Determiners are words used before a noun or noun phrase. These words give context, and provide a detailed reference or specification. They give information about a noun. The most common determiners are the, an, and a. The is considered to be a definite determiner, while a and an are considered to be indefinite determiner. Words […]
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All About Adverbs
An adverb is a word which modifies a sentence or parts of a sentence like a verb, adjective, determiner, or noun phrase. Adverbs make an appearance to make clear variables such as time, manner, location, frequency. Adverbs also answer important questions such as how?, when?, where?, to what degree?, In what way? Adverbs may be […]
How to Use Social Media as a Tool for Learning
Social media is everywhere. Someone recently remarked that nobody uses certain social media language abbreviations such as BRB anymore. And why? Well, because now there is no BRB. You aren’t coming back to anything, because it is always with you. Back when chatrooms were confined to the computer, you actually had to come back to […]
Ginger Grammar Check Keeps Your Writing in Check
There are several grammar checkers out there, and they all have their advantages and disadvantages. The important thing to understand about grammar checkers is that none of them is perfect. It isn’t easy creating a grammar checking algorithm. Unlike spelling checkers, which are checking for something which seldom changes and is relatively constant and widespread, […]
Video Games in the Classroom
In a recent interview conducted with Prof. Jordan Shapiro of Temple University, he stated that although digital tools such as video games can be very beneficial for learning, nothing will ever replace a good teacher. Good teachers can be found in schools everywhere, regardless of whether its a public vs private school education or the particular […]
Silent Letters
One of the more annoying things about the English language is its high content of silent letters. A whopping 60% of English words include silent letters in them. These letters can create a problem for both writers and readers, and certainly for those of us who are studying English as a second language. Many English […]
How to Motivate Students
Keeping students motivated is one of the greatest all time mysteries. To me, it seems that motivation is a lot easier in younger grades. During higher education schooling, many students already have some desire to stay motivated in order to succeed, so a lot of that burden falls on them in the form of self-motivation. […]
English Grammar: Hyphens and Dashes Pt. 2
Unorganized text creates a mess in a person’s mind. It is a lot more difficult to read than text that is properly written and formatted. Aside from the aesthetics of words and writing, there is also the question of plain, old-fashioned readability (or lack of it). Is the text readable? Is it understandable? Because of […]
The Search Continues: Best Grammar Checking Software
Many of us can’t remember what we did before spellcheck came along. It makes life so much easier. Though some English Lit majors will undoubtedly grumble and stamp their feet at this, saying that this kind of software is the downfall of English itself – it is a fact that such grammar software is helpful, […]
Creating a Safe Classroom Environment
Establishing a safe and comfortable environment in the classroom – indeed, in the entire school – is crucial. Part of the teacher’s job to create that environment, and make sure that the classroom is a space where education and learning can take place. Safety in the Classroom Students are a shifty bunch, be they in […]