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About This Site

This website was conceived and built while I (Stephen Silvers) was an English teacher/translator at CT-PIM, a science and technology center for the industrial pole of Manaus, a city located in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil.  Originally built as an in-company language-learning resource, it has been completely redesigned and is now open to the general public.

This site is intended as an on-line study and language resource for EFL/ESL learners and teachers.  By “learner” is meant not only someone who is studying in a school setting, but also anyone who is interested in improving his or her command of English. Teachers can use it to find explanations, exercises, and materials to use in their classes. In particular, they can recommend specific sites and pages for their students to study.

 

Most of the links are self-evident, but maybe a few words of explanation would be beneficial. The general sites are just that, sites that have a little bit of everything, usually at least grammar and vocabulary and almost always much more. All of the other links are to specific skills or areas of interest. The links magazines, newspapers and news, strange and amusing, the advice column and today in history are intended to offer interesting and entertaining readings. Also, they can be a good source for teachers to find extra classroom materials. For example, I often used material from the advice column in my conversation classes.

 

I have tried to find sites that are didactically sound, easy-to-use, and visually unpolluted, with not too much crowded onto the page. For the most part, I believe I have succeeded. Almost all of the sites are easy to use; however, in a few instances, where I felt it would be helpful, I have included my own notes/tutorials.

There are countless sites for EFL/ESL learners, and thus there are certainly other valuable sites that I have missed. Nevertheless, I believe that I have made a good selection, a selection that will provide many hours of quality language practice to anyone who is willing to invest a little time and effort. Remember “no pain, no gain.”

I've tried to find sites that are didactically sound, easy-to-use, and visually unpolluted...

Stephen Silvers, ESL Station

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