Learning English as a Second Language

1. Learning English as a
Second Language
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2. Agenda
• Why?
• The strategy
• The execution
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3. Why is Communication Important?
• Part of our intelligence is ability to
communicate effectively.
• Languages play a great role in
thinking.
• Major aspect of your social life &
interpersonal relationships.
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4. Effective Communication
(Academic aspects)
• Learning and understanding depends
on effective listening, reading and
comprehension (thinking) skills.
• Passing exams and getting good
result for assignments need effective
writing and oral communication.
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5. Why is English important?
• Most widely used international language
o Though Chinese is used by more people, it is localized to
China.
• In countries like UK, USA, Canada,
Australia, it is the official language
• The bulk of new knowledge is
documented in English
• The business language of the world
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6. Why is English important? (Cont.)
• Learning a second language expand your
thinking capacity
• English is very methodical & simple
language that promote logical thinking
• Express your ideas & opinions to the world
• Travel & work anywhere in the world (career
opportunities)
• More opportunities for relationships,
entertainment and enjoy your life
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7. Not good reasons !!!
• Use as a sword to suppress others
• For mere boasting (show off)
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8. Things to remember
• You learn and use English as a
second/business language
• No need to speak in the accent of a
British or American
• Neutral or your natural accent is just fine
• You may make occasional mistakes
• English is just another important tool to
use, not an ornament to boast or weapon
for envy !
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9. Plan
• Psychological & Sociological aspects
• Acquire competencies
• Practice
• Get the benefits
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10. Psychological Aspects
• English is not your mother tongue
• Do not be afraid to make occasional
mistakes
• Others listen or read to get the
information or your idea, and they are
not looking to find mistakes
• Your natural accent or neutral accent
is fine as long as it is clear
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11. Sociological Aspects
• This depends on the culture you live.
• People in some cultures are jealous.
• Only those jealous people will laugh at
mistakes.
• They are fear of loosing their opportunities.
• Just ignore them, it is there problem.
• There will be plenty of others who help and
understand your learning curve.
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12. Tactics
• Grammar
• Words
• Usage patterns
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13. Grammar
• Fairly small number of rules
o Easy to learn
• Less room for error
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14. Grammar
(What you should know?)
• Anatomy of Sentence
• Nouns & Verbs
• The Tenses
• The Voices
• Auxiliary verbs
• Adjectives & Adverbs
• Conjunctions
• Prepositions
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15. The words
• You can not learn all the words.
• Learn;
o Commonly use words
o Words related to your education/career
o Any word that you encounter frequently
• Play the guess (using context) game
effectively in listening/reading.
• Use the words what you know in
speaking/writing.
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16. Usage Patterns
• Use right words and grammar
rules in right contexts
• Formal vs. Informal
• Casual vs. academic or business
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17. Practice
• Read news papiers and watch
English programs in TV
• Read story books written in simple
English with limited vocabulary
• Watch English films and documentary
with English subtitles till you are
familiar with accent.
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18. Practice (cont..)
• Write blogs or post in social media
• Chat and talk with others in English
wherever you get a chance
• Prepare reports, send emails etc. in
English
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19. "We are what we repeatedly
do. Excellence, then, is not an
act, but a habit."
~ Aristotle.
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20. Thank You !
Presented by
Nalaka Gamage
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