English Toolbox Tips

About vs. Of

2011-10-12T23:32:00.002+02:00

We've added a new video on our YouTube channel:

More New Exercises

2011-01-23T16:53:00.003+01:00

Congratulations to all those who got free English Toolbox exercises during our Christmas promotion. And we have new exercises on which you can spend your credits! We've created some tests for synonyms, plus influencing vocabulary and word forms. Use our search engine to find them quickly and easily.

A Christmas Gift from ET!

2010-12-20T22:59:00.001+01:00

We want to thank all of our past and current customers for making 2010 English Toolbox's best year ever! As we begin our 4th year in business, we are offering a special holiday gift to our current customers: 25 free English Toolbox credits! And for anyone who registers between now and 31 December 2010, we are offering a dozen free exercises as well. Make sure you use a correct e-mail address, since registrations will not be accepted otherwise. Again, these 12 free exercises expire in just 12 days, so hurry and click the "Subscribe" button at the upper-right corner of the home page (this is only to create your registration: you will not be billed for any purchase).

New Exercises Added

2010-12-12T17:15:00.005+01:00

We've added over a dozen new exercises, including how to describe movements and trends in presentations; forming antonyms with prefixes; learning vocabulary through context, etc. As always, each exercise is available in both MS Word and interactive HTML formats.

Linguists Who Study Their Own Kids

2010-09-18T11:05:00.003+02:00

MIT professor Deb Roy is not wasting an opportunity to gather a massive amount of field data:

He recorded, on video and audio, nearly every waking moment of the first three years of his son's life—not as an exercise in parental vanity, but in the name of science. His goal was to create as complete a picture as possible of how one child learns a language. For his study, "The Human Speechome Project," he embedded 11 cameras and 14 microphones in the ceilings of his home, and set them to record for an average of 12-14 hours a day. Now Roy and his team have begun the enormous task of trying to make sense of the data—all 120,000 hours of it.

From Prada to Peru

2010-08-21T19:14:00.005+02:00

A Manhattan fashion publicist leaves the bright lights of the big city to spend a year as a TEFL teacher at the foot of a volcano in Peru. His witty blog charts the transition in ways that we're sure most of us can remember/recognize/identify with. Sample passage:

I just wanted a place to finally learn Spanish, to read and to write. Call me fucking crazy, but living at the base of a 20,000 foot mountain that could spray you with molten lava at any moment, in a city built of it's rock and on a land that shakes with earthquakes made me tingle everywhere with excitement.

How Language Influences Culture

2010-08-02T21:42:00.002+02:00

A fascinating article describes the ways that language actually shapes the way we view the world, both literally and figuratively. Sample quote:

It turns out that if you change how people talk, that changes how they think. If people learn another language, they inadvertently also learn a new way of looking at the world. When bilingual people switch from one language to another, they start thinking differently, too.

The $3.1 billion China EFL Market

2010-07-17T18:42:00.001+02:00

An article looks at the increasing competition in teaching English in China, including new initiatives from Pearson and Disney (!). Sample quote:

Analysts are predicting growth across the private English school sector in China of between 12% and 15% in 2010 as disposable incomes in urban areas rise and a greater proportion of that money is funneled into educating the next generation.

ET Now on Ezine

2010-06-12T08:52:00.002+02:00

You can read our article, "Why You Should Not Teach English Overseas," on the Ezine portal.

   

New Exercises Added to the Library

2010-05-27T21:02:00.001+02:00

We keep increasing the size of the English Toolbox library. Our latest additions are exercises testing the difference between adverbs and adjectives, as well as one on standard Business English e-mail phrases. Our search engine can guide you to exactly what you need!

Barring English Teachers with Strong Accents

2010-05-01T10:34:00.002+02:00

Yes, these children need to hear the same flawless Queen's English in the classroom that they hear at home:

The Arizona Department of Education recently began telling school districts that teachers whose spoken English it deems to be heavily accented or ungrammatical must be removed from classes for students still learning English.

State education officials say the move is intended to ensure that students with limited English have teachers who speak the language flawlessly. But some school principals and administrators say the department is imposing arbitrary fluency standards that could undermine students by thinning the ranks of experienced educators.

More here.

ET on the iPad

2010-04-08T12:50:00.001+02:00

Our site uses no Flash or any other applications, so we fully expect that it will be completely readable and usable on the new Apple iPad. If anyone who has bought an iPad would send us a report based on their tests of English Toolbox, we would very much appreciate it!

Young Americans Flock Overseas to Teach English

2010-03-20T20:48:00.005+01:00

Ahhh, how well we remember the joys:

He works at least eight hours daily, then parties by night, often into the wee hours, with other expatriates, most from the U.S. or Canada, but some from Britain, Ireland, South Africa and New Zealand. He goes to a gym daily, swills SoJu, a stiff vodka-like drink, fills up on Korean barbeque and sees "amazing" sights.

"I am not an English major, and people in America would not want me to teach their kids English... what I am good at and enjoy doing is helping kids become successful at something."

He adds: "I came to live out a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I won’t have the opportunity to do again when I have a real job."

Teaching English overseas--not a "real job," but an adventure... .

This blog has moved

2010-03-18T00:24:00.001+01:00

This blog is now located at http://englishtoolbox.blogspot.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
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Enter E-mails Correctly!

2010-03-18T00:11:00.001+01:00

When registering with English Toolbox for the first time, please be sure to enter your e-mail address correctly. The system automatically generates a password and sends it to your e-mail address, but if the address is wrong it will be rejected, and then you can't log on because you don't have your password! Thank you.

We Get Letters!

2010-03-01T12:02:00.000+01:00

Thanks to all those who have written us over the past three years to offer suggestions, make comments, or just to thank us for the high quality of materials in the English Toolbox library. Usually the theme of the e-mail is something like, "I needed something very specific for a class, and you had it!" Our aim, as always, is to please, and it pleases us that we fill a niche in the ESL training market. We pledge to continue meeting your needs as we enter our fourth year in business!

Happy Birthday to Us!

2010-02-17T22:09:00.001+01:00

English Toolbox is three years old today, and we're giving all of you a chance to share in the celebration. Just send an e-mail to info@englishtoolbox.com and write "Happy Birthday" in the subject line, and we'll give you five free credits! Current subscribers can get the credits added to their accounts. This promotion expires on 28 February, so don't delay (it sure beats birthday cake!).

