How to improve our English

<How can we imporve our English? >

I have learned English for 14 years. But until now, I'm poor at speaking, writing, and listening in English. Why am I poor at English? I think, in Korea, English is treated as acamedic subject. So I'm tired of studying English. But English is not an academic subject, but living Language. I want to improve my English but I don't know how I can. So, to other people like me, I suggested usual tip for improving English, especially Reading.

This is an information about how to imporve English. I found a site which describe this.

It's some of them, especially related to reading, writing, and grammar.

Also there is interesting solution to this problem, 'Don't be afraid of grammar,' and 'Fun with English Ideas.'

So, I wish it can help improve your English.

How to learn READING and vocabulary

• Read something every day
  Children's books, simplified readers (Penguin), newspapers, magazines, Internet sites, novels, and much much more...
• Read what interests you.
  Remember that you learn better when you are having fun.
• Read at the appropriate level
  You want to learn new vocabulary, but you also want to understand what you are reading. If you are looking up every word, the reading is too difficult.
• Review Who, What, Where, When, Why for each story you read
  You can do this for almost any type of reading. Who is it about? What happened? Why did it happen? Where did it take place? When did it take place? This is very useful when you have no comprehension questions to answer. You can write or speak your answers.
• Always have an English-English dictionary nearby
  It is a bad habit to always rely on a translation dictionary or electronic dictionary.
  Think of your English-English dictionary as your life line.
  Use online dictionaries when you are using the Internet (keyword online dictionary).
• Record vocabulary in a personal dictionary
  • Keep this notebook separate from other work
  • Record vocabulary in alphabetical order (an English address book works well because it has letters of the alphabet)
  • Record the part of speech (sometimes there is more than one)
  • Write a sample sentence for yourself (don't use the one from the dictionary)
  • Review your personal dictionary (especially new entries) every night before bed
  
  

 How to learn WRITING and spelling

• Keep a diary/journal
  Don't always pay attention to grammar. Free-writing can be very useful. It can show you that writing is fun. Have fun with the language.
• Write emails in English
  Stay in contact with teachers or other students.
• Rewrite your local news in English
  This is another exercise that can be done on a daily basis. Remember that regular activities are the best ones.
• Learn important spelling rules
  Remember, you won't always have a dictionary or a spell-checker handy, especially when you are writing a test. Even native English speakers need to review the spelling rules from time to time.
• Learn commonly misspelled words
• Learn common English errors

Don't be afraid of grammar

• Grammar is for communication
  Sometimes students get obsessed with grammar. This is especially true for students who grew up with strict grammar schooling. Remember that you only study grammar in order to communicate. Practise with a few exercises, then write an essay or have a conversation and try to use your new tools.
• Isolate your weak points
  Don't waste time on grammar exercises that you already understand just because they are easier for you. Concentrate on grammar that is difficult for you. If you are unsure of where your problems are, write a few short essays or paragraphs and ask a teacher to circle repeated errors. Then you can look up your problem and practise it.
• Teach grammar points to a friend
  Find a friend who studies at a lower level than you. Teaching will force you to remember the rules and to understand them properly. Try preparing a worksheet for your friend.

Fun with English Ideas

• Have an English-only evening once a week. Cook in English (rewrite your recipe in English) or watch English movies.
• Write an English love letter. (If your loved one doesn't understand English that's even better!)
• Write English limericks. (These are excellent and simple for writing, pronunciation and rhythm practice.)
• Rewrite fairytales, jokes or instructions in English.
• Go out and pretend you don't understand your native language (try to get by in only English).
• Go online and find the lyrics to your favourite English songs and sing along to them (use a search engine).
• Learn the words to English national anthems. Sing along when you hear them on TV (sporting events).
• Invent an English character for yourself (with job, family, etc). Write this person's biography.
• Buy an English board game (like Monopoly or Scrabble).
• Play cards in English.
• Start up or join an English reading or conversation club.
• Talk to yourself in English while you clean or do the dishes.
• Go around the house and try to name everything in English (furniture, clothes etc). Look up words you don't know.

