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How to Improve your English Speaking and Listening Skill

2024.01.08

Photo Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko @Pexels.com 

 

With the development of the Internet, we now have more opportunities to come into contact with authentic English. But some people may still not know how to learn it. So here are two study methods I recommend. First of all, speaking practice can be done by yourself alone without studying abroad. You can practice by explaining something and checking it with an English-English dictionary. For example, imagine trying to explain to an alien (who somehow knows English) what a table is. What would you say in English? First, explain it somehow in English, then try looking up “table” in an English-English dictionary - I recommend the Oxford Learner's Dictionaries on the Internet. As a definition of “table”, you'll see "a piece of furniture that consists of a flat top supported by legs". (When explaining to aliens, however, I recommend adding “It’s” at the beginning of the sentence, like “It’s a piece of furniture that consists of a flat top supported by legs”.) You might understand the sentence when you read it, but you might not have explained it so well. If so, this study method is perfect for you. Remember the sentence and you will be able to use the phrase "consists of" and the adjective "supported" from now on. Then, next time you see a table, say aloud “it's a piece of furniture that ...”. 

 

In addition to defining vocabulary, Oxford Learner's Dictionaries also tells us how to use the vocabulary. For example, for a “table” that we checked above, you can see on the same page fixed expressions such as “at a/the table” and “set the table” and their simple example sentences. Since it is a learner's dictionary, the example sentences are short and simple. In other words, by memorizing example sentences and saying them over and over again, you can practice speaking and master many expressions. And in order to improve your listening skills, it is important to listen to a large number of enough easy sentences which you already know the meaning of. To do that, I recommend Motion Pictures Videos produced by Disney. Since they are made for children, they speak English slowly and clearly. I’m sure you remember the story of your favorite movie, so you can listen knowing the meaning of the sentences. And above all, the biggest advantage of this method is that you can enjoy it. 

 

With the internet and good audio equipment, there are many ways to study English. I hope you find the perfect way for you. 

 

 

Questions

 

Q1. Which is not mentioned as something you can check in the English-English dictionary?  

A. the definition of the word  

B. the sentence examples  

C. the pronunciation  

 

Q2. Which is mentioned as a reason why movies for children are good to listen to?  

A. because their English is simple  

B. because the story is easy to understand  

C. because there are no rude expressions  

 

Q3. What is the biggest advantage to listening to the movies?  

A. It is authentic English.  

B. It is easy to remember the phrases.  

C. It is fun.  

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers 

 

 



















Answers

A1. C

A2. B

A3. C

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