Welcome to the ESL blog by the owner of www.esl-lab.com. Share ideas about learning English as a second or foreign language. Study abroad, ESL programs, accent reduction, ESL study Tips . . . Anything related to learning English and cultural understading!
It is often said that family is at the center of social activity. However, each family is different, and many families struggle to have good relationships. So, describe your family and tell us what are some of the things you do to improve relations between your siblings (brothers and sisters) and your parents.1. Just because you live in a country where English is the main language does not mean you will learn it. In other words, some parents believe that if they send their children to the US, the students will somehow automatically learn the language. Unfortunately, I have many students who come to class, but then spend their time in their apartments after class, by themselves or with students from their country, and they never get out into the community to use English. And when I say "use" English, just going to McDonalds and buying a cheeseburger everyday doesn't count. Some of my students who made the best progress volunteered in the community, go a job on campus, and took community classes to really use their English beyond the classroom.
2. Learning English takes time, and you will have good days and bad days. Some students become frustrated when they don't learn as quickly as they expect. Students learn differently, and not giving up is key.
3. Learn how to study. Hours spent in the library without a clear understanding of study skills won't help much. I always try to teach my students HOW to learn, including tips on how to best learn vocabulary and other skills. Without this knowledge, students tend to waste time not realizing that they might be more effective ways of learning than they are currently using.
So, do you have any comments or experiences that have helped you learn? If so, please share them.
Randall
The olympics showcase some of the best athletes in the world, and the events are often exciting to watch. So, which is your favorite event and why? Personally, although I don't swim much myself, I enjoy the swimming events because you can win or lose within a fraction of a second. There is a lot of variety in the types of strokes and events. Please share your ideas.
Having been married for over 20 years, students often ask me about marriage, and I hear them talking about love and dating. Sometimes, they wonder why people seem to "fall out of love." I mean, no one begins a marital relationship, let's say, with the expectation that they will have problems with the relationship at some point. Now, I'm not saying that there are all kinds of challenges that we face in marriage: health issues, financial problems, challenges in raising children. I have experienced my own share along the way. However, what do you think are the keys to relationships that work and those that don't? Are there differences from one culture to another? What can people do before they get married to prepare for a long-term commitment?
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Many schools around the world require students to wear uniforms; however, there different opinions on the benefits they have for both students, parents, and schools. What do you think? Is it a good idea to require uniforms, or should students and parents be able to decide what children wear? Why or why not? Share your ideas.
