Make Learning English Fun For A Non-English Speaker
March 11, 2010 | Leave a Comment
There are lots of things to do in making learning English fun for a non-English speaker. Teachers often find new ways to help their classes be more interesting, and sometimes they do what their students want to do. Moreover, there are some things aside from traditional books that you can remember to be able to learn English in a more interesting and fun way.
One of the first things that you can do is not to mind the grammar. A good way to study a new language is to know that words are the most important; grammar only comes in second. You can always communicate with the right words - even with bad grammar and construction. But if you have the perfect grammar but you don’t know the words, you’d be left misunderstood.
Understanding that English words are the most important can make learners value the language more, and help them to speak. Thinking and speaking in English are also two good ways to enable them not to mind grammar too much. Many learners fail to learn the language because they refuse to speak, thinking that they may commit mistakes. Not minding about your mistakes, and simply speaking is definitely a good way.
Another way for students in making learning English fun for a non-English speaker is to study with music. Kids, teenagers and adults all like music. It virtually removes the traditional way of teaching, and implies a lighter atmosphere when learning. English lyrics can sharpen their listening skills, and then you can give out some worksheets to test their comprehension. With advanced groups, you can even make these as topics for speaking exercises.
English music lyrics can provide these learners new words and a way to remember them. Remembering a language through music usually works better for most students because they connect words with melodies, making them easy to recall. Kids and teenagers may like to sing along, as well, and do simple exercises such as filling in the missing lyrics in their activity sheets.
There are also some learners who prefer to study both with visuals and with audio, thus the use of various videos when learning English. Others may also choose different sitcoms, movies, cartoons and even movie trailers. These things make word association and word recall easy, especially for those who tend to remember things better through visuals. Preparing worksheets and discussions after watching the movie can be helpful, as well as building new vocabulary.
And of course, who can forget about various games? A simple charades game can make students recall their vocabularies even better. There are also various games which can target both vocabulary and grammar. Make some song titles, then cut them each into words. Give them to groups of three, and ask them to make their own song titles with sense. They would definitely recall the words and their meanings better. Keep a dictionary in hand, just in case.
Learning English doesn’t have to be by the book all the time. By combining different ways, making learning English fun for a non-English speaker can be quite easy and entertaining.
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Teaching English As A Second Language Using Alice In Wonderland
March 10, 2010 | Leave a Comment
ESL teachers are constantly in need of interesting material for their students, whether those students are first-graders, teenagers, or adults. There is a wide range of lesson planning material available for ESL lessons on the Internet, provided by experienced ESL professionals. But much of it lacks the vital spark needed to ignite a student’s interest and wonder. How many sentences would you want to diagram during a lesson, and how often would you want to review the vocative as compared to the nominative? Useful language tools that sparkle with easily-understood humor are abundantly available in one of the greatest children’s books of all time, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
The book has been translated into nearly 200 languages world-wide and has been made into movies, cartoons, and comic books. It is known in some form or other from Valparaiso to Ulaanbataar. Another plus is that the book is now in the Public Domain; there are no pesky copyright issues to deal with. You can easily download an entire copy of the book at http://www.gutenberg.org/files/11/11.txt
To call this wonderful text a mere “children’s book” is a misnomer; it is an immemorial saga of mankind’s struggle to discern between dream and reality, comedy and tragedy, farce and force. It speaks directly to the heart of a child or wizened elder, bypassing the barrier of language as blithely as the Cheshire Cat bypasses Alice’s vision. The literary critic Leone Kathanthos described the book as “written beyond the comprehension of all, and thus accessible to all.”
For the hard-bitten ESL instructor, out there in the trenches, attempting to help his or her students learn a second language, I do not mean to speak in orotund riddles. I just want to emphasize that the book itself is a goldmine, loaded with nuggets that on the surface appear absurd, but which your students will intuit are filled with wisdom and good cheer - and a healthy dose of skepticism as well. Let’s take a brief example:
This is the beginning of Chapter 8. Have your students read it in turns and then begin by asking them why the gardeners have numbers instead of names. No matter what answers your receive (and my experience has show you’ll get some very creative ones - from speculation they are prisoners to the certainty that these are their Social Security numbers) you’ll need to show them an illustration, which is easily obtainable on the Internet.
