Native English Teacher

Just For Laughs: Private Native English Teacher

2008-06-27T06:01:00.000-07:00

These made me smile, so I thought that I would share them with you. I can't take credit since my friend, another private native English teacher, sent them to me.

Kids are quick.

Teacher: Heather, go to the map and find North America.
Heather: Here it is.
Teacher: Good. Now class, who can tell me who discovered America?
Class: Heather

Teacher: Thomas, how do you spell crocodile?
Thomas: k-r-o-k-o-d-i-a-l
Teacher: No, that's not right.
Thomas: Maybe it's wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.

Teacher: Thomas, how do you always manage to get so dirty?
Thomas: I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.

Teacher: Heather, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
Heather: A teacher.

Teacher: Jenna, name one important thing that we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.
Jenna: Me!

Want more? Here are some fun English facts: Native English Teacher

Summer Courses at The Math Clinic

2008-06-26T21:40:00.000-07:00

Summer is here!

Instead of wasting time playing video games, get a competitive advantage over your peers. Beyond native English classes, The Math Clinic, in Sheung Wan, is offering a variety of summer courses with specialized professionals at the top of their fields.

For more information on The Math Clinic click here: Native English Teacher.

Or contact Mrs lee directly at 9344-5855 or email mathclinic@netvigator.com

Phobias: Native English Teacher in Hong Kong

2008-06-19T22:16:00.000-07:00

One interesting way to explore root words and their meanings is through the many different types of phobias.

The word phob is derived from the Greek word 'to fear'.

Phobia is defined as a persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear of a specific thing or situation that compels one to avoid it, despite the awareness and reassurance that it is not dangerous. They are often seemingly normal for the average person, but strike terror in the heart of the poor soul suffering from them.

Here are some of the more unusual ones I came across:

Peladophobia- Fear of bald people

Phobophobia- Fear of phobias

Xanthophobia- Fear of the color yellow or the word yellow

Pupaphobia- Fear of puppets

Numerophobia- Fear of numbers

Lachanophobia- Fear of vegetables

Geniophobia- Fear of chins

Cyclophobia- Fear of bicycles

Alliumphobia- Fear of garlic

Alektorophobia- Fear of chickens

Ablutophobia- Fear of washing or bathing

Chirophobia- Fear of hands

Here is a more complete list of phobias, and find some interesting English facts at: Native English Teacher.

Courage is not the lack of fear but the ability to face it.
Lt. John B. Putnam Jr. (1921-1944)

It's All Greek to Me: Learning the Root of our Language

2008-06-18T06:40:00.000-07:00

If you are serious about studying English, it's wise to invest time learning the root words, prefixes and suffixes. This comes in especially handy if you are preparing for exams such as the SAT, TOEFL or other standardized tests where you are often asked to make educated guesses about the meanings of words that you may never have heard before.

Better yet, start early.

It's wise to begin teaching children about word origins. While phonics helps them to learn how to sound out words, it affords the child no greater understanding of the word's actual meaning. As a native English teacher, I have come across many kids who could read a story perfectly, but on further probing it became obvious that they have no idea what they are actually reading. The child has mastered a system, but has no understanding of the language they are using. Scary stuff.

Most English words have Latin, Greek or German origins. A root is essentially the part of the word you are left with once it has been stripped of its prefix and suffix (beginning and ending). This word part tells the meaning in its Latin or Greek form. Teaching your child root words will greatly enhance their comprehension of the English language and at times, also languages derived from Greek, Roman, and German. These include many of today’s European and South American languages.

So what are roots, prefixes and suffixes?

Essentially, English words are broken up into three parts:

The root is the basic meaning or definition of a word. Its base. It stands alone as a word. Sometimes root words have several different meanings.

The prefix is the word element placed in front of a word. It changes the meaning of the root, or creates a new word altogether. They are not words themselves, and usually have only one distinct meaning.

The suffix is the word element placed after the root and changes the meaning. but most importantly they show how a word will be used in a sentence and what part of speech (e.g. noun, verb, adjective) the
word belongs to.

For example, 'comfort' is a root word. By adding the prefix 'dis' and the suffix 'able' you can make new words such as 'discomfort' and 'comfortable.'

I recommend buying a good root word dictionary and beginning to systematically learn them as one would with any vocabulary.

Here is a list of the most common roots, prefixes and suffixes.

More Random English Facts: Native English Teacher

2008-06-15T19:47:00.001-07:00

Here are some more random English facts for all you lexiophiles (lovers of words):

The word 'queue' is the only word in the English language that is still pronounced the same way when the last four letters are removed.

No word in the English language rhymes with 'month,' 'silver,' 'purple,' or 'orange.'

The words 'assassination' and 'bump' were invented by Shakespeare.

China has more English speakers than the United States.

The plural of mouse, the rodent, is mice. The plural of mouse, the computer hardware device, is mouses.

Widow is the only female form in the English language that is shorter than its corresponding male term (widower).

The longest one-syllable word in the English language is 'screeched.'

The letter most in use in the English language is 'E' and the letter 'Q' is least used.

Pinocchio is Italian for 'pine head.'

The word 'lethologica' describes the state of not being able to remember the word you want.

The phrase 'sleep tight' originated when mattresses were set upon ropes woven through the bed frame. To remedy sagging ropes, one would use a bed key to tighten the rope.

The word 'set' has more definitions than any other word in the English language.

In Chinese, the words for crisis and opportunity are the same.

There is no synonym for 'thesaurus.'

The first word spoken on the moon was 'okay.'

The name of all the continents end with the same letter that they start with.

Before jets, jet lag was called boat lag.

Karaoke means 'empty orchestra' in Japanese.

The word 'nerd' was first coined by Dr. Seuss in 'If I ran the Zoo'.

And one not so related to English, but mind blowing none-the-less: If the population of China walked past you in single file, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction.

For more English facts visit Oddities and Interesting Things.

Singing to Fluency: Native English Teacher

2008-06-13T07:16:00.000-07:00

If the idea of sitting through another English lesson isn't motivating you, maybe it's time to sing a different tune.

Children are naturally drawn to the rhythm and rhyme of music. Though they are not aware of it, the songs of childhood have a profound influence on their language development. Singing helps kids to naturally understand the underlying rhythm, colloquial expressions, reductions, speech patterns, stress and intonation used in English. It programmes the brain to recognize and imitate the inflection and speech patterns allowing children to develop a more neutral accent. Music also provides a common language for kids to share with their peers, regardless of fluency.

Take the ABC song. It is probably one of the most famous English songs of all time. Every single English speaking person has sung it, and probably still sings it when doing any alphabetizing. Not only does it help to remember the letters, it’s also useful for associating sounds with those letters. Good luck getting this song out of your head after singing it a few times.