So, Too, Either & Neither

2010-01-29T17:23:00.000+01:00

Changes to Packs of Credits

2010-01-27T15:26:00.000+01:00

Due to an increase in processing charges, the Gift Pack and 5- and 10-credit add-on packs are being discontinued until further notice. All those customers who have purchased these in the past month will, of course, retain their credits until they are used up by the customer (English Toolbox credits never expire). We thank you for your understanding.

ET Videos on YouTube

2010-01-25T00:44:00.002+01:00

The videos being posted on this blog are also available for viewing on YouTube. Just enter "TheEnglishToolbox" in their search box to see the complete collection.

Using Screen-capture Software in TEFL

2010-01-11T15:51:00.000+01:00

An interesting article with multi-media samples shows how to use software that records what's on a computer screen (including mouse commands) as an EFL teaching tool. Includes links to specific screen-capture software sites.

Great EFL Blog

2010-01-03T01:03:00.000+01:00

EFL materials author Mark Pennington writes a blog that expands on his published works. Great stuff for teachers working with beginner through advanced students.

What English Sounds Like to Non-Native Speakers

2009-12-29T23:16:00.000+01:00

This is an Italian comic performing a rock video song using only gibberish English. Sure sounds like the real thing, even though there is barely an English word in it!

http://music.todaysbigthing.com/2009/11/03

Happy holidays everyone. As English Toolbox prepares to begin its fourth year in business, we thank all our present and past customers for their support and encouragement. See you in 2010!

Adverbs of Frequency Video

2009-12-23T14:28:00.000+01:00

Modals Video

2009-12-14T18:36:00.000+01:00

China Bans Older Teachers

2009-12-11T16:19:00.000+01:00

The Chinese government has apparently decided to no longer renew visas or extend contracts to English teachers over the age of 60. Dumping experienced teachers isn’t usually the best policy for countries trying to jump-start their language training, but maybe there’s some inscrutable rationale behind this decision... .

A TEFL FAQ

2009-12-01T19:29:00.001+01:00

A very nice, brief description of how and why to become a TEFL trainer. It’s a bit Anglo-centric, but at least it stipulates that training is essential to a neophyte teacher.

Quoted Speech Video

2009-11-26T18:32:00.001+01:00

We will be adding videos periodically to this blog (not to the library). Here's one to start with:

Win Free Admission to 2010 TESOL Conference

2009-11-18T22:22:00.002+01:00

TESOL is having a monthly contest, the winner of which is given a complimentary registration to the 2010 convention in Boston, or the grand prize of 3 nights hotel at the convention. Details here.

Obama Becomes Japan’s English Teacher

2009-11-02T01:34:00.000+01:00

The U.S. president is a big hit with Japanese learning English:

Publishers have since flooded the market with over a dozen language-learning titles, including “Speech Training: Learning to Deliver English Speech, Obama Style”; “Learn English Grammar From Obama”; and “Yes, I Can With Obama: 40 Magical English Phrases From Presidential E-mails.”

“Mr. Obama’s English is easy to understand because he pronounces words clearly and speaks at a relatively slow clip,” said Professor Tadaharu Nikaido, a communication specialist here.

When Japanese is Like French

2009-11-02T01:29:00.000+01:00

One of our favorite journalists is James Fallows of The Atlantic. Fallows has spent years living in Japan and China, among other places, and has become reasonably fluent in both countries’ languages. So we found this comparison interesting:

With allowances for obvious differences, it's useful (as I've mentioned before) to think of Japan's attitude toward its national language as being similar to France's, and China's attitude as being similar to America's.
That is: in France and Japan, the deep-down assumption is that the language is pure and difficult, that foreigners can't really learn it, and that one's attitude toward their attempts is either French hauteur or the elaborately over-polite and therefore inevitably patronizing Japanese response to even a word or two in their language. "Nihongo jouzu! Your Japanese is so good!" Correspondingly… Japanese people (to generalize) often seem self-conscious about potential errors in English. Of course, French speakers of English are marvelously non-self-conscious, even jauntily willful, about retaining their French accents, especially the trademark "z' sound for "th." " 'Zees ees what I mean..." (Yes, I am aware that the fricative th phoneme is the most difficult sound in English for non-native speakers, our counterpart to r's in French.)
The American attitude towards English is: everyone should get with the program, there are a million variants and accents of the language, all that really matters is whether you can somehow get your meaning across. Because there are so many versions of Chinese in use within China, my impression is that the everyday attitude of Chinese people toward language is similar: You're expected to try to learn it, no one will spend that much time mocking your mistakes, mainly they are trying to figure out what you're trying to say. Probably both the U.S. and Chinese attitudes reflect the outlook of big, continental nations that encompass lots of internal diversity -- and in America's case, absorb huge numbers of immigrants.

Language Show Fair in London

2009-10-27T06:26:00.000+01:00

The Language Show Fair in London bills itself as “the UK’s biggest event for language learners, language teachers, linguists and everyone who loves language.” This year’s fair starts 30 October, runs for two days, and features 185 exhibitors; details here.

Teach English for $2.37 Per Hour!

2009-10-18T11:33:00.000+02:00

Does that sound like an attractive offer to you? We didn't think so. Yet that's the price you are putting on your time when you spend 20 minutes searching for or writing a new exercise for your classes, compared to buying one for 79 cents from English Toolbox! With our detailed search engine, you can find exercises on any grammar or business skills topic in about ten seconds. Then select and download, and it's yours to use and keep forever! You're a hardworking teaching professional: isn't it time you started working smart instead of working hard?

Step Right Up!

2009-09-30T13:52:00.004+02:00

Yet another article on the new Land of Opportunity, China, where 23-year-old Americans can leave behind $7/hour jobs in drugstores to inflict, er, teach English right out of college:

Reasbeck said it took her two months to find the drugstore job after she graduated from Boston's Emerson College with a degree in writing, literature and publishing. She said she applied to as many as 50 employers nationwide.

Today, on top of her teaching job, she works part-time recruiting other native English-speaking teachers. She makes 14,000 to 16,000 yuan ($2,000 to $2,300) a month.

