It’s a Wonderful Life; www.EFLsuccess.com Story: George lives for others all his life. One Christmas Eve, a relative’s error threatens to put him in jail. While considering suicide, George gets an unexpected gift when an angel shows him what his town … Continue reading →
The Road to Redemption; www.EFLsuccess.com Story: This comedy is about life in our times. Amanda’s money problems lead her to “borrow” money from her boss (without permission). After gambling it away, she soon finds the mob (deadly criminals) chasing her. … Continue reading →
The Sand Lot (1); www.EFLsuccess.com Story: How do kids spend the summer in America? In this film, you’ll see July 4 fireworks and a local fair (tiny, moving amusement park), but you’ll mainly see the guys play baseball by the hour … Continue reading →
A holiday recognizing the end of slavery and celebrating African-American culture ⇔ Holiday: Juneteenth ©2021 Michael Krigline, MA Underlined terms are explained in the vocabulary section below. Note to teachers: This “longer” article would work well in a class about American history & … Continue reading →
A holiday recognizing the end of slavery and celebrating African-American culture ⇔ Holiday: Juneteenth (short version) ©2020 Michael Krigline, MA Underlined terms are explained in the vocabulary section below. Note to teachers: This “shorter” article would work well in a “conversation” class where … Continue reading →
Ever After, A Cinderella Story, www.EFLsuccess.com Story: Cinderella wouldn’t have needed a magic pumpkin if she’d had Da Vinci! France’s Crown Prince wants to run away from his overbearing father until a “modern-thinking” young woman captures his heart. But will 16th century … Continue reading →
Article: Types of English Writing ©2006 Michael Krigline, MA I’ve noticed that non-native English teachers in Asia often push students to use colorful adjectives and complicated sentences, but most American writing aims to be clear and simple. This handout presents … Continue reading →
Have you ever wondered what your “grade” really means? ⇔ Article: What are Grades? ©2003 Michael Krigline, MA When I asked my students to say what a grade is, they responded: an award for hard work (3%) a reflection of student … Continue reading →
A Charlie Brown Christmas (Snoopy’s Christmas); www.EFLsuccess.com Story: In much of the world, you can easily see Snoopy on clothes, handbags, jewelry, and much more, but did you know that this family dog is part of a popular comic-strip family? … Continue reading →
An introduction to one of the most popular symbols of Christmas ⇔ Holiday: Who is Santa Claus? ©2020 Michael Krigline, MA; EFLsuccess.com ⇔ Underlined terms are explained in the vocabulary section below. Santa Claus is not so much a person as … Continue reading →
Finding Nemo, www.EFLsuccess.com Story: A “down under” undersea cartoon adventure. After tragedy makes Marlin (a clownfish) an overprotective father, his only surviving son (Nemo) rebels, and is captured off Australia’s Barrier Reef by a Sydney dentist. While Nemo and new fish-friends … Continue reading →
Steel Magnolias; www.EFLsuccess.com Story: Mix beauty-salon gossip, family love, a protective mother, a pretty wedding, a new baby, the Easter rabbit, Christmas lights, a funeral, and a big dog, and the result is “the funniest movie ever to make you cry.” … Continue reading →