Kristin Said:

How to speak better English?

We Answered:

I really understand what you mean. I tried to teach myself another language, but there was nobody to talk to. As a result, when I overhear people speaking it, I can't understand a single word, even though I understand what I read it pretty well (although on a low level.)

You have to get other people to speak to you. Do you have a library that would host a group of English speakers? They have groups here that meet in the library and speak Chinese, Russian, etc. If they don't have one, perhaps you could make one yourself.

Best of luck.

Ian Said:

Could you please correct English grammar mistakes I made?

We Answered:

Here are the corrections:
Paragraph 1: I am doing well. However, it's quite tough for me to take care of a big kid.
Paragraph 3: The official Canadian name for a student visa is a "Study Permit".
Paragraph 4: I think there is a 98 percent possibility of her getting that permit.
Paragraph 5: If everything goes well, she will probably be arriving on March 10th or a little later.
Paragraph 6: The courses I am going to take start on April 20th.
Paragraph 7: We both are looking forward to visiting you.
She can study for 6 months with her Korean passport in Canada even if she doesn't get her S. Permit.

Amber Said:

My first ever written Task 2 in ielts.?

We Answered:

Overall, it's a good essay, but of course there's room for improvement:

> English language has been one of the most used languages

Redundant: you use the word 'languages' twice in a single sentence. Try rephrasing. For instance, 'English has been one of the most used languages...' or 'The English language has been one of the most widely spoken natural tongues...'.

> throughout the past five years,

Really? Only from 2006 onwards?

> we can never deny how important it is to learn English.

That bit's quite amateurish IMO. 'We can never deny...' is not the sort of statement one puts on a formal essay. Try using synonyms and or a couple (not many) big words as well. For instance: 'the usefulness of speaking English proficiently is undeniable.'

> Studying English Is not just about learning skills in school, it is about practicing what you have learnt, and this will be easier if you were living in an English speaking environment.

Pay attention to tense agreement:

* ...this will be easier if you are living in ...
* ... this would be easier if you were living in...

Pick either one - they're both correct. But don't mix them.

> practicing English with a native speaker makes me feel more confident, since I'm sure he is speaking the right way .

First, the native speaker isn't necessarily a 'he'. You could replace that by 'he or she' or simply turning it all into plural: 'practising English with native speakers makes me feel more confident, since I'm sure they are speaking the right way.'

Something else: the statement is incorrect anyway... a looooooot of people can't speak their own language 'the right way' (be it English, Korean, French, Swahili, etc.). In fact, if the 480+ million people whose first language is English ever sat the IELTS, many would fail.

You could present your confidence by using unbiased non compromising words. For instance: 'practising English with native speakers increases confidence and, as a result, motivation, while having a stronger chance of reinforcing proper pronunciation, collocations, vocabulary and accent.' (That way you refrain from getting in controversies, but still emphasise your point).

> For the record, I agree with the statement above.

Way too informal for an essay. The same happens with many other parts of your text. For instance:

> I think there is a huge difference between studying and improving.

Try rephrasing it in a more academic way (even if you're sitting IELTS GT): 'Different stages of any given learning process - namely starting on from ground level, and fine-tuning acquired knowledge - require different conditions and approaches.'

> Working on your language and trying to improve it is as important as studying it but it needs much less effort.

Not quite ... there are even bar graphs disproving such theory: a person can grow from ground zero to A2 in months, but from C1 to C2 it may take years. It's the same with athletes: a person can undergo physical training and go from running the hundred metres in a minute to running them in thirty seconds (a huuuuge improvement). But try getting Usain Bolt reducing his 9.58 sec mark to 9.4 - it may take him years and he may never be able to top that.

> On the other hand you can improve your writing skills by reading.

A bit controversial too. Reading helps you enhance your vocabulary and understanding, which is directly linked to writing skills, yes, but it doesn't automatically improve your writing skills. I can watch planes take off and it doesn't make me a pilot.

> In conclusion, i feel that the most important ingredient of learning English is determinacy.

Remember the 'I' has to be capitalised, otherwise it counts as an orthographic error. Ingredient? Not essay-like, unless you're a fourteen year-old writing for the school newspaper. 'Determinacy' is not quite the right word either... for the meaning (I reckon) you look for, 'determination' is way better.

Derrick Said:

does reading improve your english?

We Answered:

Like any skill doing things with the English language will improve your speaking and understanding. It is important to have a dictionary handy when you read to learn unfamiliar words and learn their pronunciations. By reading you will see proper sentence structure and grammar usage. Learning new words and exposing yourself to them will help build your vocabulary. I think your grammar isn't bad at all. Just try to read a lot and engage native speakers in conversation and if you have questions about how to say something or if you worded something correctly don't be shy about asking someone for help.

Gabriel Said:

please help me friends who have tallented in english?

We Answered:

Actually, broadening/improving one's language skills is a very broad concept, it should 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 or speaking, 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: Keep listening to internet radio stations like BBC, watch TV shows in English (use only subtitles, NOT voice dubbing in case you are not a native English speaker!), etc.

2) Write/communicate: Try to find discussion forums from the web about things that you find interesting and FUN (music/various artists, hobbies, etc.) and start communicating there with other people using only 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 and grammar knowledge, the more you read and write the better. Memorising is NOT the best way to go with learning vocabulary, grammar 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. The more you see and hear the new words in their context and the more you use them in your speech & writing, the easier it becomes to remember their meanings and correct spelling.

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. Also, please learn the basics of the standard English first before advancing to finer details like dialects/accents.

Good luck!

Perry Said:

I got a 15 on the ACT Test...any suggestions to improve my score.?

We Answered:

Get a study program. You have to practice a lot to be able to work more quickly on the ACT. There is a pattern to the way the test is structured, so knowing what the questions are looking for will help you work more quickly.
However, if you are unable to work quickly enough to complete the ACT, you will have problems working quickly enough to complete a full course load of work at a college or university. If you think that a personality issue is at the root of your testing issues, seek help - college can be a nightmare for perfectionists.