Author: Nageshwar Das

  • Organizational Behavior: What do you know about?

    Organizational Behavior: What do you know about?

    Organizational behavior is a delicate and complex process. The knowledge and information explosion, global competition, total quality, and diversity are some of the bitter realities that the managers are facing today. There are many solutions being offered to deal with these complex challenges. Yet the simple but most profound solution may be found in the words of Sam Walton, the richest person in the world and the founder of Wal-Mart. Sam was once asked the key to successful organizations and management. Sam quickly replied, “People are the key”.

    What do you know about Organizational Behavior?

    The term paradigm comes from the Greek word “Paradigma”, which means ”model, pattern or example”. First introduced over thirty years ago, by the philosophy and science historian Thomas Khun, the term “paradigm” is now used as, a broad model, a framework, a way of thinking, and a scheme for understanding reality. The impact of information technology, total quality, and diversity mentioned earlier has led to a paradigm shift.

    NEW PARADIGM:

    The organizational behavior has a goal to help the managers make a transition to the new paradigm. Some of the new paradigm characteristics include coverage of second-generation information technology and total quality management such as empowerment, re-engineering and benchmarking, and learning organization for managing the diversity of work. The new paradigm sets the stage for the study, understanding, and application of the time-tested micro-variables, dynamics, and macro-variables. One must know why management needs a new perspective to meet the environmental challenges and to shift to a new paradigm.

    A NEW PERSPECTIVE FOR MANAGEMENT:

    Management is generally considered to have three major dimensions—technical, conceptual and human. The technical dimension consists of the manager’s expertise in particular functional areas. They know the requirements of the jobs and have the functional knowledge to get the job done. But the practicing managers ignore the conceptual and human dimensions of their jobs.

    Most managers think that their employees are lazy, and are interested only in money and that if you could make them happy in terms of money, they would be productive. If such assumptions are accepted, the human problems that the management is facing are relatively easy to solve.

    But human behavior at work is much more complicated and diverse. The new perspective assumes that employees are extremely complex and that there is a need for theoretical understanding given by empirical research before applications can be made for managing people effectively.

    MODERN APPROACH TO ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR:

    The modern approach to organizational behavior is the search for the truth of why people behave the way they do. Organizational behavior is a delicate and complex process. If one aims to manage an organization, it is necessary to understand its operation. The organization is the combination of science and people. While science and technology are predictable, the human behavior in organization is rather unpredictable. This is because it arises from the deep needs and value systems of people.

    HISTORICAL BACKGROUND FOR MODERN ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR

    The following are below;

    Scientific Management Approach:

    Scientific management approach was developed by F.W. Taylor at the beginning of the 20th century. This theory supported the use of certain steps in scientifically studying each element of a job, selecting and training the best workers for the job arid making sure that the workers follow the prescribed method of doing the job. It provided a scientific rationale for job specialization and mass production. His assumption was that employees are motivated largely by money. To increase the output, Taylor advised managers to pay monetary incentives to efficient workers.

    Yet, his theory was criticized by many employers and workers. Workers objected to the pressure of work as being harder and faster. Critics worried that the methods took the humanity out of labor, reducing workers to machines responding to management incentives. Therefore, Taylor’s view is now considered inadequate and narrow due to the points given by the critics.

    Bureaucratic Approach:

    While scientific management was focusing on the interaction between workers and the task, me researchers were studying how to structure the organization more effectively. Instead of trying to make each worker more efficient, classical organization theory sought the most effective overall organizational structure for workers and managers.

    The theory’s most prominent advocate, Max Weber, proposed a ‘bureaucratic form’ of structure, which he thought would work for all organizations. Weber’s idea! bureaucracy was, logical, rational and efficient. He made the naive assumption that one structure would work best for all organizations.

    Henry Ford, Henry Fayol and Frederick W. Taylor, the early management pioneers, recognized the behavioral side of management. However, they did not emphasize the human dimensions. Although there were varied and complex reasons for the emerging importance of the behavioral approach to management, it is generally recognized that the Hawthorne studies mark the historical roots for the field of organizational behavior.

    Hawthorne Studies:

    Even, as Taylor and Weber brought attention with their rational, logical approaches to more efficient productivity, their views were criticized on the ground that both approaches ignored worker’s humanity.

    The real beginning of applied research in the area of organizational behavior started with Hawthorne Experiments. In 1924, a group of professors began an inquiry into the human aspects of work and working conditions at the Hawthorne plant of Western Electric Company, Chicago. The findings of these studies were given a new name ‘human relations’ the studies brought out a number of findings relevant to understanding human behavior at work. The Human element in the workplace was considerably more important. The workers are influenced by social factors and the behavior of the individual worker is determined by the group.

