Again, still another techno-tool to help you with your studies. This blog is "work-in-progress" , which means that things are added and removed on a regular basis. Here you'll find extra-reading, extra-listening, extra-grammar stuff, extra writing tips... extra-everything, so it's up to you what you do with it. Needless to say, your feedback, ideas, and comments are very welcome.

*This blog is 'apture-powered', which means that if you highlight a word, a 'learn more' sign will theoretically appear. Click on it and it will show a list of internet links related to that word. Just try.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Blah, blah, blah...



How can I improve my spoken English? This video is more inspirational than practical, but it goes to the core question of 'dancing' with your partners rather than 'monologuing' or producing 'memorised' sentences that 'the teacher will like' (ahem...). Below you'll find some more tips that you'll have to adapt to your own habits (like talk to yourself). You'll see that language skills are obviously connected and part of a whole - the time invested in reading, listening, writing, and working on gr...ooops ...sorry 'use of English' will sure contribute to your speaking skills-and vice versa.
- E.How , more EHow
- English at home
- Learning tips ( tips n.2,3,5,6,13 particularly interesting)

And a very important one: KISS (Keep It Short and Simple), which means DON'T get entangled in your own story -generally because you wanted to translate it word by word from your mother tongue. You don't need to do this. You know more than what you think, so USE IT. Make life easier for your partners who should understand what you are saying so that they can react to what you are saying so that you can dance all together.

Sorry there's no pill. Or rather, the only pill is regular practice and patience. But you know all that, don't you? It's just a reminder (remember 'remember'/'remind'?).

Of course, frustration may be part of the process, but it's transitory -and you can always scream and shout in this blog if you need it.

5 comments:

Guillermo said...

Thanks for the tips and for the blog in general. It is very interesting and I often visit it, but I have already no energy to scream and shout.

Regards

Guillermo

Guillermo said...

By the way, is it correct to scream and shout or it would be better to scream and SHOUTING?
I am referring to the written form, of course.

Thanks

Guillermo

Ona said...

'I have no energy to scream and shout' is perfect (written and spoken). Two infinitives joined by the same 'to' -why would you want to use a -ingV here?

But if you have no energy to scream and shout maybe you should do this 'sungazing' thing a bit more often! ;-)

Guillermo said...

I did not know that about the two infinitives joined by the same "to". Thank you.
On the other hand, I would have to do many things, but English does not give me time for nothing.

See you tomorrow

Guillermo

Ona said...

You are not going to make me feel guilty, Guillermo. :-D