How To Learn English!

2008-05-14T21:12:00.000-07:00

Here are some tips which may help you to master the English Language!

Speak without Fear

The biggest problem most people face in learning a new language is their own fear. They worry that they won’t say things correctly or that they will look stupid so they don’t talk at all. Don’t do this. The fastest way to learn anything is to do it – again and again until you get it right. Like anything, learning English requires practice. Don’t let a little fear stop you from getting what you want.

Use all of your Resources

Even if you study English at a language school it doesn’t mean you can’t learn outside of class. Using as many different sources, methods and tools as possible, will allow you to learn faster. There are many different ways you can improve your English, so don’t limit yourself to only one or two. The internet is a fantastic resource for virtually anything, but for the language learner it's perfect.

Surround Yourself with English

The absolute best way to learn English is to surround yourself with it. Take notes in English, put English books around your room, listen to English language radio broadcasts, watch English news, movies and television. Speak English with your friends whenever you can. The more English material that you have around you, the faster you will learn and the more likely it is that you will begin “thinking in English.” .

Listen to Native Speakers as Much as Possible

There are some good English teachers that have had to learn English as a second language before they could teach it. However, there are several reasons why many of the best schools prefer to hire native English speakers. One of the reasons is that native speakers have a natural flow to their speech that students of English should try to imitate. The closer ESL / EFL students can get to this rhythm or flow, the more convincing and comfortable they will become.

Watch English Films and Television

This is not only a fun way to learn but it is also very effective. By watching English films (especially those with English subtitles) you can expand your vocabulary and hear the flow of speech from the actors. If you listen to the news you can also hear different accents.

Listen to English Music

Music can be a very effective method of learning English. In fact, it is often used as a way of improving comprehension. The best way to learn though, is to get the lyrics (words) to the songs you are listening to and try to read them as the artist sings. There are several good internet sites where one can find the words for most songs. This way you can practice your listening and reading at the same time. And if you like to sing, fine.

Study As Often As Possible!

Only by studying things like grammar and vocabulary and doing exercises, can you really improve your knowledge of any language.

Do Exercises and Take Tests

Many people think that exercises and tests aren't much fun. However, by completing exercises and taking tests you can really improve your English. One of the best reasons for doing lots of exercises and tests is that they give you a benchmark to compare your future results with. Often, it is by comparing your score on a test you took yesterday with one you took a month or six months ago that you realize just how much you have learned. If you never test yourself, you will never know how much you are progressing. Start now by doing some of the many exercises and tests on this site, and return in a few days to see what you've learned. Keep doing this and you really will make some progress with English.

Record Yourself

Nobody likes to hear their own voice on tape but like tests, it is good to compare your tapes from time to time. You may be so impressed with the progress you are making that you may not mind the sound of your voice as much.

Listen to English

By this, we mean, speak on the phone or listen to radio broadcasts, audiobooks or CDs in English. This is different than watching the television or films because you can’t see the person that is speaking to you. Many learners of English say that speaking on the phone is one of the most difficult things that they do and the only way to improve is to practice.

Finally

Have fun!

Active Learning

2008-05-09T18:52:00.000-07:00

Learning to listen actively will assist you in your learning career. Active listening will help in the classroom, and it will help you get more out of and contribute more to group study sessions.

To listen actively, it is important to focus on the person who is talking. Don’t fidget or become distracted by other people or events. Think about your experience with a subject in order to understand the subject more thoroughly. Don’t think about your own bias or opinion; you are there to hear what the speaker has to say.

It will help if you concentrate on the speaker with your ears and eyes. Follow the movements the speaker makes in an effort to hear more. Don’t interrupt the speaker. Make sure that all information has been conveyed before offering your opinion. Be involved at the end of the presentation. Ask questions in order to better understand the speaker and to remember the topic. It may help to give the speaker a minute or two to rest after a presentation.

Active listening will help you in a group study situation. Group study involves students exchanging information. This information may be factual, and it may also be opinion oriented. When opinions are stated, active listening becomes vital. In a group study situation, it may help to restate what you hear others say in an effort to understand their thoughts.

One of the objectives of group study is to learn something. Another objective is to produce a final project that has been assigned. Either one of these objectives are dependent on the listening ability of the members of the group.

2008-04-22T21:19:00.000-07:00

Mother...

Nothing can change the wonderful times we've had
And the times that were bad.
All the love and care you give me
It makes me full of glee.
I try with all my might
For us not to fight.
But I know one thing is true
That is I will always love you.

Do The Best

How To Learn English!

Active Learning