Louise Said:

How do you help a Japanese friend wanting to improve English speaking?

We Answered:

Well, speaking with her would help a lot of course.

My Japanese friends always had problems with propositions, such as "by, in, at, on" etc., and when to use them, as it doesn't always make sense to them logically. Sometimes which proposition to use is just idiomatic and hard to tell at times.

Japanese speakers also have a problem distinguish between "r" and "l" in English, as there's only one sound in Japanese that's in between the two. They would need to practice it over and over to get it down right. Of course, your friend might already be pass this stage.

Aside from those points, it would be great if you talked slower than normal... or at least I found it useful when I am learning a new language to hear the speakers talk more slowly.
Talk about casual things that would come up in normal conversations and just have fun!

PS: If you're practicing reading or writing, I would suggest playing games or reading a fun novel out loud alternating the reader (or like writing a story with alternating writers... it's quite fun!)

Ernest Said:

How to improve english language skill?

We Answered:

The easiest thing would be to communicate with people in English within your vicinity/school/colony etc.
If you feel incompetent or scared to do so, you could try using this website: www.livemocha.com

There're plenty people on there who speak English just as fluently as Hindi. Indians are, as it is, generally bilingual. I would know, I'm one too. :P
And from what I can make of your question, your English is not bad at all. You also used a few colloquialisms. To build on this, you'll have to put yourself out there in situations and try speaking English. There's really nothing to gain from inhibitions.

I hope this helps and good luck with improving your English! :]

Brian Said:

how to improve english in a place where is rare oppunity to speak english?

We Answered:

Reading in English helps.
Books, magazines, ... anything you like, as long as it's in English.
It seems to be a very good way to learn a language.

Allison Said:

How to improve english speaking and listening skills?

We Answered:

Actually, broadening/improving one's language skills is a very broad concept, it can be done in more than one ways at the same time which is highly recommended. One can NOT become better ONLY in one area e.g. chatting, one MUST improve skills in ALL dimensions of the language!

Learning language well requires being as active as possible and making the learning as FUN for oneself as possible. Taking lessons is always important, but equally important are these:

1) Listen/watch: Listen to internet radio stations like BBC, watch TV shows in English (use only subtitles, NOT voice dubbing!), etc.

2) Write/communicate: Try to find discussion forums from the web about things that you find interesting (music/various artists, hobbies, etc.) and start communicating there with other people using English. Start using instant messaging systems in case you find some new friends or start emailing them.

3) Buy yourself a proper dictionary, and each time when you see a strange word that you do not understand, look it up. Putting words into their context is one of the best ways to broaden one's vocabulary, the more you read and write the better. Memorising is NOT the best way to go with learning vocabulary or any other language areas!

The main point in ANY language learning is to make it as fun as possible for yourself. Try to find topics that INTEREST you, read online newspapers (Times, Guardian, Independent...), listen to BBC/NBC and other radio stations online, if you find a discussion forum for e.g. your favourite hobby or your idols in music do participate there, etc. The key word here is CONTEXT, which means that it is easier to learn new words and their usage as well as grammar when you use/see them in their real CONTEXT.

I'm sorry there is no easy way out with this, one really must develop language skills in ALL these language "levels" or dimensions in order to reach better language skills!!

Last but not least: NEVER EVER use ANY online translators, they are nothing but utter rubbish!! English is practically EVERYWHERE in the online world these days, you just have to use your imagination to find it! Learning pace is always personal, it takes the time it takes so there is no reason to hurry it up too much. If you do, you will not learn so well.

Good luck!

Kimberly Said:

How to improve English listening skills within 3 months?

We Answered:

What you can do to improve your english with grammar is to read a lot of english stuff. You should have some high standard and reliable english books of your interest in your library. Reading one page daily is better than reading seven pages weekly. Listen to english news as Fox news, BBC news, CNN, bloomberg etc. Among them, BBC is the best. Listen to the english news even if you do not understand it thoroughly. Once you will get used to it, you will start getting everything. Did you ever think that how you learned your own native language? Just by hearing the people around you. So in the same fashion, you can also learn English. First of all, you need input, and only then you will be able to produce output. The more you get input, the more your output will be. Listening to english music and watching english movies can also help.
there are english learning CDs available in the market.i hope ther will be several institutions for learning english..............
take care
best of luck

Joshua Said:

How to improve english spelling & writing before going to the states?

We Answered:

Do you have any friends who speak English? That would be the best way to do it because your friends would understand and not make fun of you in a way that makes you upset. If not jus go to chat rooms and chat with people.