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 #2 (permalink) Tue Jan 10, 2012 20:49 pm Materials with advice for practising English |
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When it comes to materials that learners of English can use, it's important to point out that are two main groups of resources:
1) ESL
2) authentic
ESL (English as a Second Language) is often contrived, outdated and artificial. I have not met a single native speaker who has ever used any ESL materials. (Apart from English teachers, of course.) The reason for this simple: The vast majority of all ESL materials consist of theoretical explanations and boring dialogues no native speaker would ever want to read or listen to.
Authentic resources are any materials that native speakers use such as TV shows and programs, movies, podcasts, audio books, radio programs, newspapers, books, articles, chatrooms such as PalTalk, etc. Most learners of English are stuck with ESL materials and because they are so boring, the learners often give up. The only reason why learners of English learn English is because they want to understand and communicate with native speakers. That's why ESL learners need to get rid of ESL materials and resources as soon as possible. Even better, if they never use any ESL materials. They can learn English like native speakers starting by listening to children's audio books and watching cartoons.
TOEIC listening, question-response: When are you going to submit your cost estimates? |
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Torsten
Learning Coach
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Location: EU
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Competent
You can meet me at english-test.net
Joined: 10 Nov 2010
Posts: 66
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| #4 (permalink) Wed Jan 11, 2012 1:13 am Materials with advice for practising English |
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Dear Torsten and Competent,
I would like to take online writing classes to improve my writing skills. I have been searching and reading reviews about it, but I am having difficulties to make a choice. I would greatly appreciate if you recommend a very good one.
Kindly,
kkebe |
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 Kkebe
I'm here quite often ;-)
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Posts: 232
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Competent
You can meet me at english-test.net
Joined: 10 Nov 2010
Posts: 66
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| #6 (permalink) Wed Jan 11, 2012 7:09 am English Writing |
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Dear
Thank you so much for quick response and suggestion. I will do it.
kkebe |
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Kkebe
I'm here quite often ;-)
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| #7 (permalink) Wed Jan 11, 2012 8:33 am Re: Unusual English learning approach |
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Hi Comptetent,
Some of the ideas outlined in that blog post are very good and I totally agree with them. However, the author is also trying to sell a software program that contains 'lessons'. Looking at the screenshots of the program I can tell that the contents are as boring as most other ESL materials. Also, learning English using a software program you need to install doesn't make much sense. Why use artificial materials when the world is full of authentic resources that are used by native speakers?
TOEIC listening, question-response: Where do you get your suits dry-cleaned? |
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Torsten
Learning Coach
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Posts: 15008
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| #8 (permalink) Thu Jan 12, 2012 17:50 pm Sources of advice for learning and teaching English |
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Hi Torsten,
Could we exchange information on the most helpful tips and advice for learning and teaching various aspects of English? We and users of this site would greatly benefit from that information. I hope my articles also help learners and teachers of English in their English language activities. |
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Competent
You can meet me at english-test.net
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Torsten
Learning Coach
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Posts: 15008
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Competent
You can meet me at english-test.net
Joined: 10 Nov 2010
Posts: 66
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| #11 (permalink) Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:08 am Materials with advice for practising English |
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Dear Competent,
Thank you so much for the website, it is very helpful.
kkebe |
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Kkebe
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 26 Dec 2011
Posts: 232
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| #12 (permalink) Tue Jan 17, 2012 19:43 pm Interesting reference book for learners of English |
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Hi Torsten,
Perhaps you may want to learn more about the book below for your teaching activity.
English for All Levels: An Essential Reference for all students and learners of English, 2006, 442 pages). Book description on amazon.com:
The first of its kind reference which helps you learn English from the beginning up to the highest levels easily and within a short time.
Let me know what you have found out about this book (how valuable it is). |
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Competent
You can meet me at english-test.net
Joined: 10 Nov 2010
Posts: 66
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| #13 (permalink) Tue Jan 17, 2012 19:59 pm Materials with advice for practising English |
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Hi Comptetent,
Thanks a lot for posting these resources, I'm sure many of our users will find them useful. As for me, I prefer to use English as a means to achieve my goals rather than viewing English as the goal itself. So, instead of reading books for students of English, I prefer to read books and materials read by native speakers of English. I think I have tried to make that point many times.
TOEIC listening, question-response: What's the matter with the air conditioning? |
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Torsten
Learning Coach
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Posts: 15008
Location: EU
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| #14 (permalink) Mon Jan 30, 2012 20:36 pm Interesting issues of English |
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Hi Torsten,
Are you an adherent of a particular unconventional English teaching and learning
methodology? What are your views on teaching and learning English grammar?
What English courses do you use in your teaching activity?
Could we exchange opinions about the most practical, comprehensive and helpful courses of general English for daily living use.
As for me I highly value some English courses by Longman Publishing Co., Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press. There is my list of valuable English courses in one of my posts here.
I've gathered a lot of useful information on various issues of teaching and learning English that users of this forum may be interested in and which may be helpful to them
in their English language activities. |
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Competent
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| #15 (permalink) Tue Jan 31, 2012 7:05 am Re: Interesting issues of English |
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Hi Micheal!
I am not preaching you. From my personal views, it could help you.
Sometimes I feel I am a funny one because where is my goal? That is why a lot of
interesting matters are my subjects. The University from I came out in Bangladesh(160
million people), it still leads 60/65% all civil servants got chances from here.
I just avoided civil service in my life.I did right.(my surrounding says wrong including family members). Once in a Garments merchandizing class, (among three of the countries,the USA imported from here), I just said- 'In business and politics, what you know doesn't matter, it is whom you know'! That class, a Colonel was present (might have retired!). From next day, he was absent!
This slogan used to put by 'British Petroleum' on advertisement in the 'The Economist'. BP is one of the 500 leading companies in the world, by rating FORTUNE.
I heard, that man is now one of the rating Garment industrialists in Bangladesh.
_________________
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since 28 years. |
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