Conversation Tip #4: Carry a respectful tone
Pair your words with a respectful tone Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons “Beautiful tone, beautiful heart.” -Shinichi Suzuki (1898-1998) Japanese violinist, creator of the “Suzuki Method” Proper tone is essential for the effective conversationalist and communicator, after all, having a good conversation seems unattainable without clear, mutual respect. A student’s conversation partner may find...
Read MoreConversation Tip #3: React appropriately
Exude interest with body language and facial expressions Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons “The body never lies.” -Martha Graham (1894-1991) American modern dancer A conversation composed entirely of just words holds less meaning if there aren’t appropriate reactions and responses. Therefore, body language and facial expressions remain key, as both signal the way words are being absorbed. Facing...
Read MoreInfinite English App supplements ESL speaking, listening skills
Photo source: iTunes screenshot Using Infinite English to practice reading text, passages aloud “For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.” -Aristotle (384 B.C.E.-322 C.E.) Greek philosopher Do your students use phone apps to learn English? For those looking to sharpen their speaking, pronunciation and listening skills, Infinite English from Vocefy Inc....
Read MoreEnglish language learners should beware of saying ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah’
Yeah Yeah Yeahs is a popular indie band, but “Yeah, yeah, yeah” is a problematic response to job interview questions. “In common use almost every word has many shades of meaning, and therefore needs to be interpreted by the context.” -Alfred Marshall (1842-1924), British economist Television personalities, celebrities, and basketball players often respond to questions...
Read MoreParaphrasing is an Essential Conversation Skill!
Why English teachers should not overlook the importance of paraphrasing “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” ―Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German physicist Paraphrasing matters in conversation too-especially when learning a new language! Experienced English teachers know that students must learn paraphrasing skills to complete academic writing assignments....
Read MoreHomophones Can Confuse: A Minor Mistake in Miner Valley
Why it is so important for English learners to tackle homophones in the classroom “For me the greatest beauty always lies in the greatest clarity.” ―Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729-1781), German writer English remains an often confusing and difficult language to learn (and teach!) for many reasons. For instance, the gap between a word’s spelling and its pronunciation often presents a...
Read More
