Tips To Improve Your Command Of English???
By bestfriends
@bestfriends (876)
Australia
June 16, 2007 4:33pm CST
I have been contemplating to take TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) lately, but I don't think I have enough to pass it.
I've heard that I have to be good enough in four skills, that is listening, reading, writing and spoken English.
I know these four skills is a lot to learn in a short period of time, but I am willing to persevere to improve what I've got right now. What I find difficult is the spoken English. I seem to pronounce words differently to what the native speakers do. If you have a good site for me to share to start learning to speak the words properly, please post it here.
Also for the rest of the skills, please I give me some pieces of advice to be able to improve. English teachers out there, please help!
3 people like this
7 responses
@GardenGerty (160883)
• United States
17 Jun 07
Hi, friend. I hope someone can help you with the site for spoken English. I did not know that there was such a thing. What purpose does the TOEFL serve? Is it for college credit? To improve your skills, while posting on forums, you should avoid people who use text speech. I notice some of my friends from India copy that style of writing and it is not doing them any good. If I were to point out some errors in this post I would concentrate on the fact that you have a problem with subject and verb agreement when you are using the being verb is/are. You need "is" with single nouns, and "are" with plurals.: "I have to be good enough in four skills, they are:listening, reading, writing and spoken English. I know these four skills are a lot to learn" I am not an English teacher, but this is how I would correct those phrases. Wishing you well.
@bestfriends (876)
• Australia
17 Jun 07
Oh thank you. I don't take your post offensive at all. hahah now, I realize I gotta learn grammar as well. Thanks for the correction. I know what you mean. I think I should be very careful next time with my grammar. Thank you.
@bestfriends (876)
• Australia
17 Jun 07
By the way, I need to pass the TEOFL for me to be able to study in an English speaking country. Also, you will need this if you want to get a working visa in an English speaking coutry.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160883)
• United States
17 Jun 07
So your goal must be to study in an English speaking country. I see that your first response was very helpful. I wish you well.
@meme0907 (3481)
• United States
18 Jun 07
Hey BF,
I want to congratulate you on your desire to improve-you can do it! I know dictionary .com gives you the word & the phonetic spelling so you'll know how to pronouce each word you use on the test as well as the entire meaning-I'm sure you've come across some tricky english w/ multiple meanings already.Keep your chin up I have faith that you will pass |;)
+'s 2 U
:D
@bestfriends (876)
• Australia
18 Jun 07
Thank you so much Meme. What you just said mean so much to me. Thanks for the encouragement:)I've been using that site for more than a week now every time I encounter words I am not sure about. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@bestfriends (876)
• Australia
19 Jun 07
Thank you. You are so kind to offer some help unfortunately I speak Filipino, my first language. I do however would want to learn Spanish as well in the near future. heheh.
@bluemoon07 (13)
•
19 Jun 07
Hi BF
Great to see your determination to learn english for your career development and I think it is the high time for you as far as your age is concerned according to your profile.By the way whats your native language please?In my view English is not a very difficult subject to learn but you have to take care of your common sense regarding the use of words as same word sometime carries different meaning when used in different conditions and time as well.So be alert when using the words. Pronunciation is also a big issue if you are from a place where english is very rarely used. Always keep on listening english news ie. BBC, CNN etc. from where you could rectify your accent and way to pronounce a word correctly. Moreover now-a-days there are lots of materials and resources in internet to improve your vocabulary.
So start your home work right now and see the changes after a month. You will be amazed to see your improvement after a month or so.So start your excercise right now. All the best.
@bestfriends (876)
• Australia
19 Jun 07
I speak Filipino and 2 different dialects which are completely different from Filipino. I try to listen cartoons and some of the kids English show, sitcoms, game show because they are easier for me to catch on. BCC and CNN are really difficult for me to understand. But I agree with you that listening to news really improve our listening skills. Thank you.
@loverenth (136)
• Philippines
18 Jun 07
I had the same problem before since i grew up in a native land but reading aloud seems to work.
@bestfriends (876)
• Australia
19 Jun 07
That's actually what I am doing right now, reading my responses aloud:)It does help a lot too to remember words and get the hang of it.
@sara_1995 (39)
• United States
19 Jun 07
i had the same problem when i came here to America i didn't know how to speak English at all i thought i would never learn the language English but i took classes and now my family and friends say i am excellent at English now
@bestfriends (876)
• Australia
19 Jun 07
Glad to hear your fluent now. How long have you been living in America? How long did it take you to finally lose your accent?
@easy888 (10405)
• Australia
29 Jun 07
Hello,bestfriends,i think your writing and reading should be fine as i can see you can write good english in your discussions and replies,I am sure your writing will be better if you keep replying in mylot,you will learn more new vocabularies at the same time.
For your listening and speaking,the only method to improve is to listen and speak more,I think you should have a lot of chance to practice in australia.
No worry.
