Page 3 - 東華三院周演森小學（校訊第二十期）

學習焦點

Ways to Improve your English

Some people may wonder how they can improve their English skills. The simple
answer is, to use it. There are many opportunities to practice English both at and
away from school, in this article I will outline some of them. The important thing
to remember is to be brave and use your English when you can. I will separate the
article into the four main core skills, speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Speaking Try watching an English cartoon!

As a student, you have been learning new words and Listening
phrases at school. When you learn these you should You have many chances to practice your
start using them. Speak to English teachers, Mr. listening skills. When you watch an English
Stevenson and other students. The more you practice, Students listen movie or a TV show, switch off the subtitles
the sooner it will become routine. You can have an to the learnt and challenge yourself. How much can
English conversation with your friends after school, or story every day. you understand? If you have some favorite
try it with your parents. If you go to a western restaurant, songs in English, try to learn the words, and
see if you can order your meal in English. when you know them, sing along. If you
own the movie or song, you can play it over
again, helping you to “catch” what they’re
Of course, the best way to learn English saying. You can play a short part of the song
is to immerse yourself in an English or show, and then practice mimicking what
speaking environment. If your family you hear. As part of your homework, you
takes a trip to a country where English is should be listening to the stories and texts
spoken, use this opportunity to practice. used at school.
At school, the Speak-up Program gives
you the chance to speak English with
your schoolmates every Tuesday. Don’t Our students
miss this opportunity! like talking to Writing
our NET.
This can be a challenging skill to learn, but a very
important one. To start with, you could use social
Reading media, like Facebook or Instagram, to write short
messages in English. You could also keep a diary
English
The great thing about reading is you decide ambassadors or journal, and write in both your native language
the pace you go, and you can go back over conduct interviews and some sentences in English. If you have some
any words you find difficult. We have a large during recess! relatives that live in an English country, send them
selection of English books in our library an email in English. I am sure they would be happy
available to read. I am sure you will find to hear from you. Linking with our English party
something at your level that interests you. day next April, you will have a chance to rewrite the
When you see a word you don’t understand, story in your own words. This is a good opportunity
look it up in a dictionary, or ask someone, like to show your writing skill.
your teacher, what it means. It is also a good
idea to sometimes read aloud. You could read
the book to a friend or someone in your family.
Every week, you get your home reading folder,
make sure you read the books included, this
is an important part of improving your reading
skills.
Students can enjoy reading
different interesting books at home!
Conclusion Students had opportunities to add
It is really up to you how much time and one more characters in the story.
effort you put into developing your English
skills. But remember, everyone always
starts at the beginning when they learn Terms:
a new skill. Don’t be afraid of making routine – something you do regularly
mistakes. These can actually help with immerse – surround yourself with
your learning, as teachers and others can
help correct you. And it is more important catch – hear/understand
to use English and make mistakes than mimic – copy/repeat
try to get it perfect. Be a risk taker, and back over – read again
the next opportunity you have to use your
English, go for it.

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