"I could have a pretty comfortable life here on not a very high salary. English teachers are in high demand," she said.

Reasbeck said most of her college classmates are in part-time jobs or unemployed.

"People are sleeping on their mom's couches, as far as I know," she said.

Last-minute Job Cancelations for EFL Teachers Going to Korea

2009-09-19T13:02:00.002+02:00

Over 50 English teachers who were due to fly to Seoul to start new jobs were informed just 24 hours beforehand that they were not needed after all. Here’s the explanation:

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE) Tuesday, it hired too many foreign English teachers to fill the 560 positions planned at elementary and secondary schools. It said it hired more applicants than necessary as some tend to fail to come to Seoul.
"About 100 applicants more than necessary were picked. Of them, we had to withdraw employment notices for about 56 applicants, and the rest voluntarily quit," an SMOE official said.
The sudden cancelation has frustrated prospective teachers, leaving many with complaints that they are now stuck without a job and demanding that the employer compensate for costs such as airline tickets and work visa applications.

Comments from a sympathetic blogger here, and a less-sympathetic columnist here.

Why Free Isn't Always Better

2009-09-12T16:22:00.000+02:00

Some people have asked us why they should pay money for English Toolbox Co. exercises when there are so many free exercises on the internet. We agree that there are many good free exercises on the web: we used many of them ourselves when we started teaching many years ago. The problem is trying to find something specific among the dozens of sites out there. For example, if you had an advanced level class of businessmen and wanted to review conjunctions, how would you find it? These sites rarely have a search engine, and what you do find may not be really at an advanced level, or may not use business language, or both: our site has a search engine that narrows the search down to very specific parameters. How many questions will be contained within the exercise (ours always have at least 12)? What is the format (all of our exercises are available in both Word and interactive HTML format so the student can practice after class on his/her own PC).

In the area of Business English, our site offers more exercises on skills like meetings, negotiations and presentations--for both intermediate and advanced levels--than any other sites we've seen over the years. In addition, we have specific exercises devoted to finance, logistics, medical English, etc. Again, someone could search for and perhaps even find free exercises on these topics if they had an abundance of free time, but it takes only seconds to locate them on our site.

Finally, when a teacher gets an exercise from a free site, it’s usually a PDF with logos from the publisher splashed all over it… it is clearly something they downloaded from the internet. Our exercises are clean: the teacher can modify, re-brand with a name or logo, or do whatever he/she wants with it (except re-sell it). We believe this has a value that sets it apart from something photocopied from a book or grabbed off the internet.

What we're selling is meant to be used in conjunction with, not as a replacement for, what's already available on other sites. What we offer is convenience, specificity and speed in searching for materials. We think that it’s worth the 79 cents we charge for an exercise to save 20, 30 or whatever number of minutes searching for something that may end up being inadequate for the teacher's needs. Those who disagree can, of course, continue to avail themselves of the free resources; however, our customers have told us they appreciate the quality, quantity and variety of the exercises they’ve found on English Toolbox, and that they save a great deal of time by using it (not just “work time,” but evening and weekend time as well). Some people think that is worth paying for.

New Job-Search Exercises

2009-09-06T20:48:00.000+02:00

We’ve added some exercises for writing a CV and a cover letter to the ever-growing English Toolbox collection of business English worksheets. Enter "CV" or "cover letter" in the “exercise name” field on the Search page to check them out.

British Council Lists Top 75 English Words

2009-08-31T14:59:00.002+02:00

The top ten are:

1. Love 2. God 3. Peace 4. Awesome 5. Hello 6. Freedom 7. Gorgeous 8. Sunshine 9. Health 10. Happiness

The complete list is here.

And You Thought You'd Been Hired to Teach English

2009-08-25T03:46:00.005+02:00

From a TESOL.org press release:

As the global association for English language educators, TESOL values individual language rights, collaboration in a global community, and respect for diversity and multiculturalism. TESOL strongly opposes bullying, harassment, and hate crimes... TESOL supports:

• Development of educational practices by TESOL professionals to assist students and scholars experiencing bullying, harassment, and hate crimes;

• Development of educational practices by TESOL professionals to teach majority-group members the value of diversity and of the human and civil rights of minorities;

• Creation of opportunities by TESOL professionals for members of minority groups to educate their peers;

• Encouragement by TESOL professionals of appreciation and respect for those who do not look/behave like the majority.

Malaysia Drops English Language Teaching

2009-08-18T14:45:00.002+02:00

At least, they drop it for teaching maths and science. According to this article:

The plan was intended to produce a new generation of global communicators, but government officials say it has stalled attainment and exposed a dearth of teachers able to deliver classes in English.

Teaching in Japan Blog

2009-08-11T20:31:00.000+02:00

A very entertaining (and somewhat snarky) blog called "Let's Japan" keeps EFL teachers in the Land of the Rising Sun updated on legal, lifestyle and pedagogical issues. English Toolbox doesn't vouch for the accuracy of the facts and opinions offered: we just enjoy reading them! Draw your own conclusions here.

Top Lesson Plans Downloaded in 2009

2009-08-08T08:20:00.001+02:00

English Toolbox not only sells individual EFL exercises and MP3 podcasts, but also complete lesson plans in PDF format. Each is at least ten pages long, and can occupy several class periods (they cost five credits each). Here are the most downloaded lesson plans of the year thus far:

Advanced:
Contracts
Presentations Q and A
Intermediate:
Business E-mails
Correspondence
E-mail Workshop
Beginner:
Movies
Shopping
Socializing & Small Talk

To quickly find them in our search engine, select "Lesson Plans (PDF Only)" in the "File Type" pull-down menu.

EFL Training Videos from BEP

2009-08-04T15:03:00.002+02:00

In addition to their fine audio podcasts, Business English Pod also provides some good, free, short video podcasts on various grammar topics. Here's one on the passive voice:

More on their web site.

Win Free TEFL Training in Italy

2009-07-27T02:10:00.002+02:00

Cactus TEFL, which has schools in 34 countries, is offering a scholarship to receive four weeks of TEFL training in Italy, followed by two weeks of Italian language instruction. You can choose to study in Alghero, Florence, Milan or Rome, and must complete the course by June 2010. They will even pay for accommodation and return travel from/to Britain or the equivalent. Entrants must complete an application form, write an essay and show native proficiency in English. Details at the Cactus web site.

