Writing software is not traditionally a tool for teaching English language skills. However, as these types of applications have matured through the years, they are increasingly becoming useful tools not just for fashioning your written documents into shape, but for helping you improve you master the language as well. How exactly does it perform as a language learning software? See, every time you run a document through an English writing software, it analyzes it and points out erroneous portions, instantly letting you see weaknesses in your language skill set. As it points our mistakes and provides advice on how you may fix them, it’s serving as a teaching tool, almost like a private tutor of sorts. In fact, we’d go so far as to say that it’s probably a better learning platform than many courses, simply because you’re developing the language skills in an applied manner. If you’re an ESL speaker currently taking a language course, using a writing software when you practice at home is bound to do more good for you than watching hours of English television or reading a chapter of a grammar book. Think back to when you were studying Math, for instance. Did you learn more from listening to a teacher, observing your classmates or solving the problems yourself while getting direct one-on-one feedback on your solutions? I’d venture a guess that the third of those options offered the best results when it came to lessons that you actually remember and seamlessly integrated into your skillset. In many ways, an English writing software is akin to hiring a private tutor, except its infinitely cheaper and more convenient. A powerful vocabulary usually takes time and experience to build. While that holds true for most folks, it doesn’t mean you can’t help accelerate the process a bit along the way. These practical tips should help you develop a robust vocabulary store faster than your average English learner. 1. Derive relationships Words based on a common theme or concept are easier to memorize than those with no concept to tie them together. Most vocabulary lessons found on language learning software are structured this way for a reason – they work exceptionally well. 2. Write it down Writing, for some reason, has a way of imprinting words into your consciousness. Instead of just reading words off a page, try putting them to paper yourself – the effect can be downright amazing. 3. Use your creativity Employ your creative side and relate words to drawings, photographs, dance moves or whatever art form feels most natural to you. This can create a relationship that will help you pull out the right words at just the right time – most of the time, anyway. 4. Find relevance Study words that carry a certain relevance to certain areas of your life. If you’re into basketball, for instance, words that relate to the game will usually prove easier to memorize than words often used in engineering pursuits. Whatever hobby, life event or situation carries meaning for you, use them to your advantage in vocabulary-building. 5. Be reasonable Your vocabulary is not going to go from zero to hero in one day. As such, set reasonable goals that you can succeed in to build your confidence. That will prove 10 times better than failing over and over while trying to pursue unrealistic ideals.
Posts Tagged ‘Private Tutor’
How to Learn English As You Write – The Easy Way!
December 21st, 2009Posted in Articles
Tags: Classmates Easy English English Language Skills English Learner English Television English Writing Esl Grammar Book Guess Language Course Language Learning Software Language Skill learn Learning Platform Math Private Tutor Skillset Sorts Teaching Tool Useful Tools Vocabulary Write Writing Software
Second Language Learning: How to do it right
November 18th, 2009Second language learning is defined as the process of learning an additional language besides the native language. Here second language or additional language refers to any language that is acquired or learnt after early childhood. Learning a foreign language or basically any second language might not be a very easy task but with some guidelines this task can be achieved.
Second language learning is like a lifelong journey that needs time and dedication. For this the following tips can be followed:
1. Keep the study sessions short: keeping study sessions short allowing time in consecutive sessions is an important way to maintain the interest in the language. A single two or three hour session is not effective than short sessions of twenty minutes. Regular contact with the language helps you to remember things and stick with it. Therefore your aim should be for short, reachable achievements. The positive results attained would further push you to continue.
2. Make some investments in the training tools: it is always helpful to invest in some tools that would aid in second language learning. You might not be able to hire a private tutor but it is not necessary that to learn a language you need a native speaker. For this tools like, self study kits, do-it-yourself kits, audio and visual aids like cassettes and CDs can be effectively used. As listening is an important requisite when learning a second language, make sure the self study kits include these audio aids. A good kit should also consist of grammatical explanations, organized vocabulary, set phrases for quick motivation boosting and speaking and listening exercises. You can also join night classes as they are more structured and there is a sense of obligation to attend.
3. Practice the language: if you are learning the second language through self-study kits, it is very important that you practice the language and that too aloud. This means that speaking aloud what you have learnt is a good way of learning the language fast. If you do not do this, it is like reading about a dance movement and trying to learn without practicing it. Each language has its own sounds and accents and pronunciations. Your muscles in the throat and face have to be trained in order to speak correctly. Therefore practicing a language aloud is the sure shot way of learning the second language fast.
4. Make use of the films and music of the language: second language learning is aided by the use of music and films of the language. This not only ensures regular contact with the language but also ensures fun and you have a new culture to follow. It is normal that you would not understand things in the beginning but just keep on trying and pick a few words at a time. Listening to the music or films dialog would be greatly helpful later on when your vocabulary has been built and you can guess the right meaning of the word.
5. Regular practice helps in achieving goals: although second language learning might be a lot of work but it can be fun also. You would be watchful and try to form new structures with the language. Also setting small goals and achieving them would boost your confidence and motivate you to keep on learning. You could set goals like aiming for a new verb tense in a week, a new word in the next week and so on.
The most important part of second language learning is to enjoy the new knowledge and you should try to embrace entertainment in the second language.
By: Gavin Wright
Posted in Articles
Tags: Cassettes Consecutive Sessions Early Childhood Grammatical Explanations Learning A Foreign Language Learning A Second Language Lifelong Journey Listening Exercises Native Language Native Speaker Phrases Private Tutor Self Study Short Sessions Single Two Study Sessions Training Tools Twenty Minutes Visual Aids Vocabulary
