language arts homework help

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4th grade reading & vocabulary

Unit 1: superheroes, unit 2: growth mindset, unit 3: journeys west.

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Eighth grade English language arts

Eighth grade English language arts includes topics such asInferences, Technical Meanings, Task, purpose and audience, Characters, Evaluating author’s claim, Active and passive voice and many more concepts with the help of resources on this page.

The apps, sample questions, videos and worksheets listed below will help you learn Eighth grade English language arts

Sample questions on 8th grade english language arts, 8th grade english language arts worksheets, educational apps.

iTooch Middle School App | Fre

Pronouns by Teach Speech Apps

Math ELA Grade 8 – Common Core

Educational Videos

Analyze the impact of setting on characters–Lesson 5 of 7 (Common Core Standard RL.8.3)

Using descriptive words and phrases to picture a poem—Lesson 1 of 7 (Common Core Standard RL.8.4)

Find the meaning of technical words–Lesson 5 of 6 (Common Core Standard RI.8.4)

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Online ela tutors, vetted and ready, who needs ela tutoring, your child deserves the best ela tutoring experience.

At Learner, we believe it’s essential to build a positive, distraction-free learning environment, so our online English language arts tutors offer customized instruction at your child’s ideal pace. It’s just as important to give students the freedom to find and strengthen their unique writing voice, so our tutors offer constructive feedback and encouragement.

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Reading and writing skills aren’t just essential for good grades in middle school and high school. Your child needs strong reading comprehension and creative writing skills for standardized tests and college courses. With Learner, your child can improve their English language skills with help from a private ELA tutor.

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How students (and families) benefit from working with Learner

Better grades.

Strong reading and writing skills are essential for students of any age, from elementary school to college. Sometimes the fast pace and strict schedule of common core standards make it difficult for students to hone their English skills at school. Expert academic tutors can help your child dramatically improve their language arts skills for better homework and test grades.

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As middle school and high school students start preparing for standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, their English language skills become even more important. They need accurate grammar as well as strong critical thinking and analytical skills. Our tutors provide practical feedback and legitimate tips to help students write better in challenging settings like college entrance exams.

Transferable skills

Creative and expository writing are big parts of most university degree programs and careers. Students who take the time to perfect their English language skills in high school are a step ahead when they start college. Our ELA tutors help students polish their writing and reading comprehension skills to prepare for application essays and college courses. 

How does Learner tutoring work?

Answer questions about your child's background and unique needs.

Schedule a call with our Academic Advisor to identify learning goals and objectives.

We will custom match the right tutor for your child. Your initial session is commitment-free.

Why work with Learner?

Customized instruction

Our English language tutors create engaging and interactive ELA lessons that don’t just rely on boring textbooks and sentence diagrams. Your student will learn to sharpen their vocabulary and grammar skills to allow their thoughts and personality to shine through their writing.

Innovative online platform

Our advanced virtual classroom is accessible from most devices, so your student can attend their online tutoring sessions from anywhere. With features like a homework upload option and interactive whiteboard, language arts lessons become interesting, collaborative experiences.

Understandable feedback

Your child will see their progress in better homework and test grades, but they also get feedback after every tutoring session. They will see exactly which language arts areas they’ve improved and know where to focus on next.

100% satisfaction guarantee

Our team is made up of the best tutors online, and we stand by that with our 100% risk-free satisfaction guarantee. Your initial session is commitment-free with NO subscription obligation.

Why is Learner the best for English language arts tutoring?

Language arts mastery.

We know how essential it is for students and professionals to have strong English communication skills, so we help build those in every student we teach.

Engaging online environment

Our online platform allows your child to meet with their tutor virtually in a comfortable environment that’s free from distractions and pressure.

Custom lessons and assistance

Your child is matched with a Learner tutor who provides completely customized instruction that meets common core standards.

Top-notch teachers

Our ELA tutors have advanced university degrees and years of experience helping students of all ages sharpen their language arts skills.

