February 27, 2010
So, you’re an ESL student dumped onto an English-speaking workplace. Chances are, you have no choice but to learn how to write business English effectively, lest risk being unable to perform your job well.
Business writing is different from other types of writing in that it’s a little more formal and requires you to produce material with a professional tone. If you’re going to work in an English-speaking country, there’s no escaping it, as most professions (especially white-collar ones) will require you to write in that manner.
To help you out, here are a few tips:
1. Learn to write English in a more formal, straightforward manner. To be on the safe side, it’s best to aim for a more formal tone, rather than find a more balanced writing style. Sure, you might not end up writing the most interesting emails or memos, but you’ll sound professional doing so.
2. Write to your audience. Always know who you’re writing a document for. If it’s an email to a co-worker along the same rank as you, a little less formality might help you establish better rapport. For a report that you’ll submit to superiors, though, you may want to dispense with the pleasantries.
3. Be clear and to the point. No need for literary devices for business writing. Sure, it might help for proposals and other materials intended to sway opinion. But you’ll be teetering a fine line and it’s best not to rock the boat, especially if English isn’t your first language.
4. Arm yourself with a good English language software. You’ll need it, especially when it comes to cleaning up writing mistakes and improving your overall facility.
February 26, 2010
Some people improve their vocabulary with memory techniques. Others, however, prefer a more natural, let-it-flow approach. One way to achieve the latter is by being a voracious reader, while keeping in mind a few things.
1. Understand the context that a specific word is used and take a guess about its meaning. The more you see the same term used in different settings, the clearer its proper use will become. Yes, developing vocabulary by reading takes time.
2. Learn to identify prefixes, suffixes and root words in the language. It will help you identify source words and in what ways they can be used.
3. Notice the syllable patterns in the language. Depending on the language, syllable patterns can give you clues about both context and meaning.
4. With parallel sentences, examine the similarities (or differences) of the words used. Notice how each is applied in relation to the rest of the sentences that use them and how each helps to convey meaning.
5. Read aloud. In case of confusing sentences where you can’t guess at the meaning of words, try reading the surrounding passage aloud. Intonation can have a bearing on what the sentence is trying to say.
6. Consult your language software. In case you’re really stumped, then find answers from your primary learning material. Sure, it breaks the flow of reading, but if you really need to use a good reference, don’t deny yourself.
February 24, 2010
Many language learners go through the process of studying a new vernacular on their own, aided by a good language software and other secondary materials. In my opinion, though, nothing beats having a resource person that can help you in your studies.
What will a language learning resource person do? If you don’t understand anything about your lessons, you can call them up to get clarifications. Stuck on a language concept? Try bouncing it off your resource person them the next time you talk to each other. Need to practice a bunch of new skills you picked up from your last lesson? Work it into your next conversation with your resource person.
How To Find Resource Persons
Now, how do you find someone who will actually take the time to help you out? That’s the tricky part. Your first destination should be family and friends. Who among them know the target language? They don’t need to be fluent. You just need someone conversant enough such that you’ll be able to practice with them on a regular basis. Personally, I’d recommend setting up a professional arrangement even if they’re your friends (i.e. you pay them to help you out). That way, you can set a regular time for practice and you don’t have to feel like you’re burdening them unnecessarily.
If there’s no one in your immediate circle, you can try seeking out professional help. Dedicated language tutors and language learning class instructors are usually a guaranteed route. However, they can be expensive, since they already have an idea of their value. A cheaper way might be to look at online forums where speakers of the language you’re learning normally congregate. Get yourself in the mix, find someone in your area and try to make arrangements.
February 23, 2010
There are two main classes of theories in language learning: condition-oriented and process-oriented. Each one emphasizes a different set of factors that play a critical role in the way students can learn best.
Condition-Oriented Theories
These types of theories focus on the human and physical context in which language acquisition can take place. For example, they answer questions like:
- What situations does a person need to find himself in to gain the necessary motivation and experience to successfully adopt a new speaking?
- What characteristics does a good language learner have?
- Where can someone best acquire a language?
Process-Oriented Theories
In these group of theories, the focus is on learning processes, rather than the conditions that allow them to happen. The idea is that if you can drill down the processes, you can replicate it for as many individuals as possible. This includes concepts such as
- Habit-formation
- Hypothesis testing
- Induction
How does this affect you as a language learner? Well, if you’re working towards acquisition, you probably know that you simply can’t depend on one material to facilitate your learning. Even the best language learning software delivers best results when combined with other learning materials. The better-versed you are with theory, the smarter the choices you can make with regards to combining study materials.
February 22, 2010
Can’t commit to language learning full time? Then let me tell you now what your biggest sticking point will be: the lack of motivation. It’s a well-known fact among language teachers that students will have to work doubly hard to keep motivation high if they’re treating the process of acquiring a new language as a part-time gig.
Of course, most of us are likely to find ourselves in this very boat, so it’s not necessarily bad. There are just very few people who have the means to commit to their training in a full-time capacity. Just realize what you’re getting into when you tackle a new language while working one hour per day: it’s not likely to be easy.
Even with only partial commitment, you can still expand your language acquisition activities to cover a good chunk of your day, though. My suggestion is to try and work for that. Look at language learning as three kinds, each of which you will want to do some part of.
1. Primary lessons. This includes receiving classroom teaching, private tutoring, an intensive language software course and other primary learning materials. Most of the time, people think this is where their language studies end. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
2. Secondary learning. Apart from your primary lessons, you can do other things that help reinforce your studies. For instance, you can listen to pre-recorded vocabulary practice while driving to work. You can listen to music in the target language, helping your comprehension abilities. You can label various items in your house with their equivalent in the target language so you might memorize them from repetition. These activities and others like them are a significant part of your overall learning too.
3. Social use. The third set of activities consist of using the language socially, either speaking it or understanding it. If you’re in the country of your target language, opportunities for this should be abundant. If you’re not, you can try online means of interaction, whether written or spoken.
February 20, 2010
Some people just can’t memorize efficiently with a list of foreign language expressions in hand. If you’re the same way, you’re better off trying to find alternative ways to internalize those phrases. Role-playing is one option you can take.
In role-playing, you set up scenarios where you pretend to be in a situation where you will use the expressions that you need to internalize. If you have a list of survival phrases that you need to find your way around in Italy, for instance, then you can set up scenarios where you’re a tourist on the street, seeking out specific places. Same when you’re attending a conference in Barcelona, trying to put together a stock of material you’re going to arm yourself to effectively hold conversations with other participants.
Obviously, role-playing works best when done with other people. You can alternate playing different roles. For instance, you can be a tourist, while your partner is a local cab driver. Or you can be a shopkeeper, with your partners as the foreign customers. The potential for role-play is one of the biggest benefits of studying with a group, such as in classroom setting.
If you prefer working with a language learning software, you can use role-playing to your advantage. Of course, you’ll need to use a bit more imagination, but it’s possible. Make sure you set up your scenes as realistic as possible, complete with props, to create a conducive setting.
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