How to improve English skills?

[Darnell 8,479]

do you have your library card yet?

many libraries have Pimsleur available for checkout.

Or you can buy a full course online, the mp3 version, for 119, straight from the company.

[ThailandToIndiana 11]

Improving your vocabulary is extremely important. Therefore, here's a suggestion people can do with their spouse...

Using a stack of sticky notes, the USC will write down the name of a household item in English and the non-USC will write down the name of the item in their native language underneath the English word. Do this for an many items in the house as possible (door, refrigerator, sink, stove, microwave, bed, table, coffee table, shelf, plant, coffee maker, etcetera), and stick the note onto the item. As the non-USC learns a word of an item, throw the associated sticky note away. Not only will the vocabulary of the non-USC improve through speaking the correct word, as well as seeing it written out, but both people can see the progress being made as sticky notes that were once everywhere slowly begin to disappear.

I'd suggest labeling multiples of the same item so the word is seen more than just once. For example, label every "door," not just one "door"...or every box of "cereal," not just one box of "cereal."

Sticky notes come in various sizes and colors, so you don't have to use yellow ones all the time. You can use pink ones in the bathroom, the blue ones in the kitchen, etcetera. Each time all the ones of a particular color are thrown away as all the words are learned (such as all the blue ones in the kitchen), you can celebrate by going out to eat at the restaurant of choice of the non-USC.

Obviously this activity would best benefit someone who is in the beginning stages of learning the language. My wife and I can communicate just fine in English, but her vocabulary can definitely be improved upon. When she gets to the States there will be a lot of items she'll come across in the home that are foreign to her (such as a dishwasher and garbage disposal). So, I think something like what I've described will benefit her to some extent.

Edited August 5, 2012 by ThailandToFlorida

[RobNKharen 70]

Something not yet mentioned to improve vocabulary, as well as spelling, are crossword puzzles. Most daily newspapers have them and the crossword solution is on another page or available the next issue..........of course you can buy crossword magazines very cheaply.

The crosswords also help to learn colloquial terms.......for example "bag", which can be a wide variety of paper/plastic/leather sacks, can mean to catch something, etc...........but can also mean: it is my specialty or thing I do well. If you are a good cook, for example, cooking is your bag

From my personal experience with both a viet wife and filipina wife, the MOST IMPORTANT thing is using the language all the time. Try not to revert back to your native language when you get stuck....go find the correct answer whatever it takes. You already know your native language, so reverting back to it mid-sentence is basically taking the easy way. When you have to learn something the hard way, you will remember it!

[Póg mo 1,749]

OP you should consider volunteering in your local area. The red cross for example is always looking for new people to help out. Volunteering will give you an opportunity to both practice both your English listening and speaking skills.

[sms78 18]

Improving your vocabulary is extremely important. Therefore, here's a suggestion people can do with their spouse...

Using a stack of sticky notes, the USC will write down the name of a household item in English and the non-USC will write down the name of the item in their native language underneath the English word. Do this for an many items in the house as possible (door, refrigerator, sink, stove, microwave, bed, table, coffee table, shelf, plant, coffee maker, etcetera), and stick the note onto the item. As the non-USC learns a word of an item, throw the associated sticky note away. Not only will the vocabulary of the non-USC improve through speaking the correct word, as well as seeing it written out, but both people can see the progress being made as sticky notes that were once everywhere slowly begin to disappear.

I'd suggest labeling multiples of the same item so the word is seen more than just once. For example, label every "door," not just one "door"...or every box of "cereal," not just one box of "cereal."

Sticky notes come in various sizes and colors, so you don't have to use yellow ones all the time. You can use pink ones in the bathroom, the blue ones in the kitchen, etcetera. Each time all the ones of a particular color are thrown away as all the words are learned (such as all the blue ones in the kitchen), you can celebrate by going out to eat at the restaurant of choice of the non-USC.

Obviously this activity would best benefit someone who is in the beginning stages of learning the language. My wife and I can communicate just fine in English, but her vocabulary can definitely be improved upon. When she gets to the States there will be a lot of items she'll come across in the home that are foreign to her (such as a dishwasher and garbage disposal). So, I think something like what I've described will benefit her to some extent.

Interesting and very creative. I will do that right now actually. Thanks for the idea!