Finding the right online English language arts tutor

Choosing an English language arts tutor for your child isn’t just about finding someone who understands grammatical nuances, phonics, and the basics of writing an essay. You need an English language expert who can walk your child through the fundamentals of writing well and also help them advance toward more complicated reading comprehension assignments.  ‍ When you choose Learner for ELA tutoring, you can give your child the benefits of a personalized education from world-class experts. We match each student with their tutor based on grade level and learning style. Our private tutors customize lessons based on each student’s unique learning goals.

How to find ELA tutors near me

More often not, searching for nearby tutors on the internet will not yield the results you want. While you may have a handful of ELA tutors in your neighborhood or hometown, there are thousands of tutors online that specialize in teaching English Language Arts. By utilizing online tutoring platforms you are not limited by location, and you don’t have to lower your bar to meet a certain standard. Having access to tutors from around the world means you can work with an ELA expert who also specializes in teaching students with specific learning styles. Whether your child has a learning disability or is learning English as a second language, there will be a tutor who can cater to your child’s learning needs.

Virtual tutoring platforms such as ours at Learner are extremely beneficial for students who need assistance with English Language Arts. All of Learner’s virtual classrooms have an “interactive whiteboard.” This allows tutors and students to collaborate on exercises such as correcting grammar, using accurate sentence patterns, and learning new vocabulary. While some tutoring sessions will revolve around test preparation and homework help, others may be short lessons where a student is building upon their ELA foundation. One of our standout virtual features is its recording tool, which allows students to playback lessons whenever they want to. This is especially helpful if a student is working on something individually and needs a quick reminder.

What should you look for in an ELA tutor?

If an online ELA tutor has been hired to work with a student, chances are the student is struggling with their language arts course. Sometimes, they won’t be able to recognize a book’s key theme or talk about a significant character’s development. Private ELA tutors need to be patient and not show any signs of frustration or irritation, because showing frustration will only make the student feel more defeated.

You want your tutor to have a love of literature and a love of teaching literature to others. The more invested a tutor is in what they do, the more significant the impact they will have on their students. If your private tutor is simply trying to make a little extra money, they are unlikely to go the extra mile to help their students achieve their academic goals.

Teaching ELA is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Every student approaches literature differently—while some focus on the plot, others pay the most attention to the characters. Some themes will be easy for some students to pick out, while others will be hard to spot. Excellent tutors will get to know their students’ strengths, weaknesses, interests, and preferred learning styles and alter their lesson plans to suit those preferences.

Enthusiastic

Not every student will be excited by the idea of language arts. Some students may dread the subject, and thus, they will also likely dread their tutoring sessions for this subject. It’s up to the tutor to inject energy into their tutoring sessions and ensure their lessons are as enjoyable as possible. The more engaged students are in their tutoring lessons, the more likely they will understand and retain information.

Communicative

ELA tutors need to be adept communicators who can talk about different types of language. For instance, if a student is struggling to understand the meaning of a metaphor or a simile, a tutor needs to be able to explain how these nonliteral meanings convey a more abstract meaning or message.

Struggling with any school subject can impact a student’s confidence and self-esteem. Private tutors need to be able to get through to their students when they are having a tough time and talk them through any difficulties they might be having. An excellent tutor will know when to give a student gentle encouragement and when to push or challenge them.

When it comes to a tutor-student relationship, it should always be about the student. Tutoring sessions should never be an opportunity for tutors to brag about their accomplishments or achievements. Additionally, if a tutor is too arrogant, this may lead to an uncomfortable learning environment for their students, where students don’t feel at ease talking about their issues or insecurities.

Private tutors should encourage their students to be ambitious with their goals. Students are more likely to push themselves to reach their true potential when they aim high. If a tutor believes they can achieve their goals, the student is more likely to believe in themselves too.

Top benefits of working with a private ELA tutor

One-on-one lessons.

One of the most significant advantages of private tutoring is that the student receives their instructor’s full attention. This allows the instructor to build their lessons around the student’s needs, including their strengths and weaknesses, interests and background and preferred learning style. When a learning environment is tailored fully toward the student, they are far more likely to flourish and excel.

