IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH LISTENING SKILLS
Make sure you have the right software to take advantage of what is available on the WWW You can download players and find links to online radio stations at real.com , windowsmedia.com and winamp.com .
Try some of the radio stations I recommend on my broadcasts page
Films in English are an excellent language resource Follow my tips on how to use films to improve your English
Keep up to date with current events and watch an English-language news station, such as BBC World. Watch news reports on events you are already aware of
Find out how to switch languages on your TV. If you have digital or satellite TV there are several channels that broadcast in multiple languages. Eurosport is one and Euronews is another
! Use my English magazine Ezine pages to find some interesting articles to listen to
! Read my poem of the month or joke of the month and then send off for the monthly sound files
! Use the dictation pages to test your understanding
IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH SPEAKING ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION SKILLS
Learn the phonetic alphabet
List words that have the same sound add to the lists as you learn more words
For example words that rhyme with me
Work on one problem sound at a time. Read slowly concentrating on the pronunciation of particular words. Record yourself, keep the tape and record yourself later, have you improved? Don't be shy - ask a friend to listen to the tape too
Don't worry about sounding like a native, it is more important to speak clearly and pleasantly than it is to sound like the Queen
The most important thing to think about is can people understand you? If you have a problem being understood then find someone who speaks English clearly and try to mimic their accent
Talk to friends who are also learning English. Go out together for coffee and only speak English to each other!
Find native English speaking friends
• You can find ePals on the Internet!
• Visit an Irish/English/Australian theme pub. Often, the waiters and waitresses come from English-speaking countries, the menu is often in English too!
• You can find pen pals through specialist magazines. See our Resources Page for details of a few
• Join an English club or conversation group. Around the world there are many English speaking clubs, these clubs aren't just for expats but for people interested in the English way of life. They are friendly and fun. For a list of English clubs click here. Check magazines as well as your phone book, your local newspaper and your local university. Or if there isn't one in your area - start one! Place an advertisement in your newspaper for people interested in starting a group or go to Meetup
Every week I run an English conversation group on Pal Talk - that way you get to speak to me and to other learners and native speakers.
! Use the pronunciation pages to improve your understanding
IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH READING SKILLS
Make a habit of reading regularly. Read as many English books, newspapers and magazines as you can find. Again this should be fun so make sure the texts you choose are not too too difficult for you. If the book or article you are reading is a chore, then find something easier. You could even try reading graded books written especially for ESL learners
Find an author you like and read all their books. By doing this you will get used to the style of a particular author and the typical vocabulary and grammar they use. As you read more of his/her books you will find it easier and easier
If you have a local library find out if they stock English books or if they have bilingual editions of English classics. Or ask them to stock English translations of books you are already familiar with
Try reading things more than once. Read something and then read it again a few weeks/months later. You should find your understanding has improved
Discuss what you have read. I am more than happy to discuss books with you on the forum
!Learning Tip - don't try to understand every word. Try to understand the overall meaning of a sentence or passage
!Learning Tip - don't translate - only use a dictionary if a word keeps appearing in a text and you still don't understand it
! Use the Ezine pages to find some interesting articles, poems and jokes to read
IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH WRITING SKILLS
Get the most out of your dictionary by understanding how to use it well. You can use your dictionary to find words, for meaning, for pronunciation, to check your spelling and to understand explanations
Copy out short passages of English text from newspapers, magazines or books
Try dictation exercises. You can do this online or get friends to read out text for you to write and then check your writing - concentrate on spelling and punctuation
There are many forums on the net, find one about your interests or hobbies. Apologise if you think you have made any mistakes and politely ask for feedback. Be careful when using abbreviations when writing on forums, they are fun but can cause bad habits to form
Find English speaking pen friends
• You can find ePals on the Internet!
! Use the Learn English Network Forum pages to practise your writing
OTHER ENGLISH LEARNING TIPS
Travel to an English speaking country
• England is only a few hours flight away
• Specialist holidays are available to improve your English
• Take an English speaking tour or activity holiday
Spend your time on things that interest you. If you like cooking then buy an English-language cookbook or find recipes on the net and practice following the recipes. You'll soon know if you have made a mistake
Keep something English on you (books, newspapers, cassettes, flash cards) all day and every day, you never know when you might have 5 spare minutes
If you are too tired to actively practice just relax and listen to some English pop songs or radio stations
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