Business English Tip of the Week

Below we suggest some basic study skills to help you improve all aspects of your English.

Listening

• listen for the general idea
• listen for important details
• listen for grammatical forms
• listen to tapes or radio programs about your personal interests
• check your progress with comprehension questions

Reading

• read quickly for the general idea (skimming)
• read silently without moving your mouth
• read carefully for important details
• notice word order and grammatical patterns while reading
• find the most important words and highlight only these words
• read about your personal interests in English
• check your progress with comprehension questions

Vocabulary

• repeat new words by speaking and writing
• gesture while repeating a new action verb
• list new words by topic
• read dictionary entries thoughtfully
• check dictionaries for all the meanings of a word
• check other similar-sounding or similarly-spelled words
• write hard-to-remember words on cards
• sort vocabulary cards into topics
• sort vocabulary cards alphabetically
• sort vocabulary cards by how well you know the words
• think about ways you can use a new word in your life
• make an example sentence to use a new word
• speak or write your new words in real communication
• chart words by meanings – with similar and opposite meanings
• cut apart long compound words and identify prefixes, roots and suffixes
• study variant forms of prefixes, roots and suffixes

Pronunciation

• test your hearing of similar but distinct English sounds
• use a mirror to see if your tongue and lips are in the correct position
• repeat difficult phrases to exercise your mouth muscles
• copy English speech rhythm with a drum or nonsense syllables
• check your progress by dictation to a native speaker

Grammar

• compare the charts and explanations of one grammar point in different books
• compare English word order and grammar forms with your language
• use computer grammar practice for quick feedback
• listen for grammar
• practice grammar in speaking
• check progress with grammar tests

Speaking

• rehearse model recorded conversations
• relax to develop fluency
• meet people who use English for conversation
• use English at certain times with friends or family members
• arrange a conversation practice group
• give a little speech about something of personal importance

Writing

• study spelling rules
• learn cursive writing or italic calligraphy
• write your personal story in English
• write letters to a pen pal
• write a letter to a newspaper or politician
• write stories and practice irregular past tense forms
• write a report after reading something interesting
• translate something from your language then compare your English with a native speaker's translation to study word order and communication style.