Boosted confidence

Better study habits, fewer distractions.

Large classrooms are not always the most productive learning environments. Between the overwhelming number of people in the room and the small chatter and noise, classrooms can be very distracting. In a private tutoring environment, all distractions are eliminated. This allows students to really hone in on the texts they are reading and think deeply about the underlying message behind these texts.

ELA teachers often only have a certain number of weeks to dedicate to each classroom text. If reading and writing are not a student’s strong suits, they may fall behind on the curriculum. That’s why private tutoring sessions perfectly supplement classroom learning. Students can take whatever questions they have or ideas they are struggling with and use their private tutoring sessions to clarify concepts and remove confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online English Language Arts Tutoring

How is online tutoring different from in-person tutoring.

Both types of tutoring services are designed to give students the kind of personalized instruction that’s not possible in a traditional classroom environment. However, online tutoring offers some unique benefits. You don’t have to limit your search to tutors who live in your local area. With an online service, you can find the best expert available and schedule online sessions from anywhere.

What are the qualifications of your ELA tutors?

Our private tutors are English experts with advanced degrees and deep knowledge of language arts. We only hire tutors who have a proven history of helping their students improve their language arts grades and test scores. Our instructors give students the chance to practice their reading comprehension skills with interesting passages and provide reliable feedback on writing assignments.

How do I select the right English language arts tutor for my child?

It’s important to make sure your child’s tutor has a compatible personality and teaching style. At Learner, we have a proprietary matching system that recommends the best tutor based on your child’s needs and grade level. However, you get to make the final decision on who teaches your child.

What does an ELA tutor do?

Our test prep online tutors help prepare students for the math section of the ACT and SAT exams. They explain complex math concepts and show students time-efficient ways to solve problems on practice tests. They work through study guides and offer tips for eliminating wrong multiple-choice answers immediately.

If I don’t think the English language arts tutor is right for my child, what can I do?

Once you consult with our Academic Advisor and get a tutor matched to your child, you can schedule the first session. If you don’t feel like the tutor is a good fit, you can request to switch to a different instructor.

When can I schedule the first session with my child’s private ELA tutor?

It will probably take a few days to schedule your child’s first tutoring session. We know how important it is to find the right instructor for each student, so we take the time to talk with you about your child’s needs and find the right match.

How does online English language arts tutoring work?

Our ELA tutors teach their students within our virtual classroom. This online platform is compatible with most devices, so your child can attend their lessons from the comfort of home. Each session is tailored to address your child’s academic challenges and give them the chance to practice reading and writing with immediate, constructive feedback.

Can an ELA tutor help my child improve their grades?

Yes! Language arts skills are foundational to every high school and college course, not just English. When your child strengthens their critical reading skills and their essay-writing, they have the tools to succeed academically and in their future career.

How much does an English language arts tutor cost?

Hourly rates for ELA tutors vary, but most well-qualified instructors charge between $60 and $80 per hour.

Is English language arts tutoring tax deductible?

Unfortunately, the IRS considered the cost of private tutoring a nondeductible personal expense.

What is your refund policy?

We guarantee your satisfaction with our tutoring service. If you aren’t certain your child is getting the best academic instruction, you can switch to a different tutor at no extra charge.

How do you become an online ELA tutor?

To teach language arts, you need to have strong reading and writing skills along with a thorough understanding of the ins and outs of grammar. If you want to work for Learner, you need to have at least a bachelor’s degree. We also require our tutors to have several years of online tutoring experience and proof that their students have improved their English grades.

The English Tutor's ESL Success Guide: 10 Expert Tips for Accelerated Learning

Unlock the full potential of your ESL students with our comprehensive guide. This engaging resource is designed to help students master English language fundamentals, making it an indispensable tool for their academic success. Share this must-have resource and set your students on the path to English proficiency.

1. Using A and AN

We use A/AN (articles) with singular countable nouns. ‍ ‍ My brother has a dog, and my sister has a cat. There is an accident on the corner.

A is used when the following word starts with a consonant sound.

