Saturday, July 30, 2005
Reading
Reading is perhaps the best way of learning a language. It gives you an idea of structure and vocabulary of that language. So if you want to learn English or improve your English the first step would be to start reading. There is a vast array of reading material available in our daily life. All of us have access to one or more of the following reading materials Newspapers, magazines, comics, novels etc. Choose something that interests you the most. In fact it’s very important to choose the reading material of your choice so that you don’t get bored.
Newspaper reading however is perhaps the most fruitful. Newspapers reflect the latest language trends. New words that crop up every now and then find their usage in newspaper reports. You will find ready use of idioms, phrasal verbs and sometimes the figures of speech too. Initially if you don’t find newspaper reading interesting then read only the headlines and topics that you have interest in. Slowly and gradually you will get interested in other news items too.
While reading try to observe the punctuation and structure of sentences. Moreover try to “puzzle out” the meaning of words you don’t understand. Puzzling out the meaning of a word means to try to figure out the meaning of a word from the context it is used in. Look at the neighboring words and sentences and try to guess the meaning of the word. For example if you come across a word “sift” in a sentence like “It will take some time for her to understand what is real friendship and sift friends from her acquaintances.” Look at the words that follow sift – friends from acquaintances. So it could be “distinguish” between friends and acquaintances. Well we are very close because sift actually means “distinguish and separate out”. With a little practice you will master the art of puzzling out the meaning of words.
So go and get something to read and enjoy reading it…
Next time I will tell you about writing so have fun till then.
Newspaper reading however is perhaps the most fruitful. Newspapers reflect the latest language trends. New words that crop up every now and then find their usage in newspaper reports. You will find ready use of idioms, phrasal verbs and sometimes the figures of speech too. Initially if you don’t find newspaper reading interesting then read only the headlines and topics that you have interest in. Slowly and gradually you will get interested in other news items too.
While reading try to observe the punctuation and structure of sentences. Moreover try to “puzzle out” the meaning of words you don’t understand. Puzzling out the meaning of a word means to try to figure out the meaning of a word from the context it is used in. Look at the neighboring words and sentences and try to guess the meaning of the word. For example if you come across a word “sift” in a sentence like “It will take some time for her to understand what is real friendship and sift friends from her acquaintances.” Look at the words that follow sift – friends from acquaintances. So it could be “distinguish” between friends and acquaintances. Well we are very close because sift actually means “distinguish and separate out”. With a little practice you will master the art of puzzling out the meaning of words.
So go and get something to read and enjoy reading it…
Next time I will tell you about writing so have fun till then.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
English
Its Importance
English is a truly international language that has surpassed all other languages in its popularity. It is now a language that has a strong foothold in all the continents and is becoming a de facto medium of communication across nations. It is a constantly growing language evolving with fast changing times,assimilating new words and expressions from other languages and getting simplified everyday.
In India English is a special language, knowledge of which brings lot of advantages. For once your prospects of employment get brighter and you have a better social acceptability. And then you have a better prospect in International job market too.
But one of the greatest advantages of knowing English, according to me, is that you have access to a vast storehouse of knowledge available in English language. Books, magazines, newspapers are all overflowing with knowledge. Then there is the evergrowing Internet which gives you an exhilarating experience of learning new things and interacting with all sorts of people from different parts of the world. You can constantly keep in touch with what is happening around you all over the world.
So now that you have a feel of why it is important to know English you must make conscious effort to learn it and gain proficiency. If you really want to be proficient in English than you should attack English from all the four sides viz reading, writing, listening and speaking. I will cover each of them and give you many tips to improve your skills. Till then lots of good luck in everything you do...
English is a truly international language that has surpassed all other languages in its popularity. It is now a language that has a strong foothold in all the continents and is becoming a de facto medium of communication across nations. It is a constantly growing language evolving with fast changing times,assimilating new words and expressions from other languages and getting simplified everyday.
In India English is a special language, knowledge of which brings lot of advantages. For once your prospects of employment get brighter and you have a better social acceptability. And then you have a better prospect in International job market too.
But one of the greatest advantages of knowing English, according to me, is that you have access to a vast storehouse of knowledge available in English language. Books, magazines, newspapers are all overflowing with knowledge. Then there is the evergrowing Internet which gives you an exhilarating experience of learning new things and interacting with all sorts of people from different parts of the world. You can constantly keep in touch with what is happening around you all over the world.
So now that you have a feel of why it is important to know English you must make conscious effort to learn it and gain proficiency. If you really want to be proficient in English than you should attack English from all the four sides viz reading, writing, listening and speaking. I will cover each of them and give you many tips to improve your skills. Till then lots of good luck in everything you do...
