FIRST CRITICAL REVIEW : ESL MANIA

The website http://www.eslmania.com/index.html is an ESL website that gives opportunity to the adult learners and the teachers to learn and teach English in a variety of aspects. It provides two parts; one of which is for learners (students) and the other is for teachers.
The website is created in 2006 by Dirony Karuna. There is no need to download this website and no membership required. This means that everyone can make use of this website. Dirony Karuna explains that this website is a new website for ESL learners (actually adult learners) and teachers, and it provides them a very large quantity of information in English such as idioms, grammar, pronunciation, free lessons in business English, some books recommended and teaching tips. She also express that the visitors of this website will learn much more than the content of the website as there are useful links which direct them to other useful sites.
Everyone can have access to this website by only writing the website address, which is http://www.eslmania.com/index.html, onto the address bar. This website is designed to help ESL learners to improve their English by the help of many activities in the context of grammar, speaking, pronunciation, reading, listening, and learning and teaching tips.
1. HOMEPAGE
The website, at its homepage, proposes two parts, which can be clicked and gone deep into the website: one is for the students and the other is for the teachers. ( see image 1) In the homepage, there is the main title which is “ESL MANIA” and a question “Want to improve your English?” Moreover, in the same page, there are the creator’s (Dirony Karuna) ideas of the website, and the copyright year of it. Then we see some advertisements related to the language learning, ESL books and so on.
After having access to the website, one may choose the title that suits her/ him. In other words, you should decide whether to make use of the students’ part or the teachers’ part. In fact, you can choose both of them as there is no limit for it. Then as there are two categories, it is crucial to examine them step by step by choosing one, and then the other.
2. STUDENTS
To begin with, let’s assume that we choose the “Students” category and click on the students’ link, which can be seen in the homepage. (See image 1)

Image 1: homepage
To When we click on the “Students “ link, there opens a page with the title “Great Ways to Improve Your English”. Above this title, we can also see the main title “ESL MANIA” and below the main title, we can realize the links that direct us to Students category, Teachers category and the Homepage respectively. Under the title of “Great ways to Improve Your English”, there are 9 subtitles as Idioms, Grammar, Accent Reduction, Business English, Reading the News, ESL Books, Reference Tools, Where to Study and Contact us. These 9 subtitles have links that we can click on and go deep in the site. (See image 2 and 3)
Image 2: Students category (Idioms, Grammar, accent Reduction)
2.1 Idioms
The first subtitle is Idioms, which includes the links called Everyday Idioms, Business Idioms, Idioms crossword puzzle (PDF), Idioms found in the news and ESL Mania’s favorite books for studying idioms & everyday expressions.
2.1.1 Everyday Idioms
When we click on the link, we see a short explanation for learning idioms under the title ‘Why study idioms?’ Then, there are “Everyday American English Idioms” with examples. At the end of the page, there are also some recommended websites for more information on idioms.
2.1.2 Business Idioms
After clicking on the link “Business Idioms”, we see that there is also a short explanation on the usage of the business idioms in the business area in American English, and after that there are most commonly used “American English Business Idioms” along with examples.
2.1.3 Idioms Crossword puzzle
This link sends us to a crossword puzzle that includes idioms that have been learned in order to practice them. It is in PDF format.

2.1.4 Idioms found in the news
In this link, we can see the idioms that are used in the news and we can also see the names of newspapers from which they are taken. At the end of this page, there is an explanation that says that this page is updated as long as new idioms are found.
Image 3: Students Category (Business English, Reading the News, ESL Books, Reference Tools, Where to Study, Contact Us)
2.1.5 ESL Mania’s favorite books for studying idioms & everyday expressions.
In this link, we can see some books and their short descriptions, such as Speak English Like an American, Speak Business English Like an American, Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts, The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, and The Slangman Guide to Street Speak, which are recommended for studying idioms.



2.2 Grammar
In this subtitle, we can see 4 links, including Grammar Explanation, Grammar Quizzes, Book Recommendations for Studying Grammar and ESL Mania recommends these sites for studying grammar.
2.2.1 Grammar Explanation
In this page, there are “ Grammar Explanations” on the topics such as Verb tenses, Since & For, Used to, Prepositions, Comparatives & Superlatives, Articles (The, A, An), Interesting & Interested, Capitalization and Homonyms. After clicking the links, one can see the explanations of that topic and then he/ she can click on the “Go to the Quiz” link and have a quiz related to that topic.
2.2.2. Grammar Quizzes
This site is the same as the “Go to the Quiz” page as it provides the quizzes on explained topics in the page of Grammar Explanation.
2.2.3 Book Recommendations for Studying Grammar
In this page, one can find some books that are suggested reading for clarifying the grammar structures that are learned. Actually, there are two books suggested: How English Works: A Grammar Practice Book ,501 English Verbs
2.2.4 ESL Mania recommends these sites for studying grammar.
After clicking this link, we can see some website links that are useful in studying grammar. Moreover, under the names of the sites, it says that one can also recommend some sites via mailing the address info@eslmania.com
2.3. Accent Reduction
In this category, there are 5 links that direct us the pages which enable us have information about the accent reduction. These links are Seven Secrets to Better Accent, Tongue Twisters with Audio, Can You Really Lose Your Accent, Book Recommendations for Improving your Pronunciation and ESL Mania recommends these sites for Pronunciation Practice.
2.3.1 Seven Secrets to a Better Accent
In this page, there is a passage which tells the “accent reduction” tips in order to improve American English Pronunciation.
2.3.2 Tongue Twisters with Audio
In this page, there are 5 tongue twister examples with their audios. When we click on the videos, we can listen the tongue twister while reading them.
Image 4: Tongue Twisters Audios
2.3.3 Can You Really Lose Your Accent?
In this page, there is an article on “Losing Accent” by Judy Ravin, who is the writer of the recommended book “Lose Your Accent in 28 Days”.
2.3.4 Book Recommendations for Improving your Pronunciation
In this site, there are some important books and short information about the books that help visitors of the site to have an idea about how to find more information to improve their pronunciation.

Image 5: Speak English like an American (recommended Book)
2.3.5 ESL Mania recommends these sites for Pronunciation Practice
In this page, there are two sites that are suggested to be visited to have pronunciation activities and practice.
2.4 Business English
In this category, there are 4 links that give us ideas about business English and practice. These links are Speak Business English like an America, Seven Tips for Emailing in English, Telephone Talk, and Business Idioms Blog.
2.4.1 Speak Business English like an American
In this page, there are idioms & expressions that are commonly used in business English and along with this, there is a dialogue with its audio, which give the chance to the visitors of the site to listen and read at the same time. Furthermore, there is also a quiz on idioms with a link which is “Check Your Answers” towards the end of the page.
2.4.2 Seven Tips for Emailing in English
In this page, there are ways to email in English. There are tables that show that which patterns to avoid and which pattern to use in emailing in English.

2.4.3 Telephone Talk
When click on this link, we can see a brief introduction and then tables that include situations and examples in ESL telephone Talk.
2.4.4 Business Idioms Blog (new!)
This link directs us to Business English Expressions, Idioms & Buzzwords Blog that includes information about business English in the context of idioms, expressions and jargons used in business English. There are many articles on business English in this blog.
2.5 Reading the News
There is a brief explanation about this link.
2.5.1 Visit the news stories here
There are three news stories from different topics. Hen the click on the the news story link we choose, there comes a site in which there is the news story and vocabulary to clarify the understanding of it and a quick quiz with “check your answers” link.
2.6 ESL Books
In this page, there are collection of names of books that are mentioned in the other categories (Idioms, Grammar, Accent Reduction and Business English) and their websites that give detailed information about the book recommended.
2.7 Reference Tools
In this category, there are three links that direct us to other sites which have useful information. The links are “Here’s a great way to build your vocabulary. Get a new word emailed you every day!” Handy Reference Sites and Master list of ESL websites.
2.7.1 Here’s a great way to build your vocabulary. Get a new word emailed to you everday! When we click on this link, we are directed to the site http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/. The subscription to this website is free and it provides words and their meanings and a great deal of activities.
2.7.2 Handy Reference sites
This link directs us to the website http://thesaurus.reference.com/, which is a category of dictionary.com.
2.7.3 Master list of ESL websites
There are many websites and their links that can be useful for the students in order to Access more information in the ESL context.
2.8 Where to Study
In this page, there are some information about the courses that can be attended by the students in learning English and preparing for the exams. These courses and programs are English Language Programs, International House Toronto - General English, TOEFL, Business, Private lessons, internships, TESL and TESOL courses, PALS New York City , ESL Program Directory, which also have links that direct us to their websites in order to have more accessible information. Moreover, we can also advertise a course by mailing the address info@eslmania.com.
2.9 Contact us
In this category there is a mail address, info@eslmania.com, from where one can ask questions for more information. Moreover, there is also a link which enables us to fulfill a form consisting of our feedback about the site, more suggestions and ideas etc.