• A university (The start of the word university sounds like you, a consonant sound)

AN is used when the following word starts with a vowel sound.

• An ice-cream
• An hour (the letter H in this word is silent, so it sounds like it starts with a vowel)

2. When to use ANY/SOME

SOME and ANY are used with both countable and uncountable nouns to ask about, confirm, and respond negatively to an indefinite amount. SOME and ANY are used with singular and plural verb forms.

Here are some examples of questions/statements followed by the rules: 

• Do you have any questions for me?
• Would you like some water?
• I don’t have any time to finish my homework.
• I need some time to think. 

We use SOME and ANY with plural nouns and uncountable nouns. SOME is generally used in positive sentences. ANY is generally used in negative sentences.

• I have some information for you about flights to California. (Positive - Uncountable)
• I don't have any information for you about flights to California. (Negative - Uncountable)
• We met some friends for dinner after work yesterday. (Positive - Plural Countable)
• I didn't see any friends there on Thursday. (Negative - Plural Countable)
• I think he will have some time to speak to you today. (Positive - Uncountable)
• I don't think he will have any time to speak to you today. (Negative - Uncountable)

You can also use SOME and ANY in a sentence without a noun if the sentence’s meaning is clear. ‍ I didn't eat any salad, but Peter ate some. (salad) ‍ Sean took lots of photos of the mountains, but Emma didn't take any. (photos)

3. Using the Basic Prepositions IN / ON / TO / AT

When and how to use in.

Use IN with spaces:

• in a room / in a building
• in a garden / in a park

Use IN with bodies of water:

• in the water
• in the river

Use IN with lines:

• in a row / in a line

When and How to Use AT

Use AT with places:

• at the bus-stop
• at the door
• at the cinema
• at the end of the street

When and How to Use ON

Use ON with surfaces:

• on the ceiling 
• on the wall 
• on the floor
• on the table

Use ON with directions:

• on the left
• on the right
• straight on

When and How to Use TO

Use TO with movement from one place to another:

• I went to school.
• Did you go to work?
• Let's go to the shopping mall.

Do not use TO with home .

• Incorrect Example: I go to home.

4. How to Use LIKE

LIKE can be used as a verb or as a preposition. There are a number of common questions using LIKE that are easy to confuse. LIKE is used to ask about a person's or object's character and is general in nature.

• What's she like? - 'What … like?' 
• What does he look like? 
• LIKE is used as a preposition to express physical appearance. In this case, LIKE can also mean SIMILAR TO if you are making a comparison to other people.
• What do they like?
• This use of the verb LIKE is for general preferences. LIKE as a verb is generally followed by the -ING form of the verb ( I like playing tennis ).
• What would you like to drink?
• Another common use of LIKE is using WOULD LIKE to express wishes. Note that WOULD LIKE is followed by the infinitive form of the verb, not the -ING form.

5. How to Use the Present Simple Tense 

The simple present tense in English is used to describe an action that is regular, true, or normal. We use the present tense:

For repeated or regular actions in the present time.

• I take the train to the office.
• The train to Berlin leaves every hour.
• John sleeps eight hours every night during the week.
• The President of the USA lives in the White House.
• A dog has four legs.
• We come from Switzerland.

For habits.

• I get up early every day.
• Carol brushes her teeth twice a day.
• They travel to their country house every weekend.

For things that are always / generally true.

• It rains a lot in winter.
• The Queen of England lives in Buckingham Palace.
• They speak English at work.

Verb Conjugation & Spelling

We form the present tense using the base form of the infinitive (without the TO). In general, we add -S in the third person.

The spelling for the verb in the third person differs depending on the ending of that verb:For verbs that end in -O, -CH, -SH, -SS, -X, or -Z, we add -ES in the third person.

• catch – catches
• wash – washes
• kiss – kisses
• fix – fixes
• buzz – buzzes

For verbs that end in a consonant + -Y, we remove the -Y and add -IES.

• marry – marries
• study – studies
• carry – carries
• worry – worries

NOTE: For verbs that end in a vowel + -Y, we just add -S.