Beyond children's music, the benefits of learning English songs and participating in a singing group within an English environment extends to adults too. Singing lessons can be much less frustrating than standardized run-of-the-mill textbook instruction, and serves as an easy way to familiarize yourself with popular culture, slang and idiomatic expressions. Participating in a class is ideal to keep motivated and the English environment affords you conversational practice.

And, if taking a class doesn't work for you, sing along to English music at home. The lyrics can be found online to help you better understand what is being said. Here is a site that has done the work for you: Private Native English Tutors of Hong Kong.

Knee Nibblers: science and craft projects for kids

2008-06-12T04:56:00.000-07:00

As a native English teacher I have acquired many interesting science and craft projects for kids over the years. Anyone who has spent time with children can appreciate their limitless curiosity and fascination with the how and why things work. The job of parents and educators alike is to facilitate that thirst for knowledge. So, I thought I would share my growing collection with you.

I've created a new blog entitled Knee Nibblers. Use it as an inspirational tool filled with ideas of things to do with your kids that will stimulate their mind and help them to learn about the world around them. Science and craft projects are excellent one-on-one time, and pull everyone away from the computer or TV. Don't forget to schedule time to play

If you have any of your own that you care to share, let me know and I will post them.

Voice of America - Native English Teacher

2008-06-09T04:19:00.000-07:00

Here is another great site for native English teachers and English students alike: Voice of America.

VOA provides recordings of current world news and the transcripts for each broadcast. Those wishing to improve their stress and intonation or listening skills will find this feature useful.

Beyond world news, VOA offers a section on the origins of idioms and common expressions.‘Words & Their Stories’ is a weekly 5 minute program that explains the history of these terms used in everyday North American English. Understanding how and why a seemingly abstract idiom, such as: ‘I'm feeling very blue today', came to thrive in everyday language is helpful to know, making it easier to use correctly.

In addition, VOA provides ‘Special English’. These stories contain short, active sentences and no idioms, perfect for less experienced speakers. The broadcasters read at about 2/3rds the normal pace to allow people learning English to hear the words more clearly.

Check it out.

Break A Leg - Native English Teacher in Hong Kong

2008-06-03T06:46:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard the idiomatic expression 'break a leg'? As in: "Hey George, good luck with your performance tonight. Break a leg!"

Native English speakers use this idiom to wish good luck, especially among theatre performers just before walking onstage. Although it likely began among actors, its usage has since spilled over into mainstream vernacular to generally mean good luck in any situation. Its definite origins are unclear and heavily debated, but here are a few of the more popular theories that I have found.

The first suggests that 'break a leg' was fashioned from superstition. It was once common for people to believe in sprites or spirits. They were renowned to be mischievous creatures, gaining immense enjoyment from wreaking havoc and causing trouble. If the sprites happened to overhear a request for something, they would do their best to ensure the opposite would happen. In an attempt to outsmart the spirits, a speaker would resort to basic reverse psychology. By telling a person to 'break a leg' you would really be wishing them luck.

If "good luck" causes bad luck, then the perceived bad luck of breaking one's leg causes good. Tricky, tricky.

Another theory states that the idiom came from an old style of tipping. It was common at one point for an audience to tip actors at the end of a successful stage performance by throwing money, typically coins, onstage. The performers would then have to kneel down to pick up the coins. A joke developed between actors about having to bend down often to pick up the huge amount of tips, therefore breaking a leg. Good luck indeed.

A third source suggests the idiom simply describes 'breaking the legline' ie: bending the knee, when an actor would kneel to pick up coins.

If you are interested in reading more theories on this idiom visit: Answers.com.

Online Resources for ESL Quizzes and Exercises -

2008-05-27T06:20:00.000-07:00

There is an English idiom when it comes to learning a foreign language: "Use it or lose it." Indeed, if you don't practice what you have learned in your ESL lessons, you will slowly lose your understanding of the language. For this reason, it is important to complete refresher quizzes and exercises on occasion. Luckily, there are many online resources that provide such challenges for the eager ESL student.

1. Abroad Languages – Here, you will have access to free English games, from word searches to crossword puzzles. These exercises are both fun and educational, helping you to improve your English vocabulary and combat boredom.

2. Business English Exercises – Both students and teachers should find this site useful. It provides countless English language exercises, ranging from a beginner to advanced level. By signing up for the free mailing list, you can also receive a new English lesson each week.

3. ESL Game – This site is aimed at both ESL beginners and native-speaking children who need to improve their English grammar. This is a fun and interactive way to improve one's English skills.

4. Free English Games – As the name suggests, this site offers free educational games to ESL learners. Although the site is aimed at young learners, it is just as appropriate for ESL beginners and is a fun alternative to standard quizzes and flash cards.

5. Nada's ESL Island – This site offers learning materials to both students and teachers, offering a host of English language quizzes and exercises. You will find many helpful links on this site to other ESL resources, as well.

The sites above offer free English lessons in the form of fun exercises and interactive quizzes. In order to improve your English skills or brush up on the language, you are encouraged to visit these resources. With the advent of the Internet, being an ESL learner has never been easier, as there is a vast community of ESL instructors who are willing to help people all over the world.

This post was contributed by Heather Johnson, who is an industry critic on the subject of university reviews. She invites your feedback at heatherjohnson2323 at gmail dot com.

Reductions - Part 2

2008-04-07T20:45:00.000-07:00

YouTube has a ton of resources for English learners. These videos increase in value when a native English speaker is nowhere to be found. The clip below demonstrates the use of a reduction. The production value is low, but it illustrates my point nicely. Pronunciation tips, intonation information and accent reduction clues are also available, to name a few.

Find the first set of reductions and a more detailed description of their use at: Native English Teacher.

Reductions formed with word (s) + you

betcha = bet + you
Betcha can't eat just one.
Bet you can't eat just one.

doncha = don't + you
Doncha think that exam was hard.
Don't you think that exam was hard.

getcha = get + you
I'm planning to getcha some new clothes.
I'm planning to get you some new clothes.

gotcha = got + you
I already gotcha some new clothes.
I already got you some new clothes.

howarya = how + are + you
Howarya doing today?
How are you doing today?

howdya = how + do + you
Howdya make delicious sushi?
How do you make delicious sushi?

howjya = how + did + you
Howjya get the money for school?
How did you get the money for school?

howujya = how + would + you
Howujya get the answer to this problem.
How would you get the answer to this problem.

jya = did + you
Jya go to class today?
Did you go to class today?

waddaya = what + are + you
Waddaya doing tonight?
What are you doing tonight?

waddaya = what + do + you
Waddaya think of this restaurant?
What do you think of this restaurant?

wancha = want + you
I wancha to do your homework.
I want you to do your homework.

whajya = what + did + you
Whajya do today?
What did you do today?

whenjya = when + did + you
Whenjya decide to study English?
When did you decide to study English?

wherjya = where + did + you
Wherjya go today?
Where did you go today?

whojya = who + did + you
Whojya go to the park with today?
Who did you go to the park with today?

woujya = would + you
Woujya like to go to the movies tonight?
Would you like to go to the movies tonight?