Reference / If you want to know more about how to improve English
http://www.englishclub.com/learn-english/learn-english-how.htm

Even Native Speakers make mistakes in English

<Even Native speaker can make mistakes in English>

I posted common mistake in English for Korean Speakers. But did you know that native speaker also makes mistakes in English which is their first language. I got to wondering why native speakers make these mistakes. Of course, one possible reason is lack of education. Native speakers don’t grow up learning their language in an academic setting; they just seem to pick it up.

Therefore, many probably don’t even know that they’re making a mistake. This would then mean that they’re making an error, not a mistake, because they haven’t yet learned what is correct. Some might argue that even native speakers make numerous errors and are still understood perfectly well and no one would think that they’re not a native speaker.


So, the paragrah below is what native speakers makes.

real/really

Real is often used in place of really, most often in conversational English.

Example 1 (incorrect usage): I am real tired today.
Example 2 (correct usage): I am really tired today.

Although this error is somewhat acceptable in informal conversation, it is actually incorrect and should never be used in writing. The reason that real is incorrect when used this way is simple: Real is an adjective, and as you can see in the first example above, real is incorrectly used as an adverb. In the example, real is describing tired, which is an adjective, so the adverb really is needed to make the sentence correct.

wait on/wait for

The phrase wait on should be used only when referring to serving someone or something.

Example 1 (correct usage): The server waited on the customers in the restaurant.

This phrase should never mistakenly be used in place of wait for.

Example 2 (incorrect usage): We waited on our guests to arrive.
Example 3 (correct usage): We waited for our guests to arrive.

<Video Clip : Grammartical Error Video>

Reference

http://interculturalist.wordpress.com/2010/05/19/even-native-speakers-make-mistakes/

If you want to know more mistakes by natve speakers



http://www.grammarerrors.com/

Past? Present Perfect?

< It's difficult to study perfect tense :( >

When tutoring my students, they're confused to use the 'present perfect.' I think it's because, in Korea, there is not 'present perfect tense.' Also, it's difficult to understand the 'present perfect tense.' When they study tense, espcially perfect tense, they're tired of learning this topic. So I want to address this topic.

The Present Perfect is used to indicate a link between the present and the past. The time of the action is before now but not specified, and we are often more interested in the result than in the action itself.

The present perfect is used to describe:

1.An action or situation that started in the past and continues in the present. Example: I have lived in Bristol since 1984 (= and I still do.)
2. An action performed during a period that has not yet finished. Example: She has been to the cinema twice this week (= and the week isn't over yet.)
3. A repeated action in an unspecified period between the past and now. Example: We have visited Portugal several times.
4. An action that was completed in the very recent past, (expressed by 'just'). Example: I have just finished my work.

5. An action when the time is not important. Example: He has read 'War and Peace'. (the result of his reading is important)

As for the Past Perfect, it refers to the time earlier than before now. It is used to make it clear that one event happened before another in the past. It does not matter which event is mentioned first - the tense makes it clear which one happened first.

event A event B

He was very tired because he hadn't slept well.

In this example, event B is the first or earliest event, event B is the second or latest event.

Also, I put the video clip about this topic on this page.

<Video Clip : The difference between simple past tense and Present Perfect>

Reference

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN7pP-5M2nU



Common Mistakes in English for Korean

When seeing foreign workers, poor at speking in Korean, What do you think about them? As they're not Korean, and to live in Koera, they may study Korean. It can apply to Korean, too.

As I'm Korean, I'm not good at speaking in English. So, sometimes I made many mistakes when I use English in composition, communication, or debate. I think many Koreans can also makes same mistakes. And when I browse some pages, I found interesting page which explains common mistakes in English for Korean speakers. The statements below are the questions

<Is it right? wrong? It's ambitious? >

Common mistakes in English for Korean speakers
1. Here is not a university. It’s a language school. It’s not the same.
2. She likes art, museums and such kind of things.
3. He can’t come because he has been broken his arm.
4. This neighbourhood is very safe, but be careful if you are go out alone.
5. Almost my friends are finishing university at the moment while I’m here.
6. When I was very small, I had visited Spain, but I don’t remember very well.
7. We were disappointed. It was so stupid film.
8. I’ve been visiting seven countries since I was eleven years old.
9. Have you come to Korea, Randy?
11. I’ll date her out this Saturday
12. Would you please don’t ask me this question?
13. Yesterday I got stress
14. I went to home late
15. I don’t know how to make a cook
16. I have to lose my weight
17. When I was high school
18. I broke with my girlfriend
19. I will go to a trip
20. When did you trip to Japan?
21. I played rollerskating last weekend
22. She looks like thin
23. Do you have a schedule this weekend?
24. I can’t go with you. I have another promise
25. John and Frank are intimate friends
26. If you have the hiccups, you should stop breathing.
27. I just ran 3 blocks. I can’t breathe.
28. I have ever been to Lotteworld.

