Learning English » English Pronounciation http://www.learning-english.ca Learn English Online Thu, 27 May 2010 21:04:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1974 en hourly 1 The importance of diction in learning the English language http://www.learning-english.ca/the-importance-of-diction-in-learning-the-english-language/ http://www.learning-english.ca/the-importance-of-diction-in-learning-the-english-language/#comments Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:37:16 +0000 admin http://www.learning-english.ca/?p=92 Everyone is familiar with the normal steps to learning English as a second language: vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, and pronunciation. This is the normal set of skills used in the learning of any new language, but all languages are learned by their native speakers through hearing the words spoken and noting the tone, pacing, and sound of the words when they are strung together to form sentences, in other words, diction.

People learn another language first as to be able to speak it fluently, and later to be able to read and write it. Unfortunately the English language is a very difficult language to master through spelling and sentence structure because it is an amalgamation of many different languages (both living and dead). While the one common thread to all spoken English is its sentence structure, it is how the words are said that indicates a true mastering of the language.

Every language has its own unique flow of words which is determined by sentence construction, accent, and pronunciation. English diction is easy to master once the learner understands that only in rare instances (such as the use of homonyms) the accent of a sentence will change the meaning of the sentence. Thus the simple sentence: ‘I want to go home.’ is pronounced the same way as: ‘I want to go to the house.’ Yet the tendency of many ESL students is to accent the two sentences differently which often confuses the listener.

A great part of being fluent in English is becoming familiar with the rhythm of the language’s words and sentences. This rhythm cannot be viewed or written it must be heard. After awhile this rhythm becomes easy to isolate and then imitate but it does take practice. Audio tapes that mimic the rhythm of spoken English are a must if diction is to become a natural part of the spoken language.

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]]> http://www.learning-english.ca/the-importance-of-diction-in-learning-the-english-language/feed/ 0 Looking for an English School? http://www.learning-english.ca/looking-for-an-english-school/ http://www.learning-english.ca/looking-for-an-english-school/#comments Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:58:30 +0000 admin http://www.learning-english.ca/looking-for-an-english-school/ If you are looking for an English School, you will definitely want to check out www.englishlink.com. English link is a Global Online English School, offering ESL lessons, help with passing an English exam.

English Link has experienced teachers ready to help you improve your speak, pronounciation, and English skills.

You can try a free lesson from their website, do a free placement test, or try out one of their free video lessons.

Visit English Link for ESL Lessons

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]]> http://www.learning-english.ca/looking-for-an-english-school/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 Funny Pronounciation Video http://www.learning-english.ca/funny-pronounciation-video/ http://www.learning-english.ca/funny-pronounciation-video/#comments Sat, 25 Nov 2006 19:27:28 +0000 admin http://www.learning-english.ca/funny-pronounciation-video/ Very funny video of English student learning correct pronounciation.

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