[StudioClassroom]
So, you're going to give a speech. Feeling nervous? Well, you're normal. But by learning a few basics about public speaking, you can take the platform with confidence. Any good speech begins with planning. The main part, the body, should contain two to five main ideas. Support these ideas with examples, statistics or personal stories that add life and warmth.
But be careful not to wander too far from the main ideas. With the body organized, you can think of an introduction. This should grab the listeners’ attention. So you want it catchy—but not corny. It's wise not to try a joke that might fall flat. But a story with a little humor is usually safe. A more serious talk can begin with a quotation or a thoughtful question.
To end your speech, summarize the main ideas, and tie your conclusion to the introduction. That will give unity to the whole speech. Audiences warm to speakers who talk and act naturally. On the platform, stand straight, yet relaxed. Use gestures when appropriate to help you communicate. Moving a bit will help you look and feel at ease. Speak in a friendly, conversational tone.
Rather than reading, use brief notes to help you remember key points. And don’t rush! Give the audience time to absorb your ideas. But how can you “act naturally” in front of an audience? Believe it or not, the best cure for nervousness is preparation. Rehearsing will keep you from getting tongue-tied.
Practice your speech several times. Check your posture and tone, too. When you finally take the platform, make eye contact with your audience. Seeing their interest will encourage you. So, it's all organized, you’ve prepared, they’re on the edge of their seats. Now go for it!
2009年9月18日 星期五
2009年9月7日 星期一
Confusing Words
[StudioClassroom]
The English language has a huge vocabulary of over 600,000 words.
That's good for dictionary publishers, but it can be a challenge to language learners. Many words in English have almost the same meaning.
Their usage, however, is often very different. Look at the following words and try your hand at using them correctly.
●ENTER and JOIN
People enter contests and competitions. They want to compete to win a prize.
Join is used when people become a member of a club or organization or participate
in an activity.
Ex. At least 25 people entered the pie-eating contest. Will you join the
baseball team this year?
•Will you ___________ the choir at church?
•Frank hopes to ____________ the math contest next spring.
●CURE and HEAL
Cure means to make someone better when they are sick. Usually medical treatment
is involved. Heal means to become healthy again.
Ex. Tom used to suffer from cancer, but now he's completely cured.
Do you think these cuts will heal quickly?
•Her leg was completely ________ in five weeks.
•Do you think this medicine can _________ my cold?
●REALIZE and UNDERSTAND
Realize means to be aware of something that you did not know before. Understand means to completely know the meaning of something or how it works.
Ex. When she got to work, she realized she'd left her umbrella on the bus.
Maggie finally understands these chemistry problems.
•When did you ____________ you wanted to be an opera singer?
•She ___________ everything she needs to do in order to finish the project.
__
A lot to learn:)
The English language has a huge vocabulary of over 600,000 words.
That's good for dictionary publishers, but it can be a challenge to language learners. Many words in English have almost the same meaning.
Their usage, however, is often very different. Look at the following words and try your hand at using them correctly.
●ENTER and JOIN
People enter contests and competitions. They want to compete to win a prize.
Join is used when people become a member of a club or organization or participate
in an activity.
Ex. At least 25 people entered the pie-eating contest. Will you join the
baseball team this year?
•Will you ___________ the choir at church?
•Frank hopes to ____________ the math contest next spring.
●CURE and HEAL
Cure means to make someone better when they are sick. Usually medical treatment
is involved. Heal means to become healthy again.
Ex. Tom used to suffer from cancer, but now he's completely cured.
Do you think these cuts will heal quickly?
•Her leg was completely ________ in five weeks.
•Do you think this medicine can _________ my cold?
●REALIZE and UNDERSTAND
Realize means to be aware of something that you did not know before. Understand means to completely know the meaning of something or how it works.
Ex. When she got to work, she realized she'd left her umbrella on the bus.
Maggie finally understands these chemistry problems.
•When did you ____________ you wanted to be an opera singer?
•She ___________ everything she needs to do in order to finish the project.
__
A lot to learn:)
How to Improve Your Vocabulary II
[StudioClassroom]
Here's how to improve your guessing strategies:
1. Learn word forms. For example, since the Latin root dict means "to say" and the prefix pre- means "before," what does predict mean?
Add the suffix -ion, and the verb predict becomes a noun, prediction. And are you able to guess what predictable means? Or is it too unpredictable?