Subscriptions vs. Gift Packs

2009-07-21T04:48:00.000+02:00

Remember, you don't need to subscribe to English Toolbox to get our great EFL teaching exercises. You can also buy our Gift Packs, which give you twelve credits for just $9.48. Once you buy the Gift Pack your credit card is never billed again, and your credits won't expire until you use them up by downloading exercises. Of course, subscribing is still the most cost-effective option, but for those who just want to grab a few exercises on a particular subject, the Gift Pack may be the best solution. More details here.

Bias Against Non-Anglo Looking Teachers

2009-07-17T08:48:00.000+02:00

A discussion on Andrew Sullivan's blog about Asian prejudices against EFL teachers who "don't look the part":

I have been working for the past four years in Thailand, and having blonde hair and blue eyes is a big advantage -- not because they think that I can do the job better, but because I more closely fit the image of what a "farang" (foreigner) is and the school can parade me in front of the parents to show off their English language teacher.

Spelling Variations Split Indian Schools

2009-07-13T08:07:00.000+02:00

It's astonishing how some teachers cling to the idea of a "proper" spelling of English words, elevating British over American. This is causing some debate in a former British colony:

While some feel American spellings need to be pointed out, if not marked wrong, others would rather not nitpick. Malini Bhagat, principal of Mahadevi Birla Girls Higher Secondary School, vehemently refuses to allow her students use American spellings. "I still follow proper UK English in my school. In case the students prefer American English, the words are circled and the original UK English words mentioned," she says.

Why You Should Not Teach English Overseas

2009-07-04T21:16:00.002+02:00

A sneak preview of a work-in-progress. Sample paragraph:

You have a very strong attachment to family and friends. Let’s face it: working overseas means you are going to be away from the people you love the most for extended periods of time. You can telephone, exchange e-mails, and even use webcams and microphones on your computer to keep in touch; still, you won’t be sharing meals, movies or hugs with the people who are most important to you for a long, long time. You will be surrounded by strangers, only a few of whom you can even speak with in English. You are going to be homesick after the initial euphoria of the move wears off, and that condition will only increase as the months go by. You need to think long and hard before accepting a job overseas and decide whether or not you can cope with such a prolonged separation. If you can’t, you’re only going to be miserable every single day you’re there; moreover, you’ll probably quit the job and return home, leaving your students and employer in the lurch. Those with elderly or sick parents should also consider whether they might need suddenly to return home due to a medical emergency or death, and even whether they would arrive in time.

No Comment

2009-06-29T01:11:00.000+02:00

London -- Westminster Council spent more than £200,000 of taxpayers' money translating pamphlets into 10 different foreign languages last year.

Town Hall officers ensured documents were translated into Arabic, Bengali, Spanish, Portuguese, Kurdish, Albanian, Polish, Farsi, Somali and French - at a cost of £230,000 to the public purse.

The revelation comes despite a call in 2007 by Hazel Blears, then the communities secretary, for councils to think twice before translating documents. She said the money should be spent teaching immigrants English to aid immigration.

Full article here.

Newest Exercises in English Toolbox

2009-06-23T21:17:00.000+02:00

We've added a few new exercises recently. One is on the difference between "it" and "it's" (look up "Its vs It is" in the Exercise Name field on the Search page). Another is "Modals of Belief and Ability," while a third explains the differences between "according to," "in accordance with" and "accordingly." As always, the exercises are available in both MS Word and HTML formats.

Is EFL Now Needed in the Philippines?

2009-06-17T02:31:00.003+02:00

The Economist discusses the loss of English fluency in a former American colony:

Never mind the pupils, teachers have been flunking English for years. In 2004 only one in five teachers passed the English-proficiency test. The effect on pupils is plain to hear. Last year the country winced when the 17-year-old winner of the Miss Philippines World beauty contest failed spectacularly to answer in English the usual questions posed by judges in such events. Call-centres complain that they reject nine-tenths of otherwise qualified job applicants, mostly college graduates, because of their poor command of English.

English Dominance, Redux

2009-06-12T13:02:00.000+02:00

Foreign Policy Magazine offers an article charting the continued adoption of English as a global lingua franca (gee, shouldn't there be an English term to describe this?). Key quote:

[Soon] English will boast one million words -- twice as many as Cantonese, four times as many as Spanish, and 10 times as many as French. Half the world's people are projected to be speaking English by 2015.

Is Kazakhstan the New EFL Paradise?

2009-06-08T11:07:00.000+02:00

An article claims that the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan still offers lots of opportunities for EFL teachers. Excerpt:

Despite feeling the impact of the worldwide recession, the economy is still growing and with economic growth and international trade comes a demand for English.

Parents who cannot speak English often insist that their children learn it. Catering to meet this demand, there are several international schools located in Kazakhstan's main cities of Astana, Almaty and Atyrau. The most recent, and the first British public school in Central Asia, is Haileybury Almaty, an offshoot of the British independent school Haileybury.

Top 10 Downloads, Updated

2009-05-31T23:38:00.000+02:00

Last year at this time, we published our Top Ten Downloads for the past year. We continue this tradition with the list from last May through today, in descending order of popularity:

Logistics Vocabulary.htm
Business E-Mails.doc
Business Idioms 1.doc
Formality vs Informality in Correspondence.doc
Logistics Terms.doc
Presentations 1.doc
Telephoning 1.doc
Agreement, Tentative Agreement, Disagreement 1.doc
Asking Questions in Meetings.doc
Business Idioms 2.doc

There are a few interesting aspects to the list this year. For one, only a few of the items repeat from the previous year's list. For another, this is the first time that an HTML interactive computer exercise has been on the list, never mind at the #1 spot! Finally, it's clear that Business English continues to reign supreme.

Eliminate L1 Metalanguage in Classes?

2009-05-28T13:10:00.004+02:00

An interesting fictitious debate between two Japanese EFL teachers on the forthcoming requirement to teach all EFL classes in Japan entirely in English. Sample exchange:

Saito: OK, what about classroom management? I'm fine with the target language being demonstrated in English, but what about metalanguage, those explanations of language points, information about homework and projects, tests and grades, arranging an activity, warnings and comments about exceptions or irregular cases in English, common pitfalls, that sort of thing? And imagine you're giving instructions like this:

"Work with your partner. Choose words from the right side if you are the partner on the right, and from the left side if you are on the left, then fill in the blanks verbally, using the correct form of the verbs from the list. After you've finished this do it again but in reverse, but this time change the tense to the continuous form, so keep in mind you'll have the change the other parts of each sentence accordingly."

