International EFL Cafe Circa 2003-2007
This page is to be viewed as a historical record encapsulating a very brief glimpse of the what the International EFL Cafe offered its visitors.
Content is from the site's 2004 - 2007 archived pages.
There are many online resources which can help ESL teachers to make connections, search for new opportunities and develop their teaching abilities. Check out Dave's ESL Cafe at https://www.eslcafe.com/. It is a well known resource among ESL teachers across the globe.
| International EFL Cafe | |
| English as a Foreign Language | |
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| The coolest English language site on the Internet | |
| Knowledge is the key to success in a global environment - Howard Steven Hayman |
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Meet the team
Howie Hayman Cafe owner and designer
Akiko Iwamoto Cafe promotion - Japan
Rie Fukumoto Cafe translation - Japanese
Chiaki Kamimoto Cafe translation - Japanese
Wei Chueh Chiu Cafe translation - Chinese
Cafe contributors
Rob Shaffer American Language Institute of San Diego State University
Annisa Outeldait French translation
Chris Baker Computer and technical support
More information on:
Howie Hayman
Education
B.S. degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Finance and Real Estate from San Diego State University.
A.A. degree in Japanese studies from Grossmont College in San Diego, California
Certificate in Japanese studies from Grossmont College in San Diego, California.
TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate from the American Language Institute of San Diego State University.
Member of TESOL, Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Member of TESOL, special interest group English as a Foreign Language.
Experience
I have more than 8 years experience teaching English as a Foreign/Second Language to non-native speakers both individually and in small groups. I spent most of 2003 working as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) at the American Language Institute (ALI) of San Diego State University. I taught conversational English, pronunciation and business English. In addition, I have traveled to many countries and have had the fortunate opportunity to experience a variety of cultures while teaching English to International students. I am currently writing three books and teaching English conversation classes in the Nara prefecture of Japan. I am continuously updating the International EFL Cafe in order to make it the best International English cafe on the Internet.
Focus of the cafe
The focus of the International EFL Cafe is American English. Right or wrong, this has become the standard of English taught in many language schools around the world. I am half American and half Canadian, however, I have lived mostly in the United States. I am familiar with American English grammar rules, idioms, slang, reductions and vocabulary.
Message
I have studied several foreign languages including Japanese, Hebrew, French and Spanish. Having been a non-native speaker in each of these languages, I know how frustrating learning a language can be. That is the reason I created the International EFL Cafe. I wanted to make a place where people from all over the world could come and learn English at any time. Please accept my invitation to use this site and experience the enjoyment and satisfaction learning a language can bring. If you have comments concerning this site or have something you would like to see in the future, please let me know. Thanks for visiting the International EFL Cafe.
Akiko Iwamoto
Hi. My name is Akiko. My friends call me the boss.
I am from a small town in Nara.
I have traveled to many countries, including the United States.
Rie Fukumoto
Hi. My name is Rie and my friends call me....ummmm....Rie. Actually they call me Riechan.
I am originally from Nara, Japan but I have spent the last few years living in San Diego, California.
I translate cafe email from Japanese to English and from English to Japanese.
No problem now that I am like a native English speaker. hehe
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FYI: I ran across this site in 2004 when I was in Japan as an exchange student and was asked by some of my Japanese friends to help them with their English. The International EFL Cafe "lessons" were really helpful in organizing my teaching approach. I wasn't really into teaching slang usage, but I did explain the use of idioms and I spent some hilarious lessons teaching them. However I mainly worked with my friends (students) teaching traditional English usage. Slang would have to wait.
Jump ahead to 2020. I am sheltering in place in NYC with my wife and school age kids. The public schools have opened this fall but we decided to have them go to school remotely. Over the summer my wife and I alternated working on math and reading / writing with our 10 and 12 year olds. We both are lucky to be able to stay at home, but it is challenging working remotely and overseeing and augmenting the kids' remote schooling. There aren't enough hours in the day. Today for instance my boss tasked me with finding the best reupholstery service in the NYC area! I paused before asking him what that had to do with well, just about anything. It seemed so random. It turns out that his wife wants to have all their living room furniture reupholstered, rather than replaced which can be pretty costly particularly if you have custom work done. He knew that we had just finished renovating our kitchen before the pandemic hit so he thought I might have some leads. Turns out a friend of mine just finished building the website for Dumbo Reupholstery NYC who do exactly that. They are expert and well reviewed reupholstery professionals. I quickly looked up the site and sent my boss the url. Thank goodness that was a quick resolution.
