My experience in enhancing english skills
To improve your spoken English, you can try reading out loud an English newspaper editorial every day. Reading out loud can enhance your memory of new words and phrases. Read editorials of the Wall Street Journal Asia, South China Morning Post, the Standard and International Herald Tribune every day. After that, go through the piece again and jot down new words and phrases on a notebook or electronic notebook. The words and phrases in editorials are the newest, most commonly used and most practical. This notebook would be a lifelong treasure for you.
Read editorials, listen to radio, and watch English movies and TV programs as much as possible. After a while, you will be able to digest and use English spontaneously. Learn English via popular TV series too: for instance, I noticed the following from [CSI]: “To make an omelette, you have to break a few eggs” (meaning “you have to make sacrifices in order to succeed”). In another TV series [Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles]: “You are full of carrots and apples” (meaning “you are full of energy”). Always memorize vocabularies in contexts and scenarios. Actively study and apply the words. Doing so, you will be able to use the words correctly and spontaneously under different circumstances. English language is something you use or lose. Use new words you have learnt from editorials frequently. Sometimes it may feel awkward to do so (such as talking to yourself ), but those who have high English levels are those who are not shy and willing to take one step further. Meanwhile, watch English programs on TV every day, including news and other programs, and while watching you should turn off the Chinese subtitles or cover them with a piece of paper.
“Wherever you are, you are with BBC”. When commuting, you can listen to BBC’s programs through radio channel AM675 or the internet via your mobile phone, or listen to English songs if you think news programs are boring. Country music is better, such as songs by Joshua Radin, Taylor Swift, Peter, Paul & Mary, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Simon & Garfunkel. When working at your desk, you can listen to BBC or National Public Radio online, if possible. The addresses are: www.news.
bbc.co.uk; and www.npr.org/programs/atc/index.html
You should overcome shyness and use more English in public. Be brave, and don’t be afraid of setbacks. Speaking English well doesn’t mean worshipping everything foreign; on the contrary, it can help Hong Kong maintain its status as one of the world’s great financial centers. People who laugh at your passion about English are real losers. Stay positive. Everyone is different in talents. If you have a positive attitude and persevere in learning, you can become an expert in English in no time.
Another experience I want to share with you is [Sing wherever you are] (whenever you can). This is my favorite song by Simon & Garfunkel with the title “For Emily whenever I may find her”.
Please enjoy the song’s beautiful lyrics:
What a dream I had
Pressed in organdy
Clothed in crinoline of smoky burgundy
Softer than the rain
I wandered empty streets down, passed the shop displays
I heard cathedral bells, tripping down the alley ways, as I walked on
And when you ran to me your cheeks flushed with the night
We walked on frosted fields of juniper and lamp light
I held your hand
And when I awoke and felt you warm and near
I kissed your honey hair with my grateful tears
Oh I love you, girl
Oh, I love you.
Mutual encouragement works. Find two or three friends, meet twice a week (or come to my current English discussion group). For schedules, please see deanfungenglish.blogspot.com. Have faith in yourself, my friend!
Write to Victor Fung at victorfung3@hotmail.com
Blog: deanfungenglish.blogspot.com
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