These gardeners, you see, are playing cards! At this point you can take advantage of the universal passion for gambling and pull out a pack of playing cards. With these you can invent counting games, gender comparisons, you can go into the symbolism in English of hearts, clubs, spades, and diamonds . . . there are numberless ways and means you can use here just from reading the first few sentences, you see.
To continue. Why paint a white rose red? Now you’re delving into the meaning and symbols of color in the English language. You see red . . . you’re green with envy . . . you’re white with fright . . . and so on.
Finally there is the monstrous Queen. I purposely stopped short of introducing her in person, so as to create suspense and curiosity. Is she going to have Alice’s head off in the next lesson? Your students will be begging you to let them read more by the time the bell rings. But what I want to point out here, briefly, is that the Queen is a very useful and, very discrete, symbol of the oppression and repression that so many ESL students have experienced first-hand under a variety of regimes world-wide.
You can never, ever, get into political discussions with your ESL students - it’s the fastest way to a pink slip and perhaps a prolonged field trip to the nearest prison. But once again, trust your students to see beyond the nonsense and appreciate the satire and cynicism inherent in the Queen’s constant demands that heads roll. (In passing it’s fascinating to note that Mao tze Dung loved the book and had it translated into Chinese, and that Fidel Castro introduced it into schools as soon as he had seized power in Cuba.)
A lesson plan with a hidden agenda beyond the grasp of government goons and stooges is delicious to contemplate, is it not? The Queen, of course, also represents the arbitrary power and authority that parents have over their children; again, this is something you don’t want to emphasize in your lesson plan - but it will be an enchanting elephant in the room, so to speak. I defy you, as an ESL teacher, to bore your students by asking them why the Queen wants to behead people; why the rose bush must be painted; why the gardeners have numbers instead of names.
I could go on, but you get the picture. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is great literature that translates into great lesson plans for the ESL teacher. If you would like to teach this book and others like it to students overseas but don’t know if you qualify for such work, please visit the teacher training site at www.tefllife.com for more information on getting certified to teach ESL.
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Online English Lessons’ Many Options
February 10, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Whether you need to improve your native language, or if English will be your second language, there are many online options to choose from if you are looking for online English lessons. Colleges, language centers, private companies, individual tutors and even free blogs and message boards abound.
Some options are either free, or at least very reasonably priced. Before deciding to commit to any particular company or school, be certain you have a thorough understanding of your personal goals. This will help you choose the precise course and the appropriate syllabus to suit your needs.
The purpose of each course will defer, of course. There is a big difference between a quick 10 week course that will teach you conversation English, and a course lasting a few years where you learn to decline nouns and conjugate verbs. If you are heading to New York City for a vacation and just need to get around town, choose restaurants, find bathrooms, and get on the right subway, that quickie ten week course might be perfect.
Online English lessons will all use different methodologies to help you in learning English. Some use nothing more than tables to memorize, usually reminiscent of our early years in school when we had to memorize vocabulary, poetry, spelling and even math equations. Others will use formal language lessons where you take it one step at a time, much as you’d learn back in high school. Here’s a verb, here’s a noun, put together a sentence.
Many of the online classes and websites have some pretty high end sound functionality. You can hear each word being pronounced and you can copy it. If you have a microphone you will be able to talk into it and have your own attempt at the word and accent be recorded and analyzed.
Homework hasn’t been neglected, either. If you are using a self paced study course or you have enrolled in a college level accredited program, you should be given at least assignments to study and work to complete. You may also be told to memorize vocabulary, etc. Even though testing is done using the open book method, don’t take advantage of this on a regular basis. In a regular classroom environment this would be considered cheating. You aren’t going to learn anything if you keep looking up the answers.
The online college courses are more formal, but still fun. You will have to follow a regular schedule and you’ll be marked for your attendance. You will probably meet your other classmates, your teacher, and you might even see the ‘classroom’ where the instructor is sitting. All testing is done online, and occasionally you might even be required to go the campus for finals or to pick up test scores.
