How to make the most of a long-winded text, step by step and learn vocabulary in the process.
Advanced students are presented with demanding readings that can, at first sight, look daunting because of their length and complexity.
With this technique, they can be broken down into manageable tasks that will, in turn, not only make it more accessible but also promote vocabulary learning. Continue reading “Dissecting an article”
A false friend is a word that resembles another one in your native tongue in its form but not in its meaning. You probably know that “actually” expresses “in fact” and it is not translated as “actualmente”. But this is a no-brainer. Students with an extensive English background know it and if they occasionally fall in the trap, it is no more than a slip to be quickly self-corrected. Continue reading “5 False friends that can mislead Spanish speakers”
As I often say, if learning a language were like constructing a high-rise building, effortlessly understanding movies and series would be the top floor. Admittedly, reaching that level takes time and dedication.
That said, nothing can stop you from starting now, no matter your current level—so long as you’re willing to embrace a certain amount of confusion and gaps in understanding while adding a dash of imagination to your viewing experience. Just remember: if your level is still low, don’t be too hard on yourself.
Subtitles, yes or no? Spanish or English?
As a rule of thumb, my advice is: be open to all different approaches and see what works best for you. Adopt a method of watching that aligns with the time you have, the effort you are willing to put in, the kind of movie in question and other factors.
Let’s consider some of the pros and cons in each case.
In other words, how to transition from Input to Input-Output
Having the radio on in the background can certainly help enrich your passive vocabulary acquisition, but taking a more active role is what will truly make the difference- active rather than passive listening. And as a result, your speaking will get better.
In this post, I will outline three practical methods to help you achieve this:
Continue reading “A proactive approach to listening to the news”
Small talk can be awkward and often feels pointless, and yet it’s a part of our everyday lives, no matter what language we speak. At first glance, it seems logical to assume that if you’ve mastered the art of small talk in your native language, transferring those skills to English conversations would be straightforward. However, that’s not always the case.
This could be a significant concern for business English learners, whose ability to engage in small talk is often key to making the right connections when networking. For travellers, small talk can lead to more enriching experiences, opening doors to new friendships and unexpected opportunities during their trips.
Continue reading “Like it or not, small talk is on the menu”
One of the joys of learning a language is that there’s always room for improvement, no matter your level. For instance, learning collocations can greatly enhance how you come across as an English speaker.”
“The harder the climb the sweeter the view.”
For some students, listening is unquestionably one of the hardest skills. Let’s analyse how to change that and have a better experience.
Becoming overwhelmed because your understanding is poor might take you down a road of negativity and make you shut down which will, in turn, prevent you from grasping at least general ideas.
Instead of being put off by it, make it one of your main battles to fight.
Continue reading “Approach listening with a positive attitude”
Procrastination goes hand in hand with demotivation. Not sure which one comes first, it may be one of those “Chicken-and-egg”* situations where it is not clear what triggers what. Does putting things off create demotivation? Or, is it the other way around? Continue reading “Shut the door on procrastination”