wanna improve my English
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Jørgensen_M
Barker
Joined: Mar 08, 2005
Posts: 127
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Mar 29, 2005 - 11:32 PM |
 
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Well, it always cost money to join 'clubs'........thats why I asked, how much! |
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jamiejah
Low Seater
Joined: Mar 21, 2004
Posts: 3010
Status: Offline
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Apr 01, 2005 - 12:48 PM |
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just because you arer a native speaker,does not,and i repeat does not mean you can teach English.
If you are serious about learning English,i would search out a qualified teacher,first and foremost.
You might have to pay more money in the beginning,but it will be money well spent.
Try to familiarize with not only American English,but the more profound English ,english.
I can only say that anyone who suggests a learner of english to watch a sit-com,and an american at that,is not a teacher.Good intentions myebe,but wrong advise |
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Nathalie25
Board Legend
Joined: Aug 24, 2004
Posts: 10387
Location: Shanghai
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Apr 01, 2005 - 01:16 PM |
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| jamiejah wrote: |
You might have to pay more money in the beginning,but it will be money well spent. |
lol, i have paid 30000 Yuan for learning it(each hour 50-100 yuan), but nothing happened. 
Some english native speakers just wanna waste my money....... |
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Anniboodk
Fire-eater
Joined: Feb 27, 2004
Posts: 2787
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Apr 01, 2005 - 02:25 PM |
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Natalie, You need to do research before you pay RMB 30,000 for English lessons. Firstly, I have never heard of anyone paying 300-600 hours upfront and secondly, if you are paying so much, you need to make sure this person knows how to teach. This person should know how to teach English to Chinese people especially! |
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jamiejah
Low Seater
Joined: Mar 21, 2004
Posts: 3010
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Apr 01, 2005 - 03:11 PM |
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That's a good point about knowing how to teach to the Chinese especially, as say opposed to teaching English to Europeans.
My wife is an English teacher, a real one, and it frustrates her that so many native speakers have the audacity to call themselves teachers, when they have little or no knowledge on how to teach.
I'm sorry that she is so busy that she cannot teach you, as she lives to teach people how to speak English and Japanese.
On that point may I suggest that you search out an Asian English teacher who has lived and studied abroad, and at least they have an honours in linguistics or English. TEFL and TESOLl trained teachers, and I use that term "teacher" loosly can teach you to a point, but the teachers who have worked in the classroom as their profession and passion (as oppossed to a hobby, or a filling in whilst they decide on direction in life) would certainly be my choice.
No doubt my wife will correct my incorrect use of grammar and spelling later and it is I who is the native speaker amongst us. Good luck, and please stop using "wanna". If you want to speak with a lazy tongue, I am Scottish and can teach you all the lazy slangs you like till your little heart's content. |
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Carol87
Lurker
Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 22
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Apr 01, 2005 - 04:11 PM |
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Nathalie25
Board Legend
Joined: Aug 24, 2004
Posts: 10387
Location: Shanghai
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Apr 12, 2005 - 04:45 PM |
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well, i have time on weekends, so i think i would like to improve my english when it comes. |
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pony2005
Newbie
Joined: Feb 26, 2005
Posts: 5
Location: HK
Status: Offline
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Apr 19, 2005 - 01:24 PM |
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Sigh...........I also find my English is getting poor and poor since I left my senior high school............
I know that 'Practice makes perfect'. But maybe I'm too shy or lack of engough confidence, I just dare to open my mouth and talk in English.............
Thanks god I find this forum and I think most people here are friendly and accomodating. I 'wanna' make friends with all of you and improve my English as well.
p.s. I'm a newcomer and this is my second post. Nice to see u all~~~  |
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Nathalie25
Board Legend
Joined: Aug 24, 2004
Posts: 10387
Location: Shanghai
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Apr 22, 2005 - 03:37 PM |
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hi, pony,nice to meet you here !