2. Trust your feelings. Sometimes the context will give you a sense of whether a word is positive or negative, or offer a hint about other aspects of the word.
But remember: It's not enough to improve your passive vocabulary — to know what words mean.
You'll also want to develop a greater active vocabulary— to be able to use them.
Here's how:
1. Study word groups. Words related to the same topic—like music, sports or weather—are much easier to learn together than in isolation.
2. Learn words in context. Don’t just memorize word lists.
3. Carry a notepad. Make a note of any new words you come across. Words are good friends to have. And who doesn’t need a few more good friends?
Here's how to improve your guessing strategies:
1. Learn word forms. For example, since the Latin root dict means "to say" and the prefix pre- means "before," what does predict mean?
Add the suffix -ion, and the verb predict becomes a noun, prediction. And are you able to guess what predictable means? Or is it too unpredictable?
2. Trust your feelings. Sometimes the context will give you a sense of whether a word is positive or negative, or offer a hint about other aspects of the word.
But remember: It's not enough to improve your passive vocabulary — to know what words mean.
You'll also want to develop a greater active vocabulary— to be able to use them.
Here's how:
1. Study word groups. Words related to the same topic—like music, sports or weather—are much easier to learn together than in isolation.
2. Learn words in context. Don’t just memorize word lists.
3. Carry a notepad. Make a note of any new words you come across. Words are good friends to have. And who doesn’t need a few more good friends?
2009年8月26日 星期三
How to Improve Your Vocabulary
KEY TO LEARNING ENGLISH: How to Improve Your Vocabulary [From StudioClassroom]
Have you ever experienced the frustration of not being able to find the right English word? It’s no fun, is it? You’ve almost got it—the word is on the tip of your tongue—but you just can’t get it to come out. Developing a good vocabulary will help decrease your discomfort. It goes without saying that studying vocabulary is a key part of language learning.
Why? Because every language is made up of—what else?—words. When you meet an unfamiliar word, what do you do? Reach for the dictionary? Not so fast. Pick up a pencil or pen instead. If you're reading, underline the new words in your text, but don't look them up yet.
If you're watching TV or listening to a speech, write down any new words as best you can. Try to guess what each word means from its context. Instead of always depending on the dictionary, use your head first. You might not always guess right, but you'll often be "headed" in the right direction.
2009年8月17日 星期一
Finding Opportunities to Practice
StudioClassroom
When it comes to language learning, you're the boss. "Wait a minute,"
you say. "Isn't it the teacher's job to tell me what to learn?"
Actually, effective language learners don't rely on the teacher to spoon-feed them. They're go-getters. They seek out opportunities to use their new language
and to learn new vocabulary. They know that language proficiency won’t just drop out of the sky, and that learning comes by doing.
In short, they’re active learners.
"I know, I know," you admit. "I should practice English more."
Actually, instead of looking for chances to practice English,
think of ways to use English in daily life.
That is, put yourself in situations where you’ll be forced to communicate in English, and you'll see more progress over time.
You need large helpings of English input to feed your language development.
And when you use the language, it will become your own.
KEYSHere are a few suggestions to get you started:
1. Surround yourself with good English reading material—
including Studio Classroom, of course. Subscribe to a newspaper.
Buy magazines featuring topics you’re interested in.
2. Attend functions where English is the language of choice,
such as Studio Classroom's youth rallies and Wednesday night Bible studies.
here's probably an English-speaking church or English Bible class in your area, too. Write us if you need help finding one.
3. Go to a fast food restaurant and try to order in English.
4. Get together with a friend and have an “English lunch” once a week.
5. Make friends with a foreigner.
Don’t make him feel like your language guinea pig, though.
6. Become an English news hound. Watch CNN or listen to the news on ICRT to keep up-to-date. 7. Rent a video tape of an English movie—and don't read the subtitles.
When it comes to language learning, you're the boss. "Wait a minute,"
you say. "Isn't it the teacher's job to tell me what to learn?"
Actually, effective language learners don't rely on the teacher to spoon-feed them. They're go-getters. They seek out opportunities to use their new language
and to learn new vocabulary. They know that language proficiency won’t just drop out of the sky, and that learning comes by doing.
In short, they’re active learners.
"I know, I know," you admit. "I should practice English more."
Actually, instead of looking for chances to practice English,
think of ways to use English in daily life.
That is, put yourself in situations where you’ll be forced to communicate in English, and you'll see more progress over time.
