How to learn English? (30/30 Challenge)

[Maggie]

Hi everyone,

I'm going to list what I heard. I actually listen to an English course online. The topic is about a controversial issue that you agree with graffiti or not. The following is what I hear.

Graffiti-A controversial lesson(people have different of views)

-graffiti dislike it/disagree to it/love it
-graffiti paint movie stars
-graffiti look for it on the wall, building , public area ,buses, streets
-urban creative expression/eyesore/painful/don't express it on the neighborhood/do it on the campus
-graffiti complicated(complex) form of artistic with skills or annoying(debate:strong opinions on something)
-graffiti less attrative/less appearing/less desirable/criminal damage/destruction/nuisance/ugly

Please give me some suggestions that you may think I can this activity(30/30 Challenge) better. Thanks for any advise.

Maggie^^
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[Kitosdad]

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Hello Maggie. I have watched your postings for some many weeks now, and I am so impressed with your versatility and dedication to learning all that you can about the English language.

So many start with such good intentions, and then they seem to just disappear from the scene. I think that you on the other hand appreciate the effort that has to be put into progressing, and progressing most importantly, step by step.

Never be hurried. Learn your craft, and learn it well. It will surely pay handsome dividends for you in the future.

Well done Maggie. You are a shining example to others.

Kitos.
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[Lamine]

Hi dear Torsten ; How are you? I agree with you , that is true to improve any langauge like me now when Arabic and I was listening the Arabic news I increased more . So sopurt you idear.
Thanks so much

[Robertobarabino]

In the past I practiced the listening exercise suggested by Torsten for rather long periods of time, using mainly BBC radio podcasts (like the cultural Forum, Word of business and so on) because my main problem with the english language is the difficulty in understanding native speakers.
The exercise let me improve my understanding a lot, but still the difficulty persists when a speaker has a peculiar accent or is particularly fast.
For this reason I take Torsten's suggestion as a good stimulus to practice the exercise again. I'll start today. immediately after finishing lesson 11.
Roberto

[Romashka]

Hi Torsten,
Could you give me an advice. I've found interesting audiobooks such O.Henry stories.. But when I'm listening their I understand only about 50% or even less.
And where is the question. Is listening really useful when you don't understand many words and maybe the whole meaning of a story?
And what is more efficient, listening to the adaptive version (with limited vocabulary) or original version?

Best regards,
Roman

[Kitosdad]

Good morning Romashka, I would have thought it more reasonable to hear stories that you are already familiar with in your own language. There are many short stories written in several languages which you would certainly have read in your past and retained a lot of in your memory.

Starting a new story in a completely different language is bound to be very difficult.

Kitos.
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[Romashka]

Thank you, Kitos! I agree on this. It was my salvation when I was listening "The Ransom of Red Chief", I didn't understand particular words but the whole story had already outlined for me.
I heard that when you just hearing even not listening native language speakers you get very good benefits in the language learning.
What do you think about it?

Roman.

[Kitosdad]

I really don't accept that fact Mate. If you don't have a considerable vocabulary then it is just mumbo-jumbo that you are hearing. You may pick up the inflections in the speaking and the intonations in the sentences, but that's about all. That's only my opinion.
I'm sure others will disagree.

Kitos.
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[Torsten]

[Jose]

US Defense Secretaty Robert Gate says US won't accept North Corea as Nuclear State. Washington wouldn't Idly stand by. North Corea and Iran have to be subject to harses sanction. UN Humanitarian Chef Affaires Coordinator John Home has had his voice to call for investigation at allegatin of serious humanitarian abuses during the final days of civil war in Srilanka.
BBC is working perfectly in Madagascar now.
Jose

[Romashka]

Hi Torsten,

I have read your thoughts. It seems to me very useful indeed! Not only this topic but the whole bunch "English for winners".. Thank you very much, I'm gonna read them all!

Best regards.
P.S. Thanks for the 'advice'

[Nataly:)little Dreamer]

I think, that the best way to learn English is speaking with the native speakers or chatting with them. It will improve your speach and your writting skills. Than, it is very useful to watch movies in English ( you can watch themwith subtitles) - it will improve your pronnciation and speach. Reading - vocabulary and writting skills. =)

Nataly

[Rosanguyen]

I think it's a great idea and maybe I'll follow it every day

[Romashka]

Hi Torsten!
I have read your book "English For Winners". And I have proplems with putting new words ans phrases into writing. Because I'm listening audiobooks when I'm on foot getting to work for example..Another example when I'm listening BBC radio I just don't have enough time to catch.
Please, give me your thoughts about it

Best regards

[Torsten]

Hi Roman,

You can write down your keywords once you get home. Sit down and try to remember what you heard when you were listening to your audio book. When you start this process your list might contain only very few words and phrases because it is difficult for you to remember them. However, once you practice this exercise on a regular basis you will see that your memory gets better and better.

Also, you can ask other forum members to add words they associate with your keywords.

Let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Torsten
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