And the page suggested the answer of the questions below. So if you want to check your question, see the answers below.

Common mistakes in English for Korean speakers - Answer
1. This is not a university. It’s a language school. It’s not the same.
2. She likes art, museums and things like that.
3. He can’t come because he has broken his arm (not passive)
4. This neighbourhood is very safe, but be careful if you go out alone. (“are go” is never correct in English)
5. Almost all my friends are finishing university at the moment while I’m here. (“almost” is used with an adjective, as in “almost finished” or “almost ready”)
6. When I was very small, I visited Spain, but I don’t remember very well. (The past perfect- “I had visited”- is used for the past before another past time, not just for the distant past)
7. We were disappointed. It was such a stupid film/ The film was so stupid. (“Such” plus noun, “so” plus adjective)
8. I’ve visited seven countries since I was eleven years old. (When we are counting how many of something we have finished/ achieved, we don’t use the continuous)
9. Have you been to Korea, Randy?
10. I am in a bit of a hurry
11. I’ll take her out (on a date) this Saturday
12. Would you please not ask me this question? (You can’t have two auxiliary verbs- “don’t” or “would”, not both)
13. Yesterday I got/ was stressed
14. I went home late (“go home” is a special meaning)
15. I don’t know how to cook (“to cook” is a verb, “a cook” is a person- like “a chef”)
16. I have to lose (some) weight
17. When I was in/ at high school
18. I broke up with my girlfriend
19. I will go on a trip
20. When did you take a trip to Japan? (the verb “to trip” has a totally different meaning to “a trip”- it means falling over)
21. I went rollerskating last weekend (sports and activities ending with –ing use the verb “go”, as in “go hiking” and “go skiing”. “Play” is used with ball sports, team sports and sports with points)
22. She looks thin (“look like” plus noun, e.g. “looks like Julia Roberts”, “look” plus adjective)
23. Are you doing anything this weekend?
24. I can’t go with you. I have another appointment/ I’ve promised to meet someone else (“a promise” is the act of promising someone something or the general word for promising something, and isn’t used as a general expression for having an arranRgement)
25. John and Frank are close friends
26. If you have the hiccups, you should hold your breath (“stop breathing” is something bad that happens naturally, not an action by you)
27. I just ran 3 blocks. I am out of breath. (“can’t breathe” is a medical emergency)
28. I have been to Lotteworld (“ever” is only used for questions in “Have you ever…?”)


Reference
http://www.tefl.net/alexcase/worksheets/for-koreans/common-english-errors-koreans/

Prepositions: Locators in Time and Place

<Preposition of Locations>

I addressed the preposition 'in, on' in last my post. But I want to talk more about 'preposition.'
And In searching for this, I found good page, so I want to introduce this page to you.
It's some of the page.

<Prepositions : Locators in Time and Place>

A preposition describes a relationship between other words in a sentence. In itself, a word like "in" or "after" is rather meaningless and hard to define in mere words. For instance, when you do try to define a preposition like "in" or "between" or "on," you invariably use your hands to show how something is situated in relationship to something else. Prepositions are nearly always combined with other words in structures called prepositional phrases. Prepositional phrases can be made up of a million different words, but they tend to be built the same: a preposition followed by a determiner and an adjective or two, followed by a pronoun or noun (called the object of the preposition). This whole phrase, in turn, takes on a modifying role, acting as an adjective or an adverb, locating something in time and space, modifying a noun, or telling when or where or under what conditions something happened.

For native speakers, these little words present little difficulty, but try to learn another language, any other language, and you will quickly discover that prepositions are troublesome wherever you live and learn. This page contains some interesting (sometimes troublesome) prepositions with brief usage notes. To address all the potential difficulties with prepositions in idiomatic usage would require volumes, and the only way English language learners can begin to master the intricacies of preposition usage is through practice and paying close attention to speech and the written word. Keeping a good dictionary close at hand (to hand?) is an important first step.

