vHow can our students perform well in their English study? Below are some suggestions made by several overseas teachers who are currently teaching English in Chengdu.
#1 Advice from our Mr. Mark Robertson
1.Read a variety of English language books especially classics
2.Speak English in every class all day in the AP center
3.Keep a list of every new word you do not know and later look up the words in a dictionary
#2 Advice from Miss. Katy Tegeler
A successful student learns to love learning. It is my sincere hope that all of my students can find something that they love, or at least enjoy, in English class. Now I’d like to make some suggestions for how to discover what you love in my class.
Read the articles and stories we explore with an inquisitive mind. Ask questions as you read, like, “Is there anything interesting or surprising in this reading? Why?” By asking yourself questions while you read, you can find out what kinds of reading material in English interest you.
Always question what you hear, even from your teachers. Ask yourself, “Do I know something that is different from my teacher? Do I agree with what he or she said?” You can find out what topics you have expert knowledge in by doing this.
To get new and interesting ideas, talk to students who are not your best friends. You’ll be surprised what you might have in common with your classmates that you don’t know that well. Group presentations and projects are popular in U.S. college classes, so getting used to working with classmates who have different kinds of personalities is a great skill to develop.
Don’t just “study” English. Use it whenever you have a chance. Try re-telling a story to your friends in class using English once in a while. Watch English language TV shows and movies, and pick out the parts that you can understand. Listen to music in the English language, and print the lyrics to the songs from on-line. You can even try singing in English! Learning a language really well means making a commitment to make it a part of your life, in the classroom, and at home as well.
In conclusion, learning how to love learning is the most important lesson of your life. Don’t take it lightly! Live English, breathe English, and you’ll surely learn it too.
#3 Advice from our Dr. Kofi Ababio
1.Stop speaking in Chinese in school and especially in an English language class.
2.Communicate with foreign teachers and always ask them lots of questions; this includes sharing reflections or ideas; no idea is too silly for a foreign teacher.
3.Watch English language films and make notes about the film (in English)
4.Read English language publications; at least one newspaper or magazine once a week and make notes (in English).
5.Think in English
6.Dream in English