Free PDF readers are essential for any student or teacher, but these programs are very limited in their function. For those who want more control, PDF editing software available at a great discount for single students or entire schools in need of multiple licenses for educational purposes.

Let’s face it, PDF’s are awkward to work with but they offer much more security than a Word document, for example.  With the right editing software program you can have do so much more with a most files.  For teachers, there is the need to create PDF’s from Word or images in order to share them easily in Google Classroom.

PDF’s are also the best way to post online and more safe when attaching in an email.

PDF Editing Software

Using one of the top online PDF to word converters is ideal for editing worksheets and correcting mistakes .  You simply open the file in the software and the text is editable within a text box.  The font size or style remains the same as you edit or you can change it to be larger or smaller.  You annotate PDF’s, add new text to lengthen an existing file or remove words or an entire paragraph.

With the software you can also edit multiple files at once, create brochures and gain exclusive access to hundreds of ready to use PDF forms and templates.

Create multiple document formats so that students can view with a free PDF reader.  Scan documents, such as resource materials, and then edit them to suit your needs. Open existing PDF files and edit text with a text box.  Delete or add text easily. Convert PDF file’s to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint or vice versa while retaining existing fonts.

Soda PDF is offers tools that allow your to edit, merge, convert, compress, sign and secure documents. It works across multiple devices, including PC computers, tablets, and smartphones. There are different levels of options but you can start with a free download of Soda PDF.

Do More with PDF Editing Software

• Make comments on existing PDF’s thanks to multiple tools that allow you to review markups easily within one view.

• Gain feedback to help students or any reader view and expand on other commentator’s remarks.

• Get documents signed in PDF format, obtaining multiple signatures all parties needed to execute agreements automatically.

• Take any non-fillable form created in Microsoft Word or Excel and turn it into a functional and editable form, then revert it back to a secure file.

• Drag and drop features allow you create PDF’s without having to duplicate your work.  You can also convert forms into a fillable document.

• Quickly gather data from existing forms, whether they have been scanned or opened from already saved file formats.

• Restrict access to your created of edited PDF’s by requiring use to enter a password.  You can also set up permissions for printing, making copies or editing the PDF file.

• Erase private information in your document including text or images.

You should also find PDF editing software that is Digital Signature friendly to ensure users can validate the contents of any legal or personal agreement.

PDF Integration in Word

Software programs should automatically works with Word so you can easily create a file of your document with a couple of clicks.

You will be able to save your PDF file to your computer or create and email instantly.

PDF Editing Software for Business

It’s not just students and educators that work regularly with PDF’s.  These files are needed in business and all of the futures mentioned give the user complete control of a file.   More advanced features for professionals are also included in editing software.

English is the universal language that we use to converse with everyone else. Non-native English speakers put immense value on learning it because they believe it’s necessary to be competent, particularly globally. They do so that they even seek help from other races who speak the language proficiently to learn.

Teaching English or any language is already a demanding job, but teaching it to people that didn’t speak it as their first language is a different animal. Depending on the demographic, non-native speakers have varying objectives as to why they want to learn English. As aforementioned, it’s about competence for professionals.

Teaching the universal language as a career is now a more viable option than ever because of globalization’s demand. Finding an online teaching job is becoming easier.  Being an educator, you’d want your students to learn it properly from you so they can speak and write it with confidence. This article discusses how you can adequately teach English to non-native speakers so you can help them succeed.

Work to get certified

Certification makes you more credible as an English as a second language (ESL) teacher. ESL teachers usually work with all levels of English learners, with most of them being non-native speakers. It’s your job to help these non-native speakers improve their English reading, comprehension, and speaking skills, so receiving proper and specific training helps in doing that well.

Having such a credential will prepare you for anything and everything. It’ll also enhance your chances of securing teaching jobs for private companies or community programs.

You need at least a college degree to be a certified ESL teacher, while a master’s degree is preferred for teaching adult learners. A well-known ESL certification is the Teaching English Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), which is recognized internationally.

Use clear and simple instructions

Instructions are vital in teaching any subject but more so when it’s language. The words that you’re using should be comprehensible. Keep in mind that your students only know a few to zero English words.