Well, I am still looking for a female english native speaker to do the language exchange, so if you have free time, please don't forget to PM me. Thanks ! |
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功高盖主，必有祸出。人生是人类生命中内心和万般经历的真实写照。 http:/ |
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Rio
Post Boaster
Joined: Dec 04, 2004
Posts: 4724
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Apr 23, 2005 - 12:49 AM |
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Nathalie, I assume pony2005 is not a native speaker as she is saying that her English is not as good as she was on high school. And 30.000 RMB for some English lessons is quite expensive! Who was he/she? |
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Nathalie25
Board Legend
Joined: Aug 24, 2004
Posts: 10387
Location: Shanghai
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Apr 23, 2005 - 09:32 AM |
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hi, pony,nice to meet you here ! ----this word I talked to pony.
Well, I am still looking for a female english native speaker to do the language exchange, so if you have free time, please don't forget to PM me. Thanks !
--------this word I talked to the person who would like to help my english.
So you now can understand my words?  |
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功高盖主，必有祸出。人生是人类生命中内心和万般经历的真实写照。 http:/ |
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pickle005
Barker
Joined: Dec 23, 2004
Posts: 158
Status: Offline
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Apr 23, 2005 - 02:52 PM |
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Well, don't underestimate the power of this forum. Just by reading random posts(of course written by "native speakers) on this site can do wonders to your english proficiency.
Based on my experience, most Chinese students don't lack vocab, but they have problems string those words together to form a proper setence: both in structure and word selection(i.e Chinglish). So my advice to you Nathalie is to read more, listen more and definitely stop going to those crazy expensive "native speaker" english classes. You gonna do great! |
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Nathalie25
Board Legend
Joined: Aug 24, 2004
Posts: 10387
Location: Shanghai
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Apr 24, 2005 - 02:26 PM |
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hum,chinglish.... yes, I often speak it, so I will do my best to speak pure British english. |
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功高盖主，必有祸出。人生是人类生命中内心和万般经历的真实写照。 http:/ |
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hammerforlife
Fire-eater
Joined: May 24, 2004
Posts: 2702
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Apr 24, 2005 - 02:59 PM |
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Nathalie, I think that for most people to learn British English is probably better. I only say that because to speak American English is no problem, but for writing (work etc) its not so good to use the American slang words. You should not say "wanna" in a formal letter fo example. Of course if you are good enough to use formal English in a letter and American slang words in your speaking then of course no problem! No offence intended to Americans of course. |
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paranoid
Reacher
Joined: Feb 08, 2004
Posts: 305
Location: UAE
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Apr 24, 2005 - 07:10 PM |
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Nathalie, we all paid a lot on studying english. Quantity is not what matters but the quality. Just make sure that you get what you have paid for.
I am not a fan of so called language exchange. Learning language is always tough and time consuming. Chatting with native speakers can entertain the whole process of the study. However, suffering goes before entertaining. The very foundamental part of the language learning should involve boring textbook reciding, vocabulary building, repetitive exercises and tests.
My suggestions:
1. Go to a local training center. Qian jin, sisu, hu dong all seem to be doing a pretty good job. Their chinese name is : 前进进修学院，上海外国语大学的力泰进修学院，沪东科技进修学院。All of them are low-costed and high-quality guaranteed.
2. Choose some basic text book. New concept english may be old. But it is the very first text book for most of the english learners. And I do admit it is a classic.
3. Try to recite all the textures of the text book that you are learning. I personally found reciting a very effective way of improving sense of language.
4. Make a full understanding of the new words that you come across in the lessons. What does it mean, what's its collocation, does it have any extended meaning , ect. Try to use the new words in daily life or talking with your native teachers. Let them correct you if the words are not used properly.
5. Take up some hobbies which may involve using english. For example, listening to western music, watching western films, reading original edition of fashion magazines (I cant stand long novels. They drive me crazy. ), etc. Chatting online doesnt really help. Most of the time you are just repeating your mistakes ,explaining what you are trying to say or busy checking online dictionary to understand what others are talking about.
