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!
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
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
http://www.thewclc.ca/edge/issue5/TheInterview/TopTenIntro.html
Friday, May 2, 2014
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.)
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.)
Friday, April 4, 2014
Ventures curriculum
A number of our tutors and learners are enjoying the Ventures curriculum. We have some availability of Student books and Workbooks in each of the 5 levels. Each level includes high-interest topics and English lessons for listening, speaking, reading and writing. Each Unit includes grammar and vocabulary. A self-study CD comes with each Student book and is also available on-line. Check the web-site for more information and let me know if you would like to try it!
http://www.cambridge.org/ca/esl/catalog/subject/project/item405055/?site_locale=en_CA
http://www.cambridge.org/ca/esl/catalog/subject/project/item405055/?site_locale=en_CA
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014
Reading Suggestions
Our learners can all benefit from reading aloud to you and receiving your feedback. It helps fluency, comprehension, vocabulary building, pronunciation and more! Try to spend a little time reading during each session.
Here are a few suggestions for resources:
http://bestofthereader.ca/
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/
http://www.readingesl.ca/
The Westcoast Reader newspaper, available at all Chilliwack library branches (a favourite of Heather, Dianne, and others) Worksheets to go with the newspaper are in the teacher's section at http://www.thewestcoastreader.com/
For higher learners, try the Chicken Soup for the Soul books (thanks to Sandra and her learner for this idea)
Active Reader books at all levels are available at our office, or I can get them for you. Have you visited our new office at 8472 Harvard Place yet?
Books from the ESL or Adult Learner Collection at the library are great. Ask the librarian for suggestions.
I would be happy to recommend specific reading for your learner!
Here are a few suggestions for resources:
http://bestofthereader.ca/
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/
http://www.readingesl.ca/
The Westcoast Reader newspaper, available at all Chilliwack library branches (a favourite of Heather, Dianne, and others) Worksheets to go with the newspaper are in the teacher's section at http://www.thewestcoastreader.com/
For higher learners, try the Chicken Soup for the Soul books (thanks to Sandra and her learner for this idea)
Active Reader books at all levels are available at our office, or I can get them for you. Have you visited our new office at 8472 Harvard Place yet?
Books from the ESL or Adult Learner Collection at the library are great. Ask the librarian for suggestions.
I would be happy to recommend specific reading for your learner!
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Teaching Conversation
Learners may be confused by the many ways we can say something in English. Practicing phrases for conversation can be helpful. For example, you can use a map to practice asking and giving directions:
Where is (the) . . . ?
How do you get to (the) . . . (from here)?
How do I get to (the) . . . ?
Can you tell me how to get to (the) . . . ?
Can you give me directions to (the) . . . ?
What's the best way to get to (the) . . . ?
(First,) go down this street (for ____ blocks).
(Then,) turn left/right at the traffic light.
(After that,) go straight on _____ Street until you get to the ______.
(When you get to the _____,) turn left/right again.
(Then,) stay on______Avenue for about _______ meters.
It's on your left, next to the __________. You can't miss it!
Sorry, I don't know.
Sorry, I don't live around here!
For more conversation phrases by topic, visit: http://www.eslgold.com/speaking/phrases.html
Where is (the) . . . ?
How do you get to (the) . . . (from here)?
How do I get to (the) . . . ?
Can you tell me how to get to (the) . . . ?
Can you give me directions to (the) . . . ?
What's the best way to get to (the) . . . ?
(First,) go down this street (for ____ blocks).
(Then,) turn left/right at the traffic light.
(After that,) go straight on _____ Street until you get to the ______.
(When you get to the _____,) turn left/right again.
(Then,) stay on______Avenue for about _______ meters.
It's on your left, next to the __________. You can't miss it!
Sorry, I don't know.
Sorry, I don't live around here!
For more conversation phrases by topic, visit: http://www.eslgold.com/speaking/phrases.html
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