English Info..cus i * Link to 'Archive'www.enjoyingenglish2008.org * Climbing The Mountain of English * Problems With Language * Talking Talking Happy Talk * Problems with Reading Comprehension * Writing *
Climbing the Mountain of English by Martin Ford with thanks. 'Just for fun.'
Level 1. Do you speak English? You can understand English if you shout loudly, one word at a time.
Level 2. You can say 'yes' and 'no', usually at the right time.
Level 3. You can understand your family friend's parrot.
Level 4. You can communicate at a disco.
Level 5. You can understand Hollywood movies.
Level 6. You can successfully negotiate multi-billion $ contracts with top international companies.
Level 7. You can understand Shakespeare - forsooth!
Level 8. You can speak the Queen's English. 'Tell me, what exactly do you do?'
PROBLEMS WITH LANGUAGE.
Introduction to our 2008 - 2009 presentation 'Enjoying English - The Experience'.
- Did you close the door? Yes, (I did close the door). ... the phrase... 'I didn't close the door' is understood. There is no need to repeat or say it.
- Did you close the door? No,(I didn't close the door).These examples are strait affirmatives or positive answers, and negatives - yes and no, respectively.
But when there is a double negative it causes confusion
- You didn't close the door, did you? The answer is...
No,(I didn't close the door) More about his later.
- cheaper than... More expensive than... fatter than... slimmer than...
11. PREPOSITIONS.
Placing things...
- after, between, behind, below, opposite,
- about, above, after, at before from for
- to towards with
- in front of, on top of, next to.
12. CONJUNCTIONS.
Connect or join two words, phrases or ideas together...and - before - if - or
- salt and pepper.
- The weather is hot. The weather is cloudy. The weather is hot but cloudy.
Talking...Talking...Happy Talk!
That's what it's all about. Being happy, contented and confident when you are talking, whether you are good at it or not.
It's impossible for a teacher to encourage oral work on a one to one basis in a 90 minute lesson.
I encourage students to talk in groups of 2 or 4. I don't put them in groups, they chose their own partners, just as they would when talking to friends. They talk to each other on a given topic; easy at first, such as their family or interests, or what they did during the holiday.
When you are starting to speak a foreign language, it is important to talk about things with which you are familiar, as students naturally think in Chinese and then translate, and vice versa - the other way round. As confidence and fluency improves, we look at other things for discussion; cultural or topical matters, for example.
One partner then tells the information to the rest of the group or class. This re-enforces listening skills, which most students find difficult. When you are talking, try to build a conversation naturally with your friend, using the vocabulary you have learned. If you lack the words you want, make a note, because these are words you need to know.
It's strange at first and there are many mistakes. That doesn't matter, as mistakes can be corrected. Silence cannot. Students quickly get used to the idea. Those whose oral English is better, help those who are struggling. My aim is to create an atmosphere which is relaxed and happy because happy students learn quickly.
So there you have it! Practice talking as much as you can, and listen to anything in English everyday for 10 - 15 minutes; radio, tapes, films, pop music or the Internet. Absolutely anything, as it will help you become accustomed to hearing pronunciation and the way the language flows.
Methods to fight against language anxieties
with contributions from Liu Jun
Many students have anxieties in studying English. Psychologists usually distinguish between trait anxiety (a person’s inborn tendency to be anxious) and state anxiety (temporary fear of a particular situation, such as an exam or speaking in public).
Language anxiety is, however, unique. It can be defined as the fear or apprehension that occurs when people have to use a language in which they are not proficient.
Researchers generally agree that language anxiety has a negative effect on learning a second language. Language anxiety can lead to academic failure, being uncomfortable in a social setting, or a painful emotional experience. Anxious students tend not to do well academically in their grades and proficiency testing. Additionally, anxiety may make students work harder to make up for a lack of linguistic ability in the language they are studying, but, they often achieve little out of the increased effort.
Anxious students tend to have a slower rate of vocabulary learning and retrieval than relaxed ones.
Language anxiety can cause a person to avoid classroom participation, communicating with others, or social interaction, which could remove the opportunity to get the assistance of a teacher, other students, or native speakers that is needed to develop the language. Worse still, high levels of anxiety can lead to lack of motivation and self-confidence.
Since language anxiety is harmful, what can be done to help reduce it and increase learning? We can of course create a less stressful language learning environment and help students cope with anxiety. But, I would like to offer a few other suggestions:
1.Form a support or study group. This helps you share your thoughts as well as your frustrations. It will allow you to understand that you are not alone, thereby boosting your confidence and allowing you to learn from others.
2.Be realistic. Anxiety sometimes comes from unrealistic expectations. Learning takes time. It is impossible to learn to speak perfect English overnight. You need to identify irrational goals if you have them and see what makes you nervous and develop ways to be more realistic and productive.
3.Use an anxiety graph. Keep a record of your anxiety levels. You can measure the highest level of anxiety in a specific situation and get more information on how to approach the same situations in future.