    Hawthorne studies have been criticized for their research methods and conclusions are drawn. But their impact on the emerging field of organizational behavior was dramatic. They helped usher in a more human-centered approach to work.

    APPROACHES TO ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR:

    There are mainly four approaches to organizational behavior. They are:

    • Human resources approach.
    • Contingency approach.
    • Productivity approach, and.
    • Systems approach.

    Human Resources Approach:

    The human resources approach is concerned with the growth and development of people towards higher levels of competency, creativity, and fulfillment because people are the central resource in any organization. This approach helps employees become better in terms of work and responsibility and then it tries to create a climate in which they can contribute to the best of their improved abilities. This approach is also known as ‘supportive approach’ because the manager’s primary role changes from the control of employees to provide active support for their growth and performance.

    A Contingency Approach:

    A contingency approach to organizational behavior implies that different situations require different behavioral practices for effectiveness instead of following a traditional approach for all situations. Each situation must be analyzed carefully to determine the significant variables that exist in order to establish more effective practices. The strength of this approach is that it encourages an analysis of each situation prior to action. Thus, it helps to use all the current knowledge about people in the organization in the most appropriate manner.

    Productivity Approach:

    Productivity is a ratio that compares units of output with units of input. It is often measured in terms of economic inputs and outputs. Productivity is considered to improve if more outputs can be produced from the same amount of inputs. But besides economic inputs and outputs, human and social inputs and outputs also arc important.

    Systems Approach:

    A system is an interrelated part of an organization or a society that interacts with everyone related to that organization or society and functions as a whole. Within the organization ‘people’ employ ‘technology’ in performing the ‘task’ that they are responsible for, while the ‘structure’ of the organization serves as a basis for coordinating all their different activities.

    The systems view emphasizes the interdependence of each of these elements within the organization if the organization as a whole is to function effectively. The other key aspect of the systems view of the organization is its emphasis on the interaction between the organization and its broader environment, which consists of social, economic, cultural and political environment within which they operate.

    Organizations are dependent upon their surrounding environment in two main ways:

    • First, the organization requires ‘inputs’ from the environment in the form of raw material, people, money, ideas and so on. The organization itself can be thought of as performing certain ‘transformation’ processes, on its inputs in order to create outputs in the form of products or services.
    • Secondly, the organization depends on the environment such as public to accept its output. The systems view of the organization thus emphasizes the key interdependencies that organizations must manage. Within themselves, the organizations must trade off the interdependencies among people, tasks, technology, and structure in order to perform their transformation processes effectively and efficiently. Organizations must also recognize their interdependence with the broader environments within which they exist.

    CONTEMPORARY ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR:

    A Separate Field of Study; Organizational behavior can be treated as a distinct field of study. It is yet to become a science. Now efforts are being made to synthesize principles, concepts, and processes in this field of study.

    Interdisciplinary Approach:

    Organizational behavior is basically an interdisciplinary approach. It draws heavily from other disciplines like psychology, sociology, and anthropology. Besides, it also takes relevant things from economics, political science, law, and history. Organizational behavior integrates the relevant contents of these disciplines to make them applicable to organizational analysis. e.g. it addresses issues, which may be relevant to the case, such as the following:

    • What facilitates accurate perception and attribution?
    • What influences individual, group and organizational learning and the development of individual attitudes toward. work?
    • How do individual differences in personality, personal development, and career development affect an individual’s behaviors and attitudes?
    • What motivates people to work, and how. do the organizational reward system influence worker’s behavior and attitudes?
    • How can conflict (between groups or between a manager and subordinates) be resolved or managed?
    • What contributes to effective decision-making?
    • What are the constituents of effective communication?
    • How do managers build effective teams?
    • How can power be secured and used productively?
    • What are the characteristics of effective communication?
    • What factors contribute to effective negotiations?
    • How can jobs and organizations be effectively designed?
    • How can managers help workers deal effectively with change?

    An Applied Science:

    The basic objective of organizational behavior is to make the application of various researches to solve organizational problems, particularly related to the human behavioral aspect.

    Normative and Value Centered:

    Organizational behavior is a normative science. A normative science prescribes how the various findings of researches can be applied to get organizational results, which are acceptable to society. Thus, what is acceptable by society or individuals engaged in an organization is a matter of values of the society and people concerned.