If I say all that in English, it will take about 20 minutes just to get the activity started and students will be frustrated and demotivated and probably with even less actual comprehension. It just doesn't make sense when the class management or instruction language is more complex than the target language points. So why not say it in Japanese in one or two minutes so that everyone understands what to do and can get right to work on the target language points? Then they'd be spending more time on the actual English task!

Jill Biden Now a TESOL Teacher

2009-05-19T11:52:00.000+02:00

The U.S. "Second Lady" is keeping herself busy:

After husband Joe became vice president, she took a job teaching English as a second language at Northern Virginia Community College.

No word yet on whether her Secret Service detail can explain the past perfect continuous... .

Subscriptions vs. Gift Packs

2009-05-12T20:59:00.001+02:00

Remember, you don't have to buy a subscription to get ten credits, and then cancel it immediately. Use our new Gift Packs instead. You get twelve exercise credits for a one-time charge: nothing to cancel, you'll never be billed again. Details can be found here.

The Black Hole of ESL Funding

2009-05-06T18:16:00.003+02:00

The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard a case -- argued by Kenneth Starr, of Clinton impeachment fame -- in which Arizona is trying to stop paying for endless TESOL training for non-English-speaking students in their public schools. Article here; relevant quote here:

Their brief says the lower courts overstepped their power in telling Arizona it must specifically set aside funding for all its ELL program operational needs. "The lower courts’ approach will create perverse incentives to keep students languishing in special-language programs" since it’s based on the number of students in the programs, rather than those who become English-proficient.

And, if they lose and must earmark ELL funds? Bistrow says opponents suggest Arizona would need to spend $300 million more on ELLs: "This fight is more than an academic exercise. It’s about real money."

Tim Hogan, executive director of the Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest and a co-counsel for Flores, estimates the amount at closer to $200 million.

ET on italki

2009-04-24T10:48:00.002+02:00

Selected English Toolbox exercises are now available to members of italki.com, a leading ESL social networking site. The materials will include grammar worksheets as well as Business English exercises for negotiations, logistics, meetings, etc.

English "Pandemic" in Korea

2009-04-14T12:16:00.000+02:00

This guest editorial in the Korea Times is in a similar vein to our earlier post about unqualified teachers looking to work overseas. Sample quote:

It is the Korean parents' crazy obsession with English that drives up the cram school fees; it is their obsession that creates such trouble for the government's education branch to rationally allocate their already-strained budget; and, finally, it is their obsession that leads Korea to be looked-down-upon as a Plan B by those "native English speakers" who miserably fail in their own lives. The parents with such wrong attitudes are to be blamed for the pandemic.

ET & Business English Pod

2009-04-06T13:11:00.003+02:00

In addition to contributing our materials to various TEFL sites to aid their members/teachers, English Toolbox's staff have also written the script and supplementary materials for the latest Business English Pod podcast. It's called Telephoning: Handling Sales Calls. You can listen free on this page, or become a subscriber to their service to download both the podcast and the associated training worksheets.

We're Here to Help!

2009-04-03T13:36:00.000+02:00

If you have questions concerning our site, how to subscribe, how to navigate the site, etc., don't give up in frustration: simply write us at help@englishtoolbox.com. We strive to answer most questions immediately, or within a few hours at the latest.

Newest Exercises Added

2009-03-30T16:33:00.001+02:00

We've been busy adding new exercises to our database, which already has more than 1,000 exercises, worksheets, lesson plans and audio files. The most recent half-dozen uploads are:

* Office Equipment Crossword Puzzle
* Modals of Belief and Ability
* Family Vocabulary
* According to In Accordance with Accordingly
* Phrasal Verbs in Sentences
* Logistics Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous

You can search for these using the "Exercise Name" field on our Search page.

Competition Getting Fiercer for TEFL Jobs

2009-03-25T12:54:00.002+01:00

In a press release, er, article about companies recruiting teachers for overseas teaching jobs, CNN reports that the number of applicants is way up due to the poor economy and employment prospects at home. Example:

Japan's JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) program also has recorded a jump in applicants. For 2009 positions, the Japanese government-sponsored program has received 15 percent more U.S. applications than last year... .

Trying Not to Speak English Abroad

2009-03-19T14:12:00.003+01:00

Here's an article that discusses a scenario that will be familiar to any EFL teacher who is attempting to speak the native language in countries where the natives want to practice their English, making it difficult for the foreigner to learn a new tongue. Sample paragraph:

On the street, it comes down to this: An Egyptian man who knows 10 words of English will often, literally, use them over and over in conversation, even if you both are speaking in Arabic and it's clear you understand. For example, while speaking Arabic, when he comes to a place where the word "good" could be used, and he knows that word in English, he'll insert it.

Failed at Everything Else? Become an English Teacher!

2009-03-12T16:37:00.001+01:00

With the world economy in a major downturn, there seems to be this impression that those who have lost their jobs or cannot find a job can simply "become an English teacher" overseas. Sites such as this and this blithely suggest that any native speaker can teach English without any teacher training whatsoever. Now, of course, some schools in Thailand, Korea and other countries apparently believe that a child can learn English simply by standing next to a native speaker for a few hours per day, and so the unqualified and inept will never lack for work in these locales. But you never see sites saying, "Fix people's plumbing--no experience necessary!" Yet every day, people are encouraged to subject a foreigner to their ignorance and inexperience, and make them pay for the privilege! It's no wonder the profession is held in such low esteem in many countries, and that training and professionalism are considered luxuries.

Tough EFL Market in Hungary

2009-03-01T01:46:00.000+01:00

English teachers in Budapest report that the job market is contracting quite severely:

A Hungarian owner of an established English-language teaching school, speaking on condition of anonymity, was more dramatic in her assessment of the state of play for teachers in Budapest: "This is the worst time for new students since our first year in business over ten years ago. January is generally the best time for getting new students, but people seem to be less interested than ever before."

