Learning English » Blogroll http://www.learning-english.ca Learn English Online Thu, 27 May 2010 21:04:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=4992 en hourly 1 Learning English – Tips for Beginners http://www.learning-english.ca/learning-english-%e2%80%93-tips-for-beginners/ http://www.learning-english.ca/learning-english-%e2%80%93-tips-for-beginners/#comments Wed, 19 Sep 2007 20:07:57 +0000 admin http://www.learning-english.ca/learning-english-%e2%80%93-tips-for-beginners/ Learning any new language is always a long and hard process. But there are little tips and tricks that can help along the way. With a little effort and dedication, learning a new language can become fun and exciting. Here are a few hints that will help a beginner in learning English.

Tip #1: Use what you learn. This, more than anything else, is going to help a person learn English quickly and with accuracy. It also helps to learn first those words you can use often. A student should start to notice which words they use most often and learn how to say them in English.

Tip #2: Work with others. Learning English by oneself can be a trying ordeal. Learning English with a friend can be fun and exciting. Two friends learning together can remind each other to use what they have learned and correct each other when they make mistakes.

Tip #3: Learn songs. If someone were asked to remember what their mother said to them at their childhood bedside, they probably wouldn’t be able to say. However, if someone were asked to sing a song that their mother sang to them at that same bedside, they could sing it back without missing a word. The human brain remembers song a lot better than it remembers straight words. Singing English songs can help with improving accent and remembering how words go together.

Tip #4: Write down new words. If a person can put new information into their brain in several different ways, they will remember it better. Writing down new words lets your mind remember the way it looks, the way it feels to write it. Even better, say the word aloud as you write it.

Tip #5: Write down what you hear. As a person learns English, he will hear new words every time he talks with someone in English. If these new words are not written down, they will be forgotten by the time the person makes it back to a dictionary where they can look the word up. One of the best investments a new English student can make is to buy a small notebook and pen that they can carry with them everywhere they go. Students are often shy about asking people about some word they just said. The truth is most people are more than happy to help, even spelling out words when asked. Everyone likes to feel like they have been helpful.

Tip #6: Read a book. In American schools, the smartest kids and quickest learners are those that take the time to read. Reading will supply a student with new vocabulary and lots of valuable practice. For those who are just starting, Dr. Seuss books provide a quick and fun way to absorb basic vocabulary.

As in everything else in life, the true key to success is very simple: practice, practice, practice. Anyone who is willing to make a real effort every single day can learn English, or any other language, for that matter. All it takes is a little time and dedication.

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]]> http://www.learning-english.ca/learning-english-%e2%80%93-tips-for-beginners/feed/ 0 Improving Your English Vocabulary http://www.learning-english.ca/improving-your-english-vocabulary/ http://www.learning-english.ca/improving-your-english-vocabulary/#comments Fri, 02 Feb 2007 19:36:42 +0000 admin http://www.learning-english.ca/improving-your-english-vocabulary/ A large part of learning to speak English is to improve your vocabulary. Improving your vocabulary will help you feel more confident when speaking English. It will also help you understand what you are hearing when others are speaking English. There are many tools you can use to improve your English vocabulary.

