I've been an English teacher at Cambly for almost two years now. (Has it been that long already?) And an ESL and writing teacher for university and college students even longer--- since 2013! What is Cambly? During the pandemic, all my teaching and tutoring went online. I'd already done some online tutoring, but I was hoping to connect with more ESL students. A friend and coworker of mine suggested I try Cambly, which is an online platform where students from all around the world (for a reasonable price) get to speak with native English speakers. Most Cambly teachers are just that--- a native speaker. Which is great! If you've been practicing English for a while, it's nice to have someone to "test" your English. (After all, isn't speaking to a native speaker and having him/her understand you the ultimate test?) I am, however, more than a native English speaker. I have a Master's in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MTESOL) and am an experienced ESL instructor. I can explain why you're making the errors you are as well as give you tips for how to improve based on your specific level or skill sets. Am I underpaid at Cambly? Oh, yes! So why do I do it? Because I know how to help, I love teaching, and it's fun to meet other people from around the world! Working with regular students I don't mind having one-time conversation with students, which is an option while teaching for Cambly; however, it's much more fulfilling when I have students regularly signing up to have lessons with me. It gives me a chance to assess their abilities and build lessons specific to their needs. There are several ways I can help you with your English. Here are a few favorite options, which my regular students mix and match, depending on what they feel they need. Free-Talk Usually, the best way to improve your English is by simply having a conversation in English (without a translator). That's what I call "free-talk." I have decades of experience in helping students talk at whatever level they are at. All my first lessons with students is a type of free-talk. Some students, especially after having worked with me for a while, like choosing topics using the eslconversationquestions website, but I like it when students talk freely and without preparation. I also love it when students ask me questions! The goal in free-talk, after all, is to keep the conversation going and not use the translator. So don't be shy! Tell me a little about yourself, your interests, your goals, your country, your goals, your day--- I'm here to listen and help you improve. (Please no politics, though!) Engoo Articles This is probably my favorite option because it combines a lot of different skills: reading, vocabulary, pronunciation, speaking, etc. Basically, we go to the Engoo article website together (or you can do this on your own before our scheduled lesson) and choose a level (see image below) and topic. You can choose between intermediate (level 5) to proficient (level 10). After we make our selection, we
Engoo articles are great because new topics come out daily. You can also build your confidence as you move from level 5 to 6 to 7, etc. Grammar Guided Conversations I can answer your grammar questions, share resources, give ideas for personal practice, but also--- build conversation around specific grammar concepts. I like using the grammar focused questions on the eslconversationquestions website, but we can
Cambly Lessons
Cambly provides ready-to-go lessons for paying students. They're not bad! I especially like the ones that provide IELTS and TOEFL practices. If you're studying English for a specific purpose (eg. business), then we might find a good Cambly lesson series for you. There are also some interesting idiom and conversation focused lessons. Don't be surprised if we skip around or we don't make it through an entire Cambly lesson during a single reservation together. The Cambly lessons are often long, too easy, or too hard. It sometimes takes a little practice getting the Cambly lessons to work for you. Conclusion I work with ESL students all the time! It's my career. So if you'd like to do something besides the ideas listed in this article, don't hesitate to ask! I have a number of good articles on this blog that can help any ESL student answer questions and build their own English practice, but if you want to work with me on-on-one, find me on Cambly!
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It's natural to reach for your translator when you find a word you don't know in English. After all, we feel more comfortable in our native language, so putting words we don't understand into our native language feels...comforting.
If you ever hope to become a fluent speaker of English though, you will need to learn that the translator is the enemy. It will stop you from truly becoming a fluent speaker of English. Let's talk about why! Translation is for survival, not fluency For me, learning words in another languages is fun, but it can also be essential, especially if I'm traveling countries that don't speak my native language. When I visited China, for example, I ordered my food, found my hotel (etc) by translating words and phrases to help me get what I needed. (I'm sure you've done the same!) Sometimes I will ask a friend who speaks the language how to say "this word" or "that word." It's a good way to get interested in languages or get started in learning a new one! But I don't expect to learn a language by translating, and neither should you! Even with my level one (very basic) students, I try to help them find ways to translate less often. The truth is, translating can be addictive and often unhelpful. Languages are not all the same You'd think all words and phrases in your native language would translate perfectly in English, but just as grammar is different in each language, so are idioms, contexts, and meanings behind words. Some words don't exist at all in another language, or you may have several ways to say one idea whereas there are many ways to say the same idea in English. For example, in Icelandic, there are forty six ways to say "snow," whereas in English, there's just one. Learning the "hard" way It may seem "harder," but I promise putting your translator away will make you a better speaker of English. Start learning words by
I wish there was a magic button that allowed us to learn a language, simply by pushing it whenever we needed it, but there isn't. It takes time to be fluent. Translating will slow down your progress, so be brave. Put the translator away. Put yourself in uncomfortable situations--- that challenge your English skills. It's the only way you'll truly be fluent. If you're reading this article, I think you know a little English. Am I right? Maybe you studied English for a while, but you stopped. Did you get busy? Or did you "go home" after studying in an English speaking country and haven't used your English in a long time? Are you forgetting your English? It happens! Let's talk about what you can do to get better at English--- wherever you are at. Get into a habit Learning English takes time and practice. If you don't use it, you lose it! If you stopped using English, don't get mad at yourself. Instead, get back into a habit.
Award yourself with gold stars or a favorite drink if you keep to your schedule. Tell a friend about your goal and have him/her keep you accountable. Pick a skill There's
I have a bunch of articles to help you know what to do to improve each skill once you've picked one. But I think you can come up with your own ideas. Do you have any old workbooks or exercises from past teachers? Why not google your questions? (eg. What is present progressive?) Be creative and do your best to only work in English. (Remember, the translator is your enemy!) Find a teacher or tutor
It might cost a little, but hiring a private ESL teacher or signing up for English tutoring are probably the best ways to improve your English. If you are in an English speaking country, you could sign up for an English class at your local community college. Even though you won't always have one-on-one time with a teacher, you'll have classmates with similar goals, which can help motivate you. If, however, you want one-on-one help, I suggest you start your search online. Here are a couple of my favorite online resources: However you decide to work with a teacher or tutor, make sure you share your goals and manage your time. Also, be prepared to take an aptitude test--- something that measures your English. It isn't fair to ask a tutor to "rate" your English based on a short conversation. He/she will need to evaluate all aspects of your English before deciding if you are a basic, intermediate, or advanced English learner. Conclusion Anyone can get better at English! Be patient with yourself, build a habit, and practice. Don't give up! |
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