How are things in your country of residence? Are you noticing the same kind of contraction? Send us your reports, and any that are particularly interesting will be printed in this space in the weeks to come.

Happy Birthday to Us!

2009-02-17T02:01:00.000+01:00

English Toolbox is two years old today, and we're giving all of you a chance to share in the celebration. Just send an e-mail to info@englishtoolbox.com and write "Happy Birthday" in the subject line, and we'll give you five free credits! Current subscribers can get the credits added to their accounts. This promotion expires on 28 February, so don't delay (it sure beats birthday cake!).

"Two Lovers" Trailer

2009-02-13T12:11:00.002+01:00

Please forgive this non-EFL post, but this film was co-written by one of my best friends for over 25 years. I hope you'll all go see it!

More E-Mail Exercises Added

2009-02-05T16:23:00.003+01:00

Due to increasing demand from our customers, we are adding more exercises on e-mailing to our library. They range from formal vs. informal phrases to complete lesson plans. To see our selection, go to our Search page and enter "e-mail" in the Exercise Name field (include the hyphen, or you won't get any results). More will be added in the weeks ahead, so check back regularly!

Koreans Teach ESL in Cali to Mexicans

2009-01-29T18:26:00.002+01:00

Temporarily, as part of a training program that runs for four weeks in San Bernardino, California:

The teachers will attend workshops and seminars presented by the Cal State faculty from the College of Education along with teaching practicums. The teachers will present mini-lessons to their group and instructors and visit a San Bernardino elementary school to observe English as a Second Language programs... After watching the ESL program, the teachers will present a lesson plan in English to the Spanish-speaking elementary students.

All of the teachers are employed as EFL teachers in Korean schools.

Obama English Big in Japan

2009-01-21T18:04:00.001+01:00

The new president's speeches, in English, are a huge hit in Japan. But will the average conversation level move beyond "Hello, how are you, I am fine, thanks"?

English to Become Compulsory in Japanese Elementary Classes

2009-01-17T19:05:00.002+01:00

The new law takes effect in 2011, but will undoubtedly lead to lots of new jobs for TEFL teachers. Here's how it is intended to work:

The younger children pick up natural English pronunciation and rhythms through songs and games; older children focus on actual communication. In each class is an ALT [native speaker] and a teacher paid by the ward office--but the homeroom teacher is in charge.

Good Advice for Newbies

2009-01-08T11:08:00.000+01:00

A good series of articles directed at potential first-time TEFL teachers. We particularly liked this spot-on description:

Perhaps the largest misconception among those entering the field is that this is job set up for the amusement of white English speakers, created in order to enable them to travel. I have worked with undergrads who have never had a real job and come in without an idea of what true responsibility entails. Or how about aging divorcee men looking to get it on with third-world women while having no respect for the culture or the children they're teaching.

Look at the top of the left frame to find the links for Parts 2 & 3.

Happy New Year!

2008-12-30T15:35:00.001+01:00

We wish all of our hard-working English teachers a happy new year, and promise many exciting developments at ET over the course of 2009. Enjoy!

The English Toolbox Staff

Teaching Online with ET & Teacher James.Com

2008-12-16T23:45:00.002+01:00

English Toolbox is continuing to provide exercises from our library to Teacher James.Com, as we have since they started over a year ago. Teacher James is a great site for teaching students online via a microphone and webcam, and we are happy to assist their trainers with top-notch materials: check them out!

The Year of the Mouse

2008-11-30T13:25:00.003+01:00

The Walt Disney Co. begins opening English-language schools for children in China, starting in Shanghai:

The small English-immersion classes are given by tutors from North America and bilingual assistants at the school on Maoming Road with seven charming theme rooms. There's singing, interactive games, role-play and plenty of fun.

The classes are open to students aged two to 10. Classes average only 12 and each child receives individual attention.

The program includes relevant vocabulary, sentence patterns and common topics in daily Chinese conversation.

Oregon Voters Reject Limits on Bi-Lingual Teaching

2008-11-19T13:11:00.002+01:00

In a surprise that runs counter to other states' examples, Oregon rejected a referendum that would have limited the amount of time that a student could be taught in his/her L1. Below the article are the usual comments from xenophobic morons who know nothing about TESOL, or probably anything else for that matter.

Lesson Plans in PDF Format

2008-11-01T17:37:00.001+01:00

We keep adding to our collection of full-length lesson plans, all in PDF format. We've just added another one for teaching Business English e-mails at an intermediate level. Just select "Lesson Plans (PDF only)" in the "File Type" window on our search page to see all the lesson plans available.

Gift Packs Now Available!

2008-10-14T18:25:00.005+02:00

Do you have a child, relative or friend who is teaching English to adults in another country? Would you like to give him/her a gift that will save him/her countless hours of work? For less than $10 USD, you can give the teacher in your life up to twelve exercises from the English Toolbox library of English-training materials. Teachers often have to write their own teaching materials (homework, quizzes, in-class study aids, etc.) or spend a lot of time searching the internet for something suitable. English Toolbox already has what they need to improve their teaching, no matter what the topic, student fluency level or required skill set. Our library of over 1,000 exercises covers grammar, vocabulary, business skills, common phrases and expressions, writing--you name it, we've got it. And all the exercises can be located in just a few seconds by using our detailed search engine, then downloaded to the teacher's computer. Whether the teacher needs to plan a course, or just find a last-minute exercise to complete a class session, the English Toolbox Gift Pack will be a much-appreciated token of your affection!   

Buying a Gift Pack is very easy:
1. At the top-right corner of this screen, click on "Subscribe";
2. Input a user-name for the recipient and your own e-mail address in the boxes, and click "Create Registration";
3. You will receive a user name and temporary password in your e-mail. Use these to log in at the top-right of the English Toolbox web site;
4. Once you log in, click the link for "Edit your subscription" near the top;
5. Click the Pay Pal button for "Gift Pack" and follow the instructions to buy 12 exercises for $9.48. We accept all major credit cards, plus Pay Pal;
6. When your payment is accepted, you will see that your account now has 12 credits available for use. Most of our exercises cost one credit each. Simply tell the English teacher the user name and password, and she or he will be able to log on and start using the gift credits immediately!

