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Some suggestions for improving english
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How to improve your English skills
Learning is a skill and it can be improved.
In 7 Habits for Effective People one of the habits is called sharpening
the saw. The author suggests if you have 8 hours to chop down a
tree you should spend 3 hours sharpening the saw.
Your path to learning effectively is through knowing about learning
by knowing about
yourself (what type of learner: visual, auditory, kinaesthetic.
Right brain/left brain dominant)
your capacity to learn (are you a morning or afternoon person.
If morning study in the morning, if afternoon study in
afternoon),
which processes you have successfully used in the past.
your interests in, and knowledge of what you wish to learn. If
you are studying Business read about business if Computers
read about computers..
Motivate yourself
If you are not motivated to learn English you will become frustrated
and give up. Ask yourself the following questions, and be honest:-
Why do you need to learn/improve English?
Where will you need to use English?
What skills do you need to improve
(Reading/Writing/Listening/Speaking)
How soon do you need to see results?
How much time can you afford to devote to learning English
per day.
Do you have a plan or learning strategy? If not write one
Set yourself achievable goals
You know how much time you can dedicate to learning English, but
a short time each day will produce better, longer-term results than a
full day on the weekend and then nothing for two weeks.
Do at least10 minutes listening practice every day. Can be
music, internet, radio.
Watch an English film at least once a week. Actively listen.
Repeat phrases.
Follow a soap, comedy or radio or TV drama. Examples of NZ
shows are Shortland Street (current) Outrageous Fortune
(available on DVD). Other examples are Friends or Melrose
Place.
Other English Learning Tips
Spend your time on things that interest you. If you like cooking find
an English-language cookbook or find recipes on the net and
practise following the recipes. If it is sport watch on TV and/or read
magazines. Keep something English with you (book, newspaper or
magazine, cd or cassette, set of flashcards) all day and every day,
you never know when you might have 5 spare minutes.
If you are too tired to actively practice just relax and listen to a story
in English, an English pop song or talk radio station.
Start networking with native speakers / teachers and other learners.
Don't restrict yourself to seeking out native speakers. Think about it,
the likelihood of needing to speak English with non-native speakers
is statistically much higher. Speak to other nationalities…Your
common language will be English.
Use the internet. It is full of free and really good learning sites. Ask
around for good sites. Do interactive tests, watch multimedia
presentations, do pronunciation practises and listening exercises.
Work on your confidence and practise as much as possible.
Surround yourself in English. Think about how you can practice your English. Visit libraries and see if any courses are available in your area, ask at the local CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau). Think about doing some voluntary work……