Pricing and tuition vary. So does the quality. Free isn’t bad, but if your intention is to become fluent, you might want to investigate the pricier options in the $700 plus range.
Find an online English school that offers students the unique chance to improve their English skills anywhere. Learning English online is convenient and cost effective. They have business english courses online and online english course.
Your New Career In Tefl
February 4, 2010 | Leave a Comment
TEFL stands for teaching English as a foreign language. TEFL certification has been a growing career option for people from all backgrounds for the past twenty years. It has survived the current global economic downturn because there is a constant, growing demand to learn English from native English speakers. Countries such as Thailand, South Korea, and China, make English a mandatory subject in their grade schools and high schools. The latest wrinkle in this exciting and interesting field is online TEFL teaching. It is estimated that there are currently a half-million South Koreans who regularly pay for online TEFL courses from TEFL certified teachers. The online teacher’s pay scale ranges from six-dollars an hour up to eighteen-dollars an hour.
Let’s take Thailand as our specific example of whether TEFL is in your future. I live and work in Thailand, so I can speak with authority and experience. Thailand is a prosperous, stable, tropical country in Southeast Asia, where a plate of shrimp friend rice will set you back no more than 95-cents; where mangoes are fresh and in season year round; a country dotted with breath-taking Buddhist temples and a thousand miles of seashore, where ten dollars a night will rent you a bungalow on the Andaman Sea or the Gulf of Thailand.
In order to teach English at a Thai public school you need three basic qualifications. You need to be a native English speaker. You need a college degree - in any subject. And you need TEFL certification. When you meet these criteria you can begin teaching English at a Thai school, with an initial salary of 30-thousand baht per month - and often with free accommodations included. 30-thousand baht, by the way, puts you squarely in the middle class in Thailand. You’ll be expected to be at the school on weekdays from 8 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon. You will teach approximately 4 classes each day, 50-minutes each. You might be asked to help with extracurricular activities such as coaching soccer or counseling the chess club. Paid days off include national holidays and Buddhist holidays (and there are a lot of them!) Your weekends will be free and clear, to do with as you want. Your school will help you receive both a year-long visa and a work permit, so you can open a bank account (and pay Thai taxes - which on 30-thousand baht amount to 1-thousand baht.)
At this point some of you are saying “It sounds good but I’ve never done teaching before; how can I get in on this racket?”
I’m here to tell you that it’s much easier than you may think. A TEFL International teacher training class takes four weeks. That’s four weeks, at a tuition of under 2-thousand dollars, to get TEFL certification. We have course centers around the globe, including two in Thailand. Our teacher trainers are both skilled and experienced - they have advanced teaching degrees and have overseas TEFL experience. They not only teach you how to teach, they guide you towards a firm self-confidence in your own native abilities as an English instructor. After all, who knows more about the English language than someone who has been speaking it for the last twenty, thirty, or more years? Our course centers also act as job placement centers. When you have your TEFL certification we will facilitate job interviews and, in some cases, actually guarantee job placement after graduation.
So whether you’re a truck driver with a bad back who wants to quit the road, a clerk in a dead-end job, or a recently laid-off VP of finance, or a recent college grad looking for something to pay your way around the world, TEFL is definitely a career option you need to be looking at.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m late for my foot massage (six dollars for two hours) and then I’m meeting friends for a large plate of roasted chicken and green papaya salad with sticky rice (I won’t even tell you the price - it’s so ridiculously low you’ll laugh in my face.) TEFL International - the career choice for adventure!
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Knowing About Online English Courses
January 9, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Online classes for learning a language are becoming more popular these days. And it’s the same for online English courses, too.
Students need good study materials, fast access to the Internet, and a trusty web camera. They also need focus and dedication.
Teachers also need fast Internet access and a trusty web camera. They also need to be patient, qualified, and prepared.
Many excellent reasons exist to learn any language, including English, online. It’s fairly inexpensive, convenient, flexible, easy to maintain, and learning or teaching is able to be done from anywhere. Thus, as to why the need for online language courses is increasing there is no secret.