Reductions formed with word + have

coulda = could + have
I coulda eaten one more donut.
I could have eaten one more donut.

mighta = might + have
I mighta gone to the party if she wasn't going.
I might have gone to the party if she wasn't going.

musta = must + have
She musta been really tired after working so many hours.
She must have been really tired after working so many hours.

shoulda = should + have
You really shoulda come with us.
You really should have come with us.

woulda = would + have
I woulda come if I wasn't working.
I would have come if I wasn't working.

Reductions

2008-03-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

'drifting'... Mongkok, Jan 2008

If you're having difficulty understanding or being understood when you speak English with a native speaker, it may be that they aren't saying exactly what you think they are, or what you may have learned.

Although reductions are rarely mentioned in textbooks, many are used on a daily basis. They are reduced or condenced forms of English words. Native English speakers do not enunciate every word. In fact, if a typical conversation was slowed down, what was actually being said may come as some surprise.

Mary: Whassup? Whatsiz name?
Bob: I dunno? Jeet?
Mary: No, jya?

Still with me?

Mary: What is up? What is his name?
Bob: I don't know. Did you eat?
Mary: No, did you?

A rather random conversation, but it illustrates my point nicely.

Sometimes people refer to this particular habit of native English speakers as 'eating words'. Whatever you choose to call it, mastering reductions can go a long way in helping you to sound more natural. They will allow you to more easily understand North American TV, movies, music, literature, and common conversations.

As the list is quite large, It will be broken up into several entries. I have posted the first set on Quizlet for my own students.

Never heard of Quizlet? Read this article . Feel free to access my list and test yourself or print flashcards.

Reductions formed with what + is + word

whassup= what + is + up
Hey, whassup?
Hey, what is up?

whatser = what + is + her
Whatser name?
What is her name?

whatsiz = what + is + his
Whatsiz name?
What is his name?

Reductions formed with word + me

gimme = give + me
Please gimme the book.
Please give me the book.

lemme = let + me
Please lemme go with you.
Please let me go with you.

Reductions formed with word (s) + you

betcha = bet + you
Betcha can't eat just one.
Bet you can't eat just one.

doncha = don't + you
Doncha think that exam was hard.
Don't you think that exam was hard.

getcha = get + you
I'm planning to getcha some new clothes.
I'm planning to get you some new clothes.

gotcha = got + you
I already gotcha some new clothes.
I already got you some new clothes.

howarya = how + are + you
Howarya doing today?
How are you doing today?

howdya = how + do + you
Howdya make delicious sushi?
How do you make delicious sushi?

howjya = how + did + you
Howjya get the money for school?
How did you get the money for school?

howujya = how + would + you
Howujya get the answer to this problem.
How would you get the answer to this problem.

jya = did + you
Jya go to class today?
Did you go to class today?

waddaya = what + are + you
Waddaya doing tonight?
What are you doing tonight?

waddaya = what + do + you
Waddaya think of this restaurant?
What do you think of this restaurant?

wancha = want + you
I wancha to do your homework.
I want you to do your homework.

whajya = what + did + you
Whajya do today?
What did you do today?

whenjya = when + did + you
Whenjya decide to study English?
When did you decide to study English?

wherjya = where + did + you
Wherjya go today?
Where did you go today?

whojya = who + did + you
Whojya go to the park with today?
Who did you go to the park with today?

woujya = would + you
Woujya like to go to the movies tonight?
Would you like to go to the movies tonight?

Quizlet

2008-03-07T05:36:00.000-08:00

Say goodbye to traditional flashcards. While doing research online, I stumbled across a fantastic tool for students.

Here's a nifty way that you can improve your vocabulary. It's called Quizlet. (Perhaps the first word you should look up is nifty...)

Simply enter the words you want to memorize, and then plunk in the definitions and voila! Instant genius! Well no, you have do to some work, but it is a big help. Organize the vocabulary into sets, print out flashcards, or test yourself online. .

If that all seems too ambitious for you, browse other people's ready made sets and use those. Do you have an exam on Shakespeare coming up? What about those pesky chemical compounds or earth science terminology? Someone has probably done the work for you.

I set up groups for my students in various classes, including SAT and TOEFL preparation and add new sets for them each week. The students love it.

Check it out.

Math Math Math

2008-02-19T05:08:00.000-08:00

I specialize as an English Teacher. This includes English literature, SAT and TOEFL exam preperation, oral skills, creative and essay writing.

Math, however, I will not teach. I have had a slew of enquiries regarding teaching and tutoring for Math, Chemistry and Physics lately.

I do recommend a highly skilled and reputable Mrs. Lee.

Based in Sheung Wan, she established her learning center in 1998 and has since fostered a loyal clientelle and an outstanding reputation as a fiercly devoted teacher and exceptional motivator. Mrs. Lee takes it personally when her students do not succeed.

You can reach her by email: mathclinic@netvigator.com
Or telephone: 9344-5855

The Peace Boat - Native English Teacher in Hong Kong

2007-12-25T19:44:00.001-08:00

If you are looking for a different experience to enrich your English skills, and like the idea of raising your awareness about world issues, Peace Boat may be just the adventure for you.

It is a Japanese based non-profit organization whose goal is to spread a global message of peace, cooperation and to take concrete steps to build a better world.

Each voyage offers a large variety of educational activities including language classes, peace education workshops, lectures and cultural programs. The eclectic mix of people from all different cultures, ages, professions and countries onboard offer a wide range of world and cultural views.

The boat's 59th voyage set sail September 23rd, 2007 on a 109-day odyssey. It is scheduled to stop at such diverse ports as the Suez and Panama Canals, Viet Nam, Jordan, Hong Kong, Cuba and Peru among 21 others along the way.

If you are interested in studying on the Peace Boat, the 60th voyage is due to set sail from Yokomama on January 12th, 2008.

For Native English Teachers and other people who would like to participate, positions work on a volunteer basis. However, the voyage, meals and accommodation onboard are all covered.

Bon voyage.

Like Turkeys Voting for Christmas - Native English Teacher

2007-12-24T05:34:00.000-08:00

Christmas is almost here! As a tribute, today's idiom is about turkeys.

