English composition and grammar help

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers around Evo Child, a university student and English tutor, offering her assistance with English homework, paper reviews, and grammar questions. Participants express interest in creating a dedicated Homework Help forum for English, emphasizing the need for such a resource, especially for non-native English speakers. The conversation highlights the importance of English proficiency in academic settings and the potential benefits of having a structured support system for students struggling with language skills.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic English grammar and composition.
  • Familiarity with tutoring practices and educational support.
  • Knowledge of the challenges faced by ESL (English as a Second Language) students.
  • Awareness of academic writing standards and expectations in higher education.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research best practices for tutoring ESL students.
  • Explore the creation and management of online educational forums.
  • Learn about effective strategies for teaching English composition.
  • Investigate resources for improving grammar and writing skills for non-native speakers.
USEFUL FOR

Students, educators, and tutors interested in enhancing English language skills, particularly those supporting ESL learners or seeking to improve their own writing and composition abilities.

Evo
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My daughter, Evo Child, is a university student and an English tutor, (her university pays her to tutor other students). She's been tutoring since High School (honors English).

She asked me if I thought anyone at PF would be interested in having help with their English. She will be glad to come here and help with homework, review papers, answer questions, etc...

We don't really have a set place for English help, so I told her I would let people know she's willing to help. So I am asking to see if there would be any interest and let people know she will be glad to help.
 
Science news on Phys.org
Me english does not need any help. Me not interest. Thanks yous.
 
That's a wonderful offer, and something from which people here could benefit. (Yes, I just turned that sentence around to be grammatically correct, even though it's not the normal way people speak. Oh, the pressure! :smile:)

I don't know if things have changed on this issue since I was a mentor, but we used to be fairly lenient about allowing these types of questions to be asked either in "Other sciences" homework help, or in the History and Humanities forum. If she's willing to stick around, maybe a HW Help forum for English could be created. I don't know of any university in the US that let's students escape without at least one course in English literature or expository writing, usually the latter, and usually in Freshman year.

Edit: I had another thought on the topic. Since the "official language of PF" is English, perhaps that even better justifies having a HW help forum for English. Students from non-English-speaking countries who wish to participate here might also appreciate having a forum where they can learn English, especially if they can get help with more technical terms than they might get in their courses.
 
I speakish not de Anglish so good. Fourword I be antipicating conecshion wid the beatifful yung gurl whose you refirs too. :-p
 
Moonbear said:
That's a wonderful offer, and something from which people here could benefit. (Yes, I just turned that sentence around to be grammatically correct, even though it's not the normal way people speak. Oh, the pressure! :smile:)

Actually, only uptight prescriptivists insist that sentences should not end with a preposition. For the rest of the English-speaking world, it's perfectly acceptable and correct usage.
 
I went to walmart today that was being renovated for months. I did not understand the reason behind the renovation, the old one was just fine. Needless to say, I was astonished to find a new department selling steaks, fish, apples and oranges. They even built a new bakery. It's great now, we like variety.
 
negitron said:
Actually, only uptight prescriptivists insist that sentences should not end with a preposition. For the rest of the English-speaking world, it's perfectly acceptable and correct usage.

Ending sentences with prepositions is a practice up with which we must not put!
 
Did someone post in the wrong thread?

EDIT: not you, Lisa!
 
A woman I work with started back to school to get her Masters degree. One of her classes had an online portion. She became so upset at the spelling and grammar in the posts that she had to schedule a special appointment with the dean just to rant.

Now she's teaching remedial English for grad students. :smile:

Now she really knows how dumb some of these people are! :smile:

She mentioned a John F Kennedy quote and one of the students asked if he was dead. When she gave a stunned reply of yes, the student complained that she didn't think it was right to quote dead people.
 
  • #10
It's possible that I might need some help with my English. How good looking is the tutor?

Don't hit me Evo, you know I kid around. Yikes here comes my wife.
 
  • #11
*Hands an ice pack to Jimmy*

I'm not sure who got you first, your wife or Evo, but somehow, I'm sure you're in need of that ice right now. :smile:
 
  • #12
Moonbear said:
That's a wonderful offer, and something from which people here could benefit. (Yes, I just turned that sentence around to be grammatically correct, even though it's not the normal way people speak. Oh, the pressure! :smile:)
I stopped using proper English when a guy I dated said I sounded like I was in a Shakespearean play. :frown:

I don't know if things have changed on this issue since I was a mentor, but we used to be fairly lenient about allowing these types of questions to be asked either in "Other sciences" homework help, or in the History and Humanities forum. If she's willing to stick around, maybe a HW Help forum for English could be created. I don't know of any university in the US that let's students escape without at least one course in English literature or expository writing, usually the latter, and usually in Freshman year.

Edit: I had another thought on the topic. Since the "official language of PF" is English, perhaps that even better justifies having a HW help forum for English. Students from non-English-speaking countries who wish to participate here might also appreciate having a forum where they can learn English, especially if they can get help with more technical terms than they might get in their courses.
I know from reading posts that many members could use help, but we've never had a single place they could go and know they'd get serious help.

