TeachingEnglish
Developing your English
Submitted by TE Editor on 13 July, 2011 - 12:03
As teachers we also need to keep developing our knowledge of the language and make sure our English is up to date.
What do you do to develop your language knowledge?
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Reading is one of the best ways to develop our knowledge of the English language and to make sure we use the language appropriately in different context. It is a receptive skill we have to enhance so that we can learned new vocabulary words that can be useful in our speaking and even writing. Reading does not only allows us to learn explicit knowledge in the text but also those connotative words that make us think critically. It challenges the mind. It challenge us to use the learned knowledge, ideas, and philosophies in real world and to hone our ability to use the language in actual situation when needed.
Language continously changing so as the world. Thus, reading keeps us up to date of the new language. At the end, we can distinguish that we are reading contemporary writings from classic.
When building your vocabulary, it is useful to read the newspapers taken by the general public. Make a note of the words you don't know, look them up and add them to your Word Book (you DO have a word book, don't you? :-)
Many of my students waste their time by taking words from the dictionary, words they may never use or need, so go for the easier publications using words everyone uses before advancing to more academic or complicated words.
The other thing is this: I often find that students blame themselves when they don't grasp something in English. It is NOT your fault, this is a very difficult language indeed and even native speakers get things wrong, fail to grasp concepts and so on.
After all a language where: I'm going to see if I can't find my brother.
and: I'm going to see if I can find my brother - mean exactly the same thing, has to be one of the most difficult and misleading in the world.
Lynda
It is true that reading a lot or having a good coursebook or a good grammar book will help us improve our knowledge of the language but that will keep us limited to an academic level, some kind of "bookish" English. In my opinion, it is essential that we get in touch with native speakers because it will be them who will really help non-native speakers develop the language acquired through books or dictionaries. Their use of language goes far beyond the language actually used or taught in coursebooks.
prabha muthukrishnan
English is a friendly and ever growing language. Mere reading of course books will not do. You must keep yourself updated .Newspapers, magazines and journals have loads of knowledge,vocabulary and modern lingo. Movies and T.V soaps too are replete with jargon and good language. Whenever possible I talk with native speakers! These all heip me enrich my English language!
I have been teaching college level English courses at a university in Indonesia for one year. I could tell that my English was getting a little rusty (my tongue and my lips were not as supple) since I was not exposed to everyday English anymore as I was in the US. Now I am back in the US for summer break, but when I was in Indonesia, I purchased several TV show dvd sets and I would just watch the episodes on my tv set over and over, every evening. It really helps.
Reading and listening are two effective means of developing and improving one's skill in using language.But in order to develop speaking skills,which are an imperative necessity one is to listen to podcasts,watch films and,if possible speak with native speakers.In the abscense of all these one may record his/er mini talk on a taperecorder and play it back for self appraisl.
Dictionary approach is initially not encouraged for developing oral fluency.But at a later stage along with role-play and procedural syllabus, it is better to consult a dictionary for usage ,spellingetc.
Reading classics,simplified and abridged with modern-day English is profitable and pays good dividends.