[aws&ndd 103]

Improving your vocabulary is extremely important. Therefore, here's a suggestion people can do with their spouse...

Using a stack of sticky notes, the USC will write down the name of a household item in English and the non-USC will write down the name of the item in their native language underneath the English word. Do this for an many items in the house as possible (door, refrigerator, sink, stove, microwave, bed, table, coffee table, shelf, plant, coffee maker, etcetera), and stick the note onto the item. As the non-USC learns a word of an item, throw the associated sticky note away. Not only will the vocabulary of the non-USC improve through speaking the correct word, as well as seeing it written out, but both people can see the progress being made as sticky notes that were once everywhere slowly begin to disappear.

I'd suggest labeling multiples of the same item so the word is seen more than just once. For example, label every "door," not just one "door"...or every box of "cereal," not just one box of "cereal."

Sticky notes come in various sizes and colors, so you don't have to use yellow ones all the time. You can use pink ones in the bathroom, the blue ones in the kitchen, etcetera. Each time all the ones of a particular color are thrown away as all the words are learned (such as all the blue ones in the kitchen), you can celebrate by going out to eat at the restaurant of choice of the non-USC.

Obviously this activity would best benefit someone who is in the beginning stages of learning the language. My wife and I can communicate just fine in English, but her vocabulary can definitely be improved upon. When she gets to the States there will be a lot of items she'll come across in the home that are foreign to her (such as a dishwasher and garbage disposal). So, I think something like what I've described will benefit her to some extent.

That is an AWESOME idea...I may actually try that when my fiancee gets here!

[ThailandToIndiana 11]

Interesting and very creative. I will do that right now actually. Thanks for the idea!

That is an AWESOME idea...I may actually try that when my fiancee gets here!

Glad to be of help. I'm currently getting my Bachelor's degree in teaching ESL (should have it in January), so I'm always trying to think up interesting ways for non-native English language speakers to learn the language.

[sms78 18]

Glad to be of help. I'm currently getting my Bachelor's degree in teaching ESL (should have it in January), so I'm always trying to think up interesting ways for non-native English language speakers to learn the language.

You'll be a fantastic ESL teacher for sure. This technique can be used for an advanced learner like myself too I think. I can't think of anything right now but maybe stick a memo on the crown molding or something LOL

[ThailandToIndiana 11]

You'll be a fantastic ESL teacher for sure. This technique can be used for an advanced learner like myself too I think. I can't think of anything right now but maybe stick a memo on the crown molding or something LOL

Hahaha...that's funny. I suppose it can work in a number of ways, such as in the garage for tools and such as well. You can certainly get as detailed as you want with it. Mostly, it's just a fun way for a couple to learn together with a chance to -award- the non-USC with a night out on the town, which would obviously be fun for both people.

[kate&javi 26]

You will benefit so much from being in an English-speaking environment. The key to learning any language is to practice, no matter in what way. Don't be afraid to speak to people wherever you go, even if you think that they will not understand you. I can hardly speak any Spanish (I hate to speak in Spanish) but I try to say the basic things to people when I have the chance. I know a ton of vocabulary (Rosetta Stone helped only when I was just learning, it's kind of boring for me...) from watching tv, reading, listening to people speak, etc. I'm surrounded by Spanish speakers living in a Spanish-speaking country and I think that I have learned to a 50% speaking ability (if I gather the courage haha) just from being in the environment. It's really amazing how our brains can absorb so much.

PS: Some people here have knocked ESL classes, and being an ESL teacher and gotten a master's in ESL, remember that ESL classes can really depend on the teacher and the program that you enroll in. For example, there are many free ESL programs and the teacher (a good one) can modify their lessons to help YOU with what YOU want to learn. People learn in different ways, in different paces, and want to learn different things. Some programs are directed towards students (for example, the programs given by universities) but when I was teaching ESL in the States, I always asked my students what they wanted to work on and then observed them so I could understand where their weaknesses were.

PPS: Remember, most of the time it's about COMMUNICATION (getting your message across) rather than PERFECTION. Not even native speakers are perfect in their own language. We make mistakes too!