... like turkeys voting for Christmas.

Since this yummy bird is the feature dish of most western Christmas dinners, turkeys choosing to have any part in the celebrations is a bad idea. This idiom is about choosing or accepting a situation that will have bad results.

Example: Why would I take that new job? It is less money and longer hours with no chance for promotion. It would be like turkeys voting for Chistmas.

Click here to find more.

Free Rice

2007-11-22T21:19:00.000-08:00

Here is a unique way to expand your vocabulary and be a good samaritan: FreeRice.

In this vocabulary game, each word you answer correctly gives 20 grains of rice to the hungry. It automatically adjusts to your level, with 50 levels in all. Each question you get wrong will bring you down to an easier level, while three correct in a row will take you up.

Save your settings to pick up where you left off.

This is a great resource for anyone who wants to expand their vocabulary. FreeRice adjusts to suit all levels: from people just learning English, to students preparing for the SAT, GRE, LSAT and GMAT, to even the most learned professor.

FreeRice began October 7th, 2007, donating just 830 grains of rice that day. By November 24th, totals surpassed 3,664,079,450. Advertisers on the site pay for the rice while the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) delivers it.

Check it out, it's a good thing.

Don't Forget to Schedule Time for Play - Native English Teacher in Hong Kong

2007-11-09T06:19:00.000-08:00

Play is an enormously important part of a child’s development.

It may be the most educational activity your child can participate in. 
There is no question that structure and discipline play an important role in the positive development of a child, but, with the increasing pressure to achieve, parent's may be over scheduling their kids, leaving little or no time for free play.

So how does this affect a child?

"Regimented play activities can have negative consequences on the social and emotional development of a child because they are too organized and take away a child's initiative and freedom of choice. In contrast, freeform play encourages the creative and multi-sensory development of a child because it has no structure." Sarah Harris, education correspondent for the Daily Mail.

Play is such an important aspect of a child's life that it is actually recognized as a right by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights.

Free play allows children to actively participate in hands-on-learning at their own pace and to physically manipulate the world around them.

Digging a hole will teach physical skills that one will never learn sitting in front of a computer. Touching, moving things and negotiating with peers about the use of objects are all the building blocks of healthy social and motor skills.

Through play, children process and manage emotions, and understand and interpret the world around them. They learn concepts, relationships, creativity, cause and effect, sizes, colors, textures, feelings, emotions, sensations, sounds, symbols, and language, among other things.

The same theory carries through to classes for young kids. It is unnatural for a preschool student to sit at a desk, listening to a teacher. Children are filled to the brim with energy, and need the space and time to dispense it as they please.

If you are searching for a preschool for your child, take into consideration the amount of free time, and self-direction given to the children. Is most of the time spent sitting and listening, or are the kids encouraged to participate in hands-on activities? Most importantly, are the kids enjoying themselves?

Preschool is meant to foster a thirst for knowledge that will carry through to the rest of their education. There are alternatives to the traditional early educational setting.

The Montessori Method embraces the concept of free play and personal choice. Children are encouraged to learn at their own pace, with focus on practical daily life activities. These schools can now be found all over the world.

Whatever method you choose, your child’s happiness should guide your decision over anything else.

If you're interested, here is another article I co-wrote with Mike Catherall: Spectator Smog Front and Centre Issue at the Beijing Olympics.

Letterland - Native English Teacher in Hong Kong

2007-10-24T21:53:00.000-07:00

There are countless philosophies and teaching techniques available for a Native English Teacher.

Teaching experience and continued training, not to mention an active interest in education, are some of the necessary tools needed to enable a Native English Teacher to adapt their lessons to best suit each student individually.

I recently had the opportunity to train using the Letterland program. This program is a phonics based approach to teaching, reading, writing and spelling for 3 - 8 year olds. Originally developed in the UK, it uses pictograms to transform plain black letters into imaginative characters. Each letter in the alphabet is assigned a character and is linked with a story and songs to help children remember how to pronounce the letter.

The Letterlander's names are alliterative which helps build on the phonemic awareness skills and the stories explain any changes in sound when two characters come together. Children remember these stories as they capture their imagination.

For example: one Letterland story tells about what happens when Clever Cat sits next to the Harry Hat Man... his hairy hat makes her nose tickle and so she sneezes with a 'ch' sound.

What I like about this program is that it uses a variety of techiniques from music, movement, songs, art, games, role play, rhyme and social interaction - all linked directly to letter knowledge. Kids have different learning styles, and this multi-sensory program has a greater chance of working well with all of them.

In the short time I have utilized with this program, I have noticed a big response from the younger kids towards the music. They love singing along, and I often catch them humming them under their breath as they are doing the written work. The older kids take a little bit more coaxing to participate in the songs.

I am interested to hear from anyone regarding their experience with Letterland, both parents and teachers alike. Please feel free to contact me.

I have been doing some freelance co-writing with Mike Catherall, on completely unrelated topics recently. I'm credited at the bottom of the article. If you are interested:

Under the Weather at the Beijing Olympics

and

I'm Not a Plastic Bag, I'm a Human Being

Ants in Their Pants - Native English Teacher in Hong Kong

2007-10-09T04:41:00.000-07:00

Todays idiom is: They have ants in their pants.

If someone tells you there are ants in your pants, it simply means you are fidgety or restless. The expression is often used when referring to children. Antsy is also derived from this idiom, meaning nervous.

Example: The little boy wiggled and fidgeted throughout dinner, just like he had ants in his pants.

There is no record of an origin for this particular idiom, but we can probably presume it was an uncomfortable one!

Click here for more idioms.

Sherman the Sugar Bug - Native English Teacher in Hong Kong

2007-10-09T03:19:00.000-07:00

A former colleague of mine, Yvonne Van Halderen, wrote a wonderful children's book called Sherman the Sugar Bug.

Yvonne is a Certified Dental Assistant from Vancouver, Canada. Her wealth of experience in the dental field inspired her to create Sherman, the sneaky sugar bug.

This imaginative and playful story can be used as an educational tool to ease your child into a dental visit. It involves Zachary, his encounter with Sherman the Sugar bug, and the resulting visit to the dentist.

The Sherman story and songs are also available on CD for your child to read and sing along with.

For further information about pricing and ordering e-mail: sherman@orcabluffs.ca.

Online Games - Native English Teacher - Hong Kong

2007-10-04T06:23:00.000-07:00

Back to School is over! Well, the start of the school year has come and gone once again. I have been preoccupied this last month, so my contributions to this blog have been small.

In the meantime, here are some great online games for kids and adults alike.

Game Zone is regularly updated with new games.

