How to improve your English skills

Learning is a skill and it can be improved.

In 7 Habits for Effective People one of the habits is called sharpening

the saw. The author suggests if you have 8 hours to chop down a

tree you should spend 3 hours sharpening the saw.

Your path to learning effectively is through knowing about learning

by knowing about

yourself (what type of learner: visual, auditory, kinaesthetic.

Right brain/left brain dominant)

your capacity to learn (are you a morning or afternoon person.

If morning study in the morning, if afternoon study in

afternoon),

which processes you have successfully used in the past.

your interests in, and knowledge of what you wish to learn. If

you are studying Business read about business if Computers

read about computers..

Motivate yourself

If you are not motivated to learn English you will become frustrated

and give up. Ask yourself the following questions, and be honest:-

Why do you need to learn/improve English?

Where will you need to use English?

What skills do you need to improve

(Reading/Writing/Listening/Speaking)

How soon do you need to see results?

How much time can you afford to devote to learning English

per day.

Do you have a plan or learning strategy? If not write one

Set yourself achievable goals

You know how much time you can dedicate to learning English, but

a short time each day will produce better, longer-term results than a

full day on the weekend and then nothing for two weeks.

Do at least10 minutes listening practice every day. Can be

music, internet, radio.

Watch an English film at least once a week. Actively listen.

Repeat phrases.

Follow a soap, comedy or radio or TV drama. Examples of NZ

shows are Shortland Street (current) Outrageous Fortune

(available on DVD). Other examples are Friends or Melrose

Place.

Other English Learning Tips

Spend your time on things that interest you. If you like cooking find

an English-language cookbook or find recipes on the net and

practise following the recipes. If it is sport watch on TV and/or read

magazines. Keep something English with you (book, newspaper or

magazine, cd or cassette, set of flashcards) 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 a story

in English, an English pop song or talk radio station.

Start networking with native speakers / teachers and other learners.

Don't restrict yourself to seeking out native speakers. Think about it,

the likelihood of needing to speak English with non-native speakers

is statistically much higher. Speak to other nationalities…Your

common language will be English.

Use the internet. It is full of free and really good learning sites. Ask

around for good sites. Do interactive tests, watch multimedia

presentations, do pronunciation practises and listening exercises.

Work on your confidence and practise as much as possible.

Surround yourself in English. Think about how you can practice your English. Visit libraries and see if any courses are available in your area, ask at the local CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau). Think about doing some voluntary work……