Prepositions of Time: at, on, and in

We use at to designate specific times.
The train is due at 12:15 p.m.

We use on to designate days and dates.
My brother is coming on Monday.
We're having a party on the Fourth of July.

We use in for nonspecific times during a day, a month, a season, or a year.
She likes to jog in the morning.
It's too cold in winter to run outside.
He started the job in 1971.
He's going to quit in August.

Prepositions of Place: at, on, and in

We use at for specific addresses.
Grammar English lives at 55 Boretz Road in Durham.

We use on to designate names of streets, avenues, etc.
Her house is on Boretz Road.

And we use in for the names of land-areas (towns, counties, states, countries, and continents).
She lives in Durham.
Durham is in Windham County.
Windham County is in Connecticut.

Prepositions of Location: in, at, and on and No Preposition
IN (the) bed* the bedroom the car (the) class* the library* school*	AT class* home the library* the office school* work	ON the bed* the ceiling the floor the horse the plane the train	NO PREPOSITION downstairs downtown inside outside upstairs uptown
* You may sometimes use different prepositions for these locations. Reference/ If you want to read more about preposition http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/prepositions.htm

The Difference between British English and American English

<American? or British? Which do you like better?>

Since I was young, I have learned English as acardemic SUBJECT from my middle school to high school. Nowadays, because of Globalization and Westernization, many country has taught English to their students as second foreign language. They learned grammar, words, how to read, and how to communucate with others in English. And after graduation, I studied 'TOEIC' for my scholarship. When I studied that, I recognized that there are difference between British English and American English such as words and pronunciations. Before that, I didn't know there is British Englilsh because we learned American English in school. They both use English as their first language. Nevertheless, they have each difference to other.

What is difference? why do they have difference?

The U.K. has much longer history than America. The U.K has lived since prehistory age, while America has since 1601. So they may gap about history, also their vocabulary and pronunciation. This is one of a series of articles about the differences between British English and American English, which, for the purposes of these articles, are defined as follows-

British English is the form of English used in the United Kingdom. It includes all English dialects used within the United Kingdom. American English is the form of English used in the United States. It includes all English dialects used within the United States. (from wikipeia)

<Video Clip : The difference between British English and American English>

Speakers of American English generally use the present perfect tense (have/has + past participle) far less than speakers of British English. In spoken American English it is very common to use the simple past tense as an alternative in situations where the present perfect would usually have been used in British English. The two situations where this is especially likely are.

(i) In sentences which talk about an action in the past that has an effect in the present:

American English / British English

• Jenny feels ill. She ate too much.
• Jenny feels ill. She's eaten too much.

• I can't find my keys. Did you see them anywhere?
• I can't find my keys. Have you seen them anywhere?

(ii) In sentences which contain the words already, just or yet:

American English / British English

• A: Are they going to the show tonight?
• B: No. They already saw it.
• A: Are they going to the show tonight?
• B: No. They've already seen it.
• A: Is Samantha here?
• B: No, she just left.
• A: Is Samantha here?
• B: No, she's just left.
• A: Can I borrow your book?
• B: No, I didn't read it yet.
• A: Can I borrow your book?
• B: No, I haven't read it yet.

1. Verb agreement with collective nouns

In British English collective nouns, (i.e. nouns referring to particular groups of people or things), (e.g. staff , government, class, team) can be followed by a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is thought of as one idea, or as many individuals.

In American English collective nouns are always followed by a singular verb, so an American would usually say:

"Which team is losing?"

whereas in British English both plural and singular forms of the verb are possible, as in:

"Which team is/are losing?"

2. Use of delexical verbs have and take

In British English, the verb have frequently functions as what is technically referred to as a delexical verb, i.e. it is used in contexts where it has very little meaning in itself but occurs with an object noun which describes an action, e.g.:

I'd like to have a bath.

Have is frequently used in this way with nouns referring to common activities such as washing or resting, e.g.:

She's having a little nap.

I'll just have a quick shower before we go out.
In American English, the verb take, rather than have, is used in these contexts, e.g.:

Joe's taking a shower.

I'd like to take a bath.

Let's take a short vacation.

