Jul 2, Learn Spoken English

When you learn spoken English there is one very important thing you should keep in mind. Spoken English can actually be
quite different than written English!

Let's take a look at a few of these differences:
For example, when mentioning an unreal condition, you must use "were" instead of "was."

The following sentence is grammatically correct:
"If I were rich I would buy this ship."

In spoken English you could also hear the grammatically incorrect version:
"If I was rich I could buy this ship."

Here is a good example.

This is a sentence you could hear in an informal conversation:

"I was so beat I had hit the sack early."

First, let's clarify what this means:

Beat = an informal way to say "very tired."
Sack = an informal way to say "a bed."
Hit the sack = an informal way to say "went to bed."

Now, if we were to write this sentence,
we would probably phrase it quite differently:

"I was so exhausted I had to go to bed early."

And if you want to make this really pompous and literary:

"I was overpowered with fatigue and was obliged to retire early."

Overpowered = defeated by someone or something stronger.
Fatigue = extreme tiredness.
Obliged = forced to do something.
Retire = go to bed.

Some common examples:
"You" --> "ya"
(For example, "I'll see ya tomorrow." "Going to" --> "gonna"
(For example, "I'm gonna talk with him tomorrow.") "Want to" --> "wanna"
(For example, "Where do you wanna eat?") "Have to"/"Have got to" --> "gotta"
(For example, "We gotta go.") "Going" --> "goin' "
(For example, "I'm goin' home.) "Doing" --> "doin' "
("They are doin' it all wrong.") "What are you" --> "watcha"
(For example, "Whatcha doin'?")These contractions are unacceptable in written English.

In summary, spoken English is indeed quite different than written or formal English. And these are just some of the things you should keep in mind when you learn spoken English.

Jul 11, How to Help Your Students Learn to Read English

If you want to help your students learn to read English you need to give them some guidelines, and some interesting materials to read. Here are some suggestions to keep your reading lessons fresh and useful. The first thing you need to do is find interesting texts. No students want to read if they have boring texts. If you can find real news stories or magazine articles then that is much better but make sure the vocabulary and grammar isn’t too difficult. You can also use excerpts from books or scripts, or song lyrics, depending on the level of the group.

Finding interesting texts for beginners can be more difficult. You need to reinforce the vocabulary they know rather than give them too many new words, which means it is difficult for them to understand the text. Of course you can use children’s picture books, but if you are teaching teenagers or adults these often won't be appropriate. And even kids' books can use a lot of new words. One option if you have a very low level class is to use the English Short Stories for Complete Beginners. This will help them read but won't give them complicated vocabulary.

Teaching your students to use dictionaries is important at every level. Either a bi-lingual dictionary or a picture dictionary for lower levels, or a single language dictionary for advanced students. Encourage them to look up words they don't know, and not guess them. If a student looks up a word, they are more likely to remember it, and you can be sure they understand the meaning.

In class, reading can become a little boring. You can make your reading lessons livelier by trying some of the following techniques. Most of them can be adapted to suit any level.

Put a short reading passage on a wall somewhere. Students are in pairs, one goes to the text, remembers a section of it, goes to their partner and repeats it. The seated partner writes exactly what their ‘running' partner says. Check for spelling and punctuation at the end.
Each pair of students has two connected texts. Each reads and then gives their partner a summary of their text.
Instead of you giving the students the comprehension questions, get them to write their own.
Ask questions to see how much the students remember.
Cut the text up in sections. Place them around the class. Students work in small groups to find a complete set and put them in order.
Ask them to find an example of a certain grammar point or a synonym for another word. They raise their hand when they find it.

If you want your students to learn to read English then the most important thing they can do is practice. That isn't something you can force them to do. Make them aware of where they can get appropriate reading material and you will be giving them the best help you can.

Jul 17, How to Learn English Fast

Many students want to know how to learn English fast, but I have to disappoint them with my answer.

There is no foolproof way to learn English fast. Besides, if you learn something fast, you very often forget it.

Consider actors who are in a series that is filmed over a short space of time. They are very good at learning their lines quickly for one episode. By the time they record the next episode, they have forgotten the first set of lines. Learning a language can be a little like that.

If you learn too quickly without practicing what you have learned, it is easily forgotten.

There are different methods of language learning, and some may work better for you than others. If you want to know how to learn English fast, you would be better to think about how to learn English effectively.

Firstly, there is self-study. This is where you use a book which will teach you the grammar and vocabulary you need to know. Some books also come with CDs or DVDs to give you listening or interactive practice. Self-study is also possible using computer software or the internet.

What are the benefits and problems of self-study?

You have to be very self-disciplined. You need to set aside time for study when you won't be distracted. You may also find that it is difficult to stay motivated if you are studying alone.

Practice is also a problem if you are not studying with other people, so maybe you can find people online who can practice with you.

But the biggest downside, in my opinion, is when you can't ask your questions. In other words, it's always good to have someone (a teacher, an expert) to consult with.

A benefit of self-study is that you can take as much time as you like and you don't have to keep pace with a class.

It's usually more affordable, too.

Secondly, you can join a local class. This has the advantage of helping you stay motivated and gives you the opportunity to practice. It can be expensive though, and you will have to do things at the same pace as the rest of the class.

Research local courses and try to speak to teachers and students before you choose a class. 

Thirdly, you can find a tutor to help you with your English progress. A good tutor will give you all the attention you need and guide you through a step-by-step program built specifically for your needs.

Studying with a tutor can be great. However, hourly rates tend to be expensive. So the number of hours you study with them may be too little to make significant progress fast. To achieve that, make sure you also work and practice on your own.

Fourthly, you can study in an English speaking country. This is often very expensive, but it is the best way to learn. Do some research and find a school that is right for your needs.

They have different strengths and weaknesses.

You will find if you take this option that your speaking and listening skills will increase much faster. This is particularly true if you live with a host family, and try to be involved in life there.

In many schools you will have the opportunity to take classes in a group or individually, so the program can really be made to fit your needs.

Whichever learning method you choose, practice is the key to learning English effectively. Read and listen to English as much as you can. Speak to people at every opportunity.

Don't worry about how to learn English fast, just concentrate on finding the methods to help you learn English in the way that suits you.