looking for the right information so you don’t feel so lost, you will find below a set of tips that will make your day.

Here’s a list of tips on how to choose the best ESL school for you. There are hundreds of such programs being offered everwhere and for everyone. How can you know if the program suits your needs, or if they will fulfill the contract and not leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere? Just a few steps to follow and no big worries afterwards:

-Define your goals: This is the key issue here. You must be very clear about your objectives, what level of English you want to acquire, how long you are planning to take for that, where you want to go and why. Choosing the right ESL program has nothing to do with the nice colors of the website or the great name the Institute or University has. You are staying in a foreign country where they speak a language you don’t master, and with obvious cultural differences, so you’d better choose a place where you think you’ll feel comfortable.

-Search for local agencies (using your mother tongue): This may sound a bit too logical, but believe me, there are many people who make the mistake of contacting agencies in the “target” language and they can’t understand all the implications of the trip, stay, or contract. A source of bad times is when you don’t understand all the rules of the game.

-Ask all the important questions: Wherever you go they will give you lots of information, flyers, pamphlets, catalogs, and testimonies telling you how wonderful job they do. Just concentrate on the vital things for your trip and life in the foreign country:
•    Costs: How much the total program is, how much you need to carry with you; find out if there are extra costs.
•    Housing: Is it included in the program? If so, where, and under what conditions?
•    Meals: How many meals does the program include a day? (if any) For the whole period?
•    Cost of living in general: General information about the cost of things there, just in case you have to stay on your own means for some time.
•    Activities and support provided: Will you be alone or become part of a group? Can you do other things apart from studying? Do you have to pay extra for that?
•    Extent of health insurance and others: What if you have an accident or need to be admitted into hospital? What if you need an urgent visit to the dentist?

-Establish direct contact here with the person who’s receiving you there at the agency (get all details): Don’t accept a “we’ll contact you there” for an answer. You need to know who to resort to in case of trouble. He/she is going to be the only contact with your mother country at the beginning, so you’d better feel confident about him/her.

-Contact people who have been there: Look for real, live testimonies, not the typical “I went there and my life changed forever” sentence. Find two or three people who have undergone this experience. They are the ones who can give you the best advice on what to do, what to avoid, and what to expect.

There. A few tips to get a nice ESL school and not die in the process. They will be of much use to you as they have been for many people. Now, you can show off among your friends about how clever and well-informed you are, and your popularity will increase for sure.

Now, if you’re preparing that trip to an English-speaking country to learn, you probably feel less insecure about all the aspects to consider. So, follow the tips and good luck there! By the way, remember to check your passport before leaving!

There are English students eager to practice their skills all over the world. China is not the exception. This wonderful country has amazed the world with its meteoric economic double-digit growth during the past couple of decades, along with a fantastic display of organization and skill during their 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Its accelerating opening to the economies of the rest of the world has made it a necessity for the diligent and ambitious Chinese (this description suits practically the whole population) to acquire at least an acceptable level of command of the English language.

University students in Beijing and other cities are the most interested and motivated to learn and practice. If you happen to be around Beijing, and have some free time, don’t miss the opportunity to cooperate with this interesting group of English students. You will enjoy their company, get an inside look at their culture, and they will be very happy to get practice time with a fellow English student or an English speaker. Almost every university organizes an “English corner” which refers to the practice of getting together every day in a designated “corner” of their campus and basically engaging in a mingling session where they will practice English with anyone they find.

The English corners sessions at Beijing Normal University and Beijing Foreign Studies University, for instance, are quite famous for their crowds and nice international environment. You don’t have to be a university student to attend, so, while the crowds are composed mostly of Chinese students and Chinese people looking to practice English, there are many foreign attendees who are after a nice conversation and ambiance. The mix is cosmopolitan and very interesting; it also makes for a perfect setting to use English in a real-life situation, even though everyone there knows most of the speakers aren’t native or even fluent, which makes it very relaxing.

These kinds of sessions can be found elsewhere in the world, at any ESL school, and are extremely useful and enriching to an ESL or EFL student. English schools in the USA encourage these sorts of gatherings as an integral part of the learning experience.

What is a collocation? Why are they such a nuisance? Ok, so first things first. A collocation is a pair or group of words often used together. They pose a true challenge to non-native speakers of English since it requires a big effort on their behalf to learn them. For native speakers they simply sound right or not. The native English speaker intuitively makes the correct collocation, based on a lifetime’s experience of hearing and reading the words in set combinations. Unfortunately, it is not that simple for those learning English because there are no collocation rules that can be learned. The non-native speaker has a more limited experience and may frequently collocate words in a way that sounds unnatural to the native speaker. Collocations are often present in ESL lessons, in other words people learn to give them a more natural way of speaking.

We use collocations everywhere, and the business world is not an exception. So, if you want to do business, you might want to learn some of these favorites.

* annual turnover: for a company, the amount of business it conducts during a year, usually measured through income or sales. Our annual turnover exceeded the board’s expectations.

* break off negotiations: to stop negotiations abruptly. They decided to break off negotiations once they realized the products were not what they expected.

* cease trading: to stop trading. Due to severe production problems, the company had to cease trading

* chair a meeting: to preside over as chairperson. John was called to chair the meeting that would change the company’s destiny

* close a deal: to formally conclude bargaining; to bring negotiating to an end by reaching an agreement. We negotiated the terms of the agreement, and this afternoon we will close the deal.

* close a/the sale: to complete the sale of something; to seal a bargain in the sale of something. The salesman closed the sale and the customer drove off in a brand new car.

* dismiss an offer: to not accept an offer. After much consideration, the offer was dismissed.

* launch a new product: to start or promote. They launched a new breakfast cereal.

* lay off staff: to put an end to someone’s employment at something. The automobile factory laid five hundred people off from work. The opposite is take on staff

* go bankrupt: having been legally declared financially insolvent. After months of struggling, the company finally went bankrupt.

* make a profit: to make a return on a business undertaking after all operating expenses have been met. The new marketing strategies were effective in helping the company make a profit. The opposite is make a loss.

If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!

In some cases we get it so much that we wonder, “Is this a serious mistake?”, “Am I a person with passivity issues?”, “Are my ESL lessons missing something?”

Relax, the answer is NO!  Actually, these flags should not worry you at all – you just have to pay attention.

There are tons of good advice about being careful with the use of passive verbs because it is something you should limit in some instances.

For example, you could be asked to change:

“The surface should be prepared” (passive) to “Prepare the surface” (active). In this case it makes sense because the reader needs exact instructions.

“Your gift is valued” (passive) to “We value your gift” (active). This is also good advice because “is valued” sounds very impersonal while you can feel the warmth in “we value”.  

These changes replace rambling, unclear phrases with concise, certain words, which is superb!

Nevertheless, there are four cases where passive verbs are the right way to go:

1. When you don’t know who performed the action.

Passive voice: His car was stolen yesterday.

Better than: Someone stole his car yesterday.

1. When it doesn’t matter who performs the action.

Passive voice: The sheets are pre-cut.

Better than: The secretary pre-cuts the sheets.

1. When you want to avoid blaming someone.

Passive voice: The reports were misplaced.

Better than: Jennifer misplaced the reports.

1. When you want to soften a directive.

Passive voice: This essay could be shortened.

Better than: Shorten this essay.

Can you see how perfect the passive verbs work here?  Do you feel the difference in intention?

As long as you know where passive verbs belong, you won’t be intimidated by grammar-checking tools anymore. You will know the passive verb you just used suits your purpose and sounds perfect! 

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention our ESL blog as the original source).

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