Syvum Online Activities is a great site for kids. It has a ton of math, vocabulary expansion, English proverb, and trivia activities.

The Wiggles is for younger kids. It has a great story book section.

I will leave you with a lovely Chinese proverb I found while researching games:

A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.

If you are interested in the origin of slang and idioms, this is the article for you.

Rule of Thumb - Idioms - Native English Teacher

2007-09-22T23:11:00.000-07:00

This week's idiom is 'rule of thumb'.

It originated from the use of one's thumb as a rough measurement tool. It is a basic rule, but not always exact. Most old English measures of distance were based on the body measurements of the king:

Foot: the length of the foot.

Inch: thumb tip to first knuckle.

Cubit: elbow-to-fingertip.

Yard: nose-to-fingertip.

Example: As a rule of thumb, plant carrot seeds two inches deep.

The Importance of Rhythm and Rhyme - Your Native English Teacher's Thought of the Day

2007-09-16T02:52:00.000-07:00

Throughout the ages children's lives have been intricately weaved with story telling and nursery rhymes. Children begin to learn to read through their ears, not their eyes. The foundation begins with listening to their parents speak or read to them, and through music and song.

The natural flow of nursery rhymes actually lends them to being read, and in particular, out loud. Their subjects, rhythm and rhyme are easily remembered and recited. Not to mention they are common cultural currency, in which so many children already familiar.

Did I mention the immeasurable benefits of one-on-one reading time between parent and child?

Every language has its own rhythm. Reciting nursery rhymes teaches a child the rhythm of speech and intonation as well as the grammatical structure of language. Clapping along to the beat of a song helps to develop an awareness of the syllables and sounds that make up words.

Nursery rhymes help a child articulate consonant sounds clearly. The sequence of words causes different tongue movements and changes the position of teeth against lips. Thus the rhymes help children become more fluent in their speaking skills, and able to pronounce sounds they have trouble with.

Last but not least, rhyming helps children learn about word families such as: let, met, pet, wet, and get. It helps kids to hear and break down the sounds of language to their smallest units, leading to reading and writing success.

I found a great quote on the subject:

Preschool songs and nursery rhymes –“they are the first furnishings of the mind; the bottom-most layer of the comfortable hereditary clutter of mottoes, proverbs and half-remembered tales that we use to ornament conversations throughout our lives, knowing that they are common currency.”

(Iona Opie, foreword of Michael Foreman's Nursery Rhymes)

Learning the ABC's: Your Native English Teacher's Guide

2007-09-05T01:57:00.000-07:00

As a Native English Teacher, I field many questions from new parents on how and when to begin teaching their child the alphabet. My response: start now.

It's never too early to begin to make a child aware of the sounds and the shapes of the alphabet.

Learning to read is arguably the most valuable skill we can equip ourselves with. Teaching a child the ABC's though, can sometimes be a challenge!

Whatever methods you do choose, remember to make it fun. Your goal is to inspire an interest in learning, not to force feed your child.

I've compiled a list of valuable and creative methods to help you on your way.

* Don't forget to teach the sounds as well as the names of the alphabet. Teaching phonics eases a child into sounding out words and blending sounds. This enables them to eventually sound out new words instead of relying on memorization.

* Remember to expose your child to both upper and lower case letters. I like to start with the lower case as it is the most widely used. Upper case makes up only about 5% of all written word.

* Teach short lessons anywhere and everywhere. Having a lesson doesn't need to be a production. Children have short attention spans, leaving you with only 5 or 10 minutes anyway.

* Point out letters and their sounds throughout the day: on keyboards, signs, and in books. It's best to start with the beginning sound.

Example: Yes, that is a big blue fish. Fish starts with the letter f and f makes a fffffff sound. Can you think of anything else that starts with the letter f?

* Trace under the words in the book as you read. Point out the individual letters that make up words. This shows the child that there is an order to the marks on the page.

* Teach writing along with reading. Have the child trace over the letters with their crayon or finger.

* Hang an alphabet poster at the child's eye level. Review quickly once a day, pointing to each letter as you go.

* Have a letter of the week. Themes work well with children, allowing you to approach the topic from all different angles. Practice cutting, or bake cookies in the shape of the letter. Make alphabet stamps or eat alphabet soup, talking about the shapes and sounds. The possibilities are endless. The more senses you involve the higher the chance it will stick.

* Be gentle. If your child is resisting they may not be ready. Children learn naturally and spontaneously. If they hate the process you are probably trying too hard.

If English isn't your native tongue you may be concerned about using the correct pronunciation.

In addition to having a Native English Tutor and an English environment at school, there are plenty of resources on the Internet to help ensure your teaching the sounds properly.

This is a great interactive listening site. There are some great games for kids on here too.

Here is a great listening site for learning the ABC's

Fine-Tooth Comb - Your Hong Kong Native English Teacher's Idiom of the Week

2007-08-18T05:46:00.000-07:00

It made me a little squeamish to discover that one of my favourite idioms, 'nitpicking', arrived from a rather creepy origin. Literally...

Nitpicking, which is commonly used today to describe trivial and unjustified criticism, originated from the act of removing nits (lice eggs) from one's hair. Eeeeek! Back in the day, nits were removed one by one, a rather long and painstaking process.

For example: The boy's mother had the bad habit of nitpicking him about every little detail of his schoolwork. She was never satisfied with the quality.

Similarly, the expression 'to go over something with a fine-tooth comb' also arrived from creepy origins. A special comb was used to remove nits from the entire head, as well as any attached to hair strands, to ensure the scalp was free and clear from creepy crawlies.

For example: Writing a thesis is exacting work. Everything needs to be perfect, so I went over it again and again with a fine tooth-comb.

Find more idioms and their origins here.

The Montessori Method - Your Native English Teacher's Thought of The Day

2007-08-06T04:35:00.000-07:00

The Montessori method is a methodology for nursery and elementary school education, first developed by Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952). She was an Italian educationist and the first woman doctor in Italy who worked with handicapped children and eventually developed the method. Maria's theories of the sensitive periods in the development of a child were new to people at this time, however, now they seem to correspond with what we consider to be the "needs" of a child at different stages of their development.

The Montessori environment contains specially designed, manipulative "materials for development" that invite children to engage in learning activities of their own individual choice. Under the guidance of a trained teacher, children in a Montessori classroom learn by making discoveries with the materials, cultivating concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning.

Each child learns at their own pace guided by the technique promoting individual initiative, self-expression, spontaneity and creativity rather than group activity.

So what is the difference between the traditional educational setting and the Montessori method? It emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading. Children learn at their own, individual pace and according to their own choice of activities. Montessori classes place children in multi-age groups, forming small communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones.

