English Study Plan
by Ross McBride
First step " Choose your Goal" for learning English Goals are your motivation, what do you wish to accomplish with English?
{mosgoogle}
- Sell and market your products to English speaking countries
- Be able to operate a business completely in English.
- Publish an authoritative business, scientific journal article in English
- Be admitted and study in a North American university.
- Travel independently in English speaking countries.
- As an Artist, perform for English speaking audiences
- Enjoy entertainment produced by English speaking artists
- Immigrate into an English speaking country
- Be promoted in your company, or get a better job
- Use English instructions for computer applications. Surf the net in English
- Score 950 on the Toeic test or 280 on the new Toefl exam
Second step "Summarize the Learning Methods" how you learn best Examples of questions to determine "how you learn best"
- What English can you learn the most while studying alone?
- What English can you learn the most studying in a group?
- Can you listen once and remember the pronunciation and vocabulary?
- Does it help to see pictures of nouns or action verbs demonstrated?
- Do you have to write and repeat words to memorize vocabulary?
- How many times and ways must you use a word to "know" its proper context?
- How often do you have to repeat lessons?
- Can you create and use mnemonics to remember lists
- Does music or games help you to relax making learning easier?
Third step "Form a Plan" use the best learning methods to reach Goals An example of a two year plan to learn English:
- (First 6 months) Start with picture dictionaries, study pronunciation, watch TV, listen to taped conversations, for 1 - 2 hours each day.
- (Second 6 months) Add grammar, punctuation, spelling, vocabulary studies, start to read newspapers/magazines, for 1 - 2 hours each day
- (Third 6 months) Add one hour of English conversation classes everyday for 6 months, review grammar and vocabulary.
- (Fourth 6 months) Travel to Canada for 400 hours of English conversation classes, perform some volunteer work, take a special interest course and travel using English.
- (After two Years)Continuing education with one conversation class per week, watch English News on TV, read English newspapers
Fourth step "create a cost & benefit analysis for your plan"
- What FREE English learning resources are available on the internet?
- What FREE English learning resources are at the library, community or cultural centers?
- What FREE English Learning clubs offer conversation classes?
- What FREE English Language exchange clubs offer conversation classes?
- Compare the costs of books, texts, tapes, Cd's for self-study.
- Analyze the cost of instruction by tutors in a small group of 3 or 4
- Analyze the cost of instruction at local English schools
- Analyze costs of foreign travel and accommodation to study English abroad.
Fifth step "Start your Plan"
Need help with your Plan? Use the following chart and Answer questions with a % score
How do you like to study?
By yourself____%
One partner____%
Small groups____%
Large groups____%
Total of this group = 100 %
What learning materials do you like to use?
audio CD's or cassettes____%
DVD's, videos or television____%
CALL and interactive computer programs____%
picture dictionaries____%
ESL workbooks____%
regular subject text books____%
newspapers, magazines____%
Total of this group = 100 %
Conversation Practice
group pronunciation drills____%
Conversations with native speakers____%
Low structure ESL student conversation____%
High structure ESL teacher talk____%
Total of this group = 100 %
{mospagebreak}
{mosgoogle}
About the Author: Original Post by Ross McBride http://www.eslincanada.com/learnenglish.html
Ross Mc Bride - career teacher http://www.eslincanada.com