• Customer Feedback – Grammar Fitness
• What’s New – Hot Topics for ESL
• Resource for Teachers – Camtasia
• Grants for U.S. Educators

“I love the software because it tells the students why they got problems wrong, and it gives them correct examples. ESL students use the software in our reading lab. Some students also use it to practice for the SAT outside of the lab,” remarks an educator at Irvine Valley College in Irvine, CA, about Merit Software’s Grammar Fitness.

Grammar Fitness can help ESL students learn the basics of mechanics, usage, and punctuation. The user-friendly software tracks student progress and allows teachers to print reports.

For a complete software description or to try the downloadable evaluation version of Grammar Fitness, go to: http://www.meritsoftware.com/software/grammar_fitness/index.html

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A teacher writes: “This summer I am teaching a journalism course to ESL students (high school) at Phillips Academy in Andover. I am not sure what level of English the students will be in. What programs would you recommend? Help!!”

Merit Software has created a new web log on hot topics for ESL. To find the answer to this teacher’s question, click here: http://www.meritsoftware.com/answers/display.php?id=84

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Techsmith has released Camtasia Studio 2.1. This screen-recording application enables teachers to demonstrate PC desktop activity by creating their own videos. Videos may be played on a web server later.

Visit: http://www.techsmith.com

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Grants.gov is a web site for schools and non-profit organizations seeking federal grants. The site allows users to search and apply for Education Department grants online. Grants.gov also provides downloadable application packages, email support, and automatic updates on new grants.

Go to: http://www.grants.gov

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