    Humanistic and Optimistic:

    Organizational behavior focuses on the attention of people from a humanistic point of view. It is based on the belief that the needs and motivation of people are of high’ concern. Further, there is optimism about the innate potential of man to be independent, creative, predictive and capable of contributing positively to the objectives of the organization.

    Oriented towards Organizational Objectives:

    Organizational behavior is oriented towards organizational objectives. In fact, organizational behavior tries to integrate both individual and organizational objectives so that both are achieved simultaneously.

    A Total System Approach:

    An individual’s behavior can be analyzed keeping in view his psychological framework, interpersonal-orientation, group influence, and social and cultural factors; Thus, individual’s nature is quite complex and organizational behavior by applying systems approach tries to find solutions for this complexity.

  • Common Mistakes to Avoid for Beginners

    Common Mistakes to Avoid for Beginners

    Improve your English writing and speaking skills by avoid these 30 common mistakes. Learn about grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation errors to sound more natural.

    30 Common Mistakes to Avoid for Beginners

    English is a confusing language; there is no doubt about that. There are a lot of mistakes even native speakers make.

    30 Common Mistakes to avoid in English: English is a confusing language; there is no doubt about that. There are a lot of mistakes even native speakers make. Below are 30 common observed mistakes with explanations and examples to help you avoid them.

    1. Focusing Solely on Grammar

    This is the most common mistake new learners make. If you focus on correcting your grammar too much, your English might sound unnatural to a native speaker. Grammar is important, but over-focusing can hurt your ability to speak fluently.

    2. Confusing ‘in time’ and ‘on time’

    ‘On time’ means punctual. For example: “I am always on time.” ‘In time’ means before a deadline. For example: “I submitted my college assignment just in time.”

    3. Misusing Gender Pronouns

    It is common to mix up he, she, him, and her. This can be a problem for learners from languages without gender-specific pronouns. For instance, confusing ‘he’ and ‘she’ may not affect the meaning much but can lead to funny mistakes.

    4. Fun and Funny

    ‘Fun’ is a noun, while ‘funny’ is an adjective. For example: “The rides were fun” and “My friend is funny”. Something that causes enjoyment and pleasure is ‘fun’, while something that makes you laugh is ‘funny’.

    5. Singular and Plural Errors

    Sometimes, learners miss the ‘s’ at the end of a word to make it plural. Problems also arise with uncountable words or names ending with an ‘s’. For instance, “There are a lot of Smiths in our building,” not “Smithies.”

    6. Less and Fewer

    ‘Less’ and ‘fewer’ are often confused. Use ‘fewer’ for countable nouns: “There are fewer people.” Use ‘less’ for uncountable nouns: “There is less water.”

    7. A and The

    ‘A’ is used when referring to something for the first time, while ‘the’ is used for something specific or already mentioned. Avoid these articles when speaking about things in general.

    8. Who and That

    ‘Who’ is for people, and ‘that’ is for objects. For example: “The boy who yelled wolf” and “The cycle that rolled off the hill.”

    9. Overusing “Very”

    Instead of saying “very happy,” it’s more natural to say “thrilled” or “ecstatic.” Overusing ‘very’ can make your text sound repetitive.

    10. Using the Wrong Preposition

    Using the wrong preposition is a common mistake. For instance, it’s “interested in” not “interested on.”

    11. Incorrect Conjugation of Irregular Verbs

    For example, “He goes to work every day” but “He went to work yesterday.”

    12. Mixing Up Their, There, and They’re

    ‘Their’ is possessive, ‘there’ refers to a place, and ‘they’re’ is a contraction for ‘they are’. For example: “They’re going to their house over there.”

    13. Misplacing Modifiers

    Modifiers should be placed next to the word they modify. “She almost drove for six hours,” and not “She drove for almost six hours.”

    14. Using Double Negatives

    Avoid double negatives like “I don’t have no money.” Instead, say “I don’t have any money.

    15. Mispronouncing Words

    Keep practicing pronunciation. For instance, “pronunciation” is often mistakenly pronounced as “pronounciation.”

    16. Wrong Word Order in Questions

    It should be “Where are you going?” not “Where you are going?”

    17. Redundant use of Expressions

    Avoid redundancy. Instead of saying “return back,” just say “return”.

    18. Confusing Affect and Effect

    ‘Affect’ is a verb, while ‘effect’ is a noun. For example: “The weather affects my mood” and “The effect was surprising.

    19. Incorrect Use of Apostrophes

    Use apostrophes for contractions: “They’re” (they are) and possessive: “John’s book.”

