Saturday, February 28, 2009
Financial crisis hits ESL enrolment in B.C.
Related Link:
Vancouver Sun Feb 23, 2009 article,
Financial crisis hits ESL enrolment in B.C.But schools with degrees, diplomas, trades training fare well
Write to "Dear Ai" at aiuchiyama@hotmail.comFinancial crisis hits ESL enrolment in B.C.But schools with degrees, diplomas, trades training fare well
Labels: Current ESL news
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Sunday, September 9, 2007
What's a good way to improve my child's Engish??
Related Link:
"Dear Ai, my children came her in grade 5. The school ESL doesn't give any homeworks and rarely bring any worksheet they did during class. There is no contact from ESL teacher unless parents specially ask for meeting, and even though, we are just told such as "It takes time. Don't pressure the children. Give them fun and mingle with English speaking friends. Join sports club."
Well, my child cannot mingle with other English speaking children. Parents cannot set playdate at their age. They are no longer lower grade children. They have long time English speaking friends, so they never want to invite my child, and my child is too intimidate to ask.
Also, my child is not good at sports, so he cannot get friends through sports activities.His speaking has improved little after more than a year.
What a good way to improve his pronunciation, intonation, speaking besides joining team sports, music lessons, arts or play English speaking friends after school?
My child has plenty time after school. But he usually read books in his first language. Homeworks are usually peer selected type group projects. He cannot be in any group, so he does them alone and you know, in poor quality, so it also doesn't take much time, too.
I'm wondering what is a good way to improve him English, especially his speaking? Natural way the school recommends just doesn't work for him.
Also, though the teachers don't like that children spend their time to learn English after school, saying it gives them too much stress, But I also hear conflicting messsages from other parents or English tutors that it is better to improve English as soon as possible, so they won't lose regular curriculum and better to catch up as quick as possible.
What do you think of those conflicting advices? Which is likely to suit my child case? And if I change the way he spends after school, and put him in learning English much more intensely, is it a good way for him?" from ESL Mom
"Dear ESL Mom,thank you for your question and I hear your frustration of getting conflicted messages from school. I understand both you and your school's opinion about your child.
You've already discussed with your child's teacher about your concern. I would only suggest that some group project should be formed by the teacher. As you said, if all the projects are the peer-selected type, then students are working with the same people all the time. It is a teacher's job to make sure students can work with different students.
As your child's teacher suggested, your child can improve his English skills through activities like music, arts, or sport. These activities are not focused on learning the academic side of English, rather focusing on making friends. Right now, your child is afraid of speaking English because his/her pronunciation/intonation/speaking pattern is different from other children. This is because he/she doesn't have a safe place to practice.
If he likes reading, why not joining a reading club that is held in local libraries. For example, Vancouver Public Library offers Kids Reading Club that children can read either English or their native tongue and write essays. Does he like swimming/drumming/horse riding?? Try not to label that your child is not good at sports. He might like them, but he needs more practice. Important thing for him/her is that he/she enjoys what he/she does. Once your child feels safe to speak English, then he/she will make English-speaking friends.
You need to be patient with his/hers progress. As you have experienced, learning English takes time. The best thing you can do for your child is giving him/her the best environment.
Do you know any moms whose children are also ESL students? Form a group and ask them for advice. Maybe your child can play with their children. Are you friends with other moms? Even though their children speak English as a first language, their mothers have similar concerns.
Thank you again for your question. If anybody else has advice, please share your experiences!"
Write to "Dear Ai" at aiuchiyama@hotmail.comWell, my child cannot mingle with other English speaking children. Parents cannot set playdate at their age. They are no longer lower grade children. They have long time English speaking friends, so they never want to invite my child, and my child is too intimidate to ask.
Also, my child is not good at sports, so he cannot get friends through sports activities.His speaking has improved little after more than a year.
What a good way to improve his pronunciation, intonation, speaking besides joining team sports, music lessons, arts or play English speaking friends after school?
My child has plenty time after school. But he usually read books in his first language. Homeworks are usually peer selected type group projects. He cannot be in any group, so he does them alone and you know, in poor quality, so it also doesn't take much time, too.
I'm wondering what is a good way to improve him English, especially his speaking? Natural way the school recommends just doesn't work for him.
Also, though the teachers don't like that children spend their time to learn English after school, saying it gives them too much stress, But I also hear conflicting messsages from other parents or English tutors that it is better to improve English as soon as possible, so they won't lose regular curriculum and better to catch up as quick as possible.
What do you think of those conflicting advices? Which is likely to suit my child case? And if I change the way he spends after school, and put him in learning English much more intensely, is it a good way for him?" from ESL Mom
"Dear ESL Mom,thank you for your question and I hear your frustration of getting conflicted messages from school. I understand both you and your school's opinion about your child.
You've already discussed with your child's teacher about your concern. I would only suggest that some group project should be formed by the teacher. As you said, if all the projects are the peer-selected type, then students are working with the same people all the time. It is a teacher's job to make sure students can work with different students.
As your child's teacher suggested, your child can improve his English skills through activities like music, arts, or sport. These activities are not focused on learning the academic side of English, rather focusing on making friends. Right now, your child is afraid of speaking English because his/her pronunciation/intonation/speaking pattern is different from other children. This is because he/she doesn't have a safe place to practice.
If he likes reading, why not joining a reading club that is held in local libraries. For example, Vancouver Public Library offers Kids Reading Club that children can read either English or their native tongue and write essays. Does he like swimming/drumming/horse riding?? Try not to label that your child is not good at sports. He might like them, but he needs more practice. Important thing for him/her is that he/she enjoys what he/she does. Once your child feels safe to speak English, then he/she will make English-speaking friends.