If you are an English teacher, why not buy yourself a Gift Pack? You can use your credits whenever you want--they never expire. If you're happy with the quality and range of our materials, you may want to become a subscriber, which will automatically add ten credits each month to your account. If you don't want to subscribe, that's fine: there is no obligation, and your credit card will never be billed for anything other than the Gift Pack(s) you purchase on an as-needed basis.

Whether you want just a dozen exercises or hundreds, English Toolbox is your one-stop source for quality, pedagogically sound EFL materials. Explore our site and search engine, and see if you don’t agree that we are the easiest way to supplement your library of English training exercises.

Payment Options

2008-10-12T19:45:00.000+02:00

Occasionally, we're asked if we only accept Pay Pal as payment for our English-teaching exercises. The answer is no: while we do accept Pay Pal payments, we also accept credit card payments such as Visa, Master Card, Discover and American Express. We use Pay Pal to process these payments, but you don't need a Pay Pal account to do business with us.

Contest Extended

2008-10-04T20:26:00.000+02:00

We did not think the responses received thus far to our last contest were particularly edifying, so we are extending it another two weeks. Please send your favorite piece of EFL-related advice to us by 15 October.

France Says "Oui" to More EFL

2008-09-24T11:01:00.002+02:00

A rather stunning reversal of past policy. Excerpts:

Lessons will concentrate on oral English, a fundamental change as most of France's official examinations are written tests. Classes will be taught by teachers who volunteer to work during the holidays in return for tax-free overtime or by English students from abroad... "The world has changed and France has realized it has to change with it. More and more students are spending a year studying in an anglophone country. They realize it looks good on their CV that they can speak English," [an education expert] said.

Mon Dieu!

Teacher Guilt Forum

2008-09-20T17:29:00.001+02:00

One of the best ways to get ideas, complain about your boss or students in a safe place, or just answer the question, "Am I crazy, or... ?" is on the various TEFL forums that dot the internet. One of the better ones is ELT World, and we found this topic particularly interesting. Its title is, "As a teacher, what do you feel guilty about?" The answers are thoughtful and, probably, familiar to most of you.

http://eltworld.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1268

This Week's Contest: Good EFL Advice

2008-09-16T13:04:00.001+02:00

We asked you to relate your horror stories about problem students, and did you ever! This was one of the most popular topics ever on this blog, based on the number of you who wrote in. Most complained about cheaters, talkers and pint-sized divas. However, the story we liked best was about a discipline problem in a Korean private school ("hakwon"). The teacher was Roxanne C., and we'll let her pick up the story: "This boy would never behave in class, was always disruptive, and wasn't learning a thing. I really hated him and dreaded the days when I knew I would see him (unfortunately, his attendance was the only sterling thing about him!). One day, lunching at a local restaurant, I saw the boy and his mother eating on the other side of the room. He was talking to her, trying to get her attention, but she never even glanced at him; she just ate and then smoked a cigarette, and pretended he wasn't even in the room. Mind you, he wasn't misbehaving, he was just trying to connect with a mother that clearly had written him off. I realized that this was at the root of his classroom antics, and I resolved to be a bit nicer to him. Didn't help much, but eventually the school year ended and I moved on to another school." Wow, Roxanne, that's a great reminder to all of us (of something... ) and has won you five English Toolbox credits!

Next time, tell us the best piece of teaching-related advice you ever received from a colleague, training course, the internet, etc. The most interesting tip will get the sender five free English Toolbox credits, even if s/he does not currently subscribe. Send your thoughts to info@englishtoolbox.com by 30 September.

Korean English Villages Failing

2008-09-10T15:13:00.001+02:00

From an editorial in a Korean newspaper:

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2894573

This Week's Contest: Problem Students

2008-09-03T00:26:00.002+02:00

We wondered last time about the differences between what you were taught in your EFL preparatory course, and what you experienced with real students once you actually started teaching. Darren J. in Mykonos, Greece, says that the teachers in his TEFL course tended to be very "Asian-centric" in their ideas: "They were always warning us to be careful that our students didn't lose face, so they told us to be very careful with in-class correction and feedback. I was so intimidated by this that I gave very little correction once I became a teacher, until my students in Switzerland began complaining about it to my boss! It turns out that they considered a 'good' teacher to be one who gave lots of instant correction when they made mistakes!" Interesting, Darren: for reminding us that the Swiss are very different from the Japanese, you’ve won five free English Toolbox credits!

For the next contest, tell us about a problem student that you had trouble with and how you dealt with him/her. Did you have to resort to drastic measures, or were you able to work things out in a way that allowed the student to remain in the class? Our favorite response will win the sender five free English Toolbox credits, even if s/he does not currently subscribe. Send your contributions to info@englishtoolbox.com by 15 September.

Appeal against Poland's U-turn on English for All

2008-08-22T15:47:00.001+02:00

An interesting debate in Poland:

Polish intellectuals, politicians, artists and celebrities have put their names to an open letter appealing to their prime minister, Donald Tusk, to reinstate a policy to teach English from the first year of primary school.

The letter was prompted by the government's surprise decision to go back on its plan to introduce English language teaching in all schools from September.

One of the signatories, Polish MEP Konrad Szymanski, told Polskie Radio: "Compulsory English education in elementary schools is the best way to popularize this language. If Poland wants to be involved in the mainstream, common knowledge of English is a basic factor."

The radio station quoted former president Lech Walesa as saying: "I had no chance to learn English and I still feel hampered by it."

Instead of making English compulsory, the education ministry now wants schools to choose which modern languages to teach.

The ministry argues that in some regions of the country Russian or German would be more useful than English.

This Week's Contest: Training Myths

2008-08-16T09:59:00.000+02:00

We inquired last time about any extra teaching you may be doing outside of your regular class schedule. A couple of you wrote that you had outside, "private" students you saw one-on-one; one respondent also teaches a university class in addition to his work teaching Business English as an in-company trainer. The answer we liked the most, however, came from April J. in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia, who teaches a full load of classes for children Monday through Friday, but still manages to do some video training a few times a week. "For one thing, I need to speak to adults occasionally so I can keep my Business English skills fresh," April wrote. "For another, I can always cancel or re-schedule a video class more easily than a face-to-face class if I'm feeling too tired: there's always another teacher who can pick up the slack." Very nice, April: you've won five free English Toolbox credits!

