Communication Beginnings – An Introductory Listening and Speaking Text for English Language Learners (Abrahams)

Improving your speaking and listening skills in English requires a lot of time and effort. However, with knowledge and use of some learning strategies, your English abilities will grow quickly. Speaking and listening are skills that are closely connected. Improving one of them will help you improve the other. Remember this as you study English. Also, remember that improving your reading, grammar and writing skills in English will also help you improve your speaking and listening. Try to use and practice all part of the English language together.

Speaking

• Speak in English as often as possible, not only in class
• Find good English speakers to practice with
• Use grammar rules in your speaking
• Listen to pronunciation of words then repeat
• Practice using correct stress, intonation and rhythm of English
• Spend at least 30-60 minutes every day of the week speaking in
• English

Listening

• Listen in English as often as possible, not only in class
• Listen to activities that you can read at the same time
• Listen to something 3 or 4 times
• Listen and write what you hear
• Listen actively: notice what you understand and what you don’t
• Spend at least 30-60 minutes every day of the week listening to English

In order to successfully learn vocabulary, you will need to understand and use the new word a lot. Using the same strategy each time you learn a new word will help you remember new vocabulary. Follow the steps below while you are learning English and your vocabulary will increase quickly.

• Step 1: Look at the spelling of the word and listen carefully to how it is pronounced.
• Step 2: Using an English dictionary, find the meaning of the new word and the part of speech. Is it a noun? Is it a verb?
• Step 3: Study how the word is used in context ( inside of a sentence or paragraph).
• Step 4: Quiz yourself on the word. Use flashcards often. Can you remember the word’s meaning and how it is spelled? Can you easily use it in a sentence?
• Step 5: Review and recycle the new word until you can easily remember it.

Apply these steps to the following chapter one vocabulary words.