Judging from accounts of hallway and classroom discourse in Frederick County Public Schools, the number of English-as-a-Second-Language students is nearing majority status. This determination is surmised from reports made primarily by kids making the transition from elementary to junior high school. By their accounts, the pervading conversations they witness are dominated by profanity, with most forms of expression translated into four-letter words prior to delivery.

The shock and awe registered among parents of first-year junior high schoolers is well-founded. Follow-up queries locally and nationwide reveal that cuss control is a major challenge among junior high and high schools everywhere. (more…)

Learning is a great trip on itself. It does not matter if you are learning another language, or a new craft, or about your new date! It’s always a journey because it is discovery! However, like a good treasure map that needs to be clear and show you how to find the X, so must be the learning process to your discovery, whatever it may be. If all what you have in your map is what to find and what route to take, but no clue on how to walk the path, your journey can become more of a frustration than a realization.

There is a marked difference between the two segments of English education (you may already know it, or not): English as a Foreign Language (EFL) is the English that foreigners learn still in their own countries, to use the language for work purposes, or trips, or personal interests. English as a Second Language (ESL) is the English for immigrants who use the language everyday while living in the country where English is spoken. There is a subtle difference in the process of teaching both EFL and ESL, where in the first it’s more detailed and down to a narrow scope. EFL can focus on one specific purpose (English for traveling, or for a specific career) whereas ESL is broad and brings day by day aspects of life. It’s more “alive” and general. (more…)