4.Keep a journal. This is a good way to reduce language anxiety. In your journal, you can describe your feelings of inadequacy to find a more realistic, positive way to make progress. In general, language anxiety can only be reduced if a person has a reasonable sense of the situation, and if the teacher tries to create a non-threatening study environment and offers good instruction.
Problems With Reading Comprehension.
Too many difficult words is a common vocabulary problem which is dealt with under the 'Vocabulary' section - see 'The Little Black Book'.
The main problem with constantly stopping to check vocabulary, in a text book, newspaper article or novel, is that it is distracting, and very easy to lose the thread of the narrative.
The easiest immediate solution is to underline the word and 'guess'. You can check it later. However the most important thing, is to ensure that you are reading material which is just slightly above your reading level. Don't bother to take Reading Tests - you will 'know' whether or not a book or text is too difficult, by the amount of vocabulary you don't understand.
'21st Cntury' has some passages which are marked 'easy' . Abridged (shorted) versions of Classic English novels, are available in a bi-lingual form - English and Chinese, which can be useful providing you don't 'cheat' and read the Chinese version first.
It might also be helpful to keep a blank piece of paper in your novel as a bookmark and lexicon. Whenever you find a new word, write it on the paper and look it up in the dictionary later.
2.If you have difficulty remembering the names of foreign characters, their relationship to each other, and place names, or situations; make a list, with brief notes for quick and easy reference.
3. Some students comment that they think they read too slowly, or have difficulty remembering what they read several days ago.I read too slow. Nothing wrong with that! I always read slowly for pleasure, but scan for professional work. If a passage is of relevance or interest to my task, I go back and re-read it s-l-o-w-l-y. I do, however have a very high rate of retention, if it interests me.
A sensible solution to that problem is to write a brief summary after you finish each chapter, or make a brief note at the end of the chapter. Take a quick look for reference purposes, before you begin to read on. You will surprised just how much you remember.
4.The books or passages you have to read are sometimes too long. You really have no other choice but to divide the book into several sections, make a study plan and set goals for yourself. Five pages a day is a recommended speed for starters.
5.Reading can make us tired. Many people in the west read in bed, before they go to sleep. It is a practice which helps them relax You can accompany your reading with soft backgreound music - not songs. Adjust your position and make yourself comfortable. If you fall asleep, what does it matter... there's always tomorrow.
Writing styles ~ from P W Oxtoby, from The Ministry of Defence, Dorset, a teacher of English as a foreign language since 2003.
This is a powerpoint presentation is intended to form part of a lesson on writing styles. It concentrates on the 'why, what and who' of writing and is aimed at yrs 9 and 10, although it can be adapted to suit other age groups. I have used this sucessfully as a way of gettng students to think constructively about the different ways in which society communicates both ideas and feelings in writing. www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=600879
'Chip shop owner battered man' and 'For sale: 83 Ford Grandad' - a hilarious new book reveals the worst misprint howlers. By Martin Toseland
Ironically, with increased use of computer 'spell-checkers', unintentionally funny misprints on restaurant menus, in books, newspapers and adverts are actually becoming more common. MARTIN TOSELAND has collected some of the most amusing for a new book. . .
Arthur Kitchener was seriously burned Saturday afternoon when he came in contact with a high-voltage wife.(Surrey Advertiser) 'Ha..ha!... should read.'..high-voltage wire'.
Just for fun, see if you can spot the mistakes and find the correct meaning.
News in brief
The Irish Stammerers' Association will hold a seminar will hold a seminar entitled 'Aids for Stammerers' tonight. (The Irish Press)
People in Preston ward are invited to a meeting at 7.15pm tonight in St Mary's Church Hall, Brighton, to meet councillors and beat police officers. (Evening Argus)
The skeleton was believed to be that of a Saxon worrier. (Express and Echo)
Chance to win
Concert promoters MCP have donated three pairs of tickets for the Princes Hall show. All you have to do is answer the following question: With which band did Midge (Ure) have his first number one hit in 1976? Answers to: Ultravox Competition, The News, 4, High Street, Camberley, Surrey.
