Resources: Notes on Life and Language in the United States

Would you like to improve your English? Today I will offer 6 strategies for English language learners.  Some students are more successful at learning English than others. Why is this? Some people believe that the only important factor is natural language learning ability but I don't agree with that.  Your success with English depends more on your attitude and your commitment than your natural language ability.  I have been working with English students from all over the world for the past 6 years. I have seen that it is not always the student with the most natural talent that improves the most. So if you think that you are not a "natural" language learner, here are 6 strategies that will take you much further than talent or natural ability. Give them a try and let me know how they work!

What are your goals?  Today we are going to talk about individual English lessons and your English learning goals. What questions do you need to ask yourself before you decide on your goals? How do you write goals that are realistic and measurable but still allow you to dream and "think big"? Finally, how can an English tutor in an individual English lesson help you to set, work toward and reach your English goals? Remember, to achieve your dreams, you have to start by writing down your goals so let's get started!

To improve English fluency, you need to be a detective. Good detectives are curious. To be a language detective, you need to be curious about two things- the way that you learn (your learning style and habits) and the language that you are learning (English). In this post, we will talk about how you can become a language detective. Keep reading for some ideas and get started with your first assignment!

Are you wondering if it is necessary to work with a native English teacher in your private English classes?

I engaged in an interesting debate this week on LinkedIn about this subject with some other English teachers and the answer is different for every English learner.

The answer depends on the student's level, the reasons why the student is learning English, the context in which he or she will use the English skills and the student's learning style.

How do people communicate in your culture?

Why is it important to know this if you want to learn English? 

If you know your own communication style and your communication challenges, you will be more efficient at learning English.

In this post, we will talk about the communication style that many people use in the United States, how it is different from your own style and how you can use this information to improve your English while you are in the US.

Remember, many people have a combination of different styles.

If you don't follow the "typical" communication style of your culture, that's fine!

Have you ever taken a large group English class with 15 or 20 students?

Did you feel that you could never improve because everyone else was speaking and you had no chance to speak?

Maybe the lessons were only geared toward students who were verbal learners and liked to speak up and participate in class?

If you want to see real improvement in your English skills, it's time to pay attention to your learning needs and your learning style.

How do you learn best?

The truth is, everyone has their own unique form of intelligence.

In order to improve your English, you need to work with a tutor who will recognize your learning style and create lessons based on the way that you learn in a private English class.

Are you learning English but struggling because you are a perfectionist?

I see this with so many students that it breaks my heart!

It holds you back and prevents you from ever getting better.

First of all, you should know that this is a common problem for English learners.

However, it is possible to change your mindset and learn the English language faster and have more fun learning. 

In this post, we will share 3 things that you can do if you are a perfectionist learning English. 

Do you know how to make small talk in the United States?