I really enjoy teaching Montessori. It creates a warm learning environment, where I have the chance to spend quality one-on-one time with each child. It allows me to really get to know children and guide them individually through their education.

If you are considering enrolling your child in a Montessori, feel free to contact me with any questions.

Oddities and Interesting Things - Part 1 - Your Native English Teacher's Thought of the Day

2007-07-22T23:28:00.003-07:00

You lovers of the English language might enjoy this.

There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is "UP."

It's easy to understand UP , meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP? At a meeting, why does a topic come UP ? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report ?

We call UP our friends. And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car . At other times the little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses. To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is special.

And this UP is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP .. We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night.

We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP ! To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4th of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions. If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP , you may wind UP with a hundred or more. When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP ..

When it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP ..

When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP ..

One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP , for now my time is UP , so.......... it is time to shut UP .....!

Find more oddities of English from your Native English Teacher here.

Oddities and Interesting Things - Part 2 - Your Native English Teacher's Thought of the Day

2007-07-22T23:28:00.001-07:00

Can you read these right the first time?

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse .
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time topresent the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.

11) Insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row

13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Find more oddities and interesting things from your Native English Teacher here.

Oddites and Interesting Things - Part 3 - Your Native English Teacher's Thought of the Day

2007-07-22T23:20:00.000-07:00

Let's face it - English is a crazy language.

There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which, an alarm goes off by going on.

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

PS. - Why doesn't "Buick" rhyme with "quick"

Find more oddities and interesting things from your Native English Teacher here.

Good Vs Well - Your Native English Teacher's Thought of the Day

2007-07-17T05:56:00.000-07:00

Your Native English Teacher's thought of the day

My boyfriend is quick to point out any slips I make off the path of good grammar. I'm familiar with the rules, but childhood habits die hard and sometimes I hear myself saying 'good' when I should be using 'well.'

I'm sure I'm not alone. The misuse of 'good' and 'well' seems to have become commonplace in English, among native and non-native speakers alike. The confusion stems from the similarity in meanings, as well as the confusion associated with adjectives and adverbs in general.

Good is an adjective. Adjectives modify nouns.

This is a good bank.

You speak good English.

Have a good night.

Good can be used with copular verbs (that is, verbs which express a state of being, such as to be, to seem, and to appear), but it is still an adjective modifying a noun, not a verb.

This casino is good.

Their ideas are good.

Your English is good.

Well is an adverb, which means that it modifies verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.

Did the movie do well at the box office?

It was a well-defined idea.

You speak English well.

Well can be used as an adjective to mean "in good health."

You look well.

I don't feel well.

Take a moment to think of what the word is modifying. If it's a verb, you'd do well to use well; otherwise, the good choice is good.

English Facts - Your Native English Teacher's thought of the day

2007-07-16T03:27:00.000-07:00

Your Native English Teacher's thought of the day:

I came across some interesting facts today that I thought I would share with you.

-The average native speaker of any language uses around a tenth of his vocabulary in everyday speech. In other words, around 1200 to 2000 words.

-A person needs a vocabulary of about 1500 to 2000 words to communicate well in most circumstances.

-The longest word in popular usage is ANTIDISESTABLISHMENTARIANISM (a movement opposed to the separation of church and state) at 28 letters.
(I'm not convinced that this word actually falls under the 'popular usage' category!)

-How many words does the average native speaker use? This depends on the speakers level of education, background etc. but somewhere between 12,000 and 20,000. Shakespeare used more than 30,000 words in his works!

-English has more words than most comparable world languages.

-How many words are in the English language? This is an impossible question to answer! It really depends on what words you want to count. But there are, at the very least, a quarter of a million distinct English words, excluding inflections, and words from technical and regional vocabulary. The unabridged Oxford English Dictionary has about 600,000.

Learning the Ropes - Your Native English Teacher's Idiom of the Week

2007-07-06T03:56:00.000-07:00

Your Native English Teacher's idiom of the week:

Learning the ropes.

I think this is a very relevant idiom as we are all beginners at some point.

Learning the ropes is a nautical term, from the days of sailing ships. Back then, new recruits had to learn how to tie knots and which rope hauled up which sail. After which of course they would know the ropes.

These days, we use this expression in a more general sense when referring to learning something new.

Example: I've been training for two weeks at work, trying to learn the ropes, before the lady I'm replacing leaves.

It's raining cats and dogs is another great idiom.

Singular vs Plural - A Native English Teacher's Guide

2007-07-06T00:57:00.000-07:00

Your Native English Teacher's thought of the day:

Why do people learning English have such a difficult time with singular vs plural? It’s because nouns come in 2 varieties: count and noncount. How we deal with a noun to make it singular or plural varies between the two categories.

Count nouns are what you would expect, objects that can be counted. They come in singular and plural form and are made up of such things as monkeys, cars, or those little dust bunnies that slowly invade and conquer your hall closet. Just add -s and voila! You have made your noun plural.

Noncount are nouns that can't be counted. You can't add a number to the front, or an s to the end. This group is made up of things like water, sand, and milk.

Noncount nouns do not have a singular or a plural form.

In a sentence, a noncount noun is treated like a singular noun and uses the verb form for singular nouns.

A and an cannot be used with noncount nouns. However, when noncount nouns represent a collection or a mass, they may be preceded by a phrase that indicates quantity, such as: a lot of, a little, some, much, any.

Example: I like some ketchup on my hot dog.
(Not: I like a ketchup on my hot dog.)

So how does a person know? A Native English Teacher will encourage students to try and work out if a noun is count or noncount by thinking about it. Like I mentioned, count nouns are usually objects which can be counted. Noncount nouns are often substances that can’t be easily counted, or they may be large abstract ideas such as nature, space or entertainment. Of course this is English, and an exception exists for every rule.

The list below illustrates the different types of noncount nouns. Remember that these categories include both noncount and count nouns. For example, lightning, a natural event, is noncount, but hurricane, a similar event, is count.

When you don't know what type of noun you have, consult a dictionary that provides such information.

Category Examples

Abstractions: advice, courage, enjoyment, fun, help, honesty, information, intelligence, knowledge, patience, etc.

Activities: chess, homework, housework, music, reading, singing, sleeping, soccer, tennis, work, etc.

Food: beef, bread, butter, fish, macaroni, meat, popcorn, pork, poultry, toast, etc.

Gases: air, exhaust, helium, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, pollution, smog, smoke, steam, etc.

Groups of similar items: baggage, clothing, furniture, hardware, luggage, equipment, mail, money, software, vocabulary, etc.

Liquids: blood, coffee, gasoline, milk, oil, soup, syrup, tea, water, wine, etc.

