January 31, 2010
Small talk is an integral part of everyday communication, especially in casual, non-intimate settings. While generally considered insubstantial, it’s the type of exchange that helps break the ice, bridging awkward silences that come during uncomfortable moments.
Many ESL speakers, especially those on the early stages of their English learning software, understandably feel self-conscious about small talk. Despite the relaxed nature of such interaction, their personal struggles with the language can prove a hindrance that sees them go through the process with much anxiety.
When mustering the “power” to hold your own during small talk, here are a few things to remember:
- Be interested in the basics about them. Who? What? When? Where? Why? Those are the bare basics you’d like to ask your acquaintance. Those are also the likely the same things they will be asking you about, so try practicing your answers in English.
- Learn some conversation starters. Pick up one of those basic social skills book in the library and memorize a few of the conversation starters. When nothing else comes to mind, you can whip them up and, hopefully, get the ball rolling.
- Practice every chance you get. If you’re in an English speaking country, you can practice small talk wherever you come upon people – while riding the bus, waiting for the train or in line at the grocery. Try it – it’s more rewarding than you’d ever expect.
January 30, 2010
Are you trying to improve your English reading comprehension to supplement your software-based language learning? While you can read anything you want and possibly gain some benefits, these tips should help you maximize the positive things you can draw from them.
1. Read at a suitable level. If you’re barely two weeks into your ESL studies, opening up a book written by academics will likely leave you with a headache. As much as possible, try to read at a level that is right for you. If a particular material is too difficult for you to comprehend, put it down and find something else. It’s perfectly valid.
2. New words are awesome. When you encounter new words, don’t let them intimidate you. Just guess their meaning and continue reading. I’d suggest marking them, though, as you go. That way, you can go back after you’ve finished a piece to research the new vocabulary individually.
3. Read regularly. Like all skills, reading requires consistent practice. Save at least 10 or 20 minutes each day for reading, that way you’re able to maintain a regular, active pace.
4. Read with learning the language in mind. Reading for leisure is very different when reading for learning. With the latter, you need to come prepared – have your markers at hand, a dictionary (in case you really can’t understand the words) and other study materials while you read.
5. Choose interesting materials. There are thousands, maybe millions, of reading materials available. Why would you even pick up something you can hardly care about.
January 19, 2010
Word stress is one of the important keys to improving your English comprehension skills. Without a good grasp of where stress appears in the language, it becomes difficult for a second language learner to communicate clearly with a native speaker. And the confusion goes both ways.
In English, each word always has a single point of stress, meaning there’s one syllable that you accentuate. You pronounce this syllable loudly, all while staying quiet with all the others. If you hear two stresses, then the speaker just said out two words and so on.
In some languages, such as Japanese and French, all syllables are given equal emphasis. As such, native users of these vernaculars typically have a difficult time making out a conversation among native English speakers. It’s like learning a whole new system of using sound all on its own.
When you’re trying to learn word stress in English, the simplest rule you must bear in mind is that the stress is always on the vowel. There are many other rules, too, although learning them all will likely complicate matters if you’re only trying to get a good grasp of communication skills.
Rather than perform calculations on the fly, we recommend the following to wrap your head around various English pronunciations:
- When you memorize vocabulary with your language software, memorize word stress too.
- Realize that word stress is a big part of the language. Without learning where the stress falls on a word, you’re not learning a word completely.
- Listen to native speakers – either in person, on talk radio or in films. That’s the easiest way to get used to the way native English speakers use word stress.
January 14, 2010
If you’re going to learn English, you’ll have to understand one of the main characteristics that complicate it – it’s not a phonetic language. That means, we do not always pronounce words the way they are spelled.
Some words bear the same spelling, but need to be pronounced differently. For example, the word “read” is mouthed off differently in these two sentences:
- Read the paper from yesterday.
- I have read yesterday’s paper.
Some words are pronounced the exact same way, yet are spelled differently. For example, the words “way” and “weigh” are complete separate things, yet are mouthed off in exactly the same manner.
- Show me the way.
- How much do you weigh?
Unless you’ve specifically studied both uses of the word, there’s no way you could have known how to differentiate one from the other. Most likely, you will make mistakes with such words during the course of your study with your language software. Just know that it’s nothing to be embarrassed about – those phonetic differences are things you will need to recognize and remember whenever you encounter them.
There are a total of 52 different sounds in the English language, each of which you will likely encounter during your attempts at mastering it. You should learn all these different pronunciations if you want to both speak and listen more capably.
January 13, 2010
Need to practice your English communication skills? Try online chatrooms. They’re always available, they’re free and you’ve got all sorts of personalities to wax those skills on. What more could you ask for?
One of the biggest complaints I hear from language learners of all sorts is the lack of avenue for practice. They’re doing their due diligence getting daily language software lessons, taking notes and even using supplementary material, but finding opportunities to practice what they learn has proven to be a challenge. After all, unless you live in the actual country where the language is spoken, you aren’t likely going to be able to easily find individuals with whom you can drill those newfound skills on.
Chatrooms, on the other hand, are available 24/7, wherever you are in the world. Whether you want to practice written or spoken English, you can always find people to use them on.
Be wary, though, that chatrooms are usually very informal environments. If you’re looking to practice formal writing skills, you probably won’t get much mileage out of there. For picking up conversational abilities, though, especially ones you will use during travel, it’s an excellent resource you should definitely take advantage of.
January 11, 2010
Don’t want to learn a second language? That’s up to you. However, do know that it’s only polite to take the time to learn the local parlance when you travel.
“I’ll only be in the country for a couple of weeks.”
If you want to be a tourist, fine. However, don’t complain when people ignore you, when shopkeepers can’t understand you and when you book the wrong kinds of services because you have a hard time interacting with the locals. It’s nobody’s fault but your own. Live with the consequences.
“I’m too old to learn a new language.”
That’s the excuse we hear from almost everyone who needs to learn a foreign language, but don’t want to. It’s not only false, it’s downright lazy. Yes, you’re not just lazy about studying a second language, you’re also lazy about coming up with reasons for it. Everyone can learn a new language – thousands upon thousands of people who have benefited from language training software know that.
“English is an international language. They should speak English.”
That attitude is not only presumptuous, it’s downright arrogant. Nobody needs to speak English just to accommodate you. You can’t seriously expect locals to pull out an English learning software just because you’re coming to town. Take the initiative. Learn some of the local language on your own. Your life will be so much easier.
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