Happy New Year 2015

I want to wish everyone a joyous new year. May you have the courage and strength to face any challenge that comes your way this year. Feel free to post your own message here.

Christmas is Coming!

Christmas is almost here, and for many children, it is an exciting time. Listen to this recording I did years ago with my own children on their hopes for Christmas:

http://www.esl-lab.com/santa/santard1.htm

Winter Sports

What winter activity combines excitement and slight danger? Watch this video and find out:

http://esl-lab.com/kinder/wintersports-video.htm

Class Reunions

So, do you want to know what happened to your classmates from years ago? Well, in my newest listening activity, two old friends run into each other and plan to attend the next class reunion. Give it a try:

http://esl-lab.com/classreunion/classreunionrd1.htm

Health Clubs

Have you ever had trouble meeting new people? Well, in my newest conversation, a man gets into trouble at a health club as he tries to impress a woman. Give it a try:

http://esl-lab.com/healthclub/healthclubrd1.htm

Diet Plan

So, have you every heard of the Wafu Diet? In my newest listening activity, I play the role of a man who leads a very unhealthy lifestyle and what advice he receives to change his life for the better.

http://esl-lab.com/dietplan/dietplanrd1.htm

Culture Videos - esl-lab.com

I now have 75 culture videos on my Web site, esl-lab.com, and I always appreciate your comments about them. Now, I am looking for more ideas on future culture videos, so please share your suggestions. They are fun to create:

http://esl-lab.com/videoclips.htm

Swimming and Learning English

Watch me describe how swimming in a cold mountain lake is like learning English -

Animal Care in Public

Many people around the world enjoy caring for their animal companions, but how should you care for them out in public? Watch my newest video activity on the topic and share your ideas. Here are some of our pets on a walk in the mountains.

http://esl-lab.com/family1/animalcare-video.htm

Alcoholics Anonymous

Although most people remember the humorous listening activities on my Web sites, I have a number of topics that deal with serious issues including drinking and the effects it can have on families. Here is one example:

http://esl-lab.com/dui/duird1.htm

World Cup Soccer

The Soccer World Cup has been exciting to watch over the past few weeks, and now we are down to Germany and Argentina in the final. However, what if they were to play IN THE SNOW? My son and I have played soccer under such conditions, but you might ask why. Take a look at this video activity on my site.

http://esl-lab.com/worldcupsoccer/soccer-video.htm

Living in Utah

I always enjoy sharing information about the state of Utah in the United States, and here is my newest video on one aspect of this unique place:

http://esl-lab.com/trip1/utahdesert-video.htm

Drivers with Disabilities

Providing services for people who deal with different disabilities is an important issue in society today. One of situations that faces many is the ability to drive and get to where they need to go. In my newest video, I discuss this specific issue as it pertains to life in Utah.

http://esl-lab.com/drive/parking-video.htm

Learning English Faster

Above all else, I have been asked about 232,432 times (somewhat joking here) by students on the best and fastest way to learn English. Some students are frustrated by their lack of progress or want to pass a test to enter a good university. There is no single answer, but I have some suggestions on what has worked for me and for my own students. Don't be looking for any easy answer. It takes work, but here are my ideas. Share what has worked for you, too.

http://esl-lab.com/faq.htm#english

Reaching Your Goals

No matter where we currently are in life, we often want to reach higher goals (what I call, "rising to higher ground). This includes learning English. However, just with running in the mountains, you often have to pass through deep valleys to reach the summit or top of the mountain. Life can be very hard, but hard times are really what define and make us who we are. Without the hard times, we don't progress. Here is a video I created while running in the mountains of Utah on the topic.

Life Changes

At times, people often make bad choices that lead to negative consequences. So, how can people repair their lives when things go wrong? Watch my newest video on the topic:

http://esl-lab.com/parenting/lifechanges-video.htm

Commuter Train - esl-lab.com

So, you might wonder: Does Randall drive in a nice, fancy car to work every day? Huh, guess again! I take the train just like so many people. Watch my newest video on the topic and learn more about my trip to work. How do you get to school and work? Share your own experiences:

http://esl-lab.com/train/commutertrain-video.htm

Unique School Classes - esl-lab.com

What? Modern dance? Marching band? Floral design and auto mechanics? Many international students are often surprised at the unique types of classes sometimes offered in schools in the United States. In my newest video, I introduce a class that you may never see in some places, but it is popular for many students. Give it a try. Do schools in area or country offer something similar? Share your comments:

http://esl-lab.com/grades/schoolclasses-video.htm

Good Neighbors

Have you ever had problems with neighbors ? Well, developing good friendships doesn't happen overnight, and there can be cultural differences from country to country and place to place. Watch my newest video on the topic:

http://esl-lab.com/live/neighbor-video.htm

Children's Voices in Language Learning

One of the main reasons I started my Web site (esl-lab.com) was to provide students opportunities to hear children's voices. You don't usually hear young voices in most English textbooks. Here is one of my original recordings made many years ago, but it is still one of my favorites:

http://esl-lab.com/elem/elemrd1.htm

Private Language Tutor

Have you ever had a bad day? Well, in my newest listening activity, a man has an unusual encounter at the front door. Something very unexpected. How would you feel in his situation? Give it a try:

http://esl-lab.com/privatetutor/privatetutor-rd1.htm

Bus Travel Across America

Traveling in a new country can be a WILD experience, and even in your own country, you can meet a lot of interesting people. In my newest listening conversation, join this woman on the ride of her life with her new friend. How would you feel in this situation? What would you do?

http://esl-lab.com/bustrip/bustrip-rd1.htm

Smart Phones

A common topic of discussion is the use of cell phones in our daily lives. In my newest listening activity, meet a young man who has an interesting perspective on cell phones and why he wants one. Do you know anyone like him? Enjoy:

http://esl-lab.com/smartphone/smartphonerd1.htm

What are your thoughts on the topic? Is a cell phone a necessity in today's life for all people? How about children under 10 years old? Should teenagers pay some of the expense?  Share your ideas.

Airline Safety

Here's my newest listening activity. If you have ever had a terrible day at an airport, then you might understand how this man feels . . . except he caused his own problems. He didn't think and prepare ahead. Give it a try:

http://esl-lab.com/airline/airlinerd1.htm

Dinner Recipes at Home

So, what do families in the US really eat for dinner? Well, join me in our kitchen to find out the Davis family does for this meal:

http://esl-lab.com/cook/dinnertime-video.htm

Valentine's Day - esl-lab.com

Happy Valentine's Day! Having only been married 25+ years (which seems like a short time), keeping a relationship alive requires a lot of patience, selflessness, and compassion. And yes, love in a marriage only gets better with effort. You don't have to be perfect; just willing to understand. Here is a video I created on the topic:

http://esl-lab.com/anniversary/familyrelationships-video.htm

Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day around the corner, I thought I would share some of my favorite listening activities on the topic. And some advice to men: don't just give flowers one time a year. Make every day special.

http://esl-lab.com/flowershop/flowershoprd1.htm

New Year's Resolutions

At the beginning of the new year, many people try to make changes in their lives with new goals. Watch my video on the topic to get you started with ideas on how to be successful:

http://www.esl-lab.com/seasons/newyear-video.htm

 

 

 

Randall