You need to be patient with his/hers progress. As you have experienced, learning English takes time. The best thing you can do for your child is giving him/her the best environment.
Do you know any moms whose children are also ESL students? Form a group and ask them for advice. Maybe your child can play with their children. Are you friends with other moms? Even though their children speak English as a first language, their mothers have similar concerns.
Thank you again for your question. If anybody else has advice, please share your experiences!"
Labels: English
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Thursday, June 28, 2007
What we have here is a failure to communicate
Related Link:
Vancouver Sun June 23, 2007 article, What we have here is a failure to communicate
Write to "Dear Ai" at aiuchiyama@hotmail.comLabels: Current ESL news
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Wednesday, June 27, 2007
What ESL books do you recommend?
Related Link:
“Dear Ai,
I am a new ESL tutor, looking for adult ESL books for my students. Do you have any recommendations? Paul – Vancouver
“Hi Paul, thank you for your e-mail. Because we have many ESL students in town, you can find ESL sections in any bookstore! However, it is difficult to choose the best one. Before I go to a bookstore, I visit Kenneth’s website and esl-lounge to see what books they recommend. Kenneth’s “Top 5 Teaching Adults English Materials” (http://esl.about.com/od/esleflteachingtechnique/tp/teach_adults.htm) is an excellent place to start. Esl-lounge (http://www.esl-lounge.com/eslbooks.shtml) divides ESL books to different categories and I am sure you can find books you need for your students.
If you have time, visit unique local bookstores for ESL books.
Sofia Books (http://www.sophiabooks.com/) specializes in language. You can find books from Japanese to German. They also have an excellent collection of adult ESL materials. Vancouver Community College Bookstore (http://www.vcc.ca/bookstore/) has both new and used ESL textbooks.”
Write to "Dear Ai" at aiuchiyama@hotmail.comI am a new ESL tutor, looking for adult ESL books for my students. Do you have any recommendations? Paul – Vancouver
“Hi Paul, thank you for your e-mail. Because we have many ESL students in town, you can find ESL sections in any bookstore! However, it is difficult to choose the best one. Before I go to a bookstore, I visit Kenneth’s website and esl-lounge to see what books they recommend. Kenneth’s “Top 5 Teaching Adults English Materials” (http://esl.about.com/od/esleflteachingtechnique/tp/teach_adults.htm) is an excellent place to start. Esl-lounge (http://www.esl-lounge.com/eslbooks.shtml) divides ESL books to different categories and I am sure you can find books you need for your students.
If you have time, visit unique local bookstores for ESL books.
Sofia Books (http://www.sophiabooks.com/) specializes in language. You can find books from Japanese to German. They also have an excellent collection of adult ESL materials. Vancouver Community College Bookstore (http://www.vcc.ca/bookstore/) has both new and used ESL textbooks.”
Labels: Book
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Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Should I open a dictionary for every word meaning that I don't know while I read?
Related Link:
"Dear Ai,
Right now I'm going to a college in a beginner English class with local American people. I have learned how to read and find the main idea. It was good, I have learned a lot. I wonder, what is the best way to read and understand the text. Should I open a dictionary for every word meaning that I don't know while I read? Or should I use the meaning in English or in my own language? Do you have any good suggestions? Thank you, Roy"
"Hi Roy, thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you have learned a lot and enjoy studying English. It is very important for beginners to have some fun in order to continuing what they do. Readings usually takes time to improve.
There are two different approaches for improving reading skills. For beginners, it is better to use a dictionary each time you come across unknown words. This is because beginner students do not have enough vocabulary to guess the context. If you do not understand what is written, then there is no reason for studying the language. Some students have an easier time understanding words if they approach them from their native language.
If students are an intermediate or advanced level, I would suggest them to use an English-English dictionary to check the words. They might check fewer words in order to guess the meanings from the sentences they read.
It also depends on what you read. Either you are reading for fun (probably you will be checking less words) or a textbook for college, you will be approaching this differently.
Never assume that you can absorb new words after looking them up for the first time. You need to write, read, and say it as many times as you can to make them into your own words. Good luck!"
Write to "Dear Ai" at aiuchiyama@hotmail.comRight now I'm going to a college in a beginner English class with local American people. I have learned how to read and find the main idea. It was good, I have learned a lot. I wonder, what is the best way to read and understand the text. Should I open a dictionary for every word meaning that I don't know while I read? Or should I use the meaning in English or in my own language? Do you have any good suggestions? Thank you, Roy"
"Hi Roy, thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you have learned a lot and enjoy studying English. It is very important for beginners to have some fun in order to continuing what they do. Readings usually takes time to improve.
There are two different approaches for improving reading skills. For beginners, it is better to use a dictionary each time you come across unknown words. This is because beginner students do not have enough vocabulary to guess the context. If you do not understand what is written, then there is no reason for studying the language. Some students have an easier time understanding words if they approach them from their native language.
If students are an intermediate or advanced level, I would suggest them to use an English-English dictionary to check the words. They might check fewer words in order to guess the meanings from the sentences they read.
It also depends on what you read. Either you are reading for fun (probably you will be checking less words) or a textbook for college, you will be approaching this differently.
Never assume that you can absorb new words after looking them up for the first time. You need to write, read, and say it as many times as you can to make them into your own words. Good luck!"
Labels: English - Reading
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