English Study Plan
by Ross McBride
First step: "Choose your Goal for learning English" -Goals are your motivation. What do you wish to accomplish with English?
- Sell and market your products to English speaking countries
- Be able to operate a business completely in English.
- Publish an authoritative business, scientific journal article in English
- Be admitted and study in a North American university.
- Travel independently in English speaking countries.
- As an Artist, perform for English speaking audiences
- Enjoy entertainment produced by English speaking artists
- Immigrate into an English speaking country
- Be promoted in your company, or get a better job
- Use English instructions for computer applications. Surf the net in English
- Score 950 on the Toeic test or 280 on the new Toefl exam
Second step: "Summarize the Learning Methods" - How you learn best. Here are some questions to determine "how you learn best"
- What English can you learn the most while studying alone?
- What English can you learn the most studying in a group?
- Can you listen once and remember the pronunciation and vocabulary?
- Does it help to see pictures of nouns or action verbs demonstrated?
- Do you have to write and repeat words to memorize vocabulary?
- How many times and ways must you use a word to "know" its proper context?
- How often do you have to repeat lessons?
- Can you create and use mnemonics to remember lists
- Does music or games help you to relax making learning easier?
Third step: "Form a Plan" - use the best learning methods to reach your goals. Here's an example of a two year plan to learn English:
- (First 6 months) Start with picture dictionaries, study pronunciation, watch TV, listen to taped conversations, for 1 - 2 hours each day.
- (Second 6 months) Add grammar, punctuation, spelling, vocabulary studies, start to read newspapers/magazines, for 1 - 2 hours each day
- (Third 6 months) Add one hour of English conversation classes everyday for 6 months, review grammar and vocabulary.
- (Fourth 6 months) Travel to Canada for 400 hours of English conversation classes, perform some volunteer work, take a special interest course and travel using English.
- (After two Years) Continuing education with one conversation class per week, watch English news on TV, read English newspapers
Fourth step: "Create a costs and benefits analysis of your plan"
- What FREE English learning resources are available on the internet?
- What FREE English learning resources are at the library, community or cultural centers?
- What FREE English Learning clubs offer conversation classes?
- What FREE English Language exchange clubs offer conversation classes?
- Compare the costs of books, texts, tapes, Cd's for self-study.
- Analyze the cost of instruction by tutors in a small group of 3 or 4
- Analyze the cost of instruction at local English schools
- Analyze costs of foreign travel and accommodation to study English abroad.
Fifth step: "Start your Plan"
Need help with your Plan? Use the following chart and Answer questions with a % score
How do you like to study?
By yourself____%
One partner____%
Small groups____%
Large groups____%
Total of this group = 100 %
What learning materials do you like to use?
audio CD's or cassettes____%
DVD's, videos or television____%
CALL and interactive computer programs____%
picture dictionaries____%
ESL workbooks____%
regular subject text books____%
newspapers, magazines____%
Total of this group = 100 %
Conversation Practice
group pronunciation drills____%
Conversations with native speakers____%
Low structure ESL student conversation____%
High structure ESL teacher talk____%
Total of this group = 100 %