Natural events: electricity, gravity, heat, humidity, moonlight, rain, snow, sunshine, thunder, weather, etc.

Materials: aluminum, asphalt, chalk, cloth, concrete, cotton, glue, lumber, wood, wool, etc.

Particles or grains: corn, dirt, dust, flour, hair, pepper, rice, salt, sugar, wheat, etc.

Having a strong command of the use of singular vs. plural is an important aspect of transforming your writing to fluent prose, and feeling confident in the use of English in a buisness environment.

How a Strong Command of English Can Help to Advance Your Career

2007-06-28T00:39:00.000-07:00

Your Native English Teacher's thought of the day:

As a Native English Teacher, I regularly work with intelligent, buisness minded people who are concerned that their already excellent command of English is not strong enough to give them the competitive edge needed at their jobs.

Do you feel confident enough in your language skills to give a presentation in English? Are the emails that you send out on a daily basis to co-workers and clients grammatically correct? How much confidence are you instilling in your international clients with an email riddled with errors? Are you anxious about finding a better job because the interview will be conducted in English?

No matter what your level, a minimum of two hours a week should be dedicated to studying English. This is where the help of a Native English Tutor can make all the difference.

Asking your co-worker what they meant by a certain idiomatic expression, or what is considered appropriate casual conversation with 'foreigners', may not always be realistic or in your best interest. People make assumptions about education or intelligence based on how we present ourselves. While this may not be fair, it is a reality in the competitive workforce. Consider how valuable an employee is who is confident in their language abilities?

One common error Native Cantonese speakers make is with singular vs plural nouns. I often find this problem with my students, and even in the English magazines that I pick up around town.

I will discuss this in greater detail in my next post.

The Chinglish Exhibition

2007-06-12T04:13:00.000-07:00

Your Native English Teacher's thought of the day:

I attended the Chinglish Exhibition last week at the Hong Kong Museum of Art. I was intrigued by the concept: the blending of two unique and distinct cultures and languages in a way only Hong Kong can. The collision of east and west.

Language is always evolving, and this was highlighted in a number of colorful and interactive ways by the exhibition.

My knowledge of Cantonese is tragic at best, but I was accompanied by a student who patiently went through each display with me. This exhibit is lost on those who speak English only.

Why do I bring this up?

The evolution of language, and the slang that becomes a part of our daily lives is one of those topics students ask me to help them with on a daily basis as their Native English Teacher. A large part of feeling comfortable with the day to day use of English is through the mastery of slang and idioms.

Here is a great link to some English slang

Mad as a Hatter

2007-06-11T03:01:00.000-07:00

Your Native English Teacher's Idiom of the Week:

In the middle of the 18th century hat makers began using mercury in a solution to create felt for hats. This solution and the vapors were highly toxic, leading to symptoms such as tremors, insomnia, dementia, and even hallucinations. Mercury poisoning.

The toxic chemicals hat makers used really did cause them to go insane, and so the expression 'mad as a hatter' was born.

Famously, Lewis Carroll's character 'Mad Hatter' in his book 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland', is based on this.

More recently, the word 'mad' has also emerged into the English language to mean 'angry' as well as 'crazy'.

As mad as a hatter

This expression means that someone is crazy, nuts, wacko, insane, loonie, crackers...I think you get the picture.

That old man wanders up and down this street all day, mumbling to himself about the end of the world. He is as mad as a hatter.

Click this link to find out what idioms are: Native English Teacher

Listening Skills

2007-06-06T02:30:00.000-07:00

Your Native English Teacher's thoughts on listening skills:

Teaching listening skills is a big challenge for a Native English Teacher, and frustrating for a student.

Unlike grammar, no hard and fast rules exist, and the results of all the student's hard work can be difficult to measure.

Listening is something we do actively. In the beginning it takes a huge amount of concentration and effort.

Sometimes an English Student has a mental block. At some point, while trying to listen, they decide that because they do not understand everything being spoken, they can not possibly understand anything.

Not understanding is OK. Hold in there.

Listen for key words. Is the speaker's body language telling you anything? Are any of the words giving you an idea of what the speaker is saying? Listen for the basic idea and work from there.

In order to master a skill, one needs to practice. This Native English Teacher suggests taking 10 minute English breaks. Focus on what is being spoken, be it in music, on film or the radio.

A student needs to listen often but for short periods of time.

If your not convinced and want to monitor your progress, write down the keywords while doing your listening exercises. Watch how the list gets longer and longer as the weeks pass.

The Natural Flow of English

2007-06-05T20:32:00.000-07:00

Your Native English Teacher's guide to language stress:

When a Native English Speaker speaks, only select words are stressed, while others are spoken quickly, or glided over.

Why?

English is a stressed language. Unlike Chinese, French or Italian, which devotes equal attention to each word, English stresses only the content words and glides over the 'helpers'.

Nouns, principal verbs, adjectives and adverbs are all content words.

Pronouns, articles, auxiliary verbs, prepositions, and conjunctions are the 'helper' words.

Ex: They will come on Friday.
Emphasis is placed on the bold words.

This is a tricky concept for a Native English Teacher to get across to a new student in English.

Here is a quick way to see some results:

Read any paragraph in English. Stress each and every syllable. (You will notice that the sound is almost robotic).

Next, read the same paragraph, only this time stress only the content words, and glide over the others. If you need to, underline the content words first. Don't get too caught up in which is which if you are not sure.

The point is to become familiar with the flow of English. Using this technique will make it easier for people to understand you.

I am always surprised at the improvement in the sound.

It's Raining Cats and Dogs

2007-05-28T04:38:00.001-07:00

Your Native English Teacher's idiom of the week:
Well, this one is suitable for the crazy rain I have been trudging through this week.

It's raining cats and dogs.

This idiom means that it is raining very heavily.

The man was running quickly through the street, dodging people's umbrellas. It was raining cats and dogs.

I was interested where this idiom came from so I did a little research. The most common explanation says that in olden times, homes had thatched roofs in which domestic animals such as cats and dogs would like to hide. In heavy rain, the animals would either be washed out of the thatch, or rapidly abandon it for better shelter, so it would seem to be raining cats and dogs.

I also found a mythological explanation.

It seems that cats were at one time thought to have influence over storms, especially by sailors, and that dogs were symbols of storms, often accompanying images and descriptions of the Norse storm god Odin. So when some particularly violent tempest appeared, people suggested it was caused by cats (bringing the rain) and dogs (the wind).

Who knows where it really came from, but it is a good one to keep in your pocket.

How Do I Learn a Language?

2007-05-21T22:30:00.000-07:00

As a Native English Teacher I am often asked this question.