    20. Overusing Passive Voice

    While not necessarily incorrect, overusing passive voice can make sentences less direct. Try to use active voice where possible.

    21. Using Much and Many Incorrectly

    ‘Much’ should be used with uncountable nouns and ‘many’ with countable nouns. For example: “How much water?” and “How many apples?”

    22. Improper Use of “Me” and “I”

    Use “I” as the subject and “me” as the object. For example: “John and I went to the store.” and “The gift was for John and me.”

    23. Ending Sentences with Prepositions

    While often acceptable in spoken English, it’s best to avoid this in formal writing. Instead of “Where are you at?” use “Where are you?”

    24. Incorrect Comparative and Superlative Forms

    For short adjectives, add -er for comparisons and -est for superlatives. “Shirt is shorter” and “shortest,” not “more short.”

    25. Using “That” instead of “Who”

    Use “who” when referring to people and “that” for things. For example: “The man who spoke” not “The man that spoke.”

    26. Forgetting to Use “To” in Verb Infinitives

    For example: “I want to eat,” not “I want eat.”

    27. Misusing “Then” and “Than”

    ‘Then’ refers to time, and ‘than’ is used for comparisons. For example: “I had breakfast, then I went to work.” “She is taller than I am.”

    28. Incorrect Use of “Lay” and “Lie”

    ‘Lay’ requires a direct object, but ‘lie’ does not. “I lay the book down” versus “I need to lie down.”

    29. Misuse of Reflexive Pronouns

    Reflexive pronouns should refer back to the subject. “I did it myself,” not “Myself did it.”

    30. Using Conditional Sentences Incorrectly

    For example: “If I were you, I would…” instead of “If I was you, I would…”.

    Note: Steps to Start Improving Instantly

    • Go on the Internet and look for common mistakes made while learning English for your native language.
    • Keep a pen and paper beside you.
    • Write down all the mistakes you have been making.
    • Understand the correct way to use the words or phrases.
    • Make your own sentences using these words and phrases.
  • The hidden secrets that will help you learn English in a weekend

    The hidden secrets that will help you learn English in a weekend

    Unlock the secrets to learn English in a weekend! With dedication and immersion, you can learn vocabulary, grammar, and speaking skills in record time.

    The hidden secrets that will help you learn English in a weekend

    Since you can read and learn English, you could strive to perfect it in one weekend. It will not be easy to learn everything there is to learn in a weekend but if you work hard enough, it can be done. However, implement what you learn is probably the hardest part.

    Speak English daily:

    Do not slip up and start using your native language. Even when you are with your own people, speak in English. If you do not have any way to speak English outside, do it at home. Watch T.V. or read a book and repeat out loud. Not speaking English will not help you learn. You have to use it to remember it!

    Study it:

    Every day, for at least one hour, study the language. Study the words, the history of the words, learn the grammatical rules etc. Even if you spend only half an hour a day, that will work. Think of your English skills as a piece of iron that will rust and break apart if you do not study and oil it.

    Goals:

    Setting goals for yourself is a good way to learn English. Pick common everyday words, and decide to use them regularly by the end of the week or month. You could set any goal you want. This would also turn learning English into a challenge with yourself.

    Be confident:

    Being confident means speaking English when you are outside, even if you are not good at it. Do not apologize for not being able to speak properly, instead ask for help and advice. It is essential to be confident or you will never have the guts to speak out in the open and you will never find out what your level of English is.

    Keep a small notebook with you:

    While you are learning, it would be a good idea to keep a notebook with you at all times. Every time you come across a word that you do not understand, write it down! After that look for its meaning. At the end of your day, go through this list and learn the words on it. Try making sentences in which you can use these new words that you learned. This is a good practice because without writing down the words, chances are that you will forget them.

    Learn to listen:

    Speaking in English outside with other people is not your only problem, you also have to learn to listen. Speaking and listening require two different parts of your body. You have to train your ears to listen to a new language and differential the words. Listen as much as you can. You could also read aloud and this way you would be listening to yourself.

    Do not lose confidence:

    Learning anything new can be emotionally draining, but do not start thinking in a negative way. Instead of thinking “I can’t” think “I will”. Set a date, say a year or two years down the line, when you will be a fluent speaker, reader and writer in English.

    Work hard:

    Everything requires hard work, even learning a language. It is important not to think of it as something that will occur in its own time. You can work hard and reduce your learning time.

    Treat yourself:

    Motivation is the best tool! Treat you and your friends to dinner after you complete a particular goal. Also, ask your friends to test you. This way you will not only look forward to dinner with friends every weekend, but also completing goals on time.