Why don't you take a rest now?

3. Use of auxiliaries and modals

In British English, the auxiliary do is often used as a substitute for a verb when replying to a question, e.g.:

• A: Are you coming with us?
• B: I might do.

In American English, do is not used in this way, e.g.:

• A: Are you coming with us?
• B: I might.

In British English needn't is often used instead of don't need to, e.g.:

They needn't come to school today.

They don't need to come to school today.

In American English needn't is very unusual and the usual form is don't need to, i.e.:

They don't need to come to school today.

In British English, shall is sometimes used as an alternative to will to talk about the future, e.g.:

I shall/will be there later.

In American English, shall is unusual and will is normally used.
In British English shall I / we is often used to ask for advice or an opinion, e.g.:

Shall we ask him to come with us?

In American English should is often used instead of shall, i.e.:

Should we ask him to come with us?

4. Use of prepositions

In British English, at is used with many time expressions, e.g.:

at Christmas/five 'o' clock

at the weekend

In American English, on is always used when talking about the weekend, not at, e.g.:

Will they still be there on the weekend?

She'll be coming home on weekends.

In British English, at is often used when talking about universities or other institutions, e.g.:

She studied chemistry at university.

In American English, in is often used, e.g.:

She studied French in high school.

5. Past tense forms

Below is a table showing verbs which have different simple past and past participle forms in American and British English. Note that the irregular past forms burnt, dreamt and spoilt are possible in American English, but less common than the forms ending in -ed.

Infinitive	Simple past (Br)	Simple past (Am)	Past participle (Br)	Past participle (Am)
burn	burned/ burnt	burned/ burnt	burned/ burnt	burned/ burnt
bust	bust	busted	bust	busted
dive	dived	dove/ dived	dived	dived
dream	dreamed/ dreamt	dreamed/ dreamt	dreamed/ dreamt	dreamed/ dreamt
get	got	got	got	gotten
lean	leaned/ leant	leaned	leaned/ leant	leaned
learn	learned/ learnt	learned	learned/ learnt	learned
plead	pleaded	pleaded/ pled	pleaded	pleaded/ pled
prove	proved	proved	proved	proved/ proven
saw	sawed	sawed	sawn	sawn/ sawed
smell	smelled/ smelt	smelled	smelled/ smelt	smelled
spill	spilled/ spilt	spilled	spilled/ spilt	spilled
spoil	spoiled/ spoilt	spoiled/ spoilt	spoiled/ spoilt	spoiled/ spoilt
stink	stank	stank/ stunk	stunk	stunk
wake	woke	woke/ waked	woken	woken

Note that have got is possible in American English, but is used with the meaning 'have', gotten is the usual past participle of get, e.g.

American English	British English
You've got two brothers (= you have two brothers)	You've got two brothers
You've gotten taller this year	You've got taller this year

Reference
http://www.onestopenglish.com/grammar/grammar-reference/american-english-vs-british-english/differences-in-american-and-british-english-grammar-article/152820.article

IN? ON? what is difference?

<In? On? I don't know!!>

When composing, and saying, sometims I confused by using the propositions, 'in' and 'on.'
It's so abstract because many people use these words although they are confused by using these words. But they may have difference between themselves.
So, I wanna talk about the difference and proper usages.


IN vs ON

Prepositions are one of the most hated parts of speech. Even experienced writers are sometimes uncomfortable using them. Often people are confused with similar prepositions particularly the prepositions IN and ON.
More often than not, either IN or ON can be grammatically correct.
It entirely depends what you really mean in your statements.

Here are some few guidelines on how to use these two most commonly misused prepositions:
It is advisable to use IN when you are indicating a position for spaces with limitations. IN is used to convey that something is contained or inside. For example,
- The bee is in the beehive.
Alternatively, ON is used to denote a position for surfaces or a position just above or outside an area. Example,
- The book is placed on the table.

IN is used to denote a moment enclosed in time. It is therefore used with other parts of the day, with months, with years, with seasons. Some examples of these are,
- I like to drink coffee in the morning.
- The flowers will bloom in spring.
ON is used with days and dates. Also, it may be used in special parts of the day and special holidays. Distinctively, ON is used when you do not enclose something — time included ñ it is with relative specificity.
- I’ll see you on Friday!
- My retirement is effective on June 23.