6. Watching western TV series could help alot on oral english. Dont just watch. After enjoying the whole story, try to shut off the subtitle and see if you can still catch what they are talking about. It could take several times before you can fully understand, I mean fully, every word and every expression they say. During the process, you can even take down some notes.
7. For further improvement, advanced interpretation training course is a must, which triggers another set of reciding, exercising work.
Finding a native speaker can help one's english. However, dont find one just for improving your language ability. They can help, but cant help much. Moreover, such behaviour is very low. Good command of english isnt worth of self dignity.
Notice: Some of the TV actors or actreses have accents. Try not to be affected by them. I unfortunately have a strange and mysterious american accent. It's probably from a western cowboy movie. Well, I dont know where I got it... I know I hate it.
I m not an expert on english. But hope my post could help. Good luck Nathalie. Be confident and spend less time on this forum.  |
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paranoid
Reacher
Joined: Feb 08, 2004
Posts: 305
Location: UAE
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Apr 24, 2005 - 07:19 PM |
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| Nathalie25 wrote: |
| hum,chinglish.... yes, I often speak it, so I will do my best to speak pure British english. |
For example, we know "Do you speak english".
But we dont say, "Do you speak it". Here the verb say is more appropriate
No high building can be built without a firm foundation.  |
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Nathalie25
Board Legend
Joined: Aug 24, 2004
Posts: 10387
Location: Shanghai
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Apr 25, 2005 - 06:15 AM |
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paranoid, thanks for your kind help and also I think your ideas of how to learn english are pretty good, I will try it out immediately. |
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功高盖主，必有祸出。人生是人类生命中内心和万般经历的真实写照。 http:/ |
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re5mike
Seeker
Joined: Mar 20, 2005
Posts: 67
Status: Offline
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Apr 25, 2005 - 07:18 AM |
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Paranoid is correct to a point. Are you suggesting that by finding a language exchange partner that more than language is exchanged with your comment:
"Moreover, such behaviour is very low. Good command of english isnt worth of self dignity."
To me this implies that something else is going on?
For me no amount of text books have helped me speak Mandarin. I now only buy books that come with a CD so I can actually "hear" the way the words are spoken - I think this is a very important part of learning correctly. For me, actually hearing a native Chinese person speak the word or phrase means much more than reading it in a book - watching movies in Mandarin - no chance because they speay WAY too fast.
All of the above points have their merits but for me nothing beats a conversation with a native speaker. |
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Nathalie25
Board Legend
Joined: Aug 24, 2004
Posts: 10387
Location: Shanghai
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Apr 25, 2005 - 08:17 AM |
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then i will try all of your methods of how to learn english, and see which way is best then. |
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功高盖主，必有祸出。人生是人类生命中内心和万般经历的真实写照。 http:/ |
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paranoid
Reacher
Joined: Feb 08, 2004
Posts: 305
Location: UAE
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Apr 25, 2005 - 12:36 PM |
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No...Nathalie..................................Now I see how you can spend 30000 on english and still speak chinglish. You might first have to learn to have your own view. "Trying all the methods" is nothing but a waste of time.
Speechless... |
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kathiasya
Lurker
Joined: Feb 21, 2005
Posts: 36
Status: Offline
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Apr 25, 2005 - 02:06 PM |
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While I don't really mean to insult Americans out there. I must honestly, from the bottom of my very-close-to-stroke-heart say that I highly highly highly suggest that people wanting to improve their English to start off with a standard British English. And please let me explain before you lot send the beer mugs start flying at me.
British Standard English i.e clear accentless BBC variety may actually help a Chinese person learning English as a second language grasp the language properly. I consider myself a native speaker despite not being white or bearing the passport of a 'native English' country - I blame colonisation. I'm also a native speaker of 2 other languages, which many people cannot understand nor grasp. To me, the term native speaker is not as important as a being proficient speaker, but I digress.
