Family Advice: What would you say?

If you had only one day to live, what advice or words of wisdom would you leave your family (brothers, sisters, parents, or children) and why? Are your choices of words or wisdom influenced by your own experience, culture, religion, or other values? Please share your ideas.

Randall

ESL Learning: What's worked for you?

Please listen and share your opinions and ideas on this topic.

Randall

Making Progress in Learning English

Many students find that once they reach the intermediate level of English, their progress seems to slow down and, in some ways, fossilize. This can be very discouraging. Looking at this situation, students slowly progress in the beginning stages from simple introductions and hobbies to more demanding topics on personal values, environmental issues, relationships, and even politics. However, students either find few opportunities to engage in such topics or are just not interested in discussing them. In this case, it is more a question of knowledge of broader topics than language skills. However, in any future job or educational experience, students will need such higher-level topics. Thus, what are some ways students can extend their learning beyond basic topics on shopping and sports? Share your ideas.

Randall

Perfect Grammar or Pronunciation: You Choose!

If you could either speak English (1) with perfect accuracy with an accent or (2) with perfect pronunciation along with some grammatical mistakes, which situation would you choose and why?

Randall

Living Expenses: Should adult children pay rent?

Every culture and family has its own expectations on the responsibilities and duties of children who are "adults", that is, people generally over 18 years of age, particularly for those who are living at home. If an adult children, let's say, 23 years old is working full time, but still lives at home, do you think the person should pay rent to his or her parents? Why or why not? Share your opinions on the topic, including any values and beliefs of your culture that explain your answer.

Best,

Randall

Keys to Succcesful Language Learning

I am just starting new classes at the university, and students sometimes ask me what are the keys (or secrets) to learning English. As part of this discussion, I often point out four things:

1. Natural ability
2. Motivation
3. Effective study skills
4. Out-of-class activities

I'd like to share some thoughts on #3 for today. Many students, unfortunately, have little understanding on how their study patterns or habits affect how quickly (or not) they learn the language. In my grammar class, I test all of my students by recording and grading their productive use of the grammar in CONVERSATION. In other words, I give them a situation and then record them using the grammar in natural conversation rather than using a paper test. Unfortunately, studying and reviewing the textbook in a quiet corner of the library by yourself will do very, very little to help you PRODUCTIVELY use the language when you need it in real conversation. However, this is a method used by many students to study for PAPER tests. Students just don't know or see any other way to study.

Therefore, I hold regular speaking workshops after school where students can practice their speaking skills in more natural situations. I also encourage students to use the grammar we are studying in their other classes as a way of recycling and reinforcing the structures we are studying.

Learning to use the language takes a lot of practice, and just being in a foreign country where the language is spoken isn't enough if you spend most of the time in your apartment alone.

So, please share your ideas on the topic.

Best,

Randall

ESL Teachers: Does experience matter?

One question that sometimes comes up regarding ESL/EFL teachers is whether experience makes a better teacher or not, and if so, to what extent. Furthermore, is all experience the same in quality. In other words, if you could choose between a new teacher with less than 6 months of experience in the classroom or a teacher with 10 years of experience, who would you want as your teacher? How about 20 years of experience? Would it matter what subject you were studying: grammar, writing, listening/speaking, or reading? Please share your ideas on the topic.

Randall