• Get a dictionary. There are some good English dictionaries available online. A good dictionary helps you learn more words. The following are some of the ways to use a dictionary to improve your English vocabulary:
o Write down words that are new to you. Look the words up in a dictionary, and then write down the meanings of the words. Keep all of your words together so you can look at them when you need them.
o Pay attention to the definition. Some words have more than one meaning, so be sure to read the whole definition. Many dictionaries will also give examples of the word in a sentence. This helps you understand the word and learn to use it.
o Find new words and learn what they mean. If you learn 10 new words each day, Monday through Friday, you will learn 200 new words each month. Saturday and Sunday can be used to review your new words to be sure you know what they mean.
• Read in English. Read books, magazines and news articles every day. Try to guess the meaning of new words by looking at the whole sentence. When you read words that you do not understand, look in your dictionary.
• Ask English speakers. When you think you understand a word, write it in a sentence. Ask someone who speaks English well to read your sentence and tell you if you have used the word correctly. When speaking, ask if you have used the right words.
• Use vocabulary books. There are many vocabulary books available. Some websites also offer free vocabulary worksheets. Some books and worksheets are very easy for beginning learners, and some are very hard for more advanced learners. Make sure you use books and worksheets that are right for your level.
• Work crossword puzzles. Crossword puzzles are a good way to learn words and their meanings. Crossword puzzles provide clues that are definitions of words. The words that go with the definition are the answers that go into the puzzle. Crossword puzzles come in many levels, so you can work puzzles that are right for you.
• If you think you are ready for difficult words, get a copy of a magazine called Reader’s Digest. Each issue has a vocabulary quiz that has 20 words. Each word offers multiple choices for the definition. The correct answers are included in the magazine.
• Practice. All of these tools will help you improve your English vocabulary, but you must practice. When you learn a new word, write sentences using that word. Try to use the word when speaking. You will better remember the word if you use it.

When you are learning English, you must do the same things you did when learning your own language. When you began speaking your own language, you knew only a few words. You learned more words by listening, reading and asking others. As you learn new words, practice them so you will know them well.

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]]> http://www.learning-english.ca/improving-your-english-vocabulary/feed/ 0 Using Newspapers to practice English http://www.learning-english.ca/using-newspapers-to-practice-english/ http://www.learning-english.ca/using-newspapers-to-practice-english/#comments Fri, 26 Jan 2007 23:14:55 +0000 admin http://www.learning-english.ca/using-newspapers-to-practice-english/ Newspapers are a great way to practice your reading skill and improve your vocabulary.

In addition, newspapers have ‘real world’ English, which is very different to ‘classroom’ English.

Here are some online newspapers:

Weird News Links to strange news stories
USA Weekend
Reuters Hourly News Short summaries of current news
The Chicago Tribune
The Jerusalem Post
The Nando Times
The New York Times
The Washington Post
World Newspapers On line
React Newsmagazine for teens
Reader’s Digest World

Here are some tips:

- it may seem difficult at first, but keep going!
- keep your dictionary close by and use it.
- writing out vocabulary helps remember it. Start a vocabulary notepad. Use each page for the each letter, A – Z. When you learn a new word, write it in your vocabulary notepad on the right page.
- explore the different sections of the newspaper. Some will be easier than others.

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]]> http://www.learning-english.ca/using-newspapers-to-practice-english/feed/ 0 Beginners Questions and Answer Exercise http://www.learning-english.ca/beginners-questions-and-answer-exercise/ http://www.learning-english.ca/beginners-questions-and-answer-exercise/#comments Sat, 25 Nov 2006 19:05:06 +0000 admin http://www.learning-english.ca/beginners-questions-and-answer-exercise/ Here is a free Question and Answer exercise for beginners learning English.

Read the questions below and write down your answers.
Next, click on QUESTIONS and COMMENTS below to see the answers.
Good luck!

1. Are you drinking juice now?
2. Did you arrive here ten minutes ago?
3. Did you study English last year?
4. Were you seeing your friend last weekend?
5. Did you see your neighbor last night?
6. Were you eating breakfast an hour ago?
7. Are you learning ENglish now?
8. Is your friend working now?
9. Are you speaking now?
10. Did you buy something the day before yesterday?
11. Were you reading a book last night?

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]]> http://www.learning-english.ca/beginners-questions-and-answer-exercise/feed/ 1 Beginners English Quiz http://www.learning-english.ca/beginners-english-quiz/ http://www.learning-english.ca/beginners-english-quiz/#comments Thu, 23 Nov 2006 17:39:09 +0000 admin http://www.learning-english.ca/beginners-english-quiz/ Good Morning! We have just put up our first Beginners English Quiz. Give it a try and see how you do!

Hopefully we will be making 1 a week or more.

Let me know what you think!

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