Free Video/Presentation/Animation App

If you are like me, the word "Free" got your attention. OK, so nothing in life is free, but if I don't need a large cash outlay to use something really useful, then that's OK with me. Powtoon is one of those online resources that can make your multimedia stuff better without opening your wallet much. This online app lets you easily create animated presentations. Some feature require payment, but you can do a lot of things for free to start with. If you need more features of higher resolution formats, then it may cost you. I created this embedded "Mission Impossible" theme presentation in about 5 minutes.

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Internet Power Sites for English Language Learners

Here are a few major websites that I highly recommend because they offer extensive resources for English Language teachers and learners alike. The BBC World Service has been around for a long time, but recently moved its link, so here is the latest one http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/ This site has courses, games, videos, and practice for every level of EAL. VOA Learning English is the go-to site for American English. It also has news in easy to listen to English, and insights into North American culture. I like the variety of videos on every subject you could think of. There should be something here to interest anyone. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/ The United States Department of State has several sites dedicated to teaching and learning English. The links can all be found here: https://americanenglish.state.gov/ PBS Learning is not focused specifically on English Language Learners, but it has teaching a...

In Memoriam of First Lady Barbara Bush 1925-2018

Literacy is an important issue for ESL teachers. I was saddened to hear that Barbara Bush passed away yesterday. Barbara Bush was a champion for literacy . She was responsible for helping to pass the National Literacy Act of 1991. She started a foundation to promote literacy which you can access here. I met her personally during a fund raiser at a Women's literacy club in Naples Florida. I was a news cameraman covering the event.. When it came time for our interview she leaned over to me and asked, "May I give you some advice in a motherly way?" "Sure, of course!" I replied. " You had better close the barn door before the horse gets out." I had forgotten to zip up my pants. - Dan

Appropriateness

My wife, who was born in Brazil, follows a number of online social media ESL teachers. At this time I am not one of them. However, she often comes to me with questions because she is confused about what the teachers are putting out there. It seems to very popular to discuss unusual expressions or idioms without including appropriate contexts. I believe that language should not be taught without teaching appropriate, contextual usage at the same time. This also applies to teaching the rules and skills of native language to native language speakers. Wheeler & Swords (2004) made some interesting observations about how this can work in a classroom when trying to teach students with varied home languages to speak in a more formal way in the classroom. Students are able to begin code switching - changing their language usage to a different variety - when they understand that there may be a difference in the variety of English that is appropriate for the...

American English Dan

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