Writing is an essential and integral part of the education process across all levels. It is the major way through which examiners and instructors gauge a student’s understanding and grasp the concepts, theories and philosophies taught in class. In order for an ESL student to show mastery of a given subject or topic, it is vital that they know and possess certain tools that are pertinent to effective and efficient writing. This article will critically look at these tools and provide valid reasons as to why they are important for any and all ESL student writers.
The Internet
In the 21st century, technology has revolutionized every sector of human living. Education has also been affected positively by technology in the form of the Internet. This is owing to the fact that the Internet is the largest database of information in the world. It contains information pertaining to any and all fields of education and knowledge in their updated form. Information on the Internet is constantly updated, so to keep it both relevant and usable by any interested party. This makes the Internet a very important tool for research, one which every ESL student writer should know about and have at their disposal. 
The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
According to writing experts at SolidEssay.com, every given assignment or paper has its own specifications concerning the formatting and citation style to be employed in the writing of the paper. Currently, there are four types of citation styles that are mainly used by most universities around the world; namely APA, MLA, Harvard and Chicago (Turabian). However, there are other citation styles that are not predominantly used by education institutions. The Purdue Online Writing Lab is the most recognized and internationally accepted source of the most recent updates and changes to these citation styles. In order for an ESL student writer to be accurate and up-to-date with these citation styles, they ought to be able to access the Purdue Online Writing Lab through the link https://owl.english.purdue.edu/. This website provides all the citation styles and paper formatting requirements related to each citation style. It is vital that every ESL student writer knows how to properly and adequately format their paper and cite all sources according to the required citation style.
E-Journals
Journals have been important tools for academic researchers and scholars from time immemorial. These journals provided all information pertaining to a given subject or field. However, the most important aspect of journals is the fact that all information contained in any given journal has to be accredited and approved by a standing body of authority within the given scientific field. This makes journals a very crucial source of information for an ESL student writer as they assert the credibility and authenticity of the information presented by the given writer. Electronic journals provide such services at the convenience of the writer. It is therefore important that all ESL student writers have access to electronic journals so as to add credibility to their research.
Online Libraries
Books are an integral part of any given research. This is because for almost any given research topic, someone has conducted a research on it and written a book. This information is crucial to act as a foundation for any given research, whether it is a research on the same topic, or a progressive research to further knowledge on the given topic. It is important that all ESL student writes have access to online libraries, be it regular online libraries or online university libraries, with an adequate number of books as sources for foundational information for their research.
In conclusion, the Internet is a fundamental tool for all ESL student writers; it contains every possible tool and resource that the writer may require to complete any given work of writing. Some of the important and helpful tools on the Internet such as the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL), e-journals and online libraries help make one’s research process easier and effective. It is vital that ESL student writers know and possess these tools that are pertinent to effective and efficient writing.


Ben Russel is a freelance writer contributing to various educational websites and academic writing websites. One of his recent posts is on how to write a good college application essay. 

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Of the many resources and opportunities available to students on college campuses, few rival the internship’s return on investment. An internship can help a student narrow down his or her intended fields or areas of interest, as well as expose students to new ideas, help them develop new passions, and enable them to form relationships that will be of tremendous benefit after they graduate.
These opportunities are generally open to all students in the United States, but securing an internship as an international student can add a new layer of challenge to an already difficult process. If you are thinking about how to find, secure, and make the best use of any potential internship opportunities in your area, consider the following items before starting your search:
1. You must distinguish yourself
Just like an employment search, an internship search takes time, care, and attention to detail. Internships are often in short supply, and there may be considerable competition for the most attractive positions. This is in part because internships can serve as a springboard to a strong career, as well as because they offer the opportunity to form connections with those individuals who are well established in your intended field. Given this competition, you might wonder how you can get your proverbial foot in the door.
The best place to begin is by ensuring that your name and/or work is recognized by others in your field. Rather than rush into an internship this semester, set a goal of securing one in the following semester. In the meantime, you can establish an online presence by participating in groups or message boards that are related to your subject, or by starting a blog. You can also reach out to faculty or community members who work in your area—once you have, ask for their advice. The objective is to make yourself more recognizable, which can be done in a number of creative ways. No matter what approach you ultimately decide to take, remember that this is not the time to be modest about your accomplishments.
2. It is wise to begin with the international student services office
One reason that it may be more difficult for international students to secure an internship is because there are certain regulations that dictate what international students can and cannot do in regards to employment. These regulations can be complicated, and they are very important, so do not ignore them or rely on secondhand information from friends.
Instead, visit your school’s international student services office. This office exists to assist students with situations like the one above. Before submitting any applications or resumes, check in with the international student services office to gather all the necessary need-to-know information. The office may also be aware of certain internship opportunities that are specifically designed for international students.
3. You should feel free to ask questions
When it comes time to start your career, there are few things on your resume more valuable than professional experience. This is why internships are so important, and it is also why you should make the most of your internship experience. If you are relatively unfamiliar with the sub-field in which you ultimately intern, use the opportunity to gain new skills and to gain insight into the nuances and specific tasks required of employees or specialists.
This is also the perfect time to ask as many questions as possible. Depending on your personality or culture, you may not feel entirely comfortable asking questions of your supervisor, but that is precisely what an internship is intended for. In fact, most supervisors expect that interns will have many questions, and they are usually more than happy to answer them. 
When your internship is over, you want to be able to leave with as much new knowledge and understanding as possible, so be observant, work hard, and be sure to ask questions.
David White is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world's largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors.