3. TEACHERS
In the Homepage, when we click on the Teachers category, there comes a page which also have 9 subcategories two of which differ from the students subcategories and the others are the same the students’ subcategories : Classroom Materials, , ESL Teacher Talk, which are different from students’ subcategories; Idioms, Grammar, Accent Reduction, Business English, News to use, ESL Books and Contact Us, which are the same as the students’ subcategories, under the title of “Bright Ideas for Teaching ESL”
Image 6 : Teachers Category( Classroom materials, News to Use, ESL Teacher Talk)
3.1 Classroom Materials
In this part, we see 6 subcategories that have links: ESL Mania’s ESL Exercises, ESL games, ESL Classroom Worksheets, Around the World in English, Pronunciation Exercise and Phonetics Exercise.
3.1.1 ESL Mania's ESL exercises
In this page, there are ESL exercises in links that we can click and go deep into the exercise and information about how to apply the exercise. We can also download the PDF version of the exercises.
3.1.2 ESL games
In this page, there are some links of the games that can be used in ESL classroom and the instructions about how to play the game. We can also download the games. We can also reach more games website by the help of the link given.
Image 8: ESL Games
3.1.3 ESL classroom worksheets
In this page, there are some worksheets in PDF Format in all levels of English, which help teachers have a variety of exercises.
3.1.4 Around the World in English
In this part, there are links that directs ud to the articles and photographs National Geographic Magazine.
3.1.5 Pronunciation exercise
In this page, there are some pronunciation exercises along with tables.
3.1.6 Phonics exercise
In this page, there are exercises on Phonetics in PDF Format and the instructions about how to implement them in classrooms.

3.2 News to use
This subcategory is the same as the students’ subcategory of news as it includes the same news. ( see Students subcategory reading the news)
3.3 ESL Teacher Talk
This subcategory has five links that include Tips fro ESL Teachers, How to Teach with Newspapers, Using Movies to Teach ESL, Share ESL teaching Stories and Language Acquisition.
3.3.1 41 Tips for ESL Teachers
In this page, there is a passage called 41 Tips for ESL Teachers by the ESL publication “Hands-on English”. There is also the link http://www.handsonenglish.com/ that directs us to the website.
3.3.2 How to Teach with Newspapers
In this page, there is an article called “How to Teach ESL with Newspapers” by Dave Kees who is an ESL instructor in China. There is also the link of Dave Kees website, which is http://www.davekees.com/.
3.3.3 Using Movies to Teach ESL
I n this page, there is an article by Becky Tarver Chase, who is a freelance ESL materials writer, named “Using Movies to Teach ESL”
3.3.4 Share ESL Teaching Stories
In this page, teachers are expected to share their ESL teaching experiences via posting them to the email address “info@eslmania.com”
3.3.5 Language Acquisition
In this page, there is also an article called “Children vs. Adults in the ESL Classroom”, which gives tips to the ESL teachers about the learners and how to manage the classroom.
3.4 Idioms
This subcategory and its links are the same as the subcategory of Students /Idioms.

3.5 Grammar
This subcategory and its links are the same as the subcategory of Students /Grammar
3.6 Accent Reduction
This subcategory and its links are the same as the subcategory of Students /Accent Reduction. The only difference is that in Teachers subcategory, there is the link Teaching Pronunciation, which includes an article called “Pronunciation Handbook for Teachers” by Department of Education Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA)
Image 7: Teachers Category (Idioms, Grammar, Accent Reduction, Business English, ESL Books, Contact Us)
3.7 Business English
This subcategory and its links are the same as the subcategory of Students /Business English
3.8 ESL Books
This subcategory and its links are the same as the subcategory of Students /ESL books

3.9 Contact Us
This subcategory and its links are the same as the subcategory of Students /Contact Us
Image: 9 Contact Us

