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 
Live Locally. Learn Globally.
Official Website
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Sonoma State Offering Free ESL Classes to the Community

This article is from RohnertParkPatch 

Take advantage of this great opportunity at Sonoma State University — let your parents, friends and neighbors know that the campus is hosting free English as a Second Language classes from March 6 through May 4. 

Classes are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Stevenson 3044. The courses include practice conversation, listening, grammar and reading and writing skills.

ESL Lesson: Introduction to Symbols

This blog entry is all about symbols. What are symbols? Symbols are things that represent, stand for or show other things. They can be found in writing, keyboards, everyday objects or as part of signs. Signs are messages using words and/or symbols to tell an important message to people. They are found on objects, along roads, and in buildings.

Let’s learn about some symbols in writing that can be found on the keyboard by pressing control or alt followed by one of the numbers one through seven.

@

This is the at symbol. It stands for and means the word “at.” It is frequently used for email addresses. Email addresses are written as kingstonuniversityusa@gmail.com , username@website.org , or username@website.net.

#

This is the number symbol. It stands for the word “number” or for numbering. For instance, “Teamwork is our number one value,” can be written as “Teamwork is our #1 value.”

$

This is the dollar symbol. It stands for either the dollar or the idea of money. For instance, “This hat costs ten dollars,” can be written as “This hat costs $10.”

%

This is the percentage symbol. This symbol stands for percentage, which is a number expressed as a fraction of the number 100. This symbol is often used in business, finance, retail, and culinary endeavors.

^

This is a caret. The caret is used in mathematics and finance to represent exponential functions.

&

This is an ampersand. It is sometimes called the “and symbol.” It is used to write the word “and” in a short way.


The following symbols are a bit more difficult to produce in a word document when typing. For Mac software or Apple products, you can use the Mac OS character palette, which is available in many programs by selecting Special Characters from the Edit Menu, or from the Input Menu (flag) icon on the menu bar. In Microsoft Office and many similar programs, there is often also an Insert menu with an Insert Symbol or Symbol command that brings up a graphical palette of symbols to insert, including the degree symbol.

∞

This is the infinity symbol. It is used for the idea of infinity, which is often treated as or acts as a number in mathematical equations.

Π

This is the pi symbol. Pi is a constant ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. It is most often used in mathematics, science and engineering.

¢

This is the cent sign. It is used to represent cents in countries' whose currencies or money can be divided by 100. An example of this sign in action is "This drink costs 79 cents," expressed as "This drink costs 79¢."

€

This is the Euro symbol. It is used in much of Europe and around the world as a symbol for money expressed in the Euro currency system.

£

This is the pound symbol. The pound is a currency in the United Kingdom.

¥

This is the Yen symbol. The Yen is the currency of Japan.

°

This is the degree symbol. It is used in science and everyday life to stand for degrees in regard to temperature. An example of the degree symbol in use is, "It is cold today with the temperature of 4° C."

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
Live Locally. Learn Globally.
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Kingston University USA: Meet the Teachers

Are you looking for assistance in reaching your learning goals? Consider the assistance of the skilled and dedicated teachers at Kingston University USA!

If you would like personalized tutoring on university level subject matters, help in university courses taught in English because English is not your native language, or simply E.S.L. (English as a second language) practice and instruction...then Kingston University USA is a perfect match for you!

Here are three of the teachers at Kingston University USA you can contact:

Susan Baruch has years of experience in writing, business, editing and tutoring. She can help you improve your English speaking and writing abilities, and succeeding in your educational goals. Watch her video and find out about her experiences writing books, teaching and working in the photo film industry. Her ID # is 120105. 

Ray is a dedicated and personable teacher with much experience in travel, instruction and the medical field. Watch this video to learn more about him. 

Ray's ID number is 120603.

Bella is a dedicated instructor with years of experience and two master's of education (in ESL and literacy) under her belt. She is interested in helping others learn, travel and above all, spending time with her family. Bella's ID number is 120111.

If you would like personal tutoring from an understanding teacher, come to Kingston University USA. At Kingston University USA, you can live locally and learn globally.

Kingston University USA
Live Locally. Learn Globally.
Official Website
Facebook Page
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