how to learn english
How to Increase Your Exposure to the English Language
You have already proven that you are good at languages; after all, you learned yours pretty well, didn’t you? If you were able to learn one language, you are able to learn others.
Have you ever considered how you learned your language? When you think about it, you realize that you never learned it; you just started using it when you were around two years old. You started with a few words, but rapidly moved to employing whole sentences and communicating fully.
All this happened because you can hear. During your first two years of existence, you heard people talking all around you, and this was the decisive factor for you to start speaking. This is why, if now you want to learn English, you have to hear and listen to it as much as possible.
But, how can you constantly hear and listen to English if you live in a country where the language is not spoken fully? In fact, there are many ways to do it.
1. Radio
No matter where you are, there is always a radio station playing music or talking in English. Just consider the two major international networks: BBC World Service and Voice of America. Both of these have special programs for ESL students.
2. TV
The TV is probably one of the best resources to hear and listen to English, because it offers a visual backup that helps you understand what is being said. Most people now have access to TV with English-speaking channels; however, you can also watch programs on the Internet.
3. Internet
There are thousands of radio stations on the Internet, and you can also watch all kinds of videos in hundreds of sites. Soon enough, you will have TV channels available on the Web.
4. Music/ songs
We don’t have to tell you how much music there is in English. You can listen to music on the radio, TV, Internet, or get some CD’s. Practice writing down the lyrics, or download them from the Internet to follow while you listen to the song. Start with an easy one, maybe a slow tune, and chose a singer whose voice is clear. Some songs are difficult to understand even for native English speakers.
5. Movies
Around the world, many movie theaters show movies in English, with subtitles in the country’s language. Try to watch a lot of these movies; even if you have to read the subtitles, you are listening to the words in English.
6. Video
The great advantage of videos is that you can play them as many times as you wish. You can watch and listen to a certain part, or the whole movie, as much as you need to understand the subtleties of what’s being said. Equally, you can enable the subtitles or not; these can be an aid, but you should try to avoid them little by little.
7. Friends
Try to speak English with your friends who speak the language. Here you will practice your speaking as much as your listening, and it is very helpful to hear the language from someone who is right there, standing next to you. You can also chat on the phone, which is a much more difficult listening exercise than listening in person.
As teachers have most certainly told you in your ESL program, don’t worry if you don’t understand everything you hear. The important thing is that you hear the language. Sooner than you think, the understanding will come alone.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.englishlci.com as the original source).
10 Easy Ways to Practice English Every Day
There is an old expression that says “practice makes perfect.” If you want to perfect a skill of any kind it requires lots of practice and the best way to practice a new language, especially outside of your ESL classes, is to use it as often as possible. Here are 10 of the easiest ways to practice your English reading, speaking and comprehension skills every day.
1. Although it may not blend in with your household decor, a really simple technique for increasing word recognition is to put labels around the rooms of your house. Using sticky notes is an easy way to do this. For example your kitchen can be adorned with multi colored labels that read “cupboard”, “drawer”, “counter”, “table”, “spice rack” etc. Reading the labels on objects you use constantly will reinforce their meaning and get you in the habit of using the correct term for things.
2. Reading daily newspapers, even small local editions or newsletters is another great way to practice the language as it is spoken by the average person. It will also help you understand some of the local terms and expressions from the area you’re in as well.
3. Magazines, like newspapers offer inexpensive and interesting ways to practice reading and comprehension skills while also learning about interesting subject matter. If you have a hobby or interest, you will be even more motivated to read about it and magazines are available on just about every subject imaginable.
4. Everybody has to eat, and if you have the facilities for cooking, reading and following recipes is a super way to study the language. And you get the bonus of some good eating as well!
5. Listen to the radio, especially talk shows or news programs. Listening to others speak the language, is an excellent way to improve pronunciation.
6. Make use of all aspects of the internet. Obviously you will spend a great deal of time reading and writing online during the course of your ESL program, but aside from that, there are also tons of podcasts, videos and audio presentations online that can be both educational and entertaining.
7. Make lists. This is an easy and helpful way to practise spelling and writing. When you have groceries to buy, or errands to run, try writing out a list each time.
8. Do puzzles such as crosswords, word searches, and word match-ups, in your spare time. It will increase your vocabulary as well as help to improve sight recognition of words.
9. Play board games. There are tons of board games that are a lot of fun to play with friends that require reading, writing and listening skills.
10. Try to find some movies in your native language with English subtitles.
These few little tricks will have you reading, speaking and writing English like an expert in no time!
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.englishlci.com as the original source).
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How to Choose a Good English Dictionary
Having a good English dictionary is important if you want to learn the language well. In fact, it is probably the most valuable tool you have while taking your ESL classes. As well as a definition, a good dictionary will also show you how to pronounce the word and give examples of ways that the word is commonly used. Unfortunately there are quite a number of dictionaries on the market. So how do you choose a good dictionary? Here are some pointers to consider.
Make certain the dictionary offers some examples sentences so you can see different ways that the word is used. This will not only help you to better understand the meaning of the word, but will provide valuable grammar information as well. Most will identify the word as a noun, verb, adjective etc.
A good dictionary will provide more than one definition for a word whenever it has different meanings. This is a common occurrence in the English language, and knowing the right definition of a word is necessary to learn the language properly.
While not essential, a few little extras that may be included are always helpful. Look for a dictionary that also provides synonyms for words, phonetic pronunciations and even photos. Any items that make learning English more fun will help to keep you motivated.