The strike leaders had called a meeting that was to have been held in a bra near the factory, but it was too small to hold them all. (South London Press)
One man was admitted to hospital suffering from buns. (Bristol Gazette)
Douglas Bader pub
A new public house at Martlesham, near Ipswich, has been named after Sir Douglas Bader, the RAF's legless wartime hero. (Daily Telegraph)
Londonderry Development Commission plans to spend about £24,000 on improving the standard of street fighting in the city centre and a number of housing estates. (Belfast Telegraph)
Cash plea to aid dyslexic cildren. (South Wales Evening Post)
Police in Hawick yesterday called off a search for a 20-year-old man who is believed to have frowned after falling into the swollen River Teviot. (The Scotsman)
Winners in the homemade claret section were Mrs Davis (fruity, well-rounded), Mrs Rayner (fine colour and full-bodied), and Miss Ogle-Smith (slightly acid, but should improve if laid down). (Leicestershire parish magazine)
In our report of the Welsh National Opera's Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci, the computer spellchecker did not recognise the term WNO (Welsh National Opera). A slip of the finger caused it to be replaced with the word 'winos'. (The Guardian)
An item which was deservedly appreciated and encored was Chopin's Pollonaise 'Sea Minor'. (Wexford Free Press)
Life and death
The first aid treatment for a broken rib is to apply a tight bandage after you have made your patient expire. (Manchester Evening News)
Hooper - Wilfred Harry. Loving memories of my dearest husband who passed away 15 June. It's a lovely life without you, and sad has been each day. (Northants Evening Telegraph)
Mr S. Butters for reasons of ill-health, is permanently discontinuing widow-cleaning. (Cambridgeshire Times)
Corrections
Due to an error in transmission we stated in an inquest report on Saturday that Mrs Susannah Vincent, of Porth, was found dead with a bottle in her left hand and a plastic bag over her head. This should have read 'a Bible in her left hand'. We apologise for any distress caused to the family. (Swindon Evening Advertiser)
Error: The Observer wishes to apologise for a typesetting error in our Tots and Toddlers advertising feature last week which led to Binswood Nursery School being described as serving 'children casserole' instead of chicken casserole. (Leamington Spa Observer)
Due to a printing error, a story in last week's Gazette referred to athletics coach Billy Hodgins as an 'old waster'. This should, of course, have read 'old master'. We apologise to Mr Hodgins for any embarrassment caused.
The authorities at Ongar library have received a number of complaints about a card in the index file which read: SEX: SEE LIBRARIAN. This has been changed. The new entry reads: SEX: FOR SEX, ASK AT THE DESK. (Eastern Gazette)
In a recent report of a competition held at one of Pontin's holiday camps it was inadvertently stated that it was for 'elephant' grandmothers instead of elegant grandmothers. We apologise to Mrs Helen P-, who gained third place, for any embarrassment this may have caused. (Stockport Advertiser)
Adverts
Children shot for Christmas in the home - Regent Photographic Studios. (Morecambe Visitor)
For sale: 83 Ford Grandad. (Express and Star, Wolverhampton)
Lady, 65, reasonable looks, medium build, 65, likes short walks, outings, the occasional drunk. (Westmorland Gazette)
Airedales - house-trained, safe with children, best protection against burglars or ladies living alone. (Dog World)
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council: Crematorium assistant required. The Council operates a no-smoking policy. (Sheffield Star)
Weddings
The bride was very upset when one of her little attendants accidentally stepped on her brain and tore it. (Kent Messenger)
On Monday, Councillor Thompson's son will be married to the eldest daughter of Councillor James. The members of the Corporation are invited to the suspicious event. (Suffolk newspaper)
Sports
The mystery fan behind the takeover bid for Port Vale today said he will pull out of the deal if his identity is revealed. It is understood Stone-based businessman Peter Jackson wants to remain anonymous until the contract is signed and sealed. (Staffordshire Sentinel)
Names
Letchworth Spiritualist Church. An evening of Clairvoyance with Mr Deadman Saturday, July 27, at 7pm.
Going forward, how should we approach the English language?
Many words which have crept into common parlance deserve to be banned, writes Anna Bawden
‘Sometimes one is forced to consider the possibility that affairs are being conducted in a manner which, all things being considered and making all possible allowances is, not to put too fine a point on it, perhaps not entirely straightforward.’ Photograph: PA
George Orwell called it a mixture of vagueness and sheer incompetence, and it has been the subject of much ridicule and opprobrium, but now politicians and civil servants have been rapped over the knuckles by the influential Commons' public administration committee for their poor use of English language. Although the committee didn't go as far as Orwell, who claimed that political language was "designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind", it was so appalled by the overuse of jargon and meaningless euphemism, that the MPs decided to hold an inquiry on the subject.
The result, a report entitled, "Bad language: the use and abuse of official language" cites numerous examples of cringe-making terminology that would not have looked out of place in an episode of political sitcom Yes minister.
"The unlovely language of this unreal world floats along on a linguistic sea of rollouts, step changes, public domains, fit for purposes, stakeholder engagements, across the pieces, win-wins, level playing fields and going forwards," the report says.
Of course, for Sir Humphrey Appleby, the whole point of official language was obfuscation:
"Civil Service language: 'Sometimes one is forced to consider the possibility that affairs are being conducted in a manner which, all things being considered and making all possible allowances is, not to put too fine a point on it, perhaps not entirely straightforward.' Translation: 'You are lying'," he said in one episode.
But which terms are the worst culprits of meaningless officialese?
The LGA's list of 200 banned words covers many of the worst examples of poor use of English. So instead of saying "working together", councils and public bodies refer to "collaborative working", "benchmarking" is used instead of "measuring", "outcomes" instead of "results" and "funding streams" rather than "money". And as the LGA says, horrendous terms like "Mainstreaming", "contestability" and "pathfinder" have no real meaning at all and should be scrapped altogether.
If you could abolish 20 words, which ones would you ban?
To get you started, here's some that would definitely make my list:
Arthur Kitchener was seriously burned Saturday afternoon when he came in contact with a high-voltage wife.
Winners in the homemade claret section were Mrs Davis (fruity, well-rounded), Mrs Rayner (fine colour and full-bodied), and 