    Thesaurus:

    To develop a vast vocabulary, use a thesaurus. Learn different words with the same meanings, and then use these words in a sentence. Here, you might also see a word that you find fascinating.

    Group study:

    If you know other people trying to learn English, propose a group study. They always work better than trying to study alone. In the group, test each other using flashcards. This will not only be fun, but you will retain more when you are in a group.

    Spellings:

    Do not just learn new words, remember to learn their spellings as well. Spelling as important to learn pronunciations. However, many times in English the words are not always pronounced as they are spelled. I would suggest using an online source to perfect your pronunciations, and then writing each word while pronouncing it aloud. This would develop an association in your brain for the word.

    Pay attention to idioms and colloquialisms:

    To talk as a native speaker talking in English, it is important to pay special attention to idioms and colloquialisms. Make a separate notebook for these and follow the same process as you use for the words.

    Revise:

    Revise every word you have learned during the week on Sunday, or any other day. This way you make sure that the words stay with you. Remember to speak out loud so you hear yourself and your ears are trained to catch the word.

    English movies and songs:

    Whenever you have time on your hands, watch an English movie. This way you will get used to the idea of listening to and speaking English. It will begin to seem like a natural language. Songs can be heard any time, so pick your favorite songs and play them. Pay attention to pronunciations. Do not use subtitles or you will not pay attention to what the person is saying. Books are for readings, when you are watching a movie, listen!

    How to Learn English in a Weekend: Tips and Guides

    Learning English in one weekend is an ambitious goal, but with intense focus and the right strategies, you can make notable progress. Here are some effective tips and guides to help you on your journey:

    1. Immerse Yourself Completely

    Spend the entire weekend surrounded by English. Change the language settings on your phone and other devices to English. Consume all forms of media—TV shows, movies, music, books, and news—in English. This immersion helps to reinforce vocabulary and familiarizes you with common phrases and sentence structures.

    2. Focus on Basic Vocabulary and Phrases

    Start with the essentials. Learn common vocabulary and phrases for everyday situations such as greetings, ordering food, shopping, and asking for directions. Here are a few examples:

    • Greetings: Hello, Hi, Good morning, Good evening
    • Common Questions: How are you? What’s your name? Where are you from?
    • Useful Phrases: Thank you, Please, Excuse me, I’m sorry

    3. Use Language Learning Apps

    Download language learning apps like Duolingo, Babbel, or Rosetta Stone. These apps offer structured lessons that focus on vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. They are designed to be interactive and keep you engaged.

    4. Practice Speaking

    Find a language partner or use language exchange platforms like Tandem or HelloTalk to practice speaking with native speakers. If that isn’t possible, try speaking to yourself in English or use voice recognition features in apps to get feedback on your pronunciation.

    5. Listen and Repeat

    Listen to English audio resources like podcasts, songs, or audiobooks. Pause and repeat the sentences to practice pronunciation. Try to mimic the intonation and rhythm of the speakers.

    6. Use Flashcards for Memorization

    Create flashcards with useful vocabulary and phrases. Use apps like Anki or physical flashcards to test yourself repeatedly. This spaced repetition technique will help improve retention.

    7. Work on Common Expressions and Slang

    Get familiar with common English expressions and slang. Understanding and using these will make your speech sound more natural and fluent:

    • Expressions: Break a leg, Piece of cake, Under the weather
    • Slang: Cool, Hang out, Catch up

    8. Write it Down

    Practice writing simple sentences and short paragraphs. Start with a daily journal entry or describe your day in English. Writing helps reinforce learning and improves your ability to construct sentences correctly.

    9. Watch Educational Videos

    Watch YouTube channels like “English Addiction with Mr. Duncan” or TED Talks. These can be helpful for both understanding spoken English and picking up new vocabulary.

    10. Stay Confident and Positive

    Last but not least, stay confident and positive. Learning a language is challenging, but with dedication and the right mindset, you’ll make progress. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes—they are a crucial part of the learning process.

    Sample Schedule:

    Here’s a sample schedule to help you organize your weekend:

    Day 1:

    • Morning: Start with basic vocabulary and phrases; Use language learning apps
    • Afternoon: Practice listening and repeating with podcasts and songs; Create and review flashcards
    • Evening: Watch an English movie or TV show; Write a short summary of what you watched

    Day 2:

    • Morning: Review previous day’s vocabulary; Practice speaking with a language partner or app
    • Afternoon: Learn common expressions and slang; Practice writing sentences
    • Evening: Watch educational videos or TED Talks; Write a journal entry about your weekend

    By following these tips diligently, you’ll be on your way to improving your English skills significantly over the weekend. Good luck!

