What is the electoral college? Why does it matter?
August 14, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
How did George W. Bush actually become President of the United States? After all, he received fewer popular votes for President than Al Gore, didn’t…
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Conversation tip #14: Ask a question
August 10, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
“Do you want to know how to start a conversation? Ask a question, and listen.” Robert Bly (1926- ), American poet and activist That’s not…
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Why Teach About Solzhenitsyn in English Classrooms?
August 3, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
“Own only what you can always carry with you; know languages, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag.” Alexander Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008),…
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Simple questions to ask English Language Learners in Week 1
July 30, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
In conversation, it is often helpful to show other people that we understand what they are trying to say. A smile, a nod of the…
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It was an Earthquake, not a Lifequake! We’re lucky!
July 30, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
As CNN and the other global news organizations rushed to tell the world, a 5.4 earthquake hit Los Angeles yesterday. The earth shook, people got…
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Conversation tip #12: Nice truck!
July 27, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
Sometimes a simple comment leads to a delightful conversation. Today I noticed a very, very old truck parked on the street while walking my dog.…
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How do you close your last class in a satisfying, summer ESL program?
July 26, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
Class bookends, both beginnings and endings, deserve special attention. This truism becomes more important in short term summer English programs where ESL students have traveled…
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Teaching English Language Learners: What Seems to Work in American Public Schools
July 21, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
Do English language learners, or English as a Second language students, learn better in sheltered programs? Should students receive some instruction in their native language…
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Does Uncle Sam want immigrants to learn English?
July 18, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
Yet funding for English language classes, especially for adults, remains quite limited. Government programs only help students learn rather basic English, often around 1200 essential…
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Teaching Quotations Creates Lively ESL Classroom Discussions, Shares Insights
July 6, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
Why do you recommend using classic quotations in ESL classrooms? “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free…it expects what never was and never…
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