ON is used with street names. Conversely, IN is used with names of cities, towns, provinces, states, and countries.
- I’m on Elm street, meet me here Freddie.
- Jiu-jitsu is big in Brazil.
- There are so many celebrities in California!
There are some special considerations of using these two prepositions and it would be best to learn them from experience.


Reference
http://www.differencebetween.net/language/difference-between-in-and-on/#ixzz1wL79hUDo

Say? or Tell?

< Which one is correct, 'say' or 'tell' !?!? >

I'm often confused with using the expression 'say or tell.'

I think, so many people who are foreign speakers, not English native speakers, are confused, too. I think it's because of its similiarty. Its meaning is 'talking something to others.' So sometimes, as they don't know what is correct, they may make grammar mistakes although they are native speakers.



In this video, he explained that they are different each other. When I saw video clip about that topic, it became clear when and where they can be used. To me, it can be helpful because he explained very well and easily. This video clip can also help you solve these problems. If you wanna watch the video clip, click on play (like [▶] ) button.










Reference
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqA0eEFz7H0&feature=youtube_gdata

A, an or The?

Some Korean students use 'a' or 'an' mixed with 'the.' Sometimes their teacher didn't tell the differences. But they're used in different meanings. Do you know the difference? Here is an information about the dfiference. So if you look the page below, you may know the differences.

Reference
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/adjectives-determiners-the-a-an.htm

Between 'Verb' and 'Predicate'

In grammar classes, some people use both 'Verb' and 'Predicate.'
But there are differences between 'Verb and 'Predicate.'
So, I wanna talk about the difference.

<Verb and Predicate is similliar. But they have differences.>

Verb vs Predicate

Composing a sentence can be tricky at times with having to make sure that each of its parts are agreeing with each other to make it sensible. There are two main parts of a sentence; the subject, which is usually a noun or a pronoun, and the predicate which usually contains a verb or a verb clause. Although predicates contain verbs, they do not exactly mean the same thing.

A verb is a word which indicates an action or a state of being of the subject of the sentence. It has many forms and can be modified to specify the aspect, mood, tense, voice, person, gender, and number of its subject or object.
There are also several kinds of verbs, namely; transitive and intransitive, auxiliary and lexical, dynamic and stative, finite and infinite, regular and irregular verbs. Verbs have many uses in a sentence, and one of their uses is as part of a clause that makes up the predicate of the sentence.

Here are some examples of verbs used in sentences:
He broke the mirror. (transitive) Joan arrived two hours late. (intransitive)
The dog slept under the tree. (lexical) The dog is sleeping under the tree. (auxiliary)
I love dogs. (finite) Sleeping early is advised to make one’s skin healthy and glowing. (infinite)

A predicate is one of the two main parts of a sentence or word clause which is used to modify the subject, object, and phrases which are governed by the verb. It is used to express something about the subject; its actions, state, and property.

It should always agree with its subject, but it is independent from other parts of the sentence. Predicates are classified according to structure (simple or compound) and morphology (verbal or nominal). Each of them may vary according to the sphere of their uses.


Predicates always need verbs to indicate the action of their subjects. Verbs, on the other hand, can stand on their own as predicates. A sentence with just a subject and a verb can be a complete sentence in itself although a sentence may also contain more than one verb as in the case of predicates with verb clauses.

Here are some examples:
Sarah’s voice is loud. “Sarah’s voice” is the subject and “is loud” is the predicate.
She lives. Here the verb “lives” is the predicate, and the sentence is complete without needing any additional words.
The job was finished early. The predicate in this sentence is the verb clause “was finished early” which contains two verbs, “was” and “finished.”

Summary:

1.A verb is a word which indicates the action or state of being of the subject in a sentence while a predicate is a word or word clause which modifies the subject or object in a sentence.
2.A verb specifies the mood, tense, aspect, voice, person, gender, or number of the subject while a predicate expresses something about the subject.
3.Predicates need verbs to make sense while verbs can be predicates by themselves, or they can be used with other verbs.

Read more: Difference Between Verb and Predicate | Difference Between | Verb vs Predicate http://www.differencebetween.net/language/grammar-language/difference-between-verb-and-predicate/#ixzz1vWlEbHyR