Wednesday, 13 June 2007

Some tips for "how-to" improve your English


Learning English (or any language for that matter) is a process. You are continually improving your English and the following 'How to' describes a strategy to make sure that you continue to improve effectively.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Varies
Here's How:
Remember that learning a language is a gradual process - it does not happen overnight.
Define your learning objectives early: What do you want to learn and why?
Make learning a habit. Try to learn something every day. It is much better to study (or read, or listen to English news, etc.) 10 minutes each day than to study for 2 hours once a week.
Remember to make learning a habit! If you study each day for 10 minutes English will be constantly in your head. If you study once a week, English will not be as present in your mind.
Choose your materials well. You will need reading, grammar, writing, speaking and listening materials
Vary your learning routine. It is best to do different things each day to help keep the various relationships between each area active. In other words, don't just study grammar.
Find friends to study and speak with. Learning English together can be very encouraging.
Choose listening and reading materials that relate to what you are interested in. Being interested in the subject will make learning more enjoyable - thus more effective.
Relate grammar to practical usage. Grammar by itself does not help you USE the language. You should practice what you are learning by employing it actively.
Move your mouth! Understanding something doesn't mean the muscles of your mouth can produce the sounds. Practice speaking what you are learning aloud. It may seem strange, but it is very effective.
Be patient with yourself. Remember learning is a process - speaking a language well takes time. It is not a computer that is either on or off!
Communicate! There is nothing like communicating in English and being successful. Grammar exercises are good - having your friend on the other side of the world understand your email is fantastic!
Use the Internet. The Internet is the most exciting, unlimited English resource that anyone could imagine and it is right at your finger tips.
Tips:
Remember that English learning is a Process
Be patient with yourself.
Practice, practice, practice
What You Need:
Time - lots of it!
Patience
Discipline
Reference Materials
More How To's from your Guide To English as 2nd Language
Suggested Reading
Setting ESL Objectives
Written by Kenneth Beare

Posted by Ho Minh Duc at 20:37 0 comments

China 'changes its tone on trade'


European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson has said that China had indicated it was willing to find common ground over trade issues.
The comments came after Mr Mandelson met China's Commerce Minister Bo Xilai amid concerns about Chinese exports.
Many politicians and firms have accused China of undervaluing its currency and flooding markets with its cheap goods.
Mr Mandelson warned that European consumers may lose patience with China and force politicians to take action.
The US Government has already reported China to the World Trade Organisation over copyright piracy and counterfeiting and Mr Mandelson has indicated the EU is on the brink of adopting a similar tough stance.
And a group of US Senators are planning to introduce legislation to force China to raise the value of its currency, which they believe is giving it an unfair trade advantage.
'Clear recognition'
Mr Mandelson said that he detected a change in China's tone during the talks on Tuesday.
"I felt that I heard for the first time at such a political level the clear recognition by China, in the words of Bo Xilai, that something must be done," Mr Mandelson said.
Mr Mandelson added that the discussion was "as frank, concentrated and prolonged a discussion as was necessary for such a serious topic as the growing trade deficit between the EU and China".
Ahead of the meeting, China announced that its trade surplus had increased by 73% to $22.5bn (£11.4bn) in May.
The EU's trade deficit with China was 128bnn euros in 2006, and the European Commission said the shortfall could hit 170bn euros this year.
Mr Mandelson called China "the most sensitive and most challenging trade relationship that the EU has".
"It is also the most promising and I think the most important to get right," Mr Mandelson added.
Freer markets
Despite the comments, the talks failed to reach any concrete agreement between the two sides.
EU officials have claimed that the export potential of member states to China's growing market of consumers has been grossly impeded by trade barriers that cost European businesses up to 20bn euros a year.
Europe also wants assurances from Beijing that they will do more to target rampant copyright piracy and strengthen legal protection for foreign firms doing business in China.
China could also ease tensions by curbing the output of its steel makers to prevent overcapacity in the global market, EU officials said ahead of the talks.


BBC Business News:

Posted by Ho Minh Duc at 20:04 0 comments

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