Start by using simple words and shorter sentences. You can say: “Please, get your books,” or any material you need them to have. Depending on the setup, you have to accompany your words with gestures.

If you’re teaching English online, then you’ll have to move more. Use more gestures so your students can easily understand what you’re telling them to do. Other than your movements, you can also use visual aids, like a Powerpoint presentation or cue cards.

Using long sentences will confuse your students regardless of their age. Always have them see and hear your instructions so they can absorb and process them easier. Also, don’t progress to more complex words and sentences until you’re sure they’ve learned the basics well enough.

Have your students speak a lot

The next step after having your students listen is to use what they’ve learned. Always use oral communication during all your lectures. It’s the most effective way for you to assess their skills, aside from writing.

Establish a culture of oral participation in your class. Make sure that your class is a safe space for them to speak English without any judgment. Encourage them and constantly remind them that it’s okay to make mistakes.

You can start with group work if you have enough people in the class. If you’re teaching individually, do pair activities with your student to make them feel comfortable and empowered.

Put more context when discussing terminologies

Talking about figures of speech, subject-verb agreement, or verb tenses is a bit advanced for non-native speakers. But, it’s essential that your students understand them if they want to be good enough English speakers. The key is to put more context to these terms during discussions.

Don’t just tell them; show it to them as well for them to understand your lesson with more context. The best approach is to have exercises to know if they understood it or not.

Incorporate innovative ways that make learning fun, such as the use of subtitles in movies and YouTube videos.  This also helps give context in multiple scenarios.

Avoid long lectures

Dragging lessons will not make your students better. You have to know when you’ve been talking or showing them too much. Allow them to process and absorb an ample amount of information.

Shorter lectures, combined with plenty of interaction and visual aids, are better for non-native speakers. That way, you can easily see if they’re picking up your lesson. You must know or at least have an idea of their learning pace during lectures, so you can address anyone who’s having difficulties.

Final thoughts

Put in enough effort and patience to teach your non-native English speakers students to learn the language. It’s a challenge that will be gratifying and rewarding once you’ve overcome it. Let them learn through engaging and meaningful lectures, activities, and tests, and see them develop as your time with them progresses.

Author’s Bio:
Angelo Castelda is a freelance writer from Asia. Besides writing, he also spends his time traveling and learning about diverse cultures, which opened his heart more to learning and imparting knowledge about ESL.

For children that already know English, check our the 5 reasons to sign your kids up for online Spanish classes.

Anti-Bullying Day is a day when the world joins together to stand up against bullying in our schools, on the playground, and online on social media. It’s recognized at different times of the year depending on what country you live in. These are special days that bring awareness and focus to help stop bullying, as well as standing up for those who are currently being bullied.

Parents, teachers and kids of all ages can all work together to ensure no one is ever bullied. Kids can do their part by being a friend to those who are victims of bullying and including them in activities with their group of friends. Even the simple act of sitting with someone in the lunchroom can go a long way to help them feel like they are not alone.

The Origins of Anti-Bullying Day

The idea of Anti-Bullying Day began in Canada in 2007. It’s also called Pink Shirt Day in Canada and takes place on the last Wednesday of February. It began when people came to the defense of a boy who was bullied simply because he wore a pink shirt to school. This is why there is also another day called International Day of Pink, which is held the first week of April.

Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France and New Zealand will honor “International STAND UP to Bullying Day” on February 28th or 29th. Schools may call the day by different names, but the goal is always the same; to stop bullying and help those who are currently being bullied.

The United nations declared every May 4th as International Anti-Bullying Day. Regardless of when any country commemorates this important day, it’s vital for all of us to speak out against bullying. It’s a reminder to stand along side those who are bullied – regardless of their age, race or gender.

Bullying has been around since there have been schools, or when any group of friends throughout history have gathered together to play. It only takes one person who feels the need to ‘get their kicks’ out of picking on someone in the group. The invention of the Internet has rapidly spread the problem. Bullies now have the ability reach their victims at home through social media. This is called Cyber Bullying. On the Internet, the effects of cyberbullying can cause even more hurt and damage and it can happen more quickly.

