Transcript Learning it By Yourself

Learn English By
Yourself
A How-To-Do-It
Presentation
by Khalid Al-Dossary
www.dawahmemo.com
Topics
Why
How
Learn English by Yourself
Why?
Work and business (Knowledge is
power.)
Day-to-day activities
Cultural awareness and international
communication [Open a venue to the
wide
world (globalization).]
Mental growth and development (Your
mind: Use it or lose it.)
Why?
English helps you
to…
1. Have excellent communication and
better interaction
2. Utilize fully your unlimited potential
for growth and development
3. Function better in a changing world
Why?
English helps you
to…
4. obtain cultural enrichment
5. become a life long learner
6. increase your overall competence
and skills
Why?
Learn English by Yourself
You really have no other choice.
People who master English as their second
language always do so by work that is
beyond what they did in the classroom.
Conventional Ways of learning English:
Traditional ESL programs, British Council,
Saudi Aramco English, TOEFL Preparation,
etc. are all designed for a limited level of
English.
Learn English by Yourself
HOW
Make a plan for addressing all four language
skills




Listening
Speaking
Reading
Writing
Emphasize the skill that is most important to
you but give adequate attention to the others
as well.
Also look for activities that integrate the
different skills.
How To: Listening
Conversation with native speakers
Conversing with yourself (reading
aloud)
Selected television and radio
shows
 Listen only
 Listen and repeat
Lectures
Language teaching cassettes
How To: Listening
Conversation with native speakers
 The best way; don’t be shy.
Selected television and radio shows
 News programs
 Talk shows
 Entertainment shows (good source of
current language usage, idioms,
slang)
 Documentaries
How To: Listening con’t
Lectures
 Take a recorder. (Listen & Repeat)
Language teaching cassettes
 TOEFL Prep listening tapes
 Complete courses on CD
 Learning English by The Learning
Company (American English)
 Flying Colours by
Macmillan/Heinemann (British
English)
How To: Listening con’t
Listening lessons on the internet
 Eviews Listen to Interviews
 http://www.eviews.net/index.shtml
 Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab
 http://www.esl-lab.com
 English Listening Lounge
 http://www.EnglishListening.com
 English Channel: ESL
 http://www.hio.ft.hanze.nl/thar/default.htm
 Search (There are many others. Let me know
when you find an excellent site.)
How To: Speaking
Conversation with native speakers
(Spontaneous and planned or
rehearsed)
Conversation with other English
language learners
Pronunciation lessons in English
courses
How To: Reading
READ. Don’t study reading.
Read.


Getting started
 Graded readers
 Children’s
books
 ESL textbooks
Moving on
 Graded readers
 Children’s
books
 ESL textbooks

And then
 Un-simplified
Novels
 e.g. The
Pearl by
John
Steinbeck
 Newspapers
 Magazines
 Professional
Journals
How To: Writing





ESL courses and writing exercises
Daily journal
E-mail; acceptable pen pals
Friends, family studying abroad
Work-related writing
How To: Work
Together
Form a self-study group.
Use a successful model such as PELC
Self-Directed Learning Groups
 Set objectives
 Meet regularly
 Vary activities
 Have a recorder and a leader
 Limit number in the group
 Get recognition within the company
Learning English By
Yourself
Tools
 Textbooks
 A computer with Internet access
 A library
 A notebook for
 Journal entries
 Vocabulary
 A plan or schedule
Vocabulary Notebook
Entries
A useful entry:
Oppose (verb) to
disagree with; to
work against
A more useful entry:
Oppose (verb) to
disagree with; to
work against
(definition)
The company opposes
testing products on
animals. (sentence)
Opposed to sports
Opposed to war
Opposed to marrying
someone
(extension;
adjective)
Learning English By
Yourself
Make a (flexible) plan.
Work with your learning style.
Integrate the different skills.
Remember most people feel honored that you
want to learn their language and are pleased to
help you.
If you stop, start again. (But try not to stop.)
Put yourself in situations where you have to use
English.
Spend a little money if necessary—buy good
texts, hire a tutor.
What it takes to
turn your plans,
including your plan
to learn English,
into reality?
Three P’s
Patience
Practice
Perseverance
Three R’s
Reading
Reciting
Repeating
Three C’s and
Two E’s
Confidence
Cultural tolerance
Continuity
Effort & Encouragement
Seek help from
experts, but be
your own
teacher.
Thank you for your
attention and best
wishes in your
endeavors.
Learning English By
Yourself: Tracking Your
Progress
English Self-Development Record
What I did in
Subject
Reading
Wrtng
Speaking Listening
Title/Mentor/Program
Other