I hear the timer go off. I am now up to work with the kids on their reading comprehension. I take off my remote working hat and put on the teaching cap. We are reading about the American election process and how our government transitions after an election when the opposite party takes over the reins of the government. A bit heavy, but I think my kids will be able to grasp the basics. They are very concerned that President Trump won't leave the White House. I hope my "lesson" today will help assuage their concerns.
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March 14, 2004
This weeks quiz
Reading comprehension
Read the article and then answer the questions
The U.S. flag has undergone many changes since the first official flag of 1777. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act, which said that the flag would be made up of thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue field. Stars have been added to the flag as new states join the union. Currently, the flag contains 50 stars. Ever wonder why the flag is red, white, and blue? While the flag's colors did not have a specific meaning at the time, the colors were significant for the Great Seal of 1782.
White: Signifies purity and innocence
Red: Signifies valor and bravery
Blue: Signifies Vigilance, perseverance, and justice
Why stars and stripes? Stars are considered a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun.
1. The first official flag of the United States was in the year ________?
2. The Flag Act said that the flag would have thirteen alternating red and white ________?
3. The Flag Act said that the flag would have thirteen white stars on a ________?
4. Stars are added to the flag when new states join the ________?
5. The current United States flag has 50 ________?
6. The white stripes and stars on the flag represent ________?
7. The red stripes on the flag represent ________?
8. The blue field on the flag represents perseverance, justice, and ________?
9. Stars are considered to be a symbol of the ________?
10. Stripes are considered to be a symbol of the ________ emanating from the sun?
TYPICAL LESSON PLANS
Grammar
Adjective
Attributive, predicative, comparative, superlative
Adverb
Manner, place or location, time, degree
Article
Definite, indefinite
Conjunction
Coordinate, subordinate, correlative
Modifier
Modifier order
Phrasal verb
Verbs containing a verb and a particle
Modal verb
Express possibility, intention, obligation and necessity
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Sentences
Subject/Verb agreement
Questions
1. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. We was very happy to see them again.
b. We were very happy to see them again.
2. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. She like eating sushi.
b. She likes eating sushi.
3. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. They are really interested in studying English grammar.
b. They is really interested in studying English grammar.
4. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. The people who live in the blue house are having a really noisy party.
b. The people who live in the blue house is having a really noisy party.
5. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. Her friends and John is going on vacation this weekend.
b. Her friends and John are going on vacation this weekend.
6. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. Talking to friends is useful when you have a personal problem.
b. Talking to friends are useful when you have a personal problem.
7. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. Most of my luggage is red.
b. Most of my luggage are red.
8. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. I has been planning to go to Japan for a long time.
b. I have been planning to go to Japan for a long time.
9. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. Everyone who came to the party is important to me.
b. Everyone who came to the party are important to me.
10. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. They were very angry when they heard about the pay cut.
b. They was very angry when they heard about the pay cut.
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Sentences
Verb Tense/Aspect
1. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. John was knowing the answer, so he raised his hand.
b. John knew the answer, so he raised his hand.
2. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. My friend had already been cooking dinner when I arrived.
b. My friend had already cooked dinner when I arrived.
3. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. Did you find your car keys?
b. Did you found your car keys?
4. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. Last year, I traveled to New York.
b. Last year, I have traveled to New York.
5. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. John and Joan have been going to the park three times so far this week.
b. John and Joan have gone to the park three times so far this week.
6. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. John is having a new car.
b. John has a new car.
7. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. The teacher comes to the class on time.
b. The teacher is coming to the class on time.
8. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. John has known Joan for many years.
b. John has been knowing Joan for many years.
9. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. It rains outside. We should close the windows.
b. It is raining outside. We should close the windows.
10. Pick the correct sentence from the following pair of sentences.
a. I have read that book several times.
b. I have been reading that book several times.
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EXAMPLE OF A TYPICAL HOME PAGE
Asia Relief 2004
Recent earthquakes and tsunami caused unprecedented destruction and loss in many parts of Asia and Africa.
The International EFL Cafe and visitors of the Cafe extend our deepest sympathy to those who have suffered losses due to this terrible tragedy.
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News |
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International EFL Cafe celebrates one year on the Internet | |||
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Events - Upcoming English language related events, and holidays - check the calendar | |||
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News - English language news from the United States | |||
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News - English language news from around the world | |||
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Cafe Information |
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To properly view this site, set your PC resolution to the highest setting | |||
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Meet Howie, the designer of the International EFL Cafe | |||
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Get a more detailed look at the International EFL Cafe | |||
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Cool - Make a comment or read comments from other International EFL Cafe visitors | |||
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International EFL Cafe site changes | |||
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The International EFL Cafe is listed in Google along with many other search engines | |||
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Classroom |
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Voice of America links require RealPlayer - Click >RealPlayer to download - FREE | |||
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Voice of America - Music Mix - Internet Radio broadcast - (live) | |||
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Voice of America - News & Music - Internet Radio broadcast - (live) | |||
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Voice of America - News in Special English for Beginning students - (taped) | |||
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Voice of America - NewsLine - Internet TV broadcast - (taped) | |||
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Voice of America - This Week - Internet TV broadcast - (taped) | |||
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Speaking program - (ESP) English Sounds Pronunciation program - learn the sounds of the English language | |||
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Speaking program - (SEC) Spoken English Conversation program - learn how to use English reductions, idioms and slang | |||
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Reading practice - International articles - good reading practice for beginning and intermediate students | |||
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Reading practice - United States articles - good reading practice for beginning and intermediate students | |||
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Reading practice - English articles - good reading practice for beginning and intermediate students | |||
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Reading practice - Business articles - good reading practice for beginning and intermediate students | |||
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Reading practice - Entertainment articles - good reading practice for beginning and intermediate students | |||
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Reading practice - Science articles - good reading practice for beginning and intermediate students | |||
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American English - Grammar definitions | |||
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American English - Reductions | |||
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American English - Contractions | |||
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American English - Slang - learn some typical slang used in movies, TV, and everyday conversation | |||
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American English - Proverbs - learn some typical proverbs used in movies, TV, and everyday conversation | |||
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American English - Special English - 1,500 words you should know from Voice of America | |||
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American English - Basic English - the 850 words you should know | |||
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Students |
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Quizzes - good TOEFL and TOEIC practice | |||
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Basic information about studying in the United States | |||
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Detailed information about studying in the United States | |||
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A few study tips for learning English | |||
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Mystery of the mind - check this out, it's really cool | |||
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Teachers |
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English teaching jobs jobs jobs worldwide - current English teaching jobs in 25 countries | |||
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English language schools worldwide - more than 900 schools in 51 countries | |||
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English teaching employment agencies worldwide - more than 70 agencies in 16 countries | |||
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Education information for ESL, EFL teachers | |||
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Miscellaneous topics for ESL, EFL teachers | |||
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Teaching English as a Foreign Language - teacher training program at the American Language Institute | |||
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English |
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Definitions of different types of comedy and lots of funny jokes | |||
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General information about the English language | |||
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Accents, pronunciation and speaking information | |||
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Basic English, loanwords and unusual words | |||
EXAMPLES OF WHAT THE SITE OFFERED:
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Reductions
Reduced forms of English word groups
Speaking spoken English conversation |
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International EFL Cafe assumed no responsibility or legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, disclosed from this website. The information was provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. The data and information was subject to change at any time without notice. The entire risk of acting on information obtained from this website, including the entire costs of all necessary remedies, was with those who choose to act upon such information and not with International EFL Cafe.