ESL Lesson Plan

...use all kinds of resources and always had trouble finding the the precise, relevant and current information I was looking for.

Now, of course, we all take internet searches for granted, but there is much more to Google than just Google. For example, if you want to see what the emerging news and search trends are (at least based on the number of searches by key words), a good place to start would be Google Trends. Check them out here - http://www.google.com/trends.

Or you could checkout Google zeitgeist - http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/zeitgeist/index.html.

Here's an excerpt from the website: " "Zeitgeist" means "the spirit of the times", and Google reveals this spirit through the aggregation of millions of search queries we receive every day. We have several tools that give insight into global, regional, past and present search trends. These tools are available for you to play with, explore, and learn from. Use them for everything from business research to trivia answers."

Here's a link to the most actively newsworthy searches related to events in the USA - http://www.google.com/trends/hottrends. This is updated constantly. Keep up on the news across all kinds of sources and platforms.

If you have your own parameters or search needs, you might want to look here - http://www.google.com/insights/search/.

I love the internet.You never know what little piece of information, story, song or insight you might stumble into. I incorporate my little discoveries in my classes all the time.

Let us know what links or other resources you find useful or encouraging. We are all learning and making new connections all the time. And sharing makes our journey much richer.

About the author of this entry:

Morf has a B.A.from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and an MAT (Master's in Teaching English) from the University of Washington (Seattle). Morf currently teaches English and writing for a local technical/vocational college with many international students. Morf prefers international and independent films, foods he can't pronounce, music no one else likes and unlikely and ridiculous situations.