English Language Learning Resources Online and Free

Posted on February 15, 2011 at 11:18 PM on my website:

Professional academic quality instructional materials for learning English are plentiful on the internet, but many are not free of charge to the general inquirer. As a result, it can be frustrating to attempt a more comprehensive approach to self-education efforts.

This note is simply to point out some great resources for learning English online, including a small handful for (1) grammar, (2) pronunciation or oral speech development, and (3) listening comprehension and vocabulary development.

In the grammar category, I have to mention the work of Dr. Charles Darling, may he rest in peace. During his years teaching English at Capital Community College in the northeastern U.S., he developed a 'Guide to Grammar and Writing' that, as they say, 'took on a life of its own.' His clever contexting of materials, with easy-to-use quizzes, tips and comments, make learning written English (and grammar) about as pleasurable for a non-English native as it could possibly be. This is found at http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/imoDarling.htm.  The top page is the dedication to his work, and requests donations. The site access is free and supported by private donations and the college itself. Click on the title "Guide to" and you will soon be involved in a wide array of exercises, rules, tips, quizzes and games.

In the area of English pronunciation, I would refer those interested to http://www.manythings.org/.  There are specialized word combinations to practice, and the site also includes vocabulary and grammar guidance, listening possibilities with mp3 files, and more. The site is the property of Charles Kelly and Lawrence Kelly, who appear to be as interesting as their compilations on English.

For general and business English listening and development, for those with an interest in the U.S., I would highly recommend any of the regular programs found at National Public Radio, http://www.npr.org/
. From the Programs menu, select All Things Considered, Weekend Edition, Talk of the Nation, or another program. In the humor area, hardest for a non-native speaker to appreciate, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me, is a fun and interesting program, as is A Prairie Home Companion. In the radio essay category, select This American Life, produced by PRI.

For British English language learning, one will find an interesting and continually updated approach at the BBC's radio-related website, "Business Language to Go." http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/talkaboutenglish/2009/02/090211_tae_bltg.shtml

This includes radio spots on various topics, some video tutorials, as well as business English listening, vocabulary and pronunciation builders. The stories featured are interesting and timely, and the language learning materials professionally produced, including mp3 files, transcript downloads, vocabulary lists, pronunciation audios and more.

So, looking to learn English online? Good luck! Have fun! These materials should help you to make it so.

Mandatory E-filing of IRS forms for Tax Preparers

Posted on February 13, 2011 at 7:02 AM at my website:

Here's a quick entry to share information with other U.S. tax preparers - persons who are doing business as professional preparers of tax forms - who prepare Internal Revenue Service forms for others. Alright, you know who you are.
Mandatory e-filing of IRS forms isn't just coming. It's here! Starting this year, 2011, tax preparers who expect to prepare 100 or more returns for clients must e-file. Beginning in 2012, tax preparers who expect to prepare as few as 10 returns for clients must e-file.
The IRS link to the announcement is shown here: http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/providers/article/0,,id=223832,00.html .

To e-file, a preparer must "create an e-filing account." This process starts here:
http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/providers/article/0,,id=222533,00.html .

Got it? or Get it!

Networking Nordic Attorneys

Posted on February 9, 2011 at 6:59 AM at my website

For those interested, here is a quick tip for legal networking options in the Nordic countries: LinkedIn’s group, "Nordic Lawyers and other Legal Professionals."
LinkedIn continues its meteoric climb in the social media field, specifically directed at connecting business professionals. As to the Nordic Lawyers group, they have both professional and personal links, remarks, discussions. The language of postings is what have you: Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, English. They all work.
You will find the main group at: http://www.linkedin.com/. They are also beginning a new blogger-assembly project, through blogspot. For those interested, and to begin to connect, here is that link: http://nordiclawyer.blogspot.com/.

As always, to better networking, understanding, harmonization and the rule of law,

ESTA program sends expiration note by e-mail

Posted on February 4, 2011 at 11:02 AM at my own website:

Topic: The ESTA program - which is used by non-visa non-Americans required to register when they are planning to travel to the U.S.

Sub-topic: The ESTA program's reminder

I thought I should publish a short note to let those interested know that, although the ESTA online registration process may have its challenges in the user-friendliness category, it scores well for (1) knowing what date you registered last, and (2) notifying you by e-mail 30 days before your registration is about to expire with useful information.
The notification would remain a problem for anyone who has not continued to use the same e-mail address with which they registered with ESTA earlier. We do have a tendency to move, change employers, etcetera.
Thus, if you are registering online with ESTA for the first time, I suggest that you use an e-mail address that you can plan (in advance) to continue to use, regardless of changes in employer, internet service provider, etcetera. Examples of such: yahoo.com, gmail.com (Google), or hotmail.com.

Other tips are appreciated - feel free to e-mail me with your ESTA story, problem or solution.