The Ultimate ESL Guide

Help for ESL students who want to improve their academic English for major college entrance exams, writing and general academic requirements


Welcome to my blog! My name is Randall Scott Clark. I am an ESL teacher by profession. I am originally from the United States of America; more specifically from a town in southern Ohio. I have spent the past 8 years of my life teaching English in Malaysia. I have taught students of all nationalities, including those from Korea, China, Japan and the Middle East. In fact I have been teaching virtually every day for the past 8 years, several hours a day. As you can imagine, I have acquired a vast knowledge of the mechanics of the language. I am very familiar with the problem areas faced by most students. I have helped hundreds of students prepare for the SAT and TOEFL. These exams require a very high level knowledge of academic phrases and vocabulary. Academic vocabulary is used in special situations and can be problematic for students to master. One of the biggest obstacles students face is knowing which words are likely to appear on their major exams. An understanding of the way grammar really works is also very much needed to excel in major exams. Few teachers and even fewer student know how grammar really works. In early 2007 I decided to put all of my knowledge together in one book, so that students all over the world can benefit from the knowledge I have gained in my years of teaching. I have spent the past year gathering the knowledge I have gained over the years to help students get a much better grasp of the English language. This book, which is called The Ultimate ESL Guide, includes:

• A huge amount of academic vocabulary, with all the words that students are most likely to encounter on their major exams, complete with examples to show students exactly how each word is used.


• A complete and very detailed map of English grammar, which includes formulas for using each type of grammar. Also teaches students the exact situations in which each type of grammar is used.


• A detailed explanation of how to write an academic paper, replete with copy and paste phrases and loads of examples.


• Shows students exactly what to include in the introduction, body and conclusion of an essay. Takes the guesswork out of what to write.


• Will help students in their understanding of all types of literature, as it exposes them to the vocabulary commonly found in academic literature.


• An all around good college-prep tool.


• Plenty of practice exercises to ensure permanent learning.


• All the powerful words needed to help students spice up their essays and speaking.


• Excellent resource for students preparing for major exams such as SAT and TOEFL.


• Very useful in helping students understand words encountered in classic and modern literature.


• Speak with the eloquence of charismatic politicians.

Most people do not know that grammar has specific formulas, much in the same way math does. For example, did you know that there are 20 different grammar tenses in English, each with its own specific formula and unique situations in which it is used? There are 12 active tenses and 8 passive ones, to be exact. For example, one of the trickiest tenses in English is the Future Perfect. What makes it even trickier is that the active form is used in a different situation than the passive form. Here is an excerpt from the book which explains the Future Perfect:

The Future Perfect

• The Future Perfect Tense uses the formula:
  will + have + past participle
• Examples: will have seen, will have done, will have taken
  The Future Perfect Tense is used in two situations:

1. Future Goals – things that a person wants to achieve in the future
Examples: By next summer, I will have learnt to play the guitar.
I will have bought a new house by the time I'm 25 years old.

2. Future Anniversaries
Examples: Maria and Dave will have been married 14 years in June.
Catherine will have lived in Hawaii 2 years in January.
I will have had my puppy 3 months on the 14th of May.

*The Future Perfect Passive: will + have + been + past participle

• The Future Perfect Passive is used for future expectations and predictions.
  Examples: The earth's oil will have been depleted by the year 2050.

This book is perfect for students who are preparing for their major college entrance exams. It contains the most critical words that students are likely to encounter on their major exams, with plenty of examples. Here is an excerpt from the vocabulary section of the book:

Many scientists believe that the universe sprang forth from an infinitesimally small atom in a primordial event known as the Big Bang.
*spring forth – begin
*infinitesimal – very small
*primordial – extremely old/a very long time ago

Written by a native speaker from the United States of America who has been teaching English several hours a day for the past eight years, this book contains the knowledge and skills which can help students to improve in EVERY aspect of their English. It is also for students who are preparing for any major exam. It provides a complete map of English grammar as well, including specific formulas which make it easy for students to understand exactly when to use each particular type of grammar.