• play – plays
• enjoy – enjoys
• say – says 

6. Forming the Past Tense of Irregular Verbs

The past form of regular verbs ends in -ED. Irregular verbs must be studied and learned individually.

Here is a list of past tense verb forms of some of the most common irregular verbs:

7. understanding the four types of pronouns.

There are four types of pronouns:

Subject Pronouns

Object pronouns, possessive pronouns, demonstrative pronouns.

Here are explanations and examples of each:

Function as the subject of a sentence.

• I live in New York.
• Do you like playing tennis?
• He doesn't want to come this evening.
• She works in London.
• It won't be easy.​
• We are studying pronouns at the moment.
• You went to Paris last year, didn't you?
• They bought a new car last month.​

Serve as the object of a verb.

• Give me the book.
• He told you to come tonight.
• She asked him to help.
• They visited her when they came to New York.
• She bought it at the store.
• He picked us up at the airport.
• The teacher asked you to finish your homework.
• I invited them to a party.

Show that something belongs to someone.

• That house is mine .
• This is yours .
• I'm sorry, that's his .
• Those books are hers .
• Those students are ours .
• Look over there. Those seats are yours .
• Theirs will be green.

Possessive adjectives (MY, YOUR, HIS, HER, ITS, OUR, YOUR, THEIR) are often confused with possessive pronouns. A possessive adjective modifies the noun following it to show possession.

• I'll get my books.
• Is that your car over there?
• That is his teacher, Mr. Jones.
• I want to go to her store.
• Its color is red.
• Can we bring our children?
• You are welcome to invite your husbands.

Refer to things. THIS and THESE refer to something near. THAT and THOSE refer to things that are farther away.

• This is my house.
• That is our car over there.
• These are my colleagues in this room.
• Those are beautiful flowers in the next field.

8. Using the Basic Prepositions of Time IN / AT / ON

When and how to use in for time.

Use IN with months and years and periods of time:

• in the nineties

Use IN with a period of time in the future:

• in a few weeks
• in a couple of days

When and How to Use AT for Time

Use AT with precise time:

• at six o'clock

When and How to Use ON for Time

Use ON with days of the week:

Use ON with specific calendar days:

• on Christmas day
• on October 22

Important Note: We say IN the morning, afternoon, or evening but we say AT NIGHT.

9. Verbs Followed by the Gerund or the Infinitive

When two verbs are used together, the second verb is often in the form of a gerund (-ING) or an infinitive. There are no specific rules concerning which verbs take which form. Like irregular verbs, you will need to learn which form a verb takes.

Common Verbs that Take the Gerund -ING Form

• can't stand
• They go jogg ing on Saturdays.
• I don't mind help ing you.
• They can't stand driv ing in traffic jams.

Common Verbs that Use the Infinitive Form

• I promised to help him.
• Alice needs to start that task.
• He decided to quit his job.

10. Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are a part of a larger category called auxiliary verbs, which are verbs that cannot be used on their own. They need to be accompanied by another (main) verb. Sometimes modal verbs are called modal auxiliaries . The following are modal verbs: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would. ‍ They are modal auxiliary verbs that provide additional information about the verb that follows it. Modal verbs are used to express ability, obligation, permission, assumptions, probability and possibility, requests and offers, and advice. Each modal verb can have more than one meaning depending on the context of that sentence (or question).

• You can go now. (= permission)
• I can play the guitar. (= ability)

Structure with Modal Verbs

A modal verb is followed by another verb in the base form (the infinitive without the TO), and they are not conjugated (we don't add an -S in third person). See the following structure: Subject + Modal Verb + Verb (base form of the infinitive)

• I can speak English (not I can to speak English.)
• He can speak Spanish (not He can speaks Spanish.)
• She can speak Spanish (not She cans speak Spanish.)

Modal Verbs in Negative Sentences

Subject + Modal Verb + NOT + Verb (base form of the infinitive)

• You must not walk on the grass. (= You mustn't walk on the grass.)
• He cannot speak Arabic. (= He can't speak Arabic.)
• We should not be late. (= We shouldn't be late.)

