What Success Means: The Problem With Perfection And How It Can Stand In Your Way

As a tutor, it is easy to want to fix every single mistake your learner makes. However, it is important to remember that your learner's goal is to communicate, not to be 100% correct.

The Laubach Method: What It Is and How You Can Use It

The Laubach Method is a way of teaching reading and writing through image association, which can be found in the "Laubach Way To English" book series. Understanding this method may give you some ideas that you can incorporate into your tutoring sessions.

The Laubach Way To English: The Importance of Cultural Awareness

In this post, I talk about the importance of cultural awareness as described by the Laubach Way To English handbook. I also give a few examples of some cultural differences you may encounter in your tutoring sessions.

What is the TOEFL Test ? (Part Three)

What is the TOEFL iBT test, from the perspective of a learner. 

What is the TOEFL Test ? (Part Two)

What is the TOEFL iBT test, from the perspective of a learner. 

What is the TOEFL Test ? (Part One)

What is the TOEFL iBT test, from the perspective of a learner. 

My Language Learning Journey from Beijing to South Dakota (Part Four) - Socialization Plays an Important Role in Language Learning

Socialization can be an important factor in language learning. Compared to younger adults who tend to be involved in many more social activities that help them improve their language speaking ability, older adults find it harder to socialize because they tend to have more family and social responsibilities.

Regional Employment Boards and Other Career Resources

Regional Employment Boards (REBs) help residents become economically self-sufficient and part of a competitive regional workforce. Metro North REB has many resources to help your learner find local career opportunities.

My Language Learning Journey from Beijing to South Dakota (Part Three) - Verbal Reductions

Spoken reductions in American English can be a big obstacle for learners. Reductions exist in all languages. Introducing your learner to reductions can help them to improve their listening skills.

No Two Learners Are Alike: Understanding the Individual Needs of Your Learner

Every learner has different needs, skills, and learning style. Understanding this will help you tailor your tutoring to help your learner reach success.

Is your Learner a Parent with Children in School?

A useful and comprehensive curriculum, from English for New Bostonians, for adult English language learners with kids in school.

Teaching Your Learner the Importance of Small Talk

Tips on helping your learner adjust to some of the American norms of casual conversation.

Documenting Immigration: "Welcome to Shelbyville" and "I Learn America"

"Welcome to Shelbyville" and "I Learn America" are two documentaries that explore the lives of American immigrants as they join their new communities and begin their new lives. 

How to use LEA Transcript to Teach Learners More Than Just English

This post gives some tips about how to use LEA transcripts to help learners understand more about living in America. In this example I explain how to use a photo prompt to teach about public transportation.

My Language Learning Journey from Beijing to South Dakota (Part Two) - Getting Used to Reductions

Every language uses reductions. For me, understanding my art professor's reductions made it difficult for me to understand his lectures. So I recorded them, and listened to them repeatedly, until I understand what reductions he was using, and where. 

My Language Learning Journey from Beijing to South Dakota (Part One)

From a learner's perspective: How our 24-year-old intern Shiyi Zhang, who just received her master's degree from Suffolk University, took the first steps towards becoming bilingual.

Using Dialogue Journals to Identify Writing Strengths and Weaknesses and Much More

Dialogue journals are way to teach learners how to write. Not only do they help you build a relationship with your learner, but they also help highlight their strengths and improve their writing. 

Why Won't My Learner Speak more English At Home?: Part III

Even though it may be hard to get your learner to speak more English at home, there are plenty of ways to help your learner get real-world practice with their English during your tutoring sessions. This post outlines a few of those possibilities.

Why Won’t My Learner Speak More English at Home?: Part II

In a linguistically isolated household, no one over the age of 14 speaks English comfortably. In these households, the family mainly speaks in their native language.This post explains the force of linguistic isolation and how tutors may never be able to get their students to speak English at home. 

Why Won’t My Learner Speak More English at Home?: Part I

Many tutors may find that, despite their continuous encouragement, it is difficult, if not impossible, to get their learners to speak more English at home. In fact, outside of the two hours of tutoring each week, learners may not be speaking any English at all. From a tutoring perspective, nothing would help a learner improve their English more than more practice; however, getting non-English speakers to step out of their comfort zone to achieve this goal is easier said than done.

The Silent Period for ESL Learners

Learners of any new language, including English, will experience a period during which they can comprehend speech but are unable to speak themselves. This is known as the silent period and while it's perfectly normal, there are many misconceptions about what is actually going on during this period.

Activities Fitting your Learners' Learning Styles: Bodily-Kinesthetic Learners

This post explores different ways to make the most of your learner's learning style and help them become successful learners. Try these techniques and activities to help your bodily-kinesthetic learners.