Things You Can Do to Stop Bullying

No matter where bullying takes place, on the playground or online, it’s important for kids to also stand up against it.   If you know of someone who is being bullied, tell let your parents, a teacher or school counselor. There are also other things you can personally do to help. As mentioned, sometimes helping means just being a friend to someone who doesn’t have one.

On social media you can stand up for someone by speaking out against harmful comments about another person. It may be by making simple comment in defense of someone. If you see one of your friend connections taking part in bullying, you may want to talk to them about what they are doing. Ending your social media connection with a person who is bullying you or others is also be a very healthy thing to do.

If you being bullying, the first step is to tell an adult you trust. They can guide you in what you can do to help it stop. Sometimes bullying can happen within friendships. If you have a friend who are being cruel to you, this is called a toxic friendship and a toxic relationship. Distance yourself from them. They are not a true friend who cares about you.

Don’t Be a Bully Bystander

You’ve probably heard the term used for people who are watching something happen but are not part of the action. They are called bystanders. If you were walking down the street and an old lady drops her groceries, and you do nothing to help her, you may be called a bystander in a negative way.

The same can be said for bullying. Of course, you always have to make sure you are safe when you help someone, but whether you see injustice against another person in the school yard or on social media, you have to decide. Will you be a bystander who does nothing, or someone who will step in to help? The same can be said for cyberbullying on social media.

Making a Difference on Anti-Bullying Day

So, whether your school asks teachers and students to wear pink on your own Anti-Bullying Day or not, it’s important to remember that everyone can make a difference. Remember, a large group of people saying NO to bullying is made up of individuals. If everyone said they can’t make a difference just because they are only one person, many great causes around the world would lose their power. That’s often be referred to as “The Power of One”.

Do you see someone who needs a friend?

Do know of someone who is being bullied?

Maybe you are the one who being bullied.

Talk to someone about how you can stand up for yourself in a safe way, or do something else to prevent it from happening again. Don’t be afraid to block or hide someone from view on social media. You may even decide that a particular social media platform is not for you and delete your account altogether. Talk to your parents about this if you need help.

It’s also ok to have compassion for the bully. They are human too. Why do they do what they do? Which brings us to our final comments on the subject of bullying.

A Final Word for Bullies

Are you a person who is bullying someone else? You may wonder why it makes you feel better to be hurtful to others. Perhaps you are involved in other destructive behavior. Maybe you are being bullied or hurt by an adult. Teachers and school counselors are there for you too. Talk to them.

Read about cyberbullying in fan culture and who to help stop it.

It can be challenging to create the ideal workstation for your students. Even the most ergonomically designed settings have plenty of distractions. Today, technology is among the biggest offenders. In some cases, it’s technology that stalls students from beginning their work.

In other cases, it’s technology that diverts the students’ attention away from their work once after they’ve finally obtained focus. Video games, push notifications, you name it. These are all technological features that are distracting to educational modes. However, lowered student performance is not the only result that can stem from an intrusive work environment. 

Distractions can lead students to stress and anxiety, condition them into a mindset that deprioritizes education, and even influence them to lose interest in their studies. Still, our society is heavily reliant on technology, so ridding screens from educational settings isn’t the best solution. 

Perhaps learning the long-lost art of concentration can assist in remediation, as well as taking some time to understand how the role of sleep contributes to productivity. Mind wandering is so natural that we often don’t even realize we’re drifting focus. 

Does a child’s IQ have anything to do with their ability to stay attentive and focused?  Learn what an IQ test can teach parents and teachers about kids by measuring reasoning, memory and a brain’s processing speed.

A study by Microsoft Canada found that our average attention span is 1 second less than that of a goldfish! 8 seconds! Furthermore, The Journal of Neuroscience found that continued lack of sleep could destroy our brain cells. For example, when mice are deprived of sleep, neurons in their brains begin to die. 

Although distractions are impossible to completely vanish, simple steps can point your students in the direction of success. Take a look at the infographic below for a complete reference guide on how to help students focus better.