As you can see in the examples above, contractions of the Modal verb + NOT are often possible. The negative of CAN is CANNOT (NOT is joined to CAN) and the contraction is CAN’T.

Modal Verbs in Questions

Modal Verb + Subject + Verb (base form of the infinitive)

• May I help you?
• Can I have another piece of cake, please?
• Would you like to come with us?

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In the library, look for the numbered shelves below.

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Improv as a way to treat stuttering

• Community Engagement
• Mental Health
• School of Communication

President Joe Biden, Steve Harvey, Nicole Kidman, Tiger Woods, Samuel L. Jackson: all recognizable names. These famous people, who have made their mark in politics, sports or Hollywood, have something in common. They all stuttered.

Experts say while a stutterers’ speech may improve over time, the condition most likely still impacts their daily life in some way.

The National Stuttering Association reports the speech disorder affects about 1% of the global population, though about 5% of children — perhaps even more — go through a period of stuttering. Stuttering in preschool age children often coincides with the language explosion that happens when their motor system cannot keep up with the expansion of language they’re trying to use. For children who don’t “grow out of it,” the condition can be especially challenging as they age. It often leads to teasing, bullying, social isolation and can cause emotional distress and erode self-confidence.

Treating the speech disorder can be difficult, but there’s a powerful tool that has been increasingly recognized for its ability to empower people who stutter — improvisation.

Breaking the blocks and creating confidence

Born out of an effort to collaborate across disciplines, School of Communication speech-language pathologist and clinical assistant professor Elisha Boxer Magnifico partnered with David Catlin , the head of acting in the department of theatre to develop “Break the Blocks” — a series of free workshops, open to the community, that uses improvisation to build confidence in young people. The workshops are part of Northwestern’s guiding principles to strengthen our community.

The concept is relatively simple. During a series of three weekly workshops, about a dozen participants, ages 12 to 18, are invited to take part in a range of improv scenarios. They take turns acting, talking in front of each other and building off each other’s confidence. It’s a learning experience not only for the young people involved, but also graduate students from the Northwestern University Center for Audiology, Speech, Language and Learning and undergraduate theater students who assist in the 90-minute sessions.

We want them to be able to stutter confidently and not have it be a negative thing.”

Magnifico says the goal is to create an environment where each participant is encouraged, but not required, to take chances.

“We want to break down the blocks and the walls of communication that some of the improvisers might feel in their everyday life,” Magnifico said. “We want them to be able to stutter confidently and not have it be a negative thing.”

Catlin taps into his theater experience and a love for improv to lead the group through the series of games and activities.  He said the goal isn’t to create a comedy scene, however “there are many times when we all laugh together, which helps us let down our guards and be brave about jumping into play.”

Using improv to build community

The workshops aren’t just about “play.”  They’re also a chance for community building, especially for a young person who might not have ever met someone else who stutters.

“This really gives them an opportunity to realize ‘I’m not the only one out there,’” Magnifico said. “We saw participants exchanging phone numbers. Some even gravitated towards sitting next to each other after each successive week. For kids who haven’t met other kids who stuttered, that was pretty special.”

Magnifico and Catlin first offered “Break the Blocks” during a pilot run in the winter quarter.  New sessions are underway this May with a new cohort of young people. They’re still experimenting to find the right combination of class size, participant’s age range and gender to make the effort even more successful. The hope is to offer the sessions once a quarter, keep them as a free service to the community, and perhaps add a learning component for parents of children who stutter.

“A lot of these kids can feel isolated and many of the parents feel the same way because they may not have talked to another parent of someone who stutters,” Magnifico said. “I would love to find a way to add that as a component of the curriculum.”

Magnifico said she was close to tears at witnessing the breakthroughs the young people experienced during the first workshops. Catlin calls it all “inspiring.”

“That ability to feel like you’ve helped make a difference in a young person’s life through storytelling, through the act of theater, that you’ve made someone else’s world a little better makes your own world a lot better,” Catlin said. “It’s energizing as an artist to see somebody be that brave and that willing to take a risk.”

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