    Note: Steps to Start Improving instantly;

    • Pick a topic that is trending
    • Decide on your opinion on the topic
    • Prepare a speech on a pen and paper
    • In a gathering of friends or family, make this speech!
  • English Writing Improvement Tricks and Tips

    English Writing Improvement Tricks and Tips

    Discover effective techniques to improvement your English writing. Practice daily, review your work, and avoid common mistakes.

    English Writing Improvement Tricks and Tips

    As I said earlier, a language has four components – Reading, listening, speaking and writing. Each of these components is complementary to each other. Once you know how to listen, read and speak English, it is time to finish the process by writing properly. Writing is probably the easiest to do; However, one can make mistakes in spellings. Also, a person thinks and writes at different speeds and that could unintentionally ruin the sentence. Still, writing is not all that easy. Problems arise when it comes to punctuation marks.

    Write, write, write!

    Just like reading and expanding your vocabulary, writing properly involves a lot of practice. Pick a topic, and start writing. Do this exercise every day. Make a portfolio of all your pieces and review them in a month and look for Mistakes that you made. Once you are done, ask a friend to edit it for you.

    Learn the correct version:

    Once you have figured out your mistakes, make it a point to learn the correct version. Incorporate the corrected version in your next piece of writing exercise.

    Avoid using a guide:

    While you are practicing your writing skills, do not use a guide or dictionary. Make mistakes and then learn from those mistakes. If you do not make mistakes you will never learn. Once you know the mistakes you made, start writing again and try correcting those same mistakes.

    Use new words and phrases:

    Make it a point to use at least two new words and phrases, as well as idioms, slang and colloquialisms in your article. Make sure you ask somebody to correct these if they are wrong.

    Punctuation:

    The punctuation marks you use at the end of each sentence will set the tone of that particular sentence. Whether it is an exclamation (!) or a question (?) depends on how you frame your sentence.

    Note: Steps to Start Improving instantly;

    • Pick a topic that interests you and are passionate about,
    • Start a blog based on the topic.

    English Writing Improvement Tricks and Tips

    Improving your English writing skills involves consistent practice and getting familiar with different aspects of the language. Here are some practical tips to help you enhance your writing:

    1. Read Regularly

    Reading a variety of materials such as books, articles, and essays helps you understand different writing styles and expand your vocabulary. Pay attention to sentence structure, word choice, and grammar.

    2. Write Daily

    Set aside time each day to write. It could be journaling, blogging, or writing short stories. Consistent practice helps you refine your writing skills.

    3. Use Writing Prompts

    Writing prompts can help spark creativity and push you to write about new and diverse topics. There are many online resources available that provide daily writing prompts.

    4. Expand Your Vocabulary

    Make a habit of learning new words daily and using them in your writing. Tools like flashcards, vocabulary apps, and keeping a word journal can be helpful.

    5. Focus on Sentence Structure

    Vary your sentence structure to make your writing more interesting. Use a mix of short and long sentences and experiment with complex and compound sentences.

    6. Pay Attention to Grammar and Punctuation

    Proper grammar and punctuation are essential for clear and effective writing. Refer to grammar guides and use online tools to check your work.

    7. Edit and Revise

    Always review and revise your writing. Editing helps you catch errors and improve the clarity and flow of your text. Consider getting feedback from others to gain a new perspective.

    8. Avoid Repetition

    Using the same words and phrases repeatedly can make your writing monotonous. Use synonyms and rephrase sentences to keep your writing fresh.

    9. Practice Mindful Writing

    Be mindful of what you are writing. Think about the message you want to convey and the best way to articulate it.

    10. Use Writing Tools

    Several online tools can help you improve your writing. Tools like Grammarly, Hemingway Editor, and Thesaurus.com can assist in grammar checks, readability, and finding appropriate synonyms.

    Beginner Steps to Start Improving Instantly:

    • Pick a topic you are interested in and write about it.
    • Start a blog to share your thoughts and practice writing regularly.
    • Engage in writing communities to receive feedback and tips.

    Improvement your English writing takes time and dedication, but with consistent practice and the right strategies, you’ll see significant progress. Happy writing!

  • Most Used English Vocabulary Imperative to Learn

    Most Used English Vocabulary Imperative to Learn

    Enhance your English vocabulary with an in-depth understanding of the imperative mood. Learn how to give commands and make requests with confidence.

