Education News: Reform in Washington

This special opinion article by Rosemary McAuliffe of the Seattle Times discusses the educational reforms in Washington state. Here is a brief preview:

Gov. Chris Gregoire recently said Washington cannot fulfill its education responsibilities without new revenue. I couldn't agree more. No amount of shifting state dollars or slashing health and human services will free up the kind of money needed to fully fund the reforms our kids deserve.

 Unfortunately, our state has a chronic history of passing reforms, without funding them. With education as our paramount duty, we need the public's support of new funding to achieve full implementation.

ESL News Article: Schools on Shoestring Budgets

This article by Manny Fernandez of the New York Times discusses what schools in the USA are like after heavy budget cuts. You can read an excerpt here:

For Hutto and the 1,264 other public school districts in Texas, this has been the year of doing without. Texas lawmakers cut public education financing by roughly $5.4 billion to balance the state’s two-year budget during the last legislative session, with the cuts taking effect this school year and next.
The budget reductions that districts large and small have had to make have transformed school life in a host of ways — increasing class sizes, reducing services and supplies and thinning the ranks of teachers, custodians, librarians and others, school administrators said.

The rest of the article is available here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/09/us/for-texas-schools-a-year-of-doing-without.html?_r=1&ref=education

English Courses In USA – A Fun Way to Learn While Travelling

This article by Travel Daily News International discusses how some people are learning English by visiting the USA. Here is an excerpt:

Most travel falls into two broad categories: travel and tourism for pleasure and travel for business. Frequent travelers usually refer websites like the traveldailynews.com for information and latest updates. One of the niche tourism sectors is educational tourism or travel mixed with learning. The most popular edu-travel packages are undoubtedly the ESL language study abroad courses available at a number of ESL partner language schools located in over 40 countries worldwide. English, the most popular language in the world, is also the most widely learnt and there are a maximum number of ESL partner schools offering English language training in England, USA, Canada and Australia.

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!!

Kingston University USA
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Learn More About the Teachers at Kingston University

Are you looking for one-on-one assistance in learning? Perhaps you are a student looking for tutoring in a specific subject and its materials such as medicine, philosophy, chemistry or history. Or are you a student who struggles in university courses taught in English because English is not your native language? Are you simply an E.S.L. (English as a second language) learner who wants practice and instruction to improve your English writing, reading and conversational skills?

If so, Kingston University can help you no matter where you live and what your current skill level is!

Would you like to meet some of the teachers willing to help you along your journey in learning and improving yourself?

This is Joe. He is an empathetic teacher with years of experience in education and the subjects of chemistry and physics. He enjoys hiking, raquetball and movies. If you are interested in selecting Joe as your teacher, his ID number is 120510. Watch his introduction:

Meet Daniel. He is an experienced tutor for ESL learners helping learners online and in his community. He enjoys reading, writing, and philosophy. If you are interested in selecting Daniel as your teacher, his ID number is 120203.

Rachael is an American teacher working for Kingston University. She would love to help you achieve your learnig goals! Her ID number is 120801. Watch as she tells you a bit about herself.

Contact Kingston University USA to find out how you can live locally and learn globally!

Kingston University USA
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Happy Groundhog Day!

Today is February 2nd, 2012. In the United States of America and Canada, the second day of February is called Groundhog Day. It marks six weeks until the end of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.* 


According to legend, if a groundhog sees his shadow on the morning of February 2nd, then the winter weather will continue for six more weeks; if not, spring may arrive early. Groundhog Day festivals are celebrated in Pennsylvania in the USA and Ontario in Canada featuring Punxsutawney Phil and Wiarton Willie as the most famous groundhogs. Scientist Neil degrasse Tyson quipped* that today is "evidence that Weather Forecasters still haven't convinced people that they know what they're talking about." 


Does your region or culture feature similar legends?? What do you think of Groundhog Day? Share your thoughts with us!

Vocabulary terms:
hemisphere: a term used for one of the planet's halves. There are northern, southern, eastern and western hemispheres.
groundhog: a large rodent related to ground squirrels such as the beaver.
quip: to make a witty, clever or joking remark

Today is Digital Learning Day!

With all the advancements in computers and the internet as well as their interconnectedness with all of the parts of society, it is no wonder we live in an era known as the Digital Age. Education is no exception in the digitalizing of society. Both traditional and distance learning programs are using new tools online to help students learn more effectively and conveniently. We here at Kingston University USA know firsthand that motivating, personalized instruction to a global classroom can greatly improve a student's understanding of a subject and the world.

Today is Digital Learning Day, which commemorates the merging of education and learning in general with the transforming force of the internet and global communication. Educators, learners and their family and friends from around the world are participating online and in-person to engage in Digital Learning Day. Esther Wojicki of the Huffington Post has published an article on today's events. Learn more by reading it below:

Digital Learning Day Is Happening Today

Want to know how we can improve our schools using technology? Want to know how your son/daughter's education can be more effective? Today is the day to watch Digital Learning Day. It is happening all day.
You can see teachers and students talking about what works in the classroom using technology. It is being broadcast on the website Digital Learning Day.Today at 1 p.m. EST, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will be speaking at a Town Hall Meeting. Anyone can pose a question through the website.

What do you think of digital learning? Have you heard of Digital Learning Day?  Share your comments or questions about this subject below!

Kingston University USA
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Welcome to Our Blog

Hello and welcome to our first blog entry. Kingston University USA offers many different distance learning programs and services for students across the world to meet their educational and learning goals. This blog will offer background information on many of the subjects and courses our instructors teach such as business management, S.A.T. preparation and E.S.L. (English as a Second Language). Additionally, you can be the first to discover promotions through our official Facebook page as well as giving your ideas, questions, concerns and opinions directly to us! Stay tuned for more information, knowledge and services that will allow you to live locally and learn globally.

Kingston University USA
Live Locally. Learn Globally.
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