In last week’s article, Extensive Reading Activities, we mentioned skimming and scanning.In today’s “English Learning Tips”, let’s explore a few more ESL reading strategies that may help you improve your reading skills, gain confidence and continue reading independently long term. Previewing Before diving into the reading materials, preview the content and prepare yourself. Previewing is essential for you to get …
Importance of Reading in English
Reading is one of the four language skills . In today’s English Learning Tips, let’s take a look at the important role it plays in helping you improve your understanding of the English language and building your vocabulary. How does reading contribute to my overall English skill? Reading is an input (receptive) skill. When you read something in English, you …
Practice Listening Skills with VOA and BBC English Learning Resources
In today’s English Learning Tips, let’s explore ways to practice English listening with online news radio resources! Listening to or watching the news is a good way to improve your English listening skills VOA (Voice of America) Learning English Choose the audio materials that best suit your English level: beginning, intermediate and advanced Choose the news based on your areas …
Improve Your English with Movies & TV
Can you improve your English by watching movies and TV shows? Yes, you can! In today’s English Learning Tips, let’s take a look at how to use English movies and TV shows to boost your listening skills and start to sound more like a native speaker. Movies and TV can help English learners improve various skills, including listening comprehension, vocabulary …
Ways to Expand Your English Vocabulary
Learn about word roots, prefixes, suffixes of words and memorize words in groups! The root of a word carries the most significant content of the word’s meaning. Different words are formed by adding prefixes or suffixes to the root; Root: for example, “cred” means “believe” and from there we get “credible”, “credit”, “credence”, etc.; Prefix: for example, “cent(i)” means “hundred”. …
Understand the Four English Language Skills
We are starting a new article series called “English Learning Tips for Newcomers”. In today’s article, let’s first take a look at the basic language skills. What are the basic English skills? Listening Speaking Reading Writing How do we group these four skills? Based on the direction of communication: Input (receptive) skills: Listening & Reading Output (productive) skills: Speaking & …
Newcomer Smart Tips Video Series
Immigrant Services Calgary is excited to announce the official launch of The Newcomer Smart Tips Video Series (Alberta Newcomers: How-to and Smart Tips Video Series), an educational and information resource that gives newcomers 24/7 access to free video resources containing centralized and easy to understand information about life in Alberta.
Make the Cut
In today’s “English Idioms for Newcomers“, let’s take a look at this expression: Make the Cut. What does “make the cut” mean? Originally, “make the cut” is when a player in a tournamentor match reaches or exceeds a certain score, thus avoiding elimination from the game. A player who’s made the cut is allowed to continue playing in the game. …
Get a Kick out of…
In today’s “English Idioms for Newcomers“, let’s take a look at this expression: Get a Kick out of…. What does “get a kick out of…” mean? to take pleasure in… to enjoy… very much to feel excited about… How to use it? Add something or someone after “of” Examples: I usually get a kick out of binge-watching true crime series. …
Red Herring
In today’s “English Idioms for Newcomers“, let’s take a look at this expression: Red Herring. What does “red herring” mean? Herring (pronounced as “hair” + “-ing”) is a type of fish. Dried smoked herring is turned dark red and brown by the smoke. “Red herring” is something that distracts attention from a relevant matter or the real issue. How to …