    Most Used English Vocabulary Imperative to Learn

    The imperative mood in English vocabulary is used to give commands, make requests, or offer invitations. It is a direct way to engage the listener and instruct them on what to do.

    Definition:

    Imperative Mood: A grammatical mood expressing a command, obligation, or a request.

    Examples:

    • “Study harder.”
    • “Please close the door.”
    • “Come to the event.”

    Key Characteristics:

    1. Structure: Starts with a verb in its base form, without a subject.
    2. Directness: Focuses on the action, not the subject performing it.
    3. Usage: Often used for instructions, requests, offers, and advice.

    English has an extensive vocabulary. It is loaded with homophones, homonyms, and homographs.

    • Homonyms – Words with the same spellings and pronunciations but different meanings.
    • Homophones – Words that sound similar but have different spellings and meanings.
    • Homographs – Words that are spelled the same but have different pronunciations and meanings.

    HOMOPHONES:

    1. Advise – Advise is a verb. For example: I advise you to bring bottled water.

      Advice – Advice is a noun. For example: I need your advice.

    2. Affect – Affect is a verb, which means, “to influence.” For example: The injury won’t affect her performance.

      Effect – Effect is a noun, that means “the outcome or result.” When used as a verb, ‘effect’ means “to produce a result.” For example: The song had a calming effect on the baby.

    3. Allude – Allude is a verb, which means “calling attention to indirectly.” It is a ‘coy.’ For example: The paintings allude to Rembrandt.

      Elude – Elude means to evade or get away from something. For example: Michael Scofield eluded the cops.

    4. Allusion – An allusion is an indirect or casual reference. For example: The novel’s title is an allusion to Shakespeare.

      Illusion – An illusion is a false idea or image. For example: The tension between illusion and reality.

    5. All – Used to refer to the whole quantity. For example: She left all her jewelry to her daughter.

      Awl – A small pointed tool used for piercing holes. For example: He used an awl to pierce the leather.

    6. Amoral – Lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with the rightness or wrongness of something. For example: An amoral attitude to gender discrimination.

      Immoral – Immoral means violating conscience or public morality. For example: An immoral and unwinnable war.

    7. Ark – Noah’s ark OR a vessel that serves as protection against extinction. For example: A starship built by their android protectors.

      Arc – A curved shape. For example: The huge arc of the sky.

    8. Bazaar – Bazaar is a marketplace. For example: Tony went to the bazaar to buy vegetables.

      Bizarre – Bizarre, on the other hand, means something unusual and spooky. For example: The Bermuda Triangle incidents are bizarre.

    9. Bridal – Bridal concerns a wedding or bride. For example: Bridal traditions will never go away.

      Bridle – A bridle is a horse harness or a rope. It could also mean to keep under control. For example: The fact that she was the servant bridled her tongue.

    10. Coign – An external corner of a wall. For example: ‘Coign of vantage’ is a phrase meaning a favorable position for observation or action.

      Coin – A flat, typically round piece of metal with an official stamp, used as money OR to invent or devise a new word or phrase. For example: He showed me how we could make a lot of coins OR he coined the term ‘desktop publishing.’

    11. Colonel – An army officer of high rank. For example: The jawans saluted as the Colonel drove by.

      Kernel – A softer, usually edible part of a nut OR the central or most important part of something. For example: This is the kernel of the argument.

    12. Complement – A thing that completes or brings to perfection. For example: The libretto proved a perfect complement to the music.

      Compliment – A polite expression of praise or admiration. For example: The bride was complimented by many on her wedding day.

    13. Doe – A female deer. For example: The safari saw a doe and her fawn.

      Dough – A thick, malleable mixture of flour and liquid, used for baking OR lots of money. For example: The dog ate the cookie dough.

    14. Elicit – Evoke or draw out. For example: A corrupt heart elicits in an hour all that is bad in us.

      Illicit – Forbidden by law, rules, or customs. For example: Adolescents have started using illicit drugs.

    15. Gorilla – A powerfully built great ape. For example: The gorillas were creating a ruckus in the jungle.

      Guerrilla – A member of a small independent group taking part in irregular fighting. For example: The guerrilla warfare was getting out of hand.

    16. Immanent – Immanent means “pervading” or “existing within.” For example: The room’s immanent tension made her anxious.

      Imminent – Imminent means “about to happen.” For example: The exam period is imminent.


      Eminent – Eminent means “distinguished.” For example: He was an eminent scholar.

    17. Knead – Massage or squeeze with the hands. For example: The bakers kneaded the dough.

      Need – Require something because it is essential or very important. For example: I don’t need your sarcasm.