Try to find a dictionary that is comfortable to use. Find one in a size that can be carried with you but still has print that is easy to read. If you prefer to have both a pocket and a desk dictionary, you should buy the same one for both to avoid confusion.
The last item to consider is price. Dictionaries come in a very wide price range so you will have to look for one that best fits your budget. A good dictionary is something that you will use in your studies for a very long time so it is really an important investment.
While online dictionaries can be a useful tool as well, and can provide a quick definition for most words, they are generally not as complete as a book edition. Software dictionaries that you download to your computer are usually better, but it can still take longer to look up a word in the database than it would to look the word up manually. Learning English can be frustrating enough without the added frustrations of a slow dictionary!
One last pointer: you should stick to English only dictionaries. Your teachers in your ESL classes probably don’t speak your native language in class, and they surely don’t translate words. So why should you get a bilingual dictionary? It certainly helps you understand new vocabulary, but it won’t really improve your English. So, get out there and get yourself a good one! But don’t leave it on a shelf to gather dust. Put it to good use!
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.englishlci.com as the original source).
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5 Interesting Tips for What to Do in Your English Club
So, you have started your successful English Club and need some ideas to keep it interesting, dynamic and welcoming? Read on to find 5 tips to make your English Club excel and be a great complement to your ESL lessons:
1. Define a warm-up time
It’s the same as what teachers do. You begin class with a funny conversation or activity. It is the time you establish to wake everyone up and help them focus on what is coming. The activities will depend on your club’s focus, whether it is more academic or social. If you focus on the attendees, think of what will keep them interested and motivated for the activities that will come next. The warm-up should serve as an introduction to the main activity or the reason you’re meeting on that particular day.
2. Organize the meetings
The club can be organized in many ways. You can center your activities on one area, like conversation or reading, or devote each week to a different one, sorting out topics and skills. Each member can plan an activity related to the week’s topic or each one can be in charge of a week’s session. There should always be a meeting leader, who will guide the activities and will have the opportunity to practice his or her leadership and creative skills.
3. Have a back-up plan
In case the leader cannot make it, you must have a back-up plan. The leader should call someone in case he or she cannot attend, and should give instructions as to what to do, but if this doesn’t happen, be prepared! You can have discussion questions prepared, or learn 15 new words from the dictionary and use them in sentences, or play a game of cards, or any other game, in English. For example, you can have a game of Monopoly, Life, or any other board game in English on hand, in case you have a last minute change of plans.
4. Create a suggestion box
Encourage members to leave suggestions every week. It will enrich the meetings and people will feel very comfortable and motivated if they are heard.
5. Plan excursions
So much fun! Once a month is a good parameter. Excursions are a joyful and interesting way to bond. Go watch a movie, play a sport, volunteer, do a back yard sale, have a picnic, go dancing, have dinner together, or visit a tourist attraction. No matter what you do, always speak in English
No matter what it is you do, the important thing is to keep your club’s goal in mind: you are getting together to have a good time AND to put everything you’re learning in your ESL lessons to good use in real life settings.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.englishlci.com as the original source.
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Want to Practice Your English? Start an English Club
An English Club is a gathering where ESL students can practice English in a casual atmosphere. Practicing during ESL classes is vital; however, it is not real life. During class, you focus on something specific, like vocabulary or pronunciation, you have papers and books to help you and everything is fresh in your mind. In an English Club, you can practice all the skills in a real life environment. You will have to really speak clearly and listen carefully to understand others. At an English Club, you can make really good friends who will increase your confidence, and you will feel more comfortable speaking the language among people you trust.
Here we offer some tips on how to start a successful and fun English Club:
1. Post a sign-up ad at your school’s bulletin board. Give your email so that the students can contact you and offer interesting ideas. Ask them to write down phone number and email so that you can contact them about time and place for the meetings.
2. Ask for help. Every member should contribute to the club, and you can ask a native English speaker to join the meetings, maybe a teacher, who will find the experience interesting as a curriculum enhancer.
3. Plan an introductory meeting to meet each other and to talk about expectations and ideas. To make it worthy, the meetings should have around 6 to 10 students. These can be organized in many ways, maybe each participant can lead during one week, and you can plan based on topics or skills.
4. Define the rules and routines beforehand so that everyone knows what to expect and how to behave. You should have an ‘English only’ policy, decide whether food and drinks are allowed or not, and what topics and behaviors are off limits.
5. Define the schedule for the meetings. Will you be meeting once a week for about two hours, or more? Think about the best time of day; it may vary every week depending on the place and activity planned. Take breaks during holiday season and invite new people about every three months, but always maintain the club’s identity intact.
6. Define who can attend the English Club. Virtually anyone can be a part of an English Club, it depends on your preference, but if we follow the belief that variety brings richness, you should try to allow all kinds of people with all kinds of experiences in. The club must have members with varied language abilities so that everyone can learn something from each other.
7. Vary the meeting places to make the club even more dynamic and to change the atmosphere. You can meet at school one week and later plan to meet at members’ homes to make it more casual; you can play music, watch a movie and feel at ease. From time to time you can meet at a restaurant or café, to experience a new and challenging environment, or in the outdoors, where you can match your topics to nature characteristics like the weather, kinds of vegetation, types of fauna around, picnics or fun outdoor activities.
An English Club is the perfect complement to your ESL classes, a great way to not only practice your English skills, but also meet new people and hang out with your friends.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.englishlci.com as the original source.
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