ESL Lesson: Internet Part II

This blog entry is about helping you better navigate the internet in the English language. Here are some more terms to help you know more about internet web browsing:

URL: This stands for "uniform resource locator." In other words, this is where you type in the "address" of the website you wish to visit. Normally businesses', clubs', individuals', etc. websites feature .com, .net, .uk, etc...while schools might feature .edu and governments might feature .gov

Attachment: This is a file that you can send along as part of an email. The message of the email will appear as will a chance to view/listen and/or download the file, which might be a word document, excel document, image, video or audio file.

SPAM: This is unsolicited emails sent to a mass number of email addresses. SPAM is the internet equivalent to junk mail. Some email servers offer users spamblockers to counteract and remove these annoying spam emails.

CC: This stands for carbon copy. Select this option when drafting an email if you wish to send the email to multiple recipients. Recipients can see other recipients email addresses in carbon copy emails.

BCC: This stands for blind carbon copy. A blind carbon copy is used to send a message to a large number of recipients without them being able to see each other's addresses.

Email List: This is a subscription you can sign up for including announcement lists, discussion lists, ezines, email newsletters, etc. For instance, your favorite website to shop at can send you notifications for sales and coupon codes or your favorite newspaper can send you periodical updates with headlines and links to articles.

Emoticon: This is an internet cultural phenomenon that uses punctuation marks like the colon, semicolon and parentheses to represent facial expressions like a smiling face.

For instance, combine the colon and the right parenthesis (control + 0) and you get this smile :)

Combine the colon and the right parenthesis (control + 9) and you get this frown :( 

Combine the colon and a capitalized letter D and you get a big grinning smile :D


Filter: A search or filtering function within your email collection. Find emails with certain subjects or keywords using your filter.

Signature: A promotional device used at the bottom of email posts submitted by senders to recipients automatically showing things like contact information, title, an inspirational quote, etc.

ESL Lesson: Internet Part I

This blog entry is all about writing English on the internet. Now, the English language has a lot of different rules and usage, but the English language on websites and messages over the internet takes some unique characteristics. There are slang terms, abbreviations (or acronyms) and cultural idioms born from internet use and popular culture. Perhaps you have seen some of the following terms while using the internet. Keep in mind that these are all very informal instances or writing

AFK: Away from keyboard....announcing that you are taking a break and stepping away from your computer
ATM: At the moment 
OR 
At this moment
B/C: Because
Blog: Web log; a site like this one to read posts by writers.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions...a part of a website where pre-written questions and answers are displayed for web browsers. 
FB: Facebook
FWIW: For what its worth
FYI: For your information
GTG OR G2G: Got to go 
IIRC: If I recall correctly
IM: Instant messaging...a communication service for real time chatting with other users. This is like email, except very fast since it is instant.
ISWYM: I see what you mean
LOL: Laughing out loud...to find something funny or humorous.
TTYL: Talk to you later
TTYS: Talk to you soon
W/: With

ESL Lesson: Casual Letter Writing

This blog entry is all about casual letter writing. Casual or informal letters are letters sent to friends, family members or acquaintances for friendly or fun purposes. A casual letter might be a thank you note, an invitation to an event, a question, a request, or a friendly reminder or update. The form of a casual letter is similar to a business letter but the tone is different.



Consider the casual letter below:

Jack O’Brien

82 2^nd Street, Apt. 7

Whosville, IA 10001

Hey Sarah,

What's up? I was so happy to hear you moved back into town and wanted to extend an invitation to you. We're throwing a dinner party next week at Tim's house and we would love for you to come. Stop by around 7 p.m., and feel free to bring other guests (the more, the merrier!).

Cheers,

Jack

Notice the use of informal English with slang words or contractions. That is OK in casual letters to friends, whether by hand and in the mail or through typing and sent by email.

Have you written a letter before? Do you have any questions or comments about this or any other ESL subject? Leave them in the comment section and we will answer them. Stay tuned for more free advice on this and other subjects as well as promotions and news!

If you want individual tutoring and help in learning English, contact Kingston University USA today!!

Kingston University USA 

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Free ESL Lesson: Writing Letters

This blog entry is about writing letters in English. Writing letters is a very common mode of communication across the world and a very important step in becoming literate and an engaging communicator in the English language. 

