Photo by Lynne Hand
When you go to another country with the intention of practicing your English speaking skills, there are some things you need to consider to get the most out of your stay. The following 5 tips should help you.
Do You Talk Too Much?
Have you ever noticed someone “talking” to themselves? What did you think? The words “crazy” or “nuts” probably popped into your mind.
Wait a minute though. Maybe they’re on to something.
There's no better way to build your English vocabulary than to read continually – and to read what you enjoy. We all love stories; they enlighten, entertain, inspire, and teach. In fact, they do all that, and build our reservoir of words too, without us even realizing they're doing so.
When you read a story, you are lost in another world. Your mind transports you to the book's place and time where you meet its characters. Some of those characters are so unique you are absorbed into their lives as much as the other characters in their sphere are.
Some would-be writers think they can dash off an article without learning the basics of grammar. Just as any crafts-person spends time honing his skills to make the perfect piece of craft, so must a writer work hard to write an error-free, grammatically-correct article. True, some errors are typos, but this reflects a certain laziness on the author's part. A writer should closely examine his article before sending it off.
Reading a lot these days? Having trouble remembering and recalling? For many, reading is a passive activity. And, as with many passive activities, it's challenging for the brain and the body to absorb and assimilate information.
I never thought I'd say this, but I'm thankful for grammar. You heard me right. I'm thankful for grammar. I guess maybe I should say that I'm thankful that I learned grammar. It's really true. As an author, I learned quickly to be grateful for those years of elementary school, junior high, and high school grammar class.