Why do I say BBC English is better for a Chinese speaker new to English?
The pronunciation is clearer and the 'A's are pronunced as they should be. Ever since arriving in Shanghai, I've had the most horrid time trying to understand Chinese people speaking English. Not because they are not trying hard enough, but because of their accent. It is SO SO SO heavy with a twanged American accent only found in the Mid-West that I find it so hard to understand the words they are trying to articulate. I'm used to understanding all sorts of pigeon English but this I just couldn't decipher.
One must understand the way Chinese people learn English. The Chinese language (for those of you who had the chance to learn) stresses a lot on the SOUND of the word as opposed to just the pronunciation. The Chinese pattern of speech also trails a little, leaving little breathing space between each 'word'. Therefore, when you make a Chinese person learn English, they will most definitely use the first method they know (consciously or not) and that is to mimic the speech pattern and SOUNDS of the words they learn, as opposed to chewing on the pronunciation to get an accurate sound. Learning by example, that's what they are doing.
I've spoken to many Chinese people in English and I have found those with CLEAR accentless English to be most proficient. When I asked them about their learning methods, those with accentless English would tell me they had first started with British English (BBC standard, not pub speak). These same people (within the same duration) also gained a larger vocabulary and spoken proficiency faster than their American accented counterparts.
And also, those with a clear accent found it easier to find speaking partners because it was more pleasent to speak to them. Nothing can be more distracting than a BADLY mimicked American accent, or any accent for that matter.
That's all, please don't hurt me! |
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Nathalie25
Board Legend
Joined: Aug 24, 2004
Posts: 10387
Location: Shanghai
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June 11, 2005 - 05:22 PM |
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hum, i speak american english, but i usually write and type british english here, so I know people will strike my head when i type english on this board. |
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功高盖主，必有祸出。人生是人类生命中内心和万般经历的真实写照。 http:/ |
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qdball
Squeeker
Joined: June 14, 2005
Posts: 14
Location: Shanghai, China
Status: Offline
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June 21, 2005 - 12:34 AM |
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Sorry...but in ways, I disagree with lemongrass on ways of learning a foreign language. If a person wants to learn and excel in a foreign language more quickly, then I believe it's best for them to have contact with people that they are comfortable in speaking with, as opposed to watching films and using alternate sources such as the Internet, which are tiresome. It's alright to trust other as long as their intentions are sincere.
Also, even though a Native English speaker may use some occasional "slang" and improper grammar, don't worry because the lessons are FREE. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for and if you didn't pay anything, don't complain. |
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dfoo
Post Roaster
Joined: Jan 19, 2005
Posts: 4140
Status: Offline
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June 21, 2005 - 08:46 AM |
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Doesn't it depend on your goals? If you all you want to be able to do is communicate effectively in English then Nathalie surely you already have a decent command of the language. In this case, while I am no teacher, then simply using the language with another person who has decent command of the language (a native speaker if possible) is the surely a good way to improve...
Regards, Matthew |
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lemongrass
StreetBeater
Joined: Jan 15, 2005
Posts: 2327
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June 21, 2005 - 02:21 PM |
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Sorry...but in ways, I disagree with lemongrass on ways of learning a foreign language. If a person wants to learn and excel in a foreign language more quickly, then I believe it's best for them to have contact with people that they are comfortable in speaking with, as opposed to watching films and using alternate sources such as the Internet, which are tiresome. It's alright to trust other as long as their intentions are sincere.
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^LOL Thanks for the feedback qdball. Actually my suggestion is simply based on the situation when people is not lucky enough to find a nice partner to practise the foreigner language face to face.
If that is the case, you have to find some other solution by yourself, like TV, internet.
It is obvious that my English has been improved a lot since I do more reading/writing/speaking in the real life in recent years, although it is not good enough. And whether or not methods of learning a foreign language working well depends on individual. Some think language exchange is useful, anyway I would like to say I have a better partner than a pure language exchange partner. |
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