Online English courses are convenient. Students can prepare for and study a lesson at home. Then, they can switch on their computer and have a class at a pre-arranged time. No issues with commuting, weather, traffic, or other similar inconveniences are dealt with. Additionally, lessons can be done in any environment which the student finds comfortable.
There is not much maintenance involved, either. The only things a teacher or student needs are a computer, quick and reliable Internet access, and a web camera. Most people who are interested in language learning probably already have these things in their everyday life. And because learning takes place at home, all a student needs for lessons is at hand already.
The costs are relatively low, as well. Surely, fees charged by the instructor or institute or exist. However, this virtual kind of business normally requires less overhead than a typical brick-and-mortar business, and there usually aren’t any other disingenuous costs. Many of these virtual institutes allow PayPal or credit card payment. And, as we all know, this kind of payment is safer and more secure than ever.
In contemporary times, being flexible is a key component to any success in life or business. And flexibility is one the key reasons people study online. Appointment times are flexible. Payment methods are flexible. Attire is flexible. The study environment is even flexible. Of course, students are able to study at their own pace, as well. Together, all of these renders excellent a non-traditionalist’s choice for online studying.
Studying or learning from anywhere is possible. A student in New York City can learn from a teacher living in Nairobi. A student in Buenos Aires can talk with a teacher in Manchester. And a teacher in Houston can tutor a student living in Shanghai. And what this does is add an untold likability to online learning.
If you are or have been curious to know more about online language-learning, don’t delay in finding out more. And this holds true for online English courses, too.
However, it’s a good idea to keep in mind this: remember that, as a student you still will have to work hard. You’ll still have to practice, study, and be prepared every day. And, you need to, as a teacher, be patient, prepared, and qualified. Whichever of the two you are, make sure you do exhaustive research about the online course you intend to take. Doing so helps make your experience as good as possible.
Free English lessons are readily available across the web. You may want to consider these convenient resources to learn English.
Try These To Learn To Speak English
January 6, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Whether it’s your native tongue or a second or third one, learning a language is not easy. And, contrary to what many non-native speakers of English all over the world like to say, to learn to speak English is not easy, either. People who make the mistake of thinking that learning English is easy are in for a surprise.
For starters, it’s easy to understand how people might think English is easy. It’s because English is easy to pick up. It’s everywhere. It’s the native language of many countries. There are many accents and kinds of pronunciations. People in non-English-speaking countries study it. Because so many people use it, many others commit the error of thinking that English is easy.
Next, English grammar and sentence structure contain many rules. Yet, so many of these have exceptions to them that it’s not easy to learn and remember them all. Further, when and how most of the rules can be enforced are not consistent because there is a lot flexibility. Because of these issues, rote memorization of English is ineffective.
Third, English pronunciation is inconsistent. In truth, it’s so fluid that even in native English-speaking countries, pronunciation differ from region to region. Yet, successfully pronouncing English is a major aspect of conquering the language. There is no simple path to mastering the pronunciation, either, whatever you’ve heard. Pronunciation takes study and practice. And then more study and practice.
A fourth difficulty is recognizing the correct structure, grammar, and vocabulary usage, even when what is correct doesn’t necessarily sound right. An example is split infinitives. It is taught in English class not use split infinitives, yet split infinitives are common in spoken English. This is because they’re often used for emphasis or because it’s thought to sound better.
A fifth element is the knowledge of colloquial and proper English and when to use each of them. This can be difficult when celebrities constantly misuse proper English. Many English learners pick up on what these famous people say and they copy them. Of course, there are plenty of professionals and academics who can’t use slang correctly.
Sixth, there are many English “experts” out there who claim that they’ve developed the best method to mastering English fast. A language cannot be mastered fast, regardless of what proof they offer that theirs can. These people are shysters. As with learning any other language, English is not easily learned. To do so properly takes diligence, patience, practice, and good teaching.
English is a great language. Because most native speakers are used to listening to a variety of native accents throughout their life, listening to non-native speakers isn’t so difficult. So if you want to learn how to speak English, just a modicum of effort will allow you to communicate on even a rudimentary level.
