ESL Articles
A selection of posts on learning English as a second or foreign languageMore posts
A Tip for the Possessive Apostrophe
Apostrophes need not be learning catastrophes
by Rolf Palmberg
Poolside Interview with Peter Tuinstra
Meet Thailand's American superstar in this interview with Josef Essberger.
Poolside Interview with Brian Boyd
Josef Essberger interviews the creator of Grammarman, the world's first and only grammar superhero.
Successful Public Speaking in English
Josef Essberger
How to prepare and give the perfect presentation in English.
Poolside Interview with Matt Errey
Josef Essberger interviews the inventor of Word Up, the popular ESL board game.
Listening - A good way to learn English
Weena Kanadpon
Are you still a baby?
The First Christmas Card
Josef Essberger
Today, we send millions of Christmas cards every year. But in fact the Christmas card is a relatively modern invention.
Informal Contractions
Josef Essberger
What do words like "gonna" and "wanna" mean?
Speaking versus Writing
Josef Essberger
The pen is mightier than the spoken word - or is it?
English is Not Phonetic
Josef Essberger
Spelling and pronunciation are not the same in English.
Five Tips for Easy Email
Josef Essberger
How to write "good" emails and make life easier for everyone.
The Olympic Games
Keith Landry
This article tells the story of the Olympic Games from ancient to modern times, and describes the symbols, music, medals, motto, people and events.
40,000,000 Christmas Puddings! That's a lot of Pudding!
Josef Essberger
As the year draws to a close, people in Britain tuck in to one of their favourite traditional recipes.
Homestay for Language Holidays - and More
Jim Porter
The benefits of staying with a family when studying English abroad - or even when not studying!
Language Holidays - What are they and Why?
Josef Essberger
The benefits of learning English on a Study Abroad program.
Improve your English through Reading
Josef Essberger
How to make progress by reading.
"Ghoti" = "Fish"
Josef Essberger
English is not phonetic. Why you can't tell how to pronounce a word by looking at it.
Job Letters in English
Josef Essberger
How to write letters of application to go with your CV or resume.
Tips for Language Learning
Susan Ernenwein
Here are some suggestions to help you practise your language skills.
Famous Quotations
Josef Essberger
A "quotation" is usually a short text - perhaps one or two sentences - written or spoken by one (usually famous) person and often repeated or at least known by others.
How to Make Progress in English through homestay
Christine Robbins
Living with your teacher.
Chatting in English
Josef Essberger
How to practise your English by chatting online.
What's IN a Preposition?
Josef Essberger
When is a preposition not a preposition?
Self-Study = Distance Learning
Stephen Orr
How computers and language learning software are giving learners more options.
Grammar is your Friend
Josef Essberger
How grammar can help you to learn a language more easily.
Letter Writing
Josef Essberger
A guide to writing letters in English.
Millennium - 2000 or 2001?
Josef Essberger
When does a century change?
e-ENGLISH IYKWIM ;-)
Josef Essberger
Internet abbreviations, codes and lingo.
Your CV or Resume in English
Josef Essberger
How to write your CV or resume in English.
Better Homework, Revision & Examinations
Josef Essberger
Tips for making progress.
Word and Sentence Stress - The Key to English Pronunciation
Josef Essberger
Why stress can help your pronunciation.
Practising English outside School
Josef Essberger
How you can still make progress even when you're not at school.