Perhaps GD was not the place to ask this. :frown:
 
  • #13
negitron said:
Did someone post in the wrong thread?

EDIT: not you, Lisa!

I know :smile:...I saw it too, but it's been taken care of. Oops...I mean the care of it has been taken :rolleyes:.

So Evo, does your daughter have any experience with English as second language students?
 
  • #14
lisab said:
So Evo, does your daughter have any experience with English as second language students?
Yes she does, and that's something she would like to help with here.
 
  • #15
negitron said:
Did someone post in the wrong thread?

EDIT: not you, Lisa!

It was a metaphor. Or a simile. I forget which. I guess I'll ask EvoChild... :biggrin:

what said:
I went to walmart today that was being renovated for months. I did not understand the reason behind the renovation, the old one was just fine. Needless to say, I was astonished to find a new department selling steaks, fish, apples and oranges. They even built a new bakery. It's great now, we like variety.
 
  • #16
Moonbear said:
Edit: I had another thought on the topic. Since the "official language of PF" is English, perhaps that even better justifies having a HW help forum for English. Students from non-English-speaking countries who wish to participate here might also appreciate having a forum where they can learn English, especially if they can get help with more technical terms than they might get in their courses.

I think that's a great point, Moonbear.
 
  • #17
Evo said:
Yes she does, and that's something she would like to help with here.

I would frequently help ESL students when I was in college...I often found their knowledge of grammar rules was more extensive than mine :redface:. It's quite different from teaching native speakers.

Kudos to her for volunteering!
 
  • #18
Evo said:
I stopped using proper English when a guy I dated said I sounded like I was in a Shakespearean play. :frown:

:smile: :smile: :smile: oh my goodness... "who doth pay unto this bill for yon expensive restaurant"
 
  • #19
I think my sister would be interested, I’ll tell her about that. thanks for sharing
 
  • #20
Moonbear said:
Edit: I had another thought on the topic. Since the "official language of PF" is English, perhaps that even better justifies having a HW help forum for English. Students from non-English-speaking countries who wish to participate here might also appreciate having a forum where they can learn English, especially if they can get help with more technical terms than they might get in their courses.

and I’m thinking that the mentor of this English forum will be fitted well to the one and only PFer, that will be ….:biggrin:
 
  • #21
berkeman said:
It was a metaphor. Or a simile. I forget which. I guess I'll ask EvoChild... :biggrin:
Hrm. I might have been an metaphor or possibly an allegory but definitely not a simile. A simile is the comparison of two objects unlike things often using the words "like" or "as".

Pretty as a picture -- simile

What what wrote. Dunno. It's as poorly punctuated shopping experience account, as best I can tell. :smile:

As to the OP question, I think an English help section would be nifty keen.
 
Last edited:
  • #22
GeorginaS said:
Hrm. I might have been an metaphor or possibly an allegory but definitely not a simile. A simile is the comparison of two objects unlike things often using the words "like" or "as".

Pretty as a picture -- simile

What what wrote. Dunno. It's as poorly punctuated shopping experience account, as best I can tell. :smile:

As to the OP question, I think an English help section would be nifty keen.

(I was kidding... The post was an artistic metaphor! Walmart metaphors are common in the literature, I hope you know.)
 
  • #23
Walmart started out small, and now they sell just about anything, it's an excellent metaphor.

What started out as an innocent little physics/maths forums now encompasses many disciplines in science. Now we are about to squeeze in an English help subsection.

Anybody finds it odd having to go to physicsforums for English help?

but still it's a great idea
 
  • #24
berkeman said:
(I was kidding... The post was an artistic metaphor! Walmart metaphors are common in the literature, I hope you know.)


I guessed that what was on about something. I was examining the micro rather than the macro, though. Now, common in what/whose literature, and why do you hope I know that bit of supposed information?
 
  • #25
Evo chlid, here?:!)
Yes, we definitely need help!:smile:
 
  • #26
On the net I don't comment on peoples' spelling and grammatical errors unless it would be funny or have some other point. None the less, I see merit in this proposed forum. Too bad my wife won't be able to take advantage though. English is her third language.
 
  • #27
what said:
Anybody finds it odd having to go to physicsforums for English help?

but still it's a great idea

Is it any odder than having to go to physics forum for dating advice? :smile:



GeorginaS said:
I guessed that what was on about something. I was examining the micro rather than the macro, though. Now, common in what/whose literature, and why do you hope I know that bit of supposed information?


Walmart is in at least one movie. Haven't you ever seen the movie about the Walmart baby? (Where the Heart Is)
 
  • #28
Lisa! said:
Evo chlid, here?

No, Evo child there. *points in Evo's direction*
 
  • #29
BobG said:
Is it any odder than having to go to physics forum for dating advice? :smile:

not if we're going to be dating beautiful tutors
 
  • #30
She used to tutor math whizes in high school. They would tell her math was so beautiful, so logical, but they just couldn't get comp.
 

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