ESL Discussion

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  • Dufourmentel Christian June 27, 2014 6:34

    They say that yes but I do not figure out
    how it is possible without some essential bases.
    I live in Thailand for eight years, my wife is thai
    yet I cannot speak thai likely because I have not
    some basic notions.
    There are some issues to consider.
    Learning a foreign language takes time and dedication to work.

    I mean that it is a never ending learning, a bottomless pit
    so I want you to say to us your goal so then I’ll can say to you a bit more.
    Chat with your friend writing? you are already doing to!
    commune with native orally? uh! I’m afraid you’ll meet with
    fallow periods and be sometimes dejected.
    Also, it depends people, for some learn faster than others.

    we each have the pattern and the rythm
    of our language imprinted in our brain!
    It is not easy to set aside all we have automated in our mind
    since childhood.
    If you live in the country of the language
    that you are learning to hear it and speak it every single day
    on the condition you got a basic knowledge at least,
    you’ll forge ahead unexpectedly for sure.
    I hope that answered your question.
    stand firm and never give up and it will come over time naturally.
    happy practicing on ‘ec’.

  • Dufourmentel Christian June 25, 2014 8:54

    Hello fellow members and Jenifer

    there are many controversial ways to introduce somebody to English.
    generally speaking the best is practice in
    any English-speaking country.
    Obviously this is not always possible.
    Well, ‘that’s where the shoe pinches’
    Practice makes perfect but with natives of English better, right?
    Unfortunately most people either learn English basic grammar
    (at school for example) and lack of practice OR
    practise but with other novices so cannot move forward to
    speak English properly nor figure out it either.
    To my mind learning foreign language takes time
    and dedication to work.
    Let me give you some advice, will you?
    Don’t give up / set a goal / Don’t put the cart before the horse
    imitate natives / make mistakes but not repeatedly the same
    over and over again.
    Basic grammar is not crucial but an asset and
    it’s not as hard as people make out.
    Similarly, the more your knowledge in
    appropriate vocabulary is rich easier it is to express.
    to understand how to build error-free or almost error-free sentences.
    we each have the pattern and the rythm of our language
    imprinted in our brain so we have to tame it by getting used to
    reading right sentences make up right words in their right context
    listening to natives or fluent people.
    Either you get the opportunity of practicing abroad or
    you chat with natives, watch telly, video (galore on the net)
    and read comics way before serious books.
    what did you make it Jenifer?
    Anyway this is my way of thinking and doing as well
    Thank you for reading and welcoming me.

  • Syed Faisal Ali June 24, 2014 7:58

    Believe it or not, I studied English alone. When I came to abroad for work at that time my English was very poor. 

    I bought a book and started to read stories and did my best to understand the pattern of sentences. I used to mark the difficult words to find them in Dictionary. I had no access to the internet at that time. I'm talking about 2007, then i started to speak or pronounce the new words which I learned from the books.

    I was not really sure that if my pronunciation was good or not. But I kept speaking even some people made a fun of me and they corrected me. Then I got access to the internet, I was not really familiar with internet but I use google to help me and google showed me a website "My English Club", I made many friends here and after spending some time in chatroom and reading blogs. My vocabulary became rich and i added many users on Skype.... And this is how I improved my English. 

  • pure June 10, 2014 22:10

    I agree with dark knight.. reading out load

  • Dufourmentel Christian May 1, 2014 4:40

    'On Skype' 'on ec' 'log on to 'Skype' (not in Skype),right?

    you ought take good habits.

    Also, avoid using 'lazy writing' like 'u' and even 'wanna' 'gotta'

    As Sir W. Churchill said

     'This is the sort of English which I don’t put up  with'. 

    more so as we're learners.

    natives can afford this kind of lightness but not novices.

    Don't forget fellow members that if 'practice makes perfect' 

    it can hinder your progression too! (impede your learning progress).

    No matter your mistakes because it is an opportunity to fix them

    with the aim of improving.

    But don't fool yourself repeatedly either.

    Before helping beginners first and foremost you should set an example, right?

     Do you want to practise to damage your English?

    I wonder where is the reason for the love of the poor,

    lazy writing, slang and common at the expense of elegant writing and spoken.

    So it's up to you only to decide wich way you wish to take!

    Thank you for taking my advice, for this is for your very self.

  • Luci April 30, 2014 15:02
    Since I have been surounded by my kids last four years here at home, sometimes I catch myself talking in English with myself. Hard to say if it is helpful or if I am psycho but I would say it might help little bit. Anywayz, it can't ever be the same as the conversation where you have to react immediately.
  • Michel April 29, 2014 1:36
    Alone, only reading anything.
  • Rody Momen April 28, 2014 23:12
    Talking with yourself in the mirror
  • T Mal April 28, 2014 9:34

    Hi Everyone.

    As an online teacher I have often been asked the same question and my answer is yes you can improve speaking skills alone.  I once met a Tibetan Monk online who had done exactly this he described who he would find websites with audio and text that he could copy.  He did say he had some speaking skills but needed to improve them.

    From his idea I researched websites that a learner with some speaking skills could improve speaking and fluency.  The students I worked with found the BBC The Flatmates serial the most useful.  It allows you to improve listening skills (which help speaking too) check your understanding by reading the text then you can try copying what you hear in the audio.  Finally record what you say and compare it to the recording.  Start with one sentence at a time working up to the whole script. The link below is for episode 1 and there are almost 300 episodes and each has a language point to help with grammar and vocabulary.

    One more thing.  It is important that students are aware of all 44 sounds of English, being able to distinguish them and produce them will help understanding of the speaker and the listener.

    Here are two links I hope you will find useful.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/

    http://http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/...

    At a higher level you can use the same website but go to the section 'Words in the News'  try to copy the stress and intonation you hear in the news items.  The topics will also improve your vocabulary.

    Mal

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