Edited August 11, 2012 by kate&javi

[sms78 18]

You will benefit so much from being in an English-speaking environment. The key to learning any language is to practice, no matter in what way. Don't be afraid to speak to people wherever you go, even if you think that they will not understand you. I can hardly speak any Spanish (I hate to speak in Spanish) but I try to say the basic things to people when I have the chance. I know a ton of vocabulary (Rosetta Stone helped only when I was just learning, it's kind of boring for me...) from watching tv, reading, listening to people speak, etc. I'm surrounded by Spanish speakers living in a Spanish-speaking country and I think that I have learned to a 50% speaking ability (if I gather the courage haha) just from being in the environment. It's really amazing how our brains can absorb so much.

PS: Some people here have knocked ESL classes, and being an ESL teacher and gotten a master's in ESL, remember that ESL classes can really depend on the teacher and the program that you enroll in. For example, there are many free ESL programs and the teacher (a good one) can modify their lessons to help YOU with what YOU want to learn. People learn in different ways, in different paces, and want to learn different things. Some programs are directed towards students (for example, the programs given by universities) but when I was teaching ESL in the States, I always asked my students what they wanted to work on and then observed them so I could understand where their weaknesses were.

PPS: Remember, most of the time it's about COMMUNICATION (getting your message across) rather than PERFECTION. Not even native speakers are perfect in their own language. We make mistakes too!

I'm going to take an ESL class at a community college. It's a free class and my placement test is on 20th. I hope I meet a great teacher there.

BTW, today I was writing an email and wrote "Please pull my name off the list." It looks right, but sounds not too right!? "Please pull my name off of the list" sounds right, but looks a bit odd to me though...? Which one is correct?

[ThailandToIndiana 11]

I'm going to take an ESL class at a community college. It's a free class and my placement test is on 20th. I hope I meet a great teacher there.

BTW, today I was writing an email and wrote "Please pull my name off the list." It looks right, but sounds not too right!? "Please pull my name off of the list" sounds right, but looks a bit odd to me though...? Which one is correct?

There are a number of ways that request can be submitted. What you wrote is fine, but here are some other ways it can be written:

Please remove my name from the list.

Please retract my name from the list.

Please remove me from the list.

Whoever you sent the email to will surely understand what you meant.

Good luck with the ESL course. Get what you can from it, but don't expect it to solve all your problems. ESL courses can differ greatly. Some focus on conversation English, while others focus on academic English. Some are writing intensive, and others are geared more towards speaking. It's free though, so there's no point in not giving it a shot.

[Darnell 8,479]

raise your hand if you joined yer local toastmasters guild this summer.

[sms78 18]

raise your hand if you joined yer local toastmasters guild this summer.

no. I'm kind of intimidated by it. Maybe that's what I need though... do they welcome ESL students? I know there is a toastmasters group only for ESL students near my place...

[Anh map 2,098]

Improving your vocabulary is extremely important. Therefore, here's a suggestion people can do with their spouse...

Using a stack of sticky notes, the USC will write down the name of a household item in English and the non-USC will write down the name of the item in their native language underneath the English word. Do this for an many items in the house as possible (door, refrigerator, sink, stove, microwave, bed, table, coffee table, shelf, plant, coffee maker, etcetera), and stick the note onto the item. As the non-USC learns a word of an item, throw the associated sticky note away. Not only will the vocabulary of the non-USC improve through speaking the correct word, as well as seeing it written out, but both people can see the progress being made as sticky notes that were once everywhere slowly begin to disappear.

I'd suggest labeling multiples of the same item so the word is seen more than just once. For example, label every "door," not just one "door"...or every box of "cereal," not just one box of "cereal."

Sticky notes come in various sizes and colors, so you don't have to use yellow ones all the time. You can use pink ones in the bathroom, the blue ones in the kitchen, etcetera. Each time all the ones of a particular color are thrown away as all the words are learned (such as all the blue ones in the kitchen), you can celebrate by going out to eat at the restaurant of choice of the non-USC.

Obviously this activity would best benefit someone who is in the beginning stages of learning the language. My wife and I can communicate just fine in English, but her vocabulary can definitely be improved upon. When she gets to the States there will be a lot of items she'll come across in the home that are foreign to her (such as a dishwasher and garbage disposal). So, I think something like what I've described will benefit her to some extent.

Why is the non English language needed? Is the USC trying to learn the immigrant spouse's language as well?