Whether you’re trying to get that IELTS score or trying to pass your high school proficiency test; learning English shouldn’t be a chore. Learning another language is about opening doors and creating opportunities through communication.
Develop those skills
Developing your skills and sub-skills will provide you with the tools you need to be successful, knowing how to structure and edit that essay; how to scan a text for details and how recognise and connect speech are just some of skills needed to help you better your score.
You may feel your speaking skills are better than your reading or that you find writing a real challenge but remember all the skills are connected. By integrating your skills, you will have a much better understanding of the language as whole. For example, listening to others and picking up on their word choice and pronunciation will in turn help you with your speaking and even your writing and sentence formation. As J.K Rowling said“The most important thing is to read as much as you can, as I did. It will give you an understanding of what makes good writing and it will enlarge your vocabulary.”: J. K. Rowling
Know your exam
Knowing your exam is of course essential and learning all the tips and tricks to better your score is advantageous. By familiarising yourself with the different types of questions you will be better equipped to answering them. By taking preparation classes you will learn from professionals who know the exam inside out and can help you work on the skills and subskills needed to answer the questions more effectively.
Build your Vocabulary
Learn vocabulary within a context not separately. By learning words through texts and stories you will be given structure and meaning to the words. When you learn a word, you should also look up words and phrases that go with it, by doing this you will become more familiar with how to use the words as well as how to recognise them.
Thinking in English
We all have that little voice in our head that helps us make decisions and contemplate our actions, why not try thinking in English! Ask yourself, how would I say this in English? Challenge yourself throughout the day and remember that learning must continue outside of classroom.
Exposure
Living in the UAE gives an English language learner an advantage that those living in other countries might not have. Exposure, although Arabic is the first language of the UAE the large number of expats living here means that English is the predominant language. Use this to your advantage and expose yourself as much as possible, read signs, menus and newspapers. Listen to the radio in your car and watch T. V and of course, talk to people. Talk to people at your local shop or when your down at the mall; take full advantage of your surroundings and you’ll be surprised how quickly you develop.
Confidence
Confidence is key to being successful in anything and learning a language is no different, don’t be afraid of making mistakes because you’ll learn from them. The more confident you are the more you’ll engage with the language and the faster you’ll learn.
Gareth Smith is the Course leader of English studies at UKCBC in Dubai Academic City. Originally from Manchester England, he’s been working as an ESL teacher for the past 4 years here in the UAE and 4 more before that in South Korea and South America. His experiences travelling, and teacher have given him a unique outlook on teaching.
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I think the speak English, is difficult for me because think in English and speak in English is very dificul, I don't know many words and this my difficult learn and ask questions.
By Eliseo Ernesto Dominguez Escobar (Aug, 2019) |