An ESL blog

I have created a Google custom search engine for English language specific searches. For those who you don’t know what is a custom search engine this FAQ page may help you to get introduced to it.

Some times its very frustrating to get sites in search results which sell some thing while we are looking for some free contents. If you ever encounter this kind of situation you will find custom search engine more helpful because of their targeted niche design.

I have included some quality websites which offer free English language contents. I am not saying it is perfect. Since it is a small niche I hope I can make it a very useful tool by adding more relevant sites. Please suggest sites which offer free English language contents. From now on this search box will appear below each posts.

It was the worst killing in America’s History. On April 16th Monday 32 people at Virginia Tech were killed by a student from the same institution . It was a very tragic incidence, but nobody knows the answers for the similar incidents happens here. One part of the world suffers from war, in this part of the world with so many opportunities to grow why a young mind choses this path.
Two things about this killing arose many questions in mind.

He was very clear about what he wanted to do

The weapons used are legally purchased.

A true hero sacrificed his life to save his students. Dr.Liviu Librescu is 76 years old from Romania a Holocaust survivor. In US president’s words,

We saw this courage in a teacher named Liviu Librescu. With the gunman set to enter his class, this brave professor blocked the door with his body while his students fled to safety. On the Day of Remembrance, this Holocaust survivor gave his own life so that others may live. And this morning we honor his memory and we take strength from his example.

One of the advices I got about learning English is to listen to English songs rather than Indian songs. When I turn to English songs I was bit confused. I never heard about all the artists whose are popular among youngsters here. As far as I know Micheal Jackson, Madonna, Britney Spears, Spicy Girls, Backstreet Boys, those are the well known names there in South Asia. Who are these people Eminem , 50 cents and the other guys. Their tunes are way different than the ones I used to listen. It took me for a while to know that there are various kinds of music: POP,ROCK,RAP and Reggae. Now Rap and Reggae rules.

There are so many Lyrics sites for English songs. Most of them categorise songs by Artists and Albums. For an ESL learner it is a good practice to listen with Lyrics in hand.
I usually go to Lyricsflow.com. It has a very simple and easy navigation.

There is a thread in the forum mybroadband.co.za a user listed negatives and positives of Canada. I agree with most of the points but felt like to write my opinion about some of them.

What Are the Negatives About Canada?

Rules..they have a form for every little thing…and a person capable of French to fill it in and file it.I agree with it. For a new comer there is a form to fill up each month at least for one year.

Soul deadening diplomacy and avoidance..though one learns to read them after a while, it remains a pain.

Unions and protection mechanisms that bedevil one….but they do not kill one another. Hmmmm…some what true

Exceedingly liberal views on almost all social fronts. Conservative views are under unremitting attack. I think this aspect of Canada is changing gradually these days.

What Are the Positives About Canada?

Canada has comparatively easy immigration requirements, compared with the USA and Australia….even if it does not always appear like that.: Yes that’s true. See Toronto with a diverse community.

At government level the country has a compelling desire to have more immigrants…even if it does not always look like it.

After 3 years here, one can apply for citizenship….that’s very quick, even if it does not feel like it.

It is less expensive to get going here than in the UK. Sterling is very dear and life is expensive in the UK.

Canada has a strong Social Security net to catch you if you fall.:Yes Even for those who arrive here as Refugees, they offer every thing to start a new life.

Pretty good government schools (compared with the USA and UK).: I don’t know in which aspect they are good, but gang violence in schools is common in news

A $1,2 trillion USD G7-group* major Western economy.

One of the strongest currencies on Earth that outperformed almost all over the past 5 years

Low inflation of 2.9% so one’s money does not devalue much during retirement.

Low interest rates. Mortgages are around 5%.: Yes..Some where close to 5% right now.

A huge trade surplus with the USA. They buy more from us than we from them. Great! : Yes still hear about issues with USA regarding lumber, beef….now and then.

Easy access to the USA as a Canadian citizen : Not any more it takes more than three hours to pass the land border because of the recent security issues according to the news. People are saying that official are friendlier than the counter parts on the other side of the border.

One of the major resource countries on the planet with huge reserves

The biggest source of imported oil for the USA and, it now appears, Oil Sands reserves trumping the Saudis.: Yes Yes . Alberta’s economy is booming because of the oil sand. There are numerous TV documentaries and articles about the shortage of labour force in Alberta. Alberta government recently passed a law to recruit high school students in workplaces.

Right next door to the USA with its $13 trillion economy, great market and business opportunity

Protected by the NORAD air defense blanket with the USA: Protection??

Very low crime rate…can sleep with the doors open in many places.: Numbers may say that but it is not wise to leave the door open even in the summer time.

Canadians are truly decent people with respect for other people.: Yes Very very. People are very polite and nice

The Canadian culture is sophisticated and totally status-blind.

It is the place to be if one wants a balance between a Social Conscience and The Free Market System: Is it changing now?. With in three years, I can see some changes. Tax for health care,privatization of some government services.

The most welcome passport almost anywhere on the planet.

I didn’t list all of them. You can read the resthere.

Here is an useful article written for ESL teachers. Even though written for teachers I found some of them are valuable advice for an English language learner too. Author use ELL as an acronym for English Language Learners.

Read the rest of the article here.