First step " Choose your Goal" for learning English
Goals are your motivation, what do you wish to accomplish with English?
- Sell and market your products to English speaking countries
- Be able to operate a business completely in English.
- Publish an authoritative business, scientific journal article in English
- Be admitted and study in a North American university.
- Travel independently in English speaking countries.
- As an Artist, perform for English speaking audiences
- Enjoy entertainment produced by English speaking artists
- Immigrate into an English speaking country
- Be promoted in your company, or get a better job
- Use English instructions for computer applications. Surf the net in English
- Score 950 on the Toeic test or 280 on the new Toefl exam
Second step "Summarize the Learning Methods" how you learn best
Examples of questions to determine "how you learn best"
- What English can you learn the most while studying alone?
- What English can you learn the most studying in a group?
- Can you listen once and remember the pronunciation and vocabulary?
- Does it help to see pictures of nouns or action verbs demonstrated?
- Do you have to write and repeat words to memorize vocabulary?
- How many times and ways must you use a word to "know" its proper context?
- How often do you have to repeat lessons?
- Can you create and use mnemonics to remember lists
- Does music or games help you to relax making learning easier?
Third step "Form a Plan" use all the best methods to reach English learning Goals
An example of a two year plan to learn English:
- (First 6 months) Start with picture dictionaries, study pronunciation, watch TV, listen to taped conversations, for 1 - 2 hours each day.
- (Second 6 months) Add grammar, punctuation, spelling, vocabulary studies, start to read newspapers/magazines, for 1 - 2 hours each day
- (Third 6 months) Add one hour of English conversation classes everyday for 6 months, review grammar and vocabulary.
- (Fourth 6 months) Travel to Canada for 400 hours of English conversation classes, perform some volunteer work, take a special interest course and travel using English.
- (After two Years)Continuing education with one conversation class per week, watch English News on TV, read English newspapers
Fourth step "create a cost & benefit analysis for your plan"
- What FREE English learning resources are available on the internet?
- What FREE English learning resources are available at the library, community or cultural centers?
- What FREE English Learning clubs offer conversaton classes?
- What FREE English Language exchange clubs offer conversation classes?
- Compare the costs of books, texts, tapes, Cd's for self-study.
- Analyze the cost of instruction by tutors in a small group of 3 or 4
- Analyze the cost of instruction at local English schools
- Analyze costs of foreign travel and accommodation to study English abroad.
Fifth step "Start your Plan"
Need help with your Plan?
Use the following chart and Answer questions with a %
How do you like to study?
By yourself____%
One partner____%
Small groups____%
Large groups____%
Total of this group = 100 %
What learning materials do you like to use?
audio CD's or cassettes____%
DVD's, videos or television____%
CALL and interactive computer programs____%
picture dictionaries____%
ESL workbooks____%
regular subject text books____%
newspapers, magazines____%
Total of this group = 100 %
Conversation Practice
group pronunciation drills____%
Conversations with native speakers____%
Low structure ESL student conversation____%
High structure ESL teacher talk____%
Total of this group = 100 %
Use Accelerated Language Learning Strategies
While language is one of the most important products of human evolution, it uses only a few of the many skills and senses available to our minds.
Our brains evolved to interpret, code and store very complex stimuli such as images, colors, structures, sounds, smells, tastes, touch, positions, emotions and language. The "Theory of Multiple Intelligences" asserts that there are 8 types of intelligence: interpersonal, intrapersonal, logical-mathematical, verbal-linguistic, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical-rhythmic and naturalist. In the traditional classroom environment most first and second language lessons always present in only one format - as words printed on a page with traditional instruction by grammar translation and rote memorization.
Accelerated Learning" language lessons attempts to correct this imbalance by including activities which allow for the activation of the other intelligences such as: sports which involve movement, use of colour on worksheets, creating songs and music, manipulation of objects with arts and crafts.
"Accelerated Learning" is a very broad term in language education and encompasses many different strategies, procedures, techniques, methodologies and approaches. Some "Accelerated Learning" methods include: mind maps, reading to music, multiple intelligences theory, various memory techniques, mood music to influence the emotional and mental state of learners, learning environment setting, rhymes to aid learning, pattern spotting, suggestopedia and the use of activities, arts, crafts, sports and dramatic presentations.
One "Accelerated Learning" strategy is the use of mnemonics as a memory tool. These tools help students improve their memory. They help language students remember facts, order or the structure of information. The three fundamental building blocks of mnemonics are imagination, association and location.
Imagination is used to create and strengthen "word-image associations". The more vividly you imagine and visualize a situation, the more effectively the memory is stored for later access and use.
Association is the method by which you link items to be remembered to a way of remembering it. You can create associations by linking them using the same color, smell, shape, or feeling. You can create associations by placing them together, on top, merged, wrapped or interacting in a humourous fashion.
Location provides a context into which you can place information as a unit and a way of separating one mnemonic from another. For example, by setting one mnemonic in Toronto and another similar mnemonic with images of Vancouver, we can separate them with no danger of confusion. You can build the images and atmosphere of these cities into your mnemonics to strengthen the feeling of location.
Second language learning takes a lot of time and effort and motivation. Students who use the "Accelerated Learning" strategies and methods with the assistance of a professional tutor will learn more, save time, save money and enjoy learning.
Original Post: http://www.eslincanada.com/articles.html
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