Our next contest will focus on the differences between what you were taught in your EFL preparatory course, and what you experienced with real students once you actually started teaching. What was your biggest surprise as a new teacher? Was there anything that was the opposite of what you'd been told while you were getting certified? The most interesting response will win the responder five free English Toolbox credits, even if s/he does not currently subscribe. Send your contributions to info@englishtoolbox.com by 31 August.

Stress Reliever

2008-08-11T18:19:00.002+02:00

Students driving you crazy? Grammar rules getting more confusing for you than for the students? Tired of doing the same thing over and over and over again? Well, watch this, and feel the stress melt away:

Cali Qualifications

2008-08-09T21:59:00.003+02:00

If you think you needed a lot of training to teach in China or France, be thankful you didn't need to get the training to teach English in California. Click this link to read the full article; here's an excerpt:

To enroll in the intern program, I had to fill out more applications and then complete 40 hours of pre-service training in teaching English language learners, a course that in theory would have been very useful but in fact only entailed reading a stack of paperwork and writing essays I suspected would be stuck in my file unread. I also had to summarize what I'd learned in a page of sentences that began with "I used to think," and ended with "but now I know ... ."

Whatever the actual purpose of this exercise, writing about my former state of ignorance felt like some kind of forced confession by a totalitarian state.

This Week's Contest: Supplementary Teaching

2008-08-02T13:25:00.000+02:00

We wanted to know if you had any specific deadline or target for giving up TEFL. Or did you all plan to stay in the profession for your entire working lives? A few of you wrote along the lines of, "It's always been my dream to spend some time living in Country X, and once I do that I'll go back home and get a real job." But the reply we liked best came from Iris Y. in Cameroon, who said, "I'll stop teaching on the day I stop learning from my students." Lovely, Iris: we may even have that stitched onto a pillow for our office sofa! You get five free English Toolbox credits.

Next time, tell us about any supplementary teaching you may be doing, i.e., outside of your regular class schedule. Do you have any private students, or do you do any internet training? Or is your regular schedule more than enough work for you? The most interesting response will win the responder five free English Toolbox credits, even if s/he does not currently subscribe. Send your contributions to info@englishtoolbox.com by 15 August.

Moscow Becoming More Difficult for TEFL Teachers

2008-07-26T15:23:00.002+02:00

On the heels of the expulsion of the British Council, Moscow has just been named the world's most expensive city. English teacher salaries remain relatively low, and visas are harder to obtain than in the past. Oh, well--who wants to pay $10.83 for a cup of coffee anyway?

Beware of TEFL Job Site Scams

2008-07-21T07:34:00.003+02:00

This eye-opening article warns about TEFL job-site scams. Sample quote:

It turned out that said job scam was one that, besides posting fraudulent job ads on prominent EFL job boards, involved the use of forged official forms and documents from a government ministry... [The] Gulf News reported on an almost identical scam that lured teachers from the United States, Great Britain and elsewhere aspiring to teach EFL in the UAE.

This Week's Contest: When Will You Quit?

2008-07-16T12:54:00.002+02:00

We asked our subscribers how they utilize the interactive files they've downloaded from English Toolbox. Most of the replies mentioned that the teacher e-mails the students the files to work on individually on an office or home PC. But Rebecca M. in Indonesia has incorporated her files into a private blog that her students can access via a password. "This way, they can either do them online, or copy them to use later when they're offline," Rebecca told us. Great idea--you've won an additional five free English Toolbox credits, which will be credited to your account!

(P.S. to Danny: yes, the interactive HTML files work just fine on Macs as well as Windows-based PC's)

Our next contest is for everyone, not just current subscribers. To qualify, simply tell us if you have a plan for when you will leave the English teaching profession. Do you have a target age or number of years in the field before you quit? Are there certain countries you plan to work in, and then retire afterwards? The most compelling answer will reap the sender five free English Toolbox credits, even if s/he does not currently subscribe. Send your e-mails to info@englishtoolbox.com by 31 July.

Life after TEFL

2008-07-09T11:12:00.002+02:00

An interesting article discusses getting your first EFL job, the various recruiting agencies springing up, and what your prospects are when you return home afterwards. Our next contest will also touch on some of these issues.

How English Is Evolving Into a Language We May Not Even Understand

2008-07-05T13:50:00.000+02:00

A thought-provoking article. Excerpt:

Thanks to globalization, the Allied victories in World War II, and American leadership in science and technology, English has become so successful across the world that it's escaping the boundaries of what we think it should be. In part, this is because there are fewer of us: By 2020, native speakers will make up only 15 percent of the estimated 2 billion people who will be using or learning the language. Already, most conversations in English are between non-native speakers who use it as a lingua franca.

This Week's Contest: Using HTML Exercises

2008-07-01T13:10:00.001+02:00

We asked last time how you kept in touch with family and friends while living and working overseas. Peggy U. in Cheju-do, South Korea, takes advantage of cheap phone cards and also does a lot of Instant Messenger-ing. "Luckily, we have very fast internet connections here in Korea," Peggy reports, "and so I can see and hear my family using a web cam and microphone. In fact, I just leave the PC on all the time, and wait to hear the bell announcing that someone is online! With the time difference between Korea and Europe, it just makes things easier." Thanks, Peggy, and we hope your five free English Toolbox credits will make things even easier for you!

We're excited to see that more and more of our customers are buying our interactive HTML files in addition to the MS Word documents: indeed, some of you only buy the HTML versions! In that spirit, for our next contest, tell us how you utilize the interactive files you've downloaded. The most creative application will earn the sender an additional five free English Toolbox credits to his/her account. Send your contributions to info@englishtoolbox.com by 15 July; due to the nature of this contest, subscribers only, please.

Why Free Isn't Always Better

2008-06-27T12:43:00.000+02:00

We've created a page that explains why buying English Toolbox exercises can save you time, money and aggravation when compared to some "free" EFL sites. For best viewing results, copy and paste this URL into a new browser address window:

http://www.englishtoolbox.com/difference.html

English Monday, Hindi Tuesday

2008-06-23T16:58:00.000+02:00

A school district in India tries to improve it's students' language skills via alternate-day linguistic immersion: details here.