Site update:
I have added some new content to the junior version of Road to Grammar.
1 For the SIGNS quiz, I have added images to make it more impactful.
URL: http://junior.roadtogrammar.com/?275
2 I have added more content to the Listen and Read activities. There are now 17 listen/read texts in total.
URL: http://junior.roadtogrammar.com/listenandread/
@ is an interesting little symbol. It started life as a short form for "amphora" - a kind of large jug in the ancient world. The, in our modern world, it has become the international symbol for usernames.
English is unfortunately quite boring, we simply call it 'at' or the 'at symbol'.
However, in other languages, the names for this little symbol are much more creative:
Many English words have roots in French, Latin and Greek, but let's not forget about Arabic.
In Arabic, the word for THE is AL-, and this can be seen in many English words, such as:
Algebra
Algorithm
Alchemy
Alcohol
Almanac
Alcove
These words
are usually anglicized (made easier for English speakers to pronounce).
For
example, the word algebra in the original Arabic is “al-jabr” and it
means “the restoration” – referring to restoring (balancing) two sides of an
equation.
I have expanded the quizzes on AM/IS/ARE in the kids' section of Road to Grammar. Previously, there was only one quiz, now there are four:
1 AM/IS/ARE with pronouns.
2 AM/IS/ARE with singular and plural nouns, including names.
3 AM/IS/ARE with various tenses, passive voice and uncountable nouns
4 Question form of AM/IS/ARE
You can view the kid-friendly materials here:
http://junior.roadtogrammar.com/
Screenshots:
Technically, future forms are not tenses, I know. But for the sake of convenience, I'm including them in this handy chart.
On the junior version of the site, I have placed a series of simple listening and reading activities that I have developed while teaching a private student. There are six at the moment, but I will add more as I develop them for my student.
With each one, there is a short listening activity (around 50 words) where the user has to click on four words that they hear. After finding all of the words, they click on the picture to reveal the text.
With my own student, I usually listen two or three times before trying the answers. Then I ask him to read out the text for pronunciation practice.
You can find the index page here:
http://junior.roadtogrammar.com/listenandread/
Screenshots:
Negative inversion refers to where we invert the normal sentence structure and begin a sentence with an adverb or adverbial phrase instead.
An example is: Never have I seen such a thing! (The normal structure is: I have never seen such a thing!)
As always, the quiz has accompanying notes, PDF and audio:
Quiz page: http://roadtogrammar.com?373
Notes: http://www.roadtogrammar.com/notes/?ref=125b
Screenshot:
Road to Grammar's "Vocab Gym" is a series of short vocabulary topics for self-study or for teachers to use with their classes.
Each one has five or more vocabulary items presented as a MCQ quiz, with a picture and audio clip.
The two new topics added this month are WAYS TO COOK EGGS and WAYS TO COOK POTATOES.
The links are below. Enjoy!
Ways to cook eggs:
http://www.roadtogrammar.com/vocabgym/?46
Ways to cook potatoes:
http://www.roadtogrammar.com/vocabgym/?47
I'm putting together a suite of custom GPTs to support ESL learners.
This is custom GPT number eleven, and the last one for now.
This simple GPT gives the user a verb at random, plus a verb tense, also at random. The user is then prompted to make a sentence with the verb in the given tense.
Finally, the GPT will give feedback on whether the sentence is correct or not.
It's a great way to practice verb tense skills.
(ChatGPT account required).
URL:
Sample:
I'm putting together a suite of custom GPTs to support ESL learners.
This is custom GPT number ten.
This GPT allows learners to practice debate topics.
There are 40 scenarios to choose from (or you can choose at random or suggest your own). The GPT will describe the situation and provide some phrases that you can use.
After the conversation ends, the GPT will provide feedback on your language skills (see below).
It's a great way to practice business English, especially if you use the microphone for voice input.
(ChatGPT account required).
URL:
https://chatgpt.com/g/g-6758f31a0cf48191b8800ff7b97e8bbd-business-english-role-plays-by-road-to-grammar
Sample:
I'm putting together a suite of custom GPTs to support ESL learners.
This is custom GPT number nine.
This GPT allows learners to practice debate topics.
There are 40 topics to choose from (or you can choose at random or suggest your own). You can choose FOR or AGAINST and you can either choose to start or let the GPT go first.
It's a great way to practice both debating skills and language skills.
(ChatGPT account required).
URL:
https://chatgpt.com/g/g-675f8a58faf481919295ba730c665205-debate-practice-by-road-to-grammar
Sample:
I'm putting together a suite of custom GPTs to support ESL learners.
This is custom GPT number eight.
This GPT allows learners to practice PART 2 of the IELTS speaking test.
You can write out the answer or use the microphone for input on your phone.
Once you give your answer, the GPT will give the following detailed feedback, matching what examiners mark:
1 Fluency and Coherence
2 Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)
3 Grammatical Range and Accuracy
4 Pronunciation
Teachers: recommend this to your IELTS students or try it together with them.
(ChatGPT account required).
URL:
https://chatgpt.com/g/g-6752670559d88191a3ceb042122e24ce-ielts-speaking-practice-by-road-to-grammar
Sample:
I'm putting together a suite of custom GPTs to support ESL learners.
This is custom GPT number seven.
This GPT is focused on business English and offers a list of 26 topics to discuss.
You can do it as a writing exercise or as a speaking exercise, using the microphone for input on your phone.
Once you give your answer, the GPT will give the following detailed feedback:
1 Grammar
2 General English level
3 Vocabulary
4 Positive feedback
5 One main thing to improve
Teachers: recommend this to your business English students or try it together with them.
(ChatGPT account required).
URL:
Sample:
I'm putting together a suite of custom GPTs to support ESL learners.
This is custom GPT number six.
This GPT provides short writing topics and gives custom feedback.
It starts by asking your level (choose basic, intermediate or advanced). Then, it will give you a writing topic suited to that level. When you submit the writing, you will get feedback on:
1 Vocabulary
2 Grammar
3 Punctuation and spelling
4 Sentence structure
5 Flow and readability
Teachers: recommend this to your students or try it together with them.
(ChatGPT account required).
URL:
https://chatgpt.com/g/g-67550fa1a2008191abbdeba4202fd1cd-esl-writing-practice-by-road-to-grammar
Sample:
Site update: I have added some new content to the junior version of Road to Grammar. 1 For the SIGNS quiz, I have added images to make it mo...
