It may seem counter-intuitive to try to pick up a second language from such an impersonal tool as a computer, akin to trying to learn from language tapes in the past. However, as the internet advances on a daily basis with ways for people to connect, this has carried over into the methods and services that are available for those who wish to learn English online.
These online courses go far beyond the traditional methods of looking over vocabulary lists and listening to audio tapes, offering a far more interactive experience that is designed to put all of your new skills into practice, before you need to do this in real life.
In fact, there are distinct benefits that may compel someone to learn English online rather than through the traditional methods of attending university courses or a language institute. This comes down to convenience, because you can attend these online courses from the comfort of your own home.
Sometimes they are offered through the corporate environment, as more and more companies try to operate on an international level and provide these services for their employees. When in a larger class with other participants, on the one hand it is nice to have people to practice with but on the other it can be a hindrance when not everyone learns at the same pace.
Through attempting to learn English online, you are able to attend these courses at your own learning curve. If one aspect of English grammar is confusing, you can spend as much time on it as possible without being forced to go forward with a set agenda. If you have already had some English training, you can review the concepts you know quickly, without having to linger for the benefit of other class members.
Other benefits that may sway someone to try to learn English online includes the fact that prices are generally far lower than an in-person course, and the technology has changed enough that you have access to many of the same methods. For example, you can have access to your own personal tutors, through the power of instant messaging and programs such as Skype. That means that you can still have a native English speaker on hand to correct your errors and practice your conversation with, but at a far lower price. In a global marketplace, it’s important to learn a second language to be able to communicate more effectively. The methods of learning have made this more convenient than ever before.
By Grace Rimando.
20.4.10
12.4.10
Learning to Speak English Fluently
I have seen learners who have little knowledge of English such as school dropouts from the countryside to learners who have some knowledge of English such as graduates from cities.
They all consider that English is a language difficult to master. They think that they ought to master the rules of grammar and memorize difficult words to speak the language well.
It is a misconception that they carry and the imagined burden they bear is heavy. I think that is the basic problem these learners face.
Let me clear the misconception. Learning a couple of hundred words should enable one to speak English to carry on conversation. Are these words difficult? Has one to look up a dictionary to know the meanings?
No. Are words such as ask, go, come, give and tell difficult?
Regarding grammar, it is not essential that one should study it in a 'technical way' as they do in schools to speak English. If one can the sense of how can, could, would or have is used, one can directly get into speaking English.
It is doing English that matters. What is doing English? It is straightaway using the little knowledge of English one has. Here are some examples of doing English:
Hi.
Hello, how are you?
Fine. Where's Radhika?
She is in the kitchen.
Thank you.
OK!
Experiencing the language can help one master it. One can experience the language by listening to people speaking it, by reading or by watching TV or movies. Or just by talking to oneself, which is nothing but a type of surrogate for reading.
Experiencing English enables you to internalize the rules of grammar and usage. I would hesitate to call rules for grammar because rules come from a study of the language technically. Using the language comes first.
So start today to experience the language. Start from simple steps of greeting someone or giving some simple instructions such as giving directions to a place.
They all consider that English is a language difficult to master. They think that they ought to master the rules of grammar and memorize difficult words to speak the language well.
It is a misconception that they carry and the imagined burden they bear is heavy. I think that is the basic problem these learners face.
Let me clear the misconception. Learning a couple of hundred words should enable one to speak English to carry on conversation. Are these words difficult? Has one to look up a dictionary to know the meanings?
No. Are words such as ask, go, come, give and tell difficult?
Regarding grammar, it is not essential that one should study it in a 'technical way' as they do in schools to speak English. If one can the sense of how can, could, would or have is used, one can directly get into speaking English.
It is doing English that matters. What is doing English? It is straightaway using the little knowledge of English one has. Here are some examples of doing English:
Hi.
Hello, how are you?
Fine. Where's Radhika?
She is in the kitchen.
Thank you.
OK!
Experiencing the language can help one master it. One can experience the language by listening to people speaking it, by reading or by watching TV or movies. Or just by talking to oneself, which is nothing but a type of surrogate for reading.
Experiencing English enables you to internalize the rules of grammar and usage. I would hesitate to call rules for grammar because rules come from a study of the language technically. Using the language comes first.
So start today to experience the language. Start from simple steps of greeting someone or giving some simple instructions such as giving directions to a place.
Ganeshan Ramachandran Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ganeshan_Ramachandran |
8.4.10
Improving Your English Language Proficiency
English has become a universal language. It has become the language for some trade transactions, educational and cultural relations. English is being frequently called the “language of communication.”
But not everybody is proficient in speaking English, even the most professional speaker would still have some space for improvement. But how could you increase your aptitude in the English language? Here are some tips that you could easily do and at the same time give you significant results.
- Reading
To increase any knowledge, regardless whatever field it is, the first thing you do is hit the books. It is the same when increasing your language knowledge. Spending time in reading would help you improve your vocabulary and comprehension. You could use books, magazines and newspapers.
- Watching and Listening
If you get tired of reading, then try watching and listening to different English programs. News programs like CNN or BBC are great channels to watch. Although, it you watch something you are interested in, there are bigger chances that you will listen and pay attention. You can watch movies with English subtitles, since it would help you even more.
Try listening to English songs. Start looking for the lyrics and compare how they were pronounced. Listen carefully to what they say. If you cannot understand a word, write it down and look for its meaning later on. Try using or practice saying these words until you are able to use them effortlessly.
- Writing
If you want to improve you English writing, then start practicing! You can start by writing short essays, stories and paragraphs. Make this a daily exercise. Three to five minute of writing, then get somebody to check it for you, whether it is for grammatical or other technical corrections. Having somebody to give you a feedback will help you improve your work.
- Talking
Practice talking or speaking in English. You can talk to yourself in English if you are afraid to talk to other people. If you have friends who are good English speakers, then you can talk to them in English from time to time to improve on your own verbal communication. Aside from building you speaking skills it would also help you boost your confidence.
- Way of Thinking
Most of those who want to learn how to speak fluently in English make a common mistake, that is they think in their native language. It would take a while for them to respond to a question or react using English, because they think the answer first in their native tongue before translating it into English. To speak English fluently, then thinking in English is necessary.
If it is difficult for you to learn on your own, then get a tutor. You can even ask for friends to help you out. There are even some websites that offer English exercises to improve you language skills. But we have to understand that whatever we are learning, it may be English or other languages, grammar and accent is not enough. What matters is that people can understand you clearly.
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