This article is intended as a lesson suggestion for English teachers and is part of the ESL.com series 'ESL for Teachers.' 
Today's lesson comes courtesy of Kevin Fabris and Easy ESL Games. 
This is quite possibly the easiest ESL game of all time.  A childhood favorite in almost every language that goes by many names.  I call it Watermelon.
he rules are simple. One person describes a person, place or thing WITHOUT using it’s name. Instead the person must refer to the person, place or thing only as “my watermelon”.  The other players must then try to guess what the “watermelon” is.

The Details:

• This game is ideal for smaller groups.  Anywhere from 2 - 6 members.
  
• There are no materials required.
  
• It can be played by students with almost any level of English ability. However I find that if students are older than 10 it tends to work better.
  

How to:

1. Split your class into groups of between 2 and 5 students.  
   
2. Choose a player to go first.
   
3. That student must think of a person, place or thing and describe it without saying it’s name.  It must always be referred to as “my watermelon”.
   
4. Other group members are allowed to ask questions about the “watermelon” but they must call it “your watermelon”.
   

Speaker - My watermelon is cute.
Speaker - My watermelon is furry.
Speaker - My watermelon is named Fido.
Group Member - Is your watermelon a dog?
Speaker - Yes it is!

1. The first group member to guess what the “watermelon” is wins.
   
2. Switch speakers and repeat steps 2 - 5 as desired.
   

This game is very effective as a warm-up, application or just for fun.  It helps students practice fluency, vocabulary, listening and circumlocution.  

Have you ever used this game in your ESL classroom?  Do you have a different name or use slightly different rules?  If you have any great tweaks on this classic game I’d love to hear them.​

Enjoy!

If you are currently working your way through the college application process, you have no doubt realized that your test scores are an important factor in whether or not you receive an acceptance letter. Although exam results are not the only items that admissions departments consider, as an international student, your score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (or TOEFL) is a significant portion of your application.
Fortunately, with a commitment to studying and working hard, there is no reason why you should not do well on this exam. Nevertheless, when it comes to the TOEFL, there are several common missteps that many people make during the prep process: 
1. Assuming that the TOEFL is a general study of the English language
Like other standardized tests, the TOEFL has a particular structure, and you will be asked certain types of questions about specific material. The exam is designed in this way because colleges and universities are less interested in how well you speak conversational English than they are in your ability to translate quickly and respond thoughtfully. 
Rather than assuming that your grasp of English is sufficient to score well, take the time to review the test ahead of your exam date in order to review the types of questions that will be asked. This will allow you to consider how to best answer questions on test day—and how to prepare now.
2. Disregarding the structure of the exam
The TOEFL will test you on certain abilities, such as reading, speaking, and writing. As mentioned above, you will need to know specific pieces of information—and, conversely, there are certain things that you will not need to know. By reviewing the exam in advance, you will be able to gauge your strengths and weaknesses, which will allow you to better strategize and focus your attention on the specific areas that need it most. 
3. Forgetting that all areas of the test are equally important
English is a challenging language because of the many nuances and oddities that can complicate becoming adept. It is thus critically important that as you study for the TOEFL, you keep in mind that there are four sections. Instead of being over-prepared for one section and woefully under-prepared for another, try to split your study time evenly between each area.
4. Ignoring pronunciation
It can be very easy to become distracted by the definitions of words and how they are commonly used, and to entirely forget about their pronunciation. Given that some English words utilize identical spelling but different pronunciation, this is one area that you do not want to ignore. In addition, the Speaking section of the exam moves quickly, and you might not have time to stop and consider each task at length before you respond. Therefore, it is in your best interest to be constantly mindful of your pronunciation as you review for the TOEFL.
5. Failing to prioritize
Although the article previously stressed the importance of dividing your time between sections, you should also prioritize any gaps in your abilities. For example, if you feel that you are strong in reading, but your writing skills need work, make sure to particularly focus on writing. 
6. Over-studying
Earning a high TOEFL score may understandably be very important to you, but reviewing non-stop will not help you achieve your goal. Over-studying can even affect your test-day performance. Rather than spend all of your waking hours perusing study guides and flashcards, focus on balancing memorization and day-to-day experience.
For example, try to study with friends who can help you with your verbal skills and pronunciation. You can also set study limits for yourself each day to ensure that you are not attempting to force too much information into your head.
David White is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world's largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors.