.png)
.png)
Daily Journal
Why Encourage Daily Journaling?
Builds Fluency:
Gives students a safe space to practice writing freely without fearing grammar mistakes.
Connects to Real Life:
Forces learners to express their own personal, daily experiences in English.
Recycles Vocabulary:
Provides an immediate testing ground for using and locking in new classroom words.
Tracks Progress:
Boosting confidence as students visually see their writing grow over time.
Each page of this daily journal contains a different inspirational quote about gratitude, an example of a random act of kindness, and spaces for the day's goal, priorities, and journal entry. The book measures 5.5 x 8.5 inches and has 370 pages.
Sample pages
Sample lesson
Targets Action-Oriented Learners:
Provides immediate structure for students intimidated by blank journal pages.
Teaches Workplace Skills:
Builds real-world English habits by practicing concise writing, priorities, and task management.
Low-Pressure Routine:
Uses fast bullet points and short fragments instead of long paragraphs—perfect for busy days.
The Perfect Companion Piece:
Couples beautifully with a reflection journal to offer a complete mindset and productivity set.
Why Use a Daily To-Do List?
My Daily To-Do List
Each page of this daily journal contains an inspirational quote about gratitude, an example of a random act of kindness, and spaces for today’s goal, messages and notes. The book measures 5.5 x 8.5 inches and has 100 pages.
The American Experience Through Postage Stamps
A visual reading book for ESL students, immigrants, and adult learners. Each page features a U.S. postage stamp, a large related image, and a short caption written at an accessible reading level.
​
. Perfect for students who are intimidated by long passages.Why teachers may find it useful:
​
• Short readings about American history and culture
​
• Helpful for vocabulary, discussion, and writing prompts• Good for ESL libraries and citizenship classes
​
• Visual support for better understanding
Available in paperback on Amazon.
Watch this short video
to see how postage stamps can open the door to short, visual reading lessons about American history, culture, people, places, and national symbols.
Step by Step Lesson Planning
Here are a few basic teaching tips.
Follow us on Facebook.
Paul J. Hamel has more than 50 years of experience in ESL instruction, teacher training, and adult education. Throughout his career, he has helped students learn English and supported teachers with practical, classroom-tested materials.
Paul began his career in 1969 as a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon. After earning his master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from UCLA, he taught in Zaire before returning to California. In Los Angeles, he managed language programs for refugees and taught at Santa Monica College, USC, and LAUSD, where he
served as an instructor, teacher trainer, and adult school principal.After retiring from administration, Paul returned to his first love: teaching. He later taught at UCLA’s American Language Center and the College of the Desert. Drawing on a lifetime of classroom experience, he created practical ESL books and lesson materials designed to help teachers save time and help students succeed. Paul’s books are available in paperback on Amazon and as downloadable PDFs directly through this website.
"These YouTube videos are a great way to have students listen to standard English in short, manageable segments. Because they are only one or two minutes long, they reduce learning anxiety, introduce real-world vocabulary in context, and serve as perfect conversation starters or quick warm-up activities for any ESL lesson."
One Minute Tours