There are no magical lotions or potions to help you learn English, or any language for that matter.

Learning a language is the science of repetition.

So roll up your shirt sleeves and dive in; immerse yourself in its words and sounds and swim around until your head spins.

Here are some tips to help you on your way:

- Listen to the TV or radio. Really listen, for 10 or 15 minutes at a time. Focus on how and what is being said. Is every syllable stressed? Does the language follow any sort of rhythm? How does the speaker convey emotion? Don't worry if you can't understand everything that is being said.

- Have the TV or radio on in the background. Have you ever caught yourself humming a song and wondered why it's in your head, only to realize it's playing in the background. Let English sink in without devoting your attention to it. This is the magic of your subconscious. We can pick up or absorb things without being aware of it.

- Read out loud, no matter what your level is. You may drive your neighbors crazy but reading out loud engages your ears. This is also a great way to check on something you've written. Use your ears to find mistakes, or unclear writing. The more senses we activate when learning, the better.

-Take a class or hire a tutor. Weekly classes are a great way to keep you motivated and on the right track. Right now I'm availabe for private lessons.

-Carry a small notebook with you. Fill it with the vocabulary you are learning as you go along. This is a nice tangible way to track your progress, and review what you learn.

-Sing along to English songs. This is a really easy way to pick up idioms and slang, and familiarize yourself with the language.

Don't be discouraged! Some days are better then others. I like to record my students reading a story when we first meet, and in a month or two I play the tape back to amaze them with their progress.

Why Should You Learn Phonetics - Your Native English Tutor

2007-05-19T21:09:00.000-07:00

1) Get the most out of that dictionary. Definitions are important but speaking and being understood is the end goal.

2) Be an independent learner. Use your valuable time with Native English Teachers and Native English Tutors for other areas besides pronunciation.

3) Phonemic symbols are a visual aid. The more senses a student uses while learning, the higher the chance it will stick. It allows you to see when 2 words differ or sound the same. Ex: sun & son

4) Knowledge of how a language works is of great value to a student. Tape the phonetic chart to your wall. It is a great reminder that there are a limited number of sounds to master. Having the end goal in site is a great motivator.

There is no end to our study of grammar and vocabulary but phonemic symbols are limited, visual and physical. They may seem challenging at first but it is like learning to swim or ride a bicycle. Once you can do it, it is easy and you never forget. Click here to find out more: Native English Teacher

Vowel sound for the day: e

friend /frend/
end /end/
metal /met-l/

Finding the Right Native English Teacher For You

2007-05-16T04:53:00.000-07:00

Since coming to Hong Kong, I have had the chance to speak to students about their experiences with and expectations of their Native English Teachers and tutors.

Students in Hong Kong are very hard working and under tons of pressure. Many students are required to take entrance exams for even their primary and secondary schools, with placement into the top schools influential on a child's entire life. Meanwhile, it is not uncommon for adults to work 60 hour work weeks.

So, given the shortage of spare time, and the need for it to be used wisely, it is important to find the right tutor.

Here are some tips to consider when looking for your Native English Tutor:

- Your English Teacher must love to teach. Yup, it's as simple as that. If your tutor is only teaching English to make a quick buck, chances are your lessons will be as lackluster as their enthusiasm.

-Your English Teacher should have relevant training and experience. TESOL certification is a great indicator that your teacher has the training needed to be useful to you. Don't be shy to ask for a registration #.

-You and your English Teacher should be comfortable with one another. Ultimately, it comes down to personality. If you aren't comfortable, you won't be relaxed to learn.

- Your teacher should be willing to adjust the sessions to suit your personal needs. If you are interested in brushing up on your business English for an interview, let her stage one for you. If your next big boardroom meeting is making you weak in the knees, let her know, she can tailor an entire plan to arm you with enough intelligent buzzwords to knock the socks off your client. Planning to visit relatives overseas and you want to impress them with your skills? No problem.

Learning to speak English well will give you the confidence you need to be successful in business as well as in life. That's why I'm here.

Hooked On Phonics - Your Native English Tutor

2007-05-09T05:32:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what those strange symbols are that appear next to words in the dictionary?

They are a guide to pronounciation called Phonetics. Those symbols represent sounds, of which there are roughly 44 in the English language. Since there are only 26 letters in the alphabet, 44 characters are used to represent them all. Phonics should be a part of every student's tools for learning a language.

Often children learn to pronounce words by imitating the teacher. They can't work out the letter sounds for themselves. Phonics is a relatively simple way for people learning a language to sound out words for themselves. If you know this system you can pronounce any English word perfectly without a teacher by looking in a learner's dictionary.

There are 24 consonant sounds, and 20 vowels sounds. Let us start with vowels - i:

i: is a long vowel sound, shown by the : symbol after the letter. It sounds like:

sea /si:/

me /mi:/

free /fri:/

In other news, check this article out. http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=26618

Idioms: The Grandaddy of Slang

2007-05-09T03:47:00.000-07:00

Idioms: English is littered with them. Where each originated is a mystery to most native English speakers. They are yesterday's slang and slang is tomorrow's idiom. It's slang that has, over time, became accepted in language. Idioms are the grandaddy of slang!

They pepper our language with colour and character, helping us to express ourselves, tailoring the language to suit our individuality. We use idioms to convey something that other words do not express as clearly or as cleverly. An idiom is simply an expression which can't be understood literally, you won't find their meaning by looking up the words in the dictionary.

They are little word pictures, filling a paragraph of meaning with just one expression.

Beware, these little guys are tricky. You may be able to guess the meaning from the context, but if not, it can be difficult. Many idioms, for instance, come from favorite traditional British activities such as fighting, sailing, hunting and playing games. Some of the words in idioms were used two or three hundred years ago, or even longer, and can be a little obscure.

Mastery of them will bring your level of English to the next level, making your use of the language fun and less mechanical. Dazzle your native english speaking friends with your cleverness!

Here is your idiom for the week: Hold your horses.

If someone tells you to hold your horses, they are asking you to slow down.

When the boys heard the ice-cream truck outside the window they started to run outside. 'Hold your horses, boys', their mother yelled out, 'you have to put your shoes on first.'

Click this link for more idioms: Native English Teacher

It's a Question of Grammar - Your Native English Tutor

2007-05-08T04:05:00.000-07:00

Learning a language is like getting a new car, and grammar is like taking the motor apart...Do you want to learn how to drive or do you want to know how the car is put together?

There is little doubt that some grammatical information is useful to students, helping them to understand underlying patterns more quickly than they would if unguided. Full competent use of the language involves mastering its grammatical patterns. These factors clearly suggest grammar has a role to play, but not that which it is frequently still accorded.

Learning language is a science of repetition.