3. READING
1. Make a habit of reading regularly. Read as many English books, newspapers
and magazines as you can get your hands on.
2. Reading should be fun, so make sure the texts you choose are not too too
difficult for you. If the book or article you are reading is a chore, then find
something easier. Try reading graded books written especially for ESL
learners. I've written a guide on how to choose a book here.
3. Find an author you like and read all their books. By doing this you will get
used to the style of a particular author and the typical vocabulary and
grammar they use. As you read more of his/her books you will find it easier
and easier.
4. If you have a local library find out if they stock English books or if they have
bilingual editions of English classics. Or ask them to stock English
translations of books you are already familiar with.
5. Try reading things more than once. Read something and then read it again
a few weeks/months later. You should find your understanding has
improved.
6. VOCABULARY
Vocabulary is commonly defined as "all the
words known and used by a particular
person”.Knowing a word, however, is not as
simple as simply being able to recognize or
use it. There are several aspects of word
knowledge which are used to measure word
knowledge.
7. SPEAKING
1. Don't study
grammar too much
4. Submerge yourself
3. Reading and Listening
is NOT enough. Practice
Speaking what you hear!
2. Learn and study
phrases
5. Study correct
material
8.
9. PRONOUNCIATION
Regarding Consonants
B
Usually pronounced like the ‘b’ in ‘big’. However, in
words ending with ‘-mb’, such as comb, plumb,
numb, bomb, etc, the ‘b’ is silent.
C
Usually pronounced like ‘k’, as in ‘cat’. However, ‘c’
takes on the sound of ‘s’ when it precedes ‘e’, ‘i’ or
‘y’, as in ceiling, cistern, cynic, etc.
-dge
Usually pronounced like ‘j’, as in ‘bridge’.
10. Regarding Vowels
A
Before two consonants, ‘a’ is pronounced as in sand. This also applies when it appears
before a single consonant at the end of a word, as in fan.
Before a single consonant followed by a vowel, ‘a’ is usually pronounced as in ate (the
sound is ey).
Before ‘l’ and after ‘q’ and ‘w’, ‘a’ is usually pronounced as in call (the sound is like ‘aw’).
Other examples are squash and wall.
E
Before two consonants and before a single consonant at the end of a word, ‘e’ is usually
pronounced as in desk or ten. This also applies when ‘e’ appears before a single consonant
followed by a vowel (ever), although sometimes ‘e’ is pronounced ‘ee’ in such cases, as
in even.
At the end of a word, ‘e’ is usually silent, as in ate, fate, etc; however, at the end of very
short words, ‘e’ usually takes on the sound ‘ee’, as in be.
I
Before two consonants and before a single consonant at the end of a word, ‘i’ is usually
pronounced as in fit or fill. However, in some cases, before two consonants, ‘i’ takes on
the ‘ai’ sound (rhymes with eye). For example, wild.
Before a single consonant followed by a vowel, ‘i’ generally takes on the ‘ai’ sound, as
in eye and tire.
