ESL Teachers' Blog of Substance

ESL Lesson on American Political Parties

With the Democratic National Convention in Denver this week and the Republican National Convention in Saint Paul next week, this might be a good time to explain what political parties are to your intermediate ESL and ELL students.  I hope my short lesson on American political parties will help.  It identifies the two major parties and reviews a few basic facts.  I tried to be fair and non-biased in my simple explanations.  I hope that most teachers plan to watch both conventions.  Political conventions nowadays are much more polished and slick than when I was a young voter living on the south side of Chicago in the seventies.  I miss the homemade signs and hats of yesteryear.  Political conventions had more of a zoo-like atmosphere back then.

Temecula California Wine Country Tour

My friend and I went on a wine tasting jeep tour of Temecula, Califorina, during summer vacation.  It was a five hour tour of four wineries and vineyards.  Our guide was great and I'd recommend his company to anyone interested in learning about how wines are made or about the history and economy of Temecula.  He also recommeneded that we consider going on a hot air balloon ride.  Teachers, if you're in Southern California and want something new to do before the new school year starts, visit Sunrider Wine Tours and book a tour.  You might want to also stop by the children's museum.

Labor Day Unit for ESL Teachers

Labor Day is Monday, September 1, so if you're looking for holiday material, take a look at my three-page Labor Day unit.  It includes photos, a brief description about the holiday, and some free support material for ESL teachers and students. 

Summer Olympics for ESL Students

If you're teaching ESL this summer, I just want to remind you that I've posted a lesson about the Summer Olympics in China.  It's a three-page unit, and it includes support material such as worksheets, maps, a handwriting exercise, and a video presentation. 

Earthquake Here in Southern California

First there was a sharp thud, then there was rolling.  I thought the thud was an intruder in the house, so I was actually relieved when I realized that it was an earthquake.  That is until the quake kept rolling.  It lasted longer than usual.  I was on the phone talking to a woman who was in LA, and I felt it first.  She got under the desk, and we kept talking.  When it stopped she hung up to call her kids.

My daughter Candice was at a gas station is Huntington Beach filling her car and a sign fell and hit her on the head.  It left a red bump on her forehead.  Her friend was sitting on the bedroom floor putting on her makeup when the mirror she had propped up against the dresser fell and broke on her face.  Some small pieces of glass lodged in her face.  Her mom's taking her to the hospital to have her eyes checked for glass.

Luckily, we're all okay.  I might pick up some more bottled water just in case there's another one.