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE WEBSITE http://www.eslmania.com/
This website is an easy-to-use website that enables everyone who has internet connection to have access to this website and make use of it. In order to use this website utmost, Adobe reader should be downloaded as there are some activities in PDF version such as Idioms Crossword Puzzle. Moreover, Media Player is required for the audios to be played, and a headset or a loudspeaker for listening them. For this tool, we do not need a newer computer as it can be used with all computers that have internet connection. High speed connection is not strictly required as there are not very complicated materials in this website.
Using this website provide both students and teachers a great deal of activities, teaching and learning experiences, the useful books and websites in ESL teaching and learning, and tips in business English, everyday idioms, pronunciation, grammar, listening, reading and accent. It is very useful for ESL learners and teachers because when they go deep in this site, they see many opportunities in ESL learning and teaching context. For example, both ESL learners and teachers will be familiar with the idioms commonly used in everyday English and Business English. They also have the chance to practice what they have learned via the quick quizzes.
Advantages
This site provides many advantages with its easy-to-use tools and activities. To begin with, in the idioms part, both students and teachers have opportunity to see many everyday idioms as well as business idioms, as reinforce them while answering the quiz questions that come immediately after each part. There is also news that includes these mostly used idioms, which also enable learners to practice and reinforce the idioms that they have learned. Moreover, there are some suggested books for studying idioms, which also constitute a very good source. This part, idioms, is also important for teachers as they become familiar with the idioms and then feel confident to use and teach them in ESL classrooms.
The grammar part is very crucial for both the learners and the teachers as there are very clear explanations about the rules of grammar structures. The quizzes in this part are also very relevant to the topics that are learned and provide concrete information. They are presented as topic by topic. For example, in the Verb Tenses part, the quizzes are divided into groups according to the tenses, present, past and perfect. This eliminates the complexity in asking and answering the questions without confusing the learners. In other words, the organization of the quizzes is well-prepared.
In the Accent Reduction Part, there are very useful articles on the topic of accent which may enhance the motivation of both teachers and the students as they are very encouraging in the context of ESL learning and teaching. Also, there are some tongue twisters along with audios. It is very effective to write tongue twisters in the same page with their audios as this makes the text very clear to the learners and imitate it correctly. This is a very attractive activity for the learners as they can practice with tongue twisters while reading and then get rid of their accent problems in time. It is also useful for the teachers as they use them in-class activities and eliminate the accent problems of students, sometimes even their own accent problems.
Business English part is a very adventurous part for learners as they become familiar with the Business English, Telephone Talk and Writing emails, which are the required specialties of the business world in English-speaking-countries. The blog, which is about business idioms, is also very suitable for both the learners and the teachers as it requires a great deal of information on idioms used in business world. If learners learn these idioms, they will more easily adapt the business world and accordingly, will not have any difficulty.
Reading the news part is a very striking part in the website as the learners and the teachers reach a wide-ranging news stories that are attention-taking and interesting, learn the unknown vocabulary, and then have a quick quiz, which enhance their language learning. This is also important or the teachers because they can use these news as reading materials in classroom by downloading.
ESL books and Reference Tools parts are the best side of this website as both learners and the teachers can reach many sources and find whatever they want to learn while learning the English language.
Furthermore, there are classroom materials that can be made use of by teachers in ESL teaching. For instance, there are ESL games, worksheets, pronunciation and phonetics exercises along with their answers, which help teachers in many respects. Teachers may download these materials and make use of them. The games are very enjoyable; therefore, the students will enjoy very much while at the same time learning the language. In fact, the games provide clear instruction and they help students enhance their learning. Classroom worksheets are also well-designed as they are prepared level by level (from elementary ESL to Advanced ESL). This also helps teachers to decide which worksheet to use in their ESL classroom.
Then there are tips for teachers about how to teach effectively by the help of newspapers and movies. This encourages the teachers to be more effective in ESL classrooms and be more enthusiastic about their teaching.
Finally, the design of the website also encourages students and attracts their attention as it is really well-made and in a good order. If a student or a teacher click on this website by chance, he/ she is certain to wonder about it and want to go deep in it. Only doing this can also provide them a great deal of information about the topics mentioned above. Moreover, its being free, no much requirements for downloading and being easy to use are the other strengths.
Disadvantages
Although there are many advantages in using this site, there are also some disadvantages. Firstly, most of its information is only theoretical. What I mean with this is that there can be more audios and maybe videos as well. For instance, in the News Stories part, there may be audios that learners can also listen while reading the story, which help them with their listening as well as pronunciation skills.
Secondly, in the Accent Reduction part, there may be videos on which the learners can see the gestures of the speakers and try to imitate them more easily, thus reducing their accent becomes much easier for them.
Finally, the website may improve itself by adding some video conferencing tools, maybe chat rooms between teachers and the students, and more visuals for them. That is, there would be more interaction between students and teachers in the ESL learning context, thus being more communicative and effective.


General ideas
In general, the website is very useful for ESL learners and the teachers in many aspects mentioned above; however, it should improve itself by adding more interactive tools.






















REFERENCE
Karuna, D. (2006). ESL mania. [Online] http://www.eslmania.com/index.html