Whether by paper (or snail mail, as it is often called) or email (internet mail), letters are used both formally and informally to pass on information or make requests. Students use letters to communicate instructors and administrators. Workers use letters to request information from colleagues and bosses or to inquire about their job or new opportunities. People use letters to inform, ask for help or catch up with family, friends and acquaintances, usually in an informal fashion. Here are the basics of writing letters:

Salutation

A salutation is a greeting. In letters, the word “Dear” is the most commonly used and appropriate salutation. For instance, a salutation for a letter might be “Dear Mr. Chen” or “Dear Debra.” For letters to friends or family members, just the first name is used while business letters feature titles such as Mr. (Mister), Dr. (Doctor), Prof. (Professor), etc. The salutation takes up an entire line.

Body

The body is the message of the letter. While the other parts feature greetings, formalities and contact information, the body features sentences or paragraphs about informing, asking or requesting information or action from the recipient. Sometimes people refer to the body as the letter itself. In cases of informal letters to someone you know well (like an email to a friend), the body might be the entire composition of the letter itself.

Valediction

The valediction is a sign-off or goodbye to end the letter. It follows the body, and is then followed by the written name and/or signature of the sender. The most common valedictions are sincerely or regards. So, a valediction might look like

Sincerely,

John Smith

OR

Regards,

Jane Doe

OR

Kind regards,

Jason

Other valedictions are more informal, intimate or friendly such as your friend, your sister/brother, xoxo(very casual shorthand for hugs and kisses), love, and take care.

So, combining these different elements, let us look at a sample of a simple letter written in English.

Dear Professor Watson,

I would like to thank you for writing the letter of recommendation in my favor for graduate school. Your positive recommendation helped me get accepted, and I am very grateful for this. I know you did this despite having a busy schedule. Your dedication to your students past and present is a testament to your character and professionalism. I hope we can keep in touch. Thanks again.

Sincerely,

John Smith

A friendly letter, perhaps through email, might look like this…

Dear Bob,

I was writing to see what your upcoming weekend plans were. Tammy and I were planning a camping trip for this Friday, and we were curious if you wanted to join us. Let us know and we will pass along all the details.

Love,

Jane


Have you written a letter before? Do you have any questions or comments about this or any other ESL subject? Leave them in the comment section and we will answer them. Stay tuned for more free advice on this and other subjects as well as promotions and news!

If you want individual tutoring and help in learning English, contact Kingston University USA today!!

Kingston University USA 
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ESL Lesson: Formal English and Informal English

English as a Second Language

Formal English and Informal English
This blog entry is all about formal English and informal English. Two major styles of English, both writing and conversational(or talking), are formal English and informal English.

Formal English is usually used in business, academic and scientific settings, business letters, professional emails or essays. Formal English is viewed by many as more articulate*(well said), professional and sharp.
Here are some characteristics of formal English:

• Writes in the third person. 
• Almost never uses the pronoun I, except in business letters. 
• Does not uses slang or colloquial words or expressions. 
• Does not use contractions. 
• Does not use abbreviations. Writes out full words. 
• Longer and more complex sentences to express ideas. 
• Oriented towards logic. 

Informal English is usually used in casual, social or non-professional settings, casual emails or letters, and creative expressions such as songs, poems or jokes. Informal English is viewed by many as friendlier, more natural and smooth.
Here are some characteristics of informal English:

• Often addresses readers with pronouns, sometimes in a friendly way. 
• Uses first, second, or third person. 
• Uses abbreviations. 
• Uses contractions. 
• Often uses short sentences or even sentence fragments. 
• Uses slang.

These are a few of the main differences between formal and informal writing. Remember both modes are useful and effective, but in different contexts and settings. Use each one when appropriate. Do you have any other questions or comments about this or any other ESL subject? Leave them in the comment section and we will answer them. Stay tuned for more free advice on this and other subjects as well as promotions and news!

If you want individual tutoring and help in learning English, contact Kingston University USA today!!

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ESL Lesson: Contractions

Contractions

This blog entry is all about contractions! 
What are contractions? 
Contractions are a part of informal English frequently used in conversation and in casual or creative writing such as an email to a friend, an anecdote (or a true story someone tells) or a fictional story. 

Don't is a contraction of the words do not.

Contractions are the shorthand way of writing or saying two words as just one word. Very often contractions use the apostrophe (‘) and the removal of letters to make a new word. Contractions should not be used in formal writing such as business letters. In business letters, you should write out words instead of using shorthand like contractions. Here are some examples of contractions.

