Needs More English Exposure In Chiang Mai...

[okuyazu]

Currently, I study english with my Canadian teacher about 1 hour/week and I can't extend his teaching period due to his tight schedule. Normally, I have to work on Mon-Fri untill 5 PM (plus night shift on some days) and my work is rarely contacted with foreigner. I have plan to visit US. in next three months. I am still uncertain when I speak english. My english is approximate high-intermediate level.

I think that learning english just one hour a week seems to be not enough. I can't take any english course due to my work situation. I am hoping that the readers may able to give me some advices.

Thanks in advance

[Scott]

Depending on how long it took you to write the post, I would say you are doing very well.

Some suggestions that might help you:

1. Try and watch television in English--chose a program that is on regularly--something like a sitcom or drama and watch it religiously. It will give you a feel for how the language is used in a 'normal' manner. If you don't have access to UBC, then try to do watch movies. Try and select movies that aren't classified as 'action' movies. Action movies usually have too much action and very little dialogue. That, by the way, is why they are quite popular in non-native English speaking countries. CNN is good, but sometimes the language is fast and if the news story isn't known to you, it may be frustrating.

2. Get a good book, like a novel and start reading it. It doesn't matter if you finish it, but read it. Find a book that isn't a classic, but something modern that uses contemporary English. Underline the words and phrases you don't understand and try to check the meaning. Go over them with your teacher if need be. Newspapers and magazines are good as well, but they are written using a journalistic style which is different than speaking.

3. Listen to English speaking radio and songs. Radio is particularly good because you won't have visual cues.

4. Find a chat room and type-write with someone.

4. Don't get too worried. You seem to be doing fine. Don't push yourself too much either. You can't really cram a language. Depending on where you are going you probably won't have too much trouble. Most of the larger cities are used to accents and non-native speakers.

5. If you are having trouble communicating once you are there, write down what you want or where you need to go.

Best of luck to you and let us know how it goes.

[thunder30101]

Try this site it is sponsored by Rosetta Stone the language learning software company http://sharedtalk.com/ Its free to join and lets you chat live and text with other esl learners from around the world.

[okuyazu]

Depending on how long it took you to write the post, I would say you are doing very well.

Some suggestions that might help you:

1. Try and watch television in English--chose a program that is on regularly--something like a sitcom or drama and watch it religiously. It will give you a feel for how the language is used in a 'normal' manner. If you don't have access to UBC, then try to do watch movies. Try and select movies that aren't classified as 'action' movies. Action movies usually have too much action and very little dialogue. That, by the way, is why they are quite popular in non-native English speaking countries. CNN is good, but sometimes the language is fast and if the news story isn't known to you, it may be frustrating.

2. Get a good book, like a novel and start reading it. It doesn't matter if you finish it, but read it. Find a book that isn't a classic, but something modern that uses contemporary English. Underline the words and phrases you don't understand and try to check the meaning. Go over them with your teacher if need be. Newspapers and magazines are good as well, but they are written using a journalistic style which is different than speaking.

3. Listen to English speaking radio and songs. Radio is particularly good because you won't have visual cues.

4. Find a chat room and type-write with someone.

4. Don't get too worried. You seem to be doing fine. Don't push yourself too much either. You can't really cram a language. Depending on where you are going you probably won't have too much trouble. Most of the larger cities are used to accents and non-native speakers.

5. If you are having trouble communicating once you are there, write down what you want or where you need to go.

Best of luck to you and let us know how it goes.

Thanks for good advices

Try this site it is sponsored by Rosetta Stone the language learning software company http://sharedtalk.com/ Its free to join and lets you chat live and text with other esl learners from around the world.

Thanks and I will try for sure.

Edited May 22, 2011 by okuyazu