Do you like to read, but not in English?

Daniel, Level 3 Reading Instructor

There is a program for Google Chrome that will translate a few words randomly into any language you choose.  So, if you like to read in your first language and want to start learning new vocabulary then this program may be a good choice for you.

It is called Language Immersion for Chrome, and you can download it from the Chrome Web store.

Once you add the Language Immersion for Chrome App to your Google Chrome browser you will see a new Icon next to the browser page.

When you are ready to try the service, find an article that you want to read and click on the APP.  You will see a box like this:

If the article is originally written in your language, translate it into English.  If the article is in English, translate it into your language.

The “immersion level” is where you choose how much of the article you want translated.

For extra points on an AWL quiz, use this APP to translate an article and tell me if the translation is correct or incorrect.

Send me your answer in an email: dhovey@aum.edu

Effective Writing = Organization

Emily, Level 5 Writing Instructor

Many students wonder how to make their writing more effective, and the answer is quite simple: O-R-G-A-N-I-Z-A-T-I-O-N-!

Yes, organization is a fundamental component to the writing process. In order to write an effective essay, it’s important to first choose the proper method of organization. This sounds easy, but different types of essays have different types of organization.

For example, let’s review one of the basic types of essays—cause-effect. In our Advanced Writing and Grammar class, we have spent time researching the basic organization methods for cause-effect essays: “focus-on-effects” and “focus-on-causes.” These two methods are suitably named because one focuses on effects and, indeed, one focuses on causes.

Focus-on-effects: analyzes the ways in which numerous effects result from one cause

Focus-on-causes: analyzes the ways in which numerous causes lead to one effect

Courtesy of http://www.cherylelliottstudio.com

So, let’s say that you needed to write a cause-effect essay about the picture above. If you were to use the focus-on-effects method, you could focus on the results of the boy receiving a shot.

• Cause: receiving a shot
• Effect 1: tears
• Effect 2: pain
• Effect 3: fear

However, if you were to use the focus-on-causes method, you could write about several causes of the boy crying.

• Effect: the boy is crying
• Cause 1: he is in pain
• Cause 2: he is scared
• Cause 3: he is confused

As you can see, writing an effective cause-effect essay is as easy as pie. Just choose your method and start organizing!

English Table

English Table is a great place to meet new friends, try new food, and practice your English in a practical setting.

Valentine’s Day Customs

These are just a few common customs associated with Valentine’s Day. What is your favorite Valentine’s Day custom?

Valentine’s Week Activities

We’re celebrating the week of love and you can win prizes every day. Make sure and check out all of the different ways you can win this week!

Thursday Movie Day

Join us for Movie Day today at 2:30pm in Room#2. We will be watching Valentine’s Day, a romantic comedy in which couples and singles in Los Angeles break-up and make-up based on the pressures and expectations of Valentine’s Day.

January Acculturation Theme: Martin Luther King, Jr.

‎”The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education.”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

Book Club Begins February 5th

Emily, Book Club Sponsor

The English Book Club is very excited to invite all students currently enrolled in Intensive English classes at levels 3, 4, and 5. Come join us as we read, discuss, and have fun!

We will begin this term by reading Mark Twain’s “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” We hope to see you there!

February 5th Book Club Reading

Mark Twain’s “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.”

Simplified Version: “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”
You can read and listen to the story at http://skyel.net/node/7758

 

Spring-1 2013 New Student Orientation

Orientation for all New F-1 students will be Wednesday, January 23. All new F-1 students should come to room #2 after Grammar/Writing class. If you have any questions, please contact Kylie in the ESL office at 334-244-3131

Placement Test

The placement test for winter courses will be tomorrow from 9:30am – 11:30am in classroom 1 on the 7th floor of the Library Tower.