Can't

Can’t is a contraction of the words can not or the word cannot. The second “o” is replaced by an apostrophe (‘), and the space in between the two words is eliminated. Consider the following two sentences.
I can not meet you this Friday as I am very busy.
I can’t meet you this Friday as I am very busy.


Don’t

Don’t is a contraction of the words do not. The second “o” is replaced by an apostrophe (‘), and the space in between the two words is eliminated. Consider the following two sentences.
I do not have any appointments next Monday.
I don’t have any appointments next Monday.


Doesn't

Doesn’t is a contraction of the words does not. The “o” in not is replaced by an apostrophe (‘), and the space in between the two words is eliminated. Consider the following two sentences.
She does not like to drink coffee.
She doesn't like to drink coffee.


Didn't 

Didn’t is a contraction of the words did not. The “o” in not is replaced by an apostrophe (‘), and the space in between the two words is eliminated. Consider the following two sentences.
I did not talk to Mr. Jones last week.
I didn't talk to Mr. Jones last week.


Couldn't 

Couldn’t is a contraction of the words could not. The “o” in not is replaced by an apostrophe (‘), and the space in between the two words is eliminated. Consider the following two sentences.
I could not reach Mr. Jones last week through phone calls or email.
I couldn’t reach Mr. Jones last week through phone calls or email.


Wouldn't 

Wouldn’t is a contraction of the words would not. The “o” in not is replaced by an apostrophe (‘), and the space in between the two words is eliminated. Consider the following two sentences.
I would not spend too much money on office supplies. I wish to stay within my budget.
I wouldn't spend too much money on office supplies. I wish to stay within my budget.


Haven’t

Haven’t is a contraction of the words have not. The second “o” is replaced by an apostrophe (‘), and the space in between the two words is eliminated. Consider the following two sentences.
I have not reviewed your paperwork yet.
I haven’t reviewed your paperwork yet.


Won’t

Won’t is a contraction of the words will not. The second “o” is replaced by an apostrophe (‘), and the space in between the two words is eliminated. Consider the following two sentences.
I will not be able to attend the meeting this Thursday.
I won’t be able to attend the meeting this Thursday.


I hope these explanations help you understand the concept of contractions better. Remember that contractions are informal and that these are general contractions. We’ll post more on other contractions in the future. Do you have any other questions or comments about this or any other ESL subject? Leave them in the comment section and we will answer them. Stay tuned for more free advice on this and other subjects as well as promotions and news! If you want individual tutoring and help in learning English, contact Kingston University USA today!!

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ESL with Pictures: Signs

                                   SIGNS
What are signs? Signs are symbols used in everyday life that send messages to inform people. They can come in different sizes, shapes, colors and purposes. Some signs warn people, direct drivers of vehicles and pedestrians*(people who walk) alike, inform people or advertise for businesses, buildings and organizations. 


Here are some examples:

This is a stop sign. Stop signs are a type of traffic signs, which are meant to inform drivers of automobiles or cars. When driving, you should stop briefly when approaching a stop sign.

This sign is a warning sign. The word danger means something might cause harm or hurt you if you are not careful. This sign is specifically warning against the danger of unmarked holes, which people might fall into if they are not careful!

This sign is informing people that they cannot swim in these waters. This could be due to a lack of lifeguards or unsafe conditions in the water. It is really important to follow such signs as the area may be dangerous even if the sign does not use the word danger.

This is an exit sign. Exit signs are very common in buildings as they allow people to know where the closest exit is. An exit is a door or pathway that leads someone from inside a room or building to outside the room or outside the building.

This sign says "No dogs allowed." Signs like this are often seen in certain parks or buildings. Some parks allow people to bring their pet dogs, but others do not. Whenever a red line cuts through something in a sign, that means that thing is prohibited(not allowed).  

 

This sign is informing(*telling) people that they must have their bags with them at all times. These signs are very common at airports and bus stations. Sometimes the signs will say "Do not leave bags unattended." Unattended means you are not with your bags, such as if you were to walk away from them.

This sign is for informing people when a train is departing. Departing means going, leaving or going away. This sign tells you the train's destination, departing time, and where it is stopping. Destination means the final stop of a trip or where the trip ends.

Have you seen signs today in your community? What do they mean? Are they helpful to you? Let us know your opinions! 

Do you have any other questions or comments about this or any other ESL subject? Leave them in the comment section and we will answer them. Stay tuned for more free advice on this and other subjects as well as promotions and news! If you want individual tutoring and help in learning English, contact Kingston University USA today!!

Kingston University USA
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