English Language

The Standard Deviants - Learn Public Speaking

Does the idea of speaking in front of an audience fill you with dread? Relax! The Standard Deviants will help you overcome your fear of public speaking and help you deliver your message with style and flair! Using proven attention-getters, illustrations and delivery suggestions, this DVD will help you organize your thoughts and present them in a clear and persuasive manner.

The Standard Deviants - Learn English as a Second Language (ESL) DVD 4-Pack

Save Money! The Standard Deviants English as a Second Language DVD 4-Pack includes everything you need to become proficient in the English language! You get all four ESL DVDs at a discounted price.

The Standard Deviants - DVD English Pack (Composition, Punctuation, Grammar)

The 3-disc set, The Standard Deviants English Pack contains:

The Standard Deviants - English Composition
As with other Standard Deviants videos, this one begins with the warning that English Composition is meant to be used in conjunction with a class, not as a replacement. Well, for once, ignore them. Sure, nothing can replace an English comp class, and everyone should take one, but this video is probably the most valuable one you could watch before beginning your high school or college career. In fact, even for those in the real world, English Composition can help you brush up on your writing skills. Whether you need to write a lab report, a critical review, or a case study or summarize professional articles, this video gives you the know-how to write an effective paper from brainstorming through revision.

Nathan is your typical college freshman. Through confessional-style interviews, we learn of his traumas and achievements writing his first university assignment. From the moment his teacher gives him his assignment, we watch Nathan as he churns out--and rejects--a number of ideas. We share his satisfaction when he narrows his choices down. We share his pain at his not-great critique. We share his joy at his final rewrite. Okay, so maybe we're getting a little carried away--but using Nathan, humorous skits (including a genie who grants wishes), and clever graphics, the Standard Deviants cover characteristics of academic prose, getting started, collecting information, outlining, rough drafts, feedback, and lots of revision in a jocular way. Included with the tape is an insert that shows not only Nathan's assignment but the three versions of his paper, which incorporate the changes he's made. --Jenny Brown

The Standard Deviants - English Punctuation, Part 1
The rules of punctuation may not seem enjoyable or entertaining, but the Standard Deviants can at least help out in making the rules memorable with a cast of enthusiastic young performers who specialize in lighthearted but academically sound treatments of serious subjects. In The Untamed Worlds of English Punctuation, the troupe dons costumes (such as the uniform of a traffic cop) and hams it up while presenting lessons that begin by answering the basic question "What is punctuation?" The major "end marks" are then covered in a series of lessons that focus on the rules for employing periods, questions marks, and exclamation points. The uses of commas, semicolons, and colons are covered in a similarly lively manner, with useful tips, such as the "Furthermore Rule" to test the suitability of a semicolon. Following each set of lessons is a quiz that the student can take or skip, and the "Exclamation Exam," a comprehensive test covering all the material on the DVD, can be taken at the finish. There's only so much that can be done to make punctuation exciting, but the Standard Deviants do offer a multitude of offbeat examples. And fear not, the material included has all been approved by a serious academic panel. --Robert J. McNamara

The Standard Deviants - English Grammar, Part 1
English grammar is serious stuff, and there's only so much that can be done to make it entertaining. But the Standard Deviants, an energetic troupe of young performers whose specialty is making serious academic subjects engaging, happily dive into what they call "The Split-Infinitive World of English Grammar." The lessons on this DVD have been prepared by a panel of serious academics, but flashy graphics abound. And the performers do their best to liven up presentations of basic concepts. Nouns, verbs, adjectives, and other parts of speech are explained with some offbeat examples (for instance, a film of a lizard is used to demonstrate why "gecko" is a common noun). While introducing a section on verbals, a young woman mentions that a "funky thing" verbs can do is function as other parts of speech. Eventually all parts of speech are covered, and basic sentence structures are introduced. At the end of each set of lessons a quiz is presented, which a student can either take or skip. After proceeding through all the lessons on this DVD (which contains about two hours worth of material), a student can take the "Gram Slam," a comprehensive exam. English grammar will never be a barrel of fun, but the Standard Deviants deserve credit for making this review course as engaging as the subject is ever likely to get. --Robert J. McNamara

Save money! The Standard Deviants English DVD 3-Pack contains English Composition DVD, English Grammar 1 DVD and English Punctuation 1 DVD. You get all three DVDs at a discounted price.

Standard Deviants: Grammar For All - Learning English Grammar - The Parts of Speech

English grammar is serious stuff, and there's only so much that can be done to make it entertaining. But the Standard Deviants, an energetic troupe of young performers whose specialty is making serious academic subjects engaging, happily dive into what they call "The Split-Infinitive World of English Grammar." The lessons on this DVD have been prepared by a panel of serious academics, but flashy graphics abound. And the performers do their best to liven up presentations of basic concepts. Nouns, verbs, adjectives, and other parts of speech are explained with some offbeat examples (for instance, a film of a lizard is used to demonstrate why "gecko" is a common noun). While introducing a section on verbals, a young woman mentions that a "funky thing" verbs can do is function as other parts of speech. Eventually all parts of speech are covered, and basic sentence structures are introduced. At the end of each set of lessons a quiz is presented, which a student can either take or skip. After proceeding through all the lessons on this DVD (which contains about two hours worth of material), a student can take the "Gram Slam," a comprehensive exam. English grammar will never be a barrel of fun, but the Standard Deviants deserve credit for making this review course as engaging as the subject is ever likely to get. --Robert J. McNamara

