English Grammar HELP and Podcasts for the Inquisitive ESL Student: We're Interactive!-logo

English Grammar HELP and Podcasts for the Inquisitive ESL Student: We're Interactive!

Language Learning

Stop by our friendly HELP! Desk, where English grammar is made easy to understand. Listen to an audio of a story written by an ESL student. Ask that question that you've needed an answer to. We have the answers for you, whether you are a native speaker or somebody learning English as a Second Language, whether you are a student or writing a business letter. A new podcast every week.

Location:

United States

Description:

Stop by our friendly HELP! Desk, where English grammar is made easy to understand. Listen to an audio of a story written by an ESL student. Ask that question that you've needed an answer to. We have the answers for you, whether you are a native speaker or somebody learning English as a Second Language, whether you are a student or writing a business letter. A new podcast every week.

Twitter:

@ESLTutorial

Language:

English


Episodes

My Pet, My Dog: Americans' Love Affair with Pets

11/10/2010
Americans are in love with pets: dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, birds, and more! Some Americans even have pet rocks! Today we interview one American dog owner; join us for a fun interview!

Duration:00:04:14

Noun-Pronoun Agreement: Mr. President and the First Lady

11/2/2010
Nouns ("Mr. President") and pronouns ("he") must get along in English! They must agree about things like person (I, you, he/she/it, they) and number (singular or plural). In today's podcast, we practice with agreement of nouns and pronouns and listen to some examples from your essays. And there are opportunities for you to practice as well. And Mrs. President? She must be in agreement as well.

Duration:00:03:29

What Is a Verb? We Podcast about English Grammar

10/17/2010
What is a verb? For the learner of English, the answer isn't always so obvious. In today's podcast, we learn the difference between time reference and verb tense. Join us as we explore the past, the present and the future!

Duration:00:03:27

English Grammar: Gerunds and Infinitive Phrases_Pattern_4

10/15/2010
Next in our series in English grammar: gerunds and infinitive phrases! In this podcast lesson, we discuss the pattern Verb + Noun or Pronoun + Infinitive Phrase.

Duration:00:04:21

English Grammar: Gerunds and Infinitive Phrases_10_2

10/13/2010
If you want to be confused with English grammar, just look at the problem of gerunds and infinitive phrases! At the ESL Help! Desk, with our podcasts, we make it easy for you. In this lesson, we discuss verbs when the object is an infinitive phrase.

Duration:00:03:39

Present Perfect Continuous: How've You Been Feeling Lately?

9/9/2009
Ever wonder when to use present perfect continuous? Ever wonder how it's different from present perfect? Here we will answer your questions and give you lots of examples from authentic language.

Duration:00:04:54

Imperatives and Commands: Have a Nice Summer!

6/16/2009
Want to learn how to express a command? Here we teach you positive ("do") and negative ("don't") commands. And we wish you a good summer at the same time!

Duration:00:06:02

Paper or Plastic?

2/12/2009
Here's a lesson in which you can learn how to save money, save energy, save the Earth, and improve your English grammar all at the same time!

Duration:00:05:01

Barak Obama: A New Day for the USA

1/20/2009
Today is the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America. Millions are taking to the National Mall in Washington DC to witness Barak Obama take the Oath of Office. Mr. Obama is making history: He is the first person of African-American heritage to become the leader of our nation. Come join us as we watch history being made.

Duration:00:05:27

I Hate Finals!

12/17/2008
Do you hate finals? If you are or have every been a college student or a college teacher, or the parent of a college student, you know how stressful final exams can be. We're going to discuss finals, listen to some of the complaints people have about them, and listen to some suggestions about how to deal with the anxiety and stress of final exams.

Duration:00:05:07

The Inner Circle

3/25/2008
This week we are kicking off a new feature for our users - the Inner Circle. The Inner Circle is for learners of all levels - beginner, intermediate, and advanced. In each of the Inner Circle's weekly lessons, you are presented with three mini-lessons, which feature the writing of other learners of English from all over the world. One writer might be from your native country! We know you'll enjoy reading these lessons and essays. Read an essay that has grammar errors in it; correct the...

Duration:00:04:19

The Green Monster: Hold, Please.

3/25/2008
Tired of being put on hold while you're on the telephone? We'll take you to a baseball game and give you a little practical knowledge about dealing - in English - with this frustrating but common experience.

Duration:00:03:55

Traffic

12/5/2007
Beep, Honk, Honk...Do you find yourself stuck in traffic more often than you would like to? Like it or not, traffic is a topic of conversation in our lives. In today's podcast and communication lesson, we will talk about traffic and learn useful vocabulary for such discussions.

Duration:00:02:40

Gerunds and Infinitive: More Grammar!

11/15/2007
Are you thirsty for grammar? Don't know when to say "I love to ski" and when to say "I love skiing"? Don't know the difference between "Did you remember to go?" and "Did you remember going?" Stop by today for an introductory lesson in gerunds and infinitive phrases.

Duration:00:04:16

What Should I Bring? Wine, Beer or Chips?

11/7/2007
Have you ever been invited to a social gathering and not known what to bring your host or hostess? Should you bring wine? Chips? Or nothing at all? In today's podcast, you will learn all about our social customs and you will learn how to communicate successfully and appropriately in this situation.

Duration:00:04:07

The Nine Answers Podcast for Learners of English

10/23/2007
Nine thoughtful and entertaining answers to nine thoughtful and clever questions! Listen to the answers, and see if you can figure out the questions! Then do the additional listening activities provided by this week's podcast, guaranteed to improve your listening comprehension.

Duration:00:06:01

He's Always Talking about Grammar

10/17/2007
Is your English teacher always talking about grammar? Does he or she expect you to know how to identify the subject and verb of a sentence? Do you think that knowing this helps you to communicate better in English? Here is a podcast for those of you who love grammar, and for those of you who hate it!

Duration:00:03:06

Dear Help Desk, Part 2

7/10/2007
Perhaps you have to write a formal business letter in English, and you do not know how to end your letter. Using the wrong closure could be disastrous if you're trying to get a job or be admitted into a special program. Should you end with "Thanks", with "Yours", or with "Respectfully"? This lesson is second in a series that will tell you important information about the language and culture of writing formal letters in English.

Duration:00:08:32

Solving Family Problems

6/28/2007
How does your family solve its problems? Do you have regular and open communication with each other? Come and listen to our podcast, in which we listen to an essay written by Adimir Ramos, in which he describes his family's way of dealing with each other's needs.

Duration:00:05:27

Dear Help Desk, Part One,

6/18/2007
Perhaps you have to write a formal business letter in English, and you do not know how to even begin! Should you write "Dear Jane" or "My Dear Jane"? Should you comment on the weather or ask the reader how his family is? This lesson will tell you important information about the language and culture of writing letters in English.