You need large helpings of English input to feed your language development.
And when you use the language, it will become your own.
KEYSHere are a few suggestions to get you started:
1. Surround yourself with good English reading material—
including Studio Classroom, of course. Subscribe to a newspaper.
Buy magazines featuring topics you’re interested in.
2. Attend functions where English is the language of choice,
such as Studio Classroom's youth rallies and Wednesday night Bible studies.
here's probably an English-speaking church or English Bible class in your area, too. Write us if you need help finding one.
3. Go to a fast food restaurant and try to order in English.
4. Get together with a friend and have an “English lunch” once a week.
5. Make friends with a foreigner.
Don’t make him feel like your language guinea pig, though.
6. Become an English news hound. Watch CNN or listen to the news on ICRT to keep up-to-date. 7. Rent a video tape of an English movie—and don't read the subtitles.
How to Improve Your Conversation Skills
StudioClassroom
If you want to improve your English conversation skills, you only have to do one thing: TALK. Of course, that’s not as easy as it sounds.
It takes courage to speak to people in a foreign language.
Besides that, it requires a willingness to make verbal errors.
Some people are so afraid of making a mistake that they never open their mouths.And that’s the biggest blunder of all.
Like city traffic, a conversation in a foreign language doesn't always flow smoothly. Not to worry, though.
When you hit a "traffic jam" in your conversation, you can find a way around it.
Here are a few ideas:When you don't understand—"Excuse me, but could you say that again? I didn't catch it.
"When the speaker talks too fast—"Could you speak more slowly, please?"
When you don’t agree—"I’m not sure I can agree.
"When you want to change the subject—"By the way..." or "Speaking of..."Sad to say, but all good things must come to an end.
Whether you're in a conversation (or an article, like this one), you need to find a way to exit gracefully.
Whatever you do, don’t just stop suddenly and say, "Goodbye!"
Instead, give your partner a signal like the following:
＊ "Well, I really need to be going..."
＊ "It was nice talking to you." (Note past tense.)
＊ "Well, I'm sure you've got other things to do."
＊ "Oh, look at the time!"
Unless your partner ignores your signal (which is very rude),
you can begin to negotiate an end to your conversation:
＊ "OK, talk to you later. "＊ "Take care."＊ "Have a nice (weekend)."
If you want to improve your English conversation skills, you only have to do one thing: TALK. Of course, that’s not as easy as it sounds.
It takes courage to speak to people in a foreign language.
Besides that, it requires a willingness to make verbal errors.
Some people are so afraid of making a mistake that they never open their mouths.And that’s the biggest blunder of all.
Like city traffic, a conversation in a foreign language doesn't always flow smoothly. Not to worry, though.
When you hit a "traffic jam" in your conversation, you can find a way around it.
Here are a few ideas:When you don't understand—"Excuse me, but could you say that again? I didn't catch it.
"When the speaker talks too fast—"Could you speak more slowly, please?"
When you don’t agree—"I’m not sure I can agree.
"When you want to change the subject—"By the way..." or "Speaking of..."Sad to say, but all good things must come to an end.
Whether you're in a conversation (or an article, like this one), you need to find a way to exit gracefully.
Whatever you do, don’t just stop suddenly and say, "Goodbye!"
Instead, give your partner a signal like the following:
＊ "Well, I really need to be going..."
＊ "It was nice talking to you." (Note past tense.)
＊ "Well, I'm sure you've got other things to do."
＊ "Oh, look at the time!"
Unless your partner ignores your signal (which is very rude),
you can begin to negotiate an end to your conversation:
＊ "OK, talk to you later. "＊ "Take care."＊ "Have a nice (weekend)."
2009年8月8日 星期六
inchallah (UPMF)
Hamza is going to Pierre-Mendès-France University (UPMF) on Sept.
http://www.upmf-grenoble.fr/66373061/1/fiche___pagelibre/&RH=U2FR&RF=U2EN
congratulations to Hamza! (I met him in India last July and he is Moroccan)
hope he wont mind that I post this here.
_
"inchallah" is in Arabs. It means "if god want it".
http://www.upmf-grenoble.fr/66373061/1/fiche___pagelibre/&RH=U2FR&RF=U2EN
congratulations to Hamza! (I met him in India last July and he is Moroccan)
hope he wont mind that I post this here.
_
"inchallah" is in Arabs. It means "if god want it".
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