Understanding the fundamentals of grammar is the first step to impressive writing. A few of the topics covered in this DVD include: the parts of speech, common nouns and pronouns, verb tenses, conjugations, and compound sentences. The Standard Deviants provide you with a fun, effective way of learning with their unique blend of helpful study tips and comic relief. (Formerly titled "English Grammar 1 DVD")

The Standard Deviants - Learn English as a Second Language (ESL) - Pronouns, Adjectives, and the Present Tense

The Standard Deviants - English Composition

As with other Standard Deviants videos, this one begins with the warning that English Composition is meant to be used in conjunction with a class, not as a replacement. Well, for once, ignore them. Sure, nothing can replace an English comp class, and everyone should take one, but this video is probably the most valuable one you could watch before beginning your high school or college career. In fact, even for those in the real world, English Composition can help you brush up on your writing skills. Whether you need to write a lab report, a critical review, or a case study or summarize professional articles, this video gives you the know-how to write an effective paper from brainstorming through revision.

Nathan is your typical college freshman. Through confessional-style interviews, we learn of his traumas and achievements writing his first university assignment. From the moment his teacher gives him his assignment, we watch Nathan as he churns out--and rejects--a number of ideas. We share his satisfaction when he narrows his choices down. We share his pain at his not-great critique. We share his joy at his final rewrite. Okay, so maybe we're getting a little carried away--but using Nathan, humorous skits (including a genie who grants wishes), and clever graphics, the Standard Deviants cover characteristics of academic prose, getting started, collecting information, outlining, rough drafts, feedback, and lots of revision in a jocular way. Included with the tape is an insert that shows not only Nathan's assignment, but the three versions of his paper, which incorporate the changes he's made. --Jenny Brown

The Standard Deviants' modern approach to learning and understanding makes difficult subjects accessible and even enjoyable. Recommended by over 500 educators and professors, the Standard Deviants DVD is the ultimate way to relax and learn. Our unique approach to education helps you learn in a way that is different from anything you've ever experienced. The Standard Deviants DVD combines award-winning educational content with cutting-edge technology. With enhanced flexibility and interactive tests and quizzes, the Standard Deviants DVD gives you immediate feedback while providing you with the ability to design your own program and learn at your own pace.

Writer's block gets crushed as the Standard Deviants help you compose your thesis statement and get your pen rolling. Learn how to form their thoughts on paper in this fun and informative video on composition. Start writing your way to better grades today with the Standard Deviants.

Includes such topics as: the writing process, rough drafts, freewriting, the introduction, outlining, the thesis statement, clustering, revising your rough draft, the conclusion, stating and supporting a position.

The Standard Deviants - Learn English as a Second Language (ESL) - Possessives, Verb + Infinitive, and the Past

Possessives give you the ability to say what belongs to you and what does not. But possessives in English can be a little bit tricky. When do you use "my" and when do use mine?" Or "her" and "hers?" We'll also show you how to stretch your conversations by using the present simple tense with an infinitive. Finally, we'll tackle the past tense with a look at the basics: was and were. You'll use them time and time again, from "how was your day?" to "where were you?"

Standard Deviants: Learn English Punctuation 1

The rules of punctuation may not seem enjoyable or entertaining, but the Standard Deviants can at least help out in making the rules memorable with a cast of enthusiastic young performers who specialize in lighthearted but academically sound treatments of serious subjects. In The Untamed Worlds of English Punctuation, the troupe dons costumes (such as the uniform of a traffic cop) and hams it up while presenting lessons that begin by answering the basic question "What is punctuation?" The major "end marks" are then covered in a series of lessons that focus on the rules for employing periods, questions marks, and exclamation points. The uses of commas, semicolons, and colons are covered in a similarly lively manner, with useful tips, such as the "Furthermore Rule" to test the suitability of a semicolon. Following each set of lessons is a quiz which the student can take or skip, and the "Exclamation Exam," a comprehensive test covering all the material on the DVD, can be taken at the finish. There's only so much that can be done to make punctuation exciting, but the Standard Deviants do offer a multitude of offbeat examples. And fear not, the material included has all been approved by a serious academic panel. --Robert J. McNamara

If you think the semicolon is a small organ situated between your small and large intestines, you definitely need this DVD! Those little dots and slashes and marks seem simple enough, but they're insidious little creatures! The English language is filled with tricky and obscure rules of punctuation. This DVD will explain these rules and improve your writing skills.

Standard Deviants School - No-Brainers on Public Speaking, Program 2 - Dynamic Delivery (Classroom Edition)

The Standard Deviants show you how to grab an audience's attention and bring them to their feet - starting with a five-step plan that will help bring the audience to your side. We'll prepare you for the big moment: delivering the speech. If you want to make a great speech, you'll need to be familiar with both delivery and style.

Standard Deviants School - English Grammar Super Pack, Programs 1-6 (Classroom Edition)

The DVD Super Pack contains Modules 1 through 6.