Listening Practice

Some English learners have particular difficulty with listening.  They may be able to speak English, especially if they have time to prepare or practice what they will say.  They may be fairly good readers and writers of English because they've done so for many years, even in their home country.  Listening can be the biggest challenge for some individuals.  Native speakers talk too fast, run words together, don't give the listener time to sort out what is being said before moving on to the next sentence...
Listening skills will only improve with practice, practice, practice!  Online practice is a great way to add practice!  Check out many great web-sites at
http://www.eslstation.net/ESL320L/320L_Listen.htm
Strong English listening skills are especially important to attend college or work in customer service, hospitality, healthcare, etc. Regular on-line practice will show results!  A volunteer tutor to practice with is best of all!

Top Ten Interview Questions

Some of our Volunteer Tutor Program learners are looking for employment.  A tutor can help prepare for job interviews by role playing and giving speaking practice opportunities.  Interview questions may be very different in Canada than other cultures.  Here's a fun web-site for inspiration on this topic: 
http://www.thewclc.ca/edge/issue5/TheInterview/TopTenIntro.html

Speaking to English Learners on the Phone

Some of our tutors plan telephone conversations with learners, and many need to make meeting arrangements by phone.  Talking on the phone can be very challenging in a new language so the opportunity to practice with a sympathetic tutor is a great idea!  I thought of you when I read this article:  http://drsaraheaton.wordpress.com/2010/02/05/multiculturalism-on-the-phone/

3 Tips for dealing with non-English speakers on the phone

Anyone who answers or makes calls is going to encounter someone whose first language isn’t the same as their own. Providing this person speaks enough of the language to understand you, there are three key tactics you can use to set yourself apart from other, less compassionate and understanding people, when it comes to dealing with callers whose first language differs from yours.
Smile. The person on the other end of the phone can “hear” your smile and will respond to your positive energy. About 70% of our communication is non-verbal, so a smile conveys a lot, even if the other person can’t see it. But did you know that the smile is the only universal facial expression? All others can be interpreted in different ways, depending on the culture. But a sincere smile will always transcend words and cultural difference.
Be extra patient. Imagine you are the person on the other end of the phone. You would appreciate it if the native speaker did not jump in while you were still talking, finish your sentences for you or skip to the next point without letting you finish. If you allow a non-native speaker to finish saying what they have to say, listen intently and be patient, you will win respect and trust.
Speak slower, not louder. People whose first language isn’t English may need more time to process the language, but their hearing is probably just as good as yours. If you slow down the pace of your speech and leave longer pauses in between sentences, you will allow the other person time to absorb everything that you are saying. Don’t exaggerate your pauses or tone, but rather think of speaking slowly, clearly and cheerfully. If you do, the person on the other end will know you are trying to be helpful, not patronizing.
(This article is adapted from one published Sept. 8, 2003 in a weekly newsletter for language program marketers and managers on a Yahoo group.)