ESL Blogs

Hello everyone! My name is Jinan Al-Hunayan and I will be your instructor for this course. I am excited to get to know everyone. Previously, I taught English as a Second Language in the Language Center at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training in Kuwait. Currently, I am completing my Ph.D. at Southern Illinois University majoring in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Language Literacy and Culture.  I have a deep passion for incorporating educational technology to aid in learning new languages and enhance learner engagement. My random hobbies include practicing Karate, fishing, cooking, and indulging in delicious foods from around the world. I wanted to create a safe space for students to blog about things they are passionate about to practice their writing skills. So, please feel free to share and comment on each other's blog posts.

Are you one of those naturally organized people who always makes a daily to-do list, who always writes everything down so you won’t forget, and who never misses a deadline because you keep track of everything with your handy time-management notebook or your palm?  Or are you one of those flexible, creative, go-with-the-flow people who dislike planning and organizing because it restricts your freedom, energy, and performance?  Some people are natural planners. They love it and can only see the benefits of planning, while others can be major procrastinators that leave everything to the last second.  Given the global pandemic we are currently facing, it can be difficult to get work done from home. I have been reading different tips and tricks on staying productive at home, but I found the following to be the most useful.  We all know there is a set amount of hours in each day to get our work done. We all also know that there are certain people or thing...

      The Phantom of the Opera is a bittersweet   love story between two characters, Christine and Raoul. Christine lives happily with Raoul not knowing that the angel of music is in love with her, also known as “ The Phantom”. The phantom wears a mask to hide his deformity. Despite his imperfections on the outside, the Phantom is a musical genius and shares a lot in common with Christine. The Phantom later develops a strong attachment to Christine while she’s in love with Raoul, and tries to find a way to marry Christine. Other than the fact that it’s my favorite movie, the phantom of the opera is known for its beautiful and captivating soundtrack. One of my favorite songs are “All I Ask Of you, Think Of Me, and Wishing You Were Somehow Here”. My biggest dream is to watch the Phantom of the Opera live on broadway. The first time watching the Phantom of the Opera, I found myself looking deeper into the melody, the lyrics, and the rhythm. The Phantom of the Opera i...