Teaching Using Narratives, Part 2

More information about how to teach using personal narratives written by yourself and your learner, including an example narrative.

Teaching Using Narratives, Part 1

What is a narrative and how can you use it to help your learner? In this series of posts, I describe the narrative teaching method, including to create a narrative and how it provides insight into which aspects of language your learner needs help with.

Teaching Vocabulary: Lists and Techniques

Vocabulary is one of the most essential parts of language, but it can be hard to know where to begin when teaching new words. A good way to go about it is by topic, using imagery to explain words effectively and easily.

Activities Fitting Your Learners' Learning Styles: Visual-Spatial Learners

This post explores different ways to make the most of your learner's learning style and help them become successful learners. Try these techniques and activities to help your visual-spatial learners.

Activities Fitting Your Learners' Learning Styles: Musical Learners

This post explores different ways to make the most of your learner's learning style and help them become successful learners. Try these techniques and activities to help your musical learners.

Public vs. Private Higher Education

If your learner is new to the U.S. and seeks a higher education, they should know that education in the U.S. is set up differently than in many other countries. A very important aspect is the distinction between private and public education.

NOW ACCEPTING LIMITED APPLICANTS: Free Computer Classes from the Asian American Civic Association

Boston's Asian American Civic Association is offering free computer classes to teach skills such as Microsoft Word, Excel, general Internet usage and email. Laptops are available for cheap purchase at completion of the classes, and space is limited, so contact now if interested!

Activities for Different Learning Styles: Verbal-Linguistic Learners

This post explores different ways to make the most of your learner's learning style and help them become successful learners. Try these techniques and activities to help your verbal-linguistic learners.

Free Chinese Website for TOEFL, GRE, IELTS Test Prep

Do you have a Chinese learner who is preparing for the TOEFL, GRE, or IELTS tests? This bbs (bulletin board system) site is a forum for Chinese speakers preparing for these tests to share tips and experiences.

Activities Fitting Your Learners' Learning Styles: Naturalistic Learners

This post explores different ways to make the most of your learner's learning style and help them become successful learners. Try these techniques and activities to help your naturalistic learners.

Professional Evaluation of Your Learner's Education Credentials

When English Language learners have achieved high levels of education in other countries, they usually need to prove this in order to continue their professional careers in the USA. the Foundation for International Services (FIS) is a non-profit organization with the goal of assisting these people. Find out more about FIS and its services here.

Learning Difficulties: What to Look For

When your learner enters into the English at Large one-to-one tutoring program, they are screened for learning difficulties. It's important to keep an eye out for possible learning difficulties throughout the tutoring sessions. Here are some things to look for.

The Times in Plain English: Easy to Read News Articles

Newspapers and magazines are a wealth of information on every topic imaginable, just waiting to be discovered. However, they can sometimes be tough to read, especially for ESL learners who are working with a limited vocabulary. The Times in Plain English is an online newspaper that takes current articles and provides simple, more understandable versions, perfect for learners.

Interns At Large!

As part of our Winter Newsletter, we've put together profiles of our English At Large interns. Find out more about them here!

Professional Development Day

English At Large's own Irene Walcott summarizes our Professional Development Day. Pictures included!

Extroverts vs Introverts: How to Help Introverts Fit Into American Society

Extroverted people are prized in America. How to help your introverted learner to  feel comfortable learning in American society. Here are some tips

Extroverts vs. Introverts: Who are They? How to Appeal to Different Personality Types

Extroverts and Introverts are two distinct personality types and two distinct learners. How to recognize them and appeal to an extroverted or an introverted learner. Here are some tips.

Learning vs. Acquiring English: the Experiences of a Young Russian (me!)

Don't waste time "teaching" English. Instead, help your learner acquire it. Here are some tips

Beyond the LEA: BEST Plus and TABE CLAS-E Tests

The BEST Plus (Basic English Skills Test) and TABE CLAS-E tests are exercises designed to test your learner's language skills. We use them to measure your learner's progress throughout the one-to-one tutoring program. This brief informational post will teach you more about the two different tests, including how you can become certified to administer them to your learners.

Find out about the Difference between Language Learning and Acquisition.

Language Learning and Acquisition are two different processes. Find out more about them!

TV 411: Interesting, Educational Multimedia for You and Your Learners

The best learning occurs when the learner has a passion and interest for whatever they're doing. Becoming literate in English can be a difficult task, and a good way to keep your learner excited and interested in learning their new language is through the use of multimedia. TV 411 is an educational, fun site full of videos and other resources.

TOEFL Speaking Test: Some Information and Strategies

Some helpful tips and resources for passing the TOEFL Speaking Test from Pete Bush, one of our tutors.