On the other hand, if you want your skills to progress, it will require what all things require in order to master them. A stable base of the rudimentary, daily pronunciation practice, acquisition of new vocabulary every day, and not being afraid of making mistakes. Remember, though, learning to speak English is not simple. However, it can seem easy if you work hard.
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Learning English As A Second Language
December 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment
To feel comfortable with English as a second language, you have to do a significant amount of work. Once you’re able to overcome your fear of learning something new you should considering venturing to another location, most likely a country that speaks English, to learn English. It will prove to be a rewarding experience mainly because you’ll be forced to speak English and interact with others on a daily basis.
Every attempt to learn English will be rewarded with knowledge. To achieve the goal of learning English, you have to work hard, and take baby steps. It won’t come over night; it will take months of practice. But stay determined, because it truly is a rewarding process.
The way that English courses in the USA can help a student learn this language quicker is because you will be surrounded by individuals speaking English. This is called submersion and has been proven very successful over the past decades. This means that you will experience a more traditional classroom setting along with the opportunity to use your new skills on a daily basis in a “real world” environment. This “real world” environment will also introduce you to many of the key words and phrases that are considered slang.
Your employer may be looking for you to learn English (or looking for other employees who speak English) but one skill that will put you above the rest is your ability to speak casually. As much as slang is avoided in traditional ESL classes, it’s crucial to casual conversation as well as business. If your industry is sales you’ll want to be able to speak English in a familiar fashion that doesn’t sound forced or awkward.
Before you navigate away from this article, seriously consider what it would take to travel abroad and learn English. It may not require all that many details, though I can understand how it might seem overwhelming. The truth is that only a couple clicks could get you well on your way toward exploring a new city and taking English as a second Language in an English school in a wonderful new place.
My name is Shawn Everett and I currently live and study English at Boston Academy of English in Boston, MA… The best place on Earth to learn English! Find out more about English as a Second Language at this website == www.BAElive.com
For The Student: Learn English
December 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment
With no official language, speech in the United States can only be controlled by popularity. And because of this it is essential to be prepared to speak in all environments. The first and widely spoken language in the United States, English, is necessary for everyday life. Some organizations that require English are schools both private and public, professional work, and simply social amalgamation. English is a phonetic language, which means it can be spelled as it is heard. It is not difficult to learn because of all the influences and groups available to study.
If you desire an education, indiscriminate of age, English is surely necessary for an affective one. Public schools, especially, follow what is mandated by the state, all of which speak English. This remains true for all major colleges. Colleges are especially important because they hand out degrees, not expendable to high paying employers.
Those who are bilingual remain better situated to retain work that pays top dollar. If English is not your native language and you are able to successfully read and write in English, this will make you seem intelligent. Bilinguals certainly have a greater scope of opportunity than monolinguals. Working to translate, teach others English, and take part in multicultural activities are just a few. Bilinguals present themselves better to their superiors, coworkers, and those they serve.
Beginning to learn English is easy, basically natural. On the Internet, a growing device of communication, there are an overwhelming number of groups to aid in learning. Online programs are made to assist those struggling on the finer points of the English language, while heartening learners. Free or not, online help is not short.
If the Internet is not your strongpoint, there are plenty of places to learn and practice English in person. The most obvious being the classroom, classes are available to people of any age, even toddlers. Books can provide insight on the language not found anywhere else. But reading is not sufficient to completely grasp English. Fraternization at public areas is encouraged.
Practice really is the sculptor of perfection. Speak randomly about common topics like the weather or news. Doing this creates a fluid motion in speech reading cannot accomplish. Reading is not enough to effectively learn it. Venturing out into the real world to meet people and practice performing different verbal tasks is essential. Those that honestly try to do as much as they can in English often have the easiest time at it.
Because of its phonetic property, English may seem simple to become literate in. This is wrong because the indiscreet formalities may make it tedious to those who are not willing to apply themselves. Writing is more difficult than speech, due to proper grammar and notation being absolutely essential.
