Dear friends, I need your help on my writings, because I will take the IELTS test in few weeks.
If one of you have experience correcting letters and essays, please let me know.
I appreciate your help in advance
Regards
Lorerodri
Key skills to master a language are as follow:
Listening
Listening in any language requires focus and attention. It is a skill that some people need to work at harder than others. People who have difficulty concentrating are typically poor listeners. Listening in a second language requires even greater focus.
Like babies, we learn this skill by listening to people who already know how to speak the language. This may or may not include native speakers. For practice, you can listen to live or recorded voices. The most important thing is to listen to a variety of voices as often as you can.
In our own language, listening is usually the <em>first language</em> <em>skill</em> that we learn.To become a fluent speaker in English, you need to develop strong listening skills. Listening not only helps you understand what people are saying to you. It also helps you to speak clearly to other people. It helps you learn how to pronounce words properly, how to use intonation, and where to place stress in words and sentences. This makes your speech easier for other people listening to you to understand!
Speaking
In our own language, speaking is usually the <em>second language</em> <em>skill </em>that we learn.This vocalized form of language usually requires at least one listener. When two or more people speak or talk to each other, the conversation is called a "dialogue". Speech can flow naturally from one person to another in the form of dialogue. It can also be planned and rehearsed, as in the delivery of a speech or presentation. Of course, some people talk to themselves! In fact, some English learners practise speaking standing alone in front of a mirror.
Speaking can be formal or informal:
Informal speaking is typically used with family and friends, or people you know well.Formal speaking occurs in business or academic situations, or when meeting people for the first time.
Speaking is probably the language skill that most language learners wish to perfect as soon as possible. It used to be the only language skill that was difficult to practise online. This is no longer the case. English learners can practise speaking online using voice or video chat. They can also record and upload their voice for other people to listen to.
Reading
Reading can be silent (in our head) or aloud (so that other people can hear).
Reading is a receptive skill - through it we receive information. But the complex process of reading also requires the skill of speaking, so that we can pronounce the words that we read. In this sense, reading is also a productive skill in that we are both receiving information and transmitting it (even if only to ourselves).
In our own language, reading is usually the <em>third language skill </em>that we learn.Do we need to read in order to speak English? The short answer is no. Some native speakers cannot read or write but they speak English fluently. On the other hand, reading is something that you can do on your own and that greatly broadens your vocabulary, thus helping you in speaking (and in listening and writing). Reading is therefore a highly valuable skill and activity, and it is recommended that English learners try to read as much as possible in English.
Writing
In our own language, writing is usually the fourth language skill that we learn.To write clearly it is essential to understand the basic system of a language. In English this includes knowledge of grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. Vocabulary is also necessary, as is correct spelling and formatting.
A writer may write for personal enjoyment or use, or for an audience of one person or more. The audience may be known (targeted) or unknown. Taking notes for study purposes is an example of writing for one's self. Blogging publicly is an example of writing for an unknown audience. A letter to a friend is an example of writing for a targeted audience. As with speaking, it is important to consider your audience when writing. There are many different styles of writing, from informal to formal.
I believe Italki have the following type of users:
1) Users who really want to learn some language (everyday learner)
2) Users who are looking for a couple to fall in love
3) Users who only want to hang out
Italki should ask to new users which category of above users wants.
Advanced, i spent several years trying to learn English using different methods, even online courses, but right now, i'm focusing on speaking because i managed my listening and comprehension just listening tons of hours to podcasts and radio discussion programs, my strongest skill is comprehension right now.
I encourage some friends to concentrate on "speaking" evethough they are beginners.Try learning the most common words to stablish a conversation.
I do not think it is very useful to literally learn English unless your conservation is well organized and scheduled . Both of you need one same direction to go forward and move on , however, most people who want to exchange do not take it seriously . Most of them do it for fun or making friends . In my opinion , you cannot get what you want if you like to learn language seriously.
Skype is the best way to learn a foreign language, well I wanted to say to practise a language with other people. Admittedly, at the beginning is normal that you don't know what to say but in the long term, you will be speaking fluency.
Hi everyone, i have a great concern about some people who wants to learn more than one language at the same time over the internet, in my opinion it's almost impossible, i think you should focus on only one language at a time, spend at least 6 months of learning and practicing.
