This document provides tips and reflections for learning English as a foreign language. It emphasizes practicing English both in and out of the classroom. In class, students should interact, do activities in pairs, ask questions and do homework. Outside of class, they should watch videos without subtitles, listen to music, read books and magazines, and use online resources. The document stresses that learning a language requires dedication from the student, and advises reflecting on mistakes made. It argues that knowing English has advantages like opportunities for good jobs and independence from translators. The overall message is that learning English can be fun.

1. Tips, considerations andTips, considerations and
reflections on thereflections on the
English languageEnglish language
learninglearning
Rhaíza BastosRhaíza Bastos
2009.12009.1

2. Me, myself and IMe, myself and I
 Am I doing my best?Am I doing my best?
 What should I do to improve my learning?What should I do to improve my learning?
 What are my goals concerning English?What are my goals concerning English?
 What are the first steps to achieve them?What are the first steps to achieve them?
 How important is English in my life?How important is English in my life?
 Am I self-confident enough for this?Am I self-confident enough for this?
 Does my shyness block me or do I actually haveDoes my shyness block me or do I actually have
serious difficulties in this?serious difficulties in this?

3. Bored?Bored?

4. No. Enthusiastic!!!!!!No. Enthusiastic!!!!!!

5. In the classroomIn the classroom
 Make the classroom environment comfortableMake the classroom environment comfortable
 Interact with your colleagues and teacherInteract with your colleagues and teacher
 Do your best while working in pairs on theDo your best while working in pairs on the
speaking activitiesspeaking activities
 Keep track of what´s being doneKeep track of what´s being done
 Do the homeworkDo the homework
 Ask questionsAsk questions
 Give suggestionsGive suggestions

10. Out of classOut of class
 Don´t miss a chance to practice your EnglishDon´t miss a chance to practice your English
 Talk to native speakers whenever possibleTalk to native speakers whenever possible
 Watch videos with the subtitles off or in EnglishWatch videos with the subtitles off or in English
 Listen to music and pay attention to the lyricsListen to music and pay attention to the lyrics
 Try to associate things with what you haveTry to associate things with what you have
learned in classlearned in class
 Practice your grammar through specific materialPractice your grammar through specific material
or even the Internet - there are many interestingor even the Internet - there are many interesting
web sites with ESL practiceweb sites with ESL practice

11. Out of ClassOut of Class
 Read magazines (E.g . “Speak Up” )Read magazines (E.g . “Speak Up” )
 Read books – books for children are great for vocabularyRead books – books for children are great for vocabulary
expansion and they aren´t long or tiring at allexpansion and they aren´t long or tiring at all
 Use all good resources offered by the InternetUse all good resources offered by the Internet
www.esl-lab.comwww.esl-lab.com (listening exercises)(listening exercises)
www.thefreedictionary.comwww.thefreedictionary.com (with audio)(with audio)
www.dictionary.cambridge.orgwww.dictionary.cambridge.org
www.merriam-webster.comwww.merriam-webster.com
www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbtenseintrowww.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbtenseintro

12. As a soccer coach doesn´t playAs a soccer coach doesn´t play
for his players, I can´t speak,for his players, I can´t speak,
listen, read or write English forlisten, read or write English for
you. – I´m a mere guide. You´reyou. – I´m a mere guide. You´re
the one who will work hard tothe one who will work hard to
reach your goals.reach your goals.

15. Advantages of EnglishAdvantages of English
 It´s an international language, so wherever youIt´s an international language, so wherever you
go, there will always be someone to talk togo, there will always be someone to talk to
 The sounds are not so difficult for PortugueseThe sounds are not so difficult for Portuguese
speakers to makespeakers to make
 Conjugation is very easyConjugation is very easy
 Grammar is not complexGrammar is not complex
 You can use the same words for a large varietyYou can use the same words for a large variety
of meanings, so you save your timeof meanings, so you save your time

16. Advantages of knowing EnglishAdvantages of knowing English
 It´s much easier to get a good job if you knowIt´s much easier to get a good job if you know
EnglishEnglish
 It will be easy for you to read articles or any kindIt will be easy for you to read articles or any kind
of texts in Englishof texts in English
 Being able to understand natives is veryBeing able to understand natives is very
fullfillingfullfilling
 You can free yourself from translators andYou can free yourself from translators and
dictionaries. You can be independent!!!dictionaries. You can be independent!!!

17. For reflection...For reflection...
 Learning a foreign language requires willing andLearning a foreign language requires willing and
dedicationdedication
 Do not associate English with PortugueseDo not associate English with Portuguese
- Literal translations may ruin your writing or- Literal translations may ruin your writing or
speakingspeaking
 Learning a foreign language also means learningLearning a foreign language also means learning
about another culture since those two elementsabout another culture since those two elements
are so connectedare so connected
 Learn from your mistakesLearn from your mistakes

18. ““Tell me, I´ll forgetTell me, I´ll forget
Show me, I´ll rememberShow me, I´ll remember
Involve me, I´ll understand.”Involve me, I´ll understand.”
Chinese ProverbChinese Proverb

19. Follow those simple tips and beFollow those simple tips and be
happy...happy...

20. After all, learningAfter all, learning
English can be veryEnglish can be very
fun!!!fun!!!

21. And get ready to start Flying High!!!And get ready to start Flying High!!!

22. Thank youThank you
very much forvery much for
this pleasantthis pleasant
semester withsemester with
you!you!

23. I hope I was able toI hope I was able to
help a little on yourhelp a little on your
learning journey.learning journey.
Much love,Much love,
Teacher RhaízaTeacher Rhaíza