In virtually every civilized country around the world, English is becoming a standard, a language almost as important as the primary. A majority of citizens in many countries already speak and write in English. When in the United States a disability to comprehend even the basics of English makes one extremely disadvantaged. To properly move about in society and do simple things like order food, socialize, and most importantly, work all need to be done in English, which means learning it is indubitably worth your while.
Straying away from the traditional English class, tools such as the online English courses are highly useful for beginners. Our business English course is also a popular choice for people that wish to learn the language for business settings.
An English School that will Enrich Your Life
December 18, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Part of being involved in the global business community is knowing the cultures, histories and even some languages of other countries. If English is on your agenda, then Boston may be the perfect city for you to come to. In Boston you have a wealth of important information at your fingertips. Whether you are active or a homebody, live with people and surround yourself with people who speak English and can teach you about the city. It will prove valuable and rewarding and you won’t regret it.
Consideration of which English school to attend should have a lot to do with where it’s located. If it’s in a rural area or even a city that doesn’t have a lot going on then it probably won’t be very beneficial. Boston is probably the ideal city to attend an English school. With many activities and an active community, you’ll have more than the expected amount of opportunities to go out and pick up what you can from your surroundings. By witnessing English as it’s spoken by local residents, you’ll soon pick up important tips and tricks that will help you grow comfortable with the language.
As with any language, English has certain words and phrases that are considered slang, which are not taught in a traditional classroom. These words and phrases are the key to being able to communicate comfortably with those who speak English as a first language. This aspect of your education is where traveling to Boston will be the most beneficial, especially if you need to communicate with English speaking clients on a daily basis. There really is no substitute for experiencing an English speaking countries culture and people, when it comes to learning this language.
Instead of trying to learn English in a country where it’s not spoken, travel to a country where it is — a country where you’ll be surrounded by fluent English speakers. This is probably the easiest and fastest way to learn English, as intimidating as it can be sometimes to be surrounded by people who don’t understand you. If you’re willing to give it a shot, I’m sure you’ll find it rewarding. It will teach you a new kind of courage, so that when you’re next presented with the obstacle of trying something totally new, you won’t feel so uncomfortable about it because you’ll have already done it before.
This area has many things to offer from a world class education to an exciting night life. Every part of your experience in the United States will allow you to use and expand all of your new language skills.
My name is Shawn Everett and I currently live and study English at Boston Academy of English in Boston, MA… The best place on Earth to learn English! Find out more about English Schools at this website == www.BAElive.com
A Great Business English Class For You
December 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Many people travel to the United States each year to learn how to speak English. The vast majority do so because it will help to advance their career. Isn’t it about time that you consider doing the same thing? If you want to make a solid impression on your employer and be a player in the global marketplace, then a business English class may be right up your alley. This article will discuss such opportunities in Boston, Massachusetts.
One of the best places to take business English classes is Boston, Massachusetts. With dozens of colleges and universities in the area, Boston is a hub for all things learning, which means many intelligent people living nearby. While you’ll want to focus on your studies, you’ll also want to reach out and meet new people. Imagine you could meet in a city like Boston!
Boston is full of attractions and activities that are inviting to local residents. But what about foreigners — people who may feel intimidated by not knowing English? Well, it so happens that Boston is full of people from all different backgrounds and countries, meaning a very diversified community. With this in mind, it should feel comfortable for you to explore the city!
This is one of the many ways that traveling to Boston to learn English will give you an advantage over the competition. You will be able to experience these slang words and phrases through the course of natural conversation while you are in the city. This is a great way to immerse yourself in the English culture and understand how the English language is used in every day situations. Becoming proficient in any language, especially the English language, is made much easier the more you are surrounded by the culture.
Having an edge over the competition means having skills that others don’t. Anyone can get a book or audio book and try to teach themselves English, but a company will be most impressed if you can demonstrate that you courageously traveled to Boston, Massachusetts to receive an education at a business English school, and succeeded.
My name is Shawn Everett and I currently live and study English at Boston Academy of English in Boston, MA… The best place on Earth to learn English! Find out more about Business English Classes at this website == www.BAElive.com