    18. Licence – Licence is the noun. For example: One who is licensed to perform dental surgery has a dental surgeon’s Licence.

      License – License is the verb.

    19. Nay – Or rather; more than that. For example: It will take months, nay, years.

      Neigh – A characteristic high-pitched sound uttered by a horse. For example: The horses neighed in excitement on seeing their master.

    20. Principle – A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior. For example: A man of principle.

      Principal – The first in order of importance. For example: The country’s principal cities.

    21. Shear – Cut something (such as wool, hair, or grass) with scissors or shears. For example: I’ll shear off all the fleece.

      Sheer – Nothing other than; unmitigated. For example: She giggled with sheer delight.

    22. Stake – A strong wooden or metal post with a point at one end. For example: They used stakes to support the trees.

      Steak – A slice of meat or fish, especially beef, cooked by broiling, frying, etc. For example: He liked his steak rare.

    23. Team – Two or more people working together. For example: He teamed up with the band to produce the album.

      Teem – Be full of or swarming with. For example: Every garden is teeming with wildlife.

    24. Toe – Any of the five digits at the end of a human foot; push, touch, or kick with one’s toe. For example: He toed off his shoes and flexed his feet.

      Tow – Pull along with a rope or chain. For example: The car had to be towed once it stalled.

    25. Vain – Conceited; producing no result. For example: A vain attempt to tidy up the room.

      Vane – Device for showing wind direction.


      Vein – A blood vessel; streak; crack. For example: He felt the adrenalin course through his veins.

    26. We – Used to refer to the speaker together with other people regarded in the same category. For example: Nobody knows kids better than we teachers do.

      Wee – Little; very small; very early. For example: In the wee hours of the morning.

    27. Whine – A complaining tone of voice. For example: The whine of the engine.

      Wine – An alcoholic drink made of fermented grape juice. For example: He opened a bottle of red wine.

    28. Wretch – An unfortunate or unhappy person; a despicable or contemptible person. For example: Ungrateful wretches.

      Retch – Make a sound or movement of vomiting. For example: The poor child retched during the flight.

    Homographs and Homonyms:

    There are also words such as homonyms and homographs. Homographs are words with different meanings and pronunciations but the same spellings, while homonyms are words with different meanings but the same spellings and pronunciations. Homographs are words such as read (reed) and read (red).

    • Bow – A weapon used for shooting arrows; a ribbon tied with two knots; bending your head to show respect to a king.
    • Wound – An injury; wrap around something.
    • Minute – Something small and tiny; a period of time.
    • Sow – Planting a seed in the ground; an adult female pig.
    • Tear – Tears are what comes out of your eyes when you cry; ripping or breaking something.

    Some homonyms to look out for are:

    1. Book – One could refer to the book you are reading, or to booking a seat at a restaurant or booking a ticket.
    2. Peer – It could mean looking at something, or a person your own age.
    3. Fair – A fair could be a place you go to have fun, or it would mean being just and reasonable.

    Note: Steps to Start Improving Instantly:

    • Keep a pocket notebook with yourself all the time.
    • Concentrate on people’s speech.
    • Pick out words that are noticed as homophones, homonyms, and homographs.
    • Categorize these words in different sections.
    • Find their different meanings and uses for learn English vocabulary imperative mood.

    The Importance of Learning English Vocabulary

    Why is Vocabulary Essential?

    1. Communication: A rich vocabulary allows you to express your thoughts clearly and effectively.
    2. Understanding: Knowing more words improves your reading comprehension and listening skills.
    3. Academic Success: A strong vocabulary is crucial for academic achievements and standardized tests.
    4. Professional Growth: It enhances your ability to communicate in a professional setting, aiding career advancement.
    5. Cultural Awareness: Vocabulary helps in understanding cultural nuances and idiomatic expressions unique to English.

    How to Improve Your English Vocabulary

    1. Read Regularly: Books, articles, and blogs in English will introduce you to new words.
    2. Use a Thesaurus: Learning synonyms and antonyms expands your word knowledge.
    3. Flashcards: Create flashcards for new words and review them regularly.
    4. Conversational Practice: Use new vocabulary in conversations to reinforce learning.
    5. Word Games: Engage in crosswords, Scrabble, and other word games for a fun learning method.

    Practical Tips

    • Set Goals: Aim to learn a certain number of new words each day or week.
    • Contextual Learning: Try to learn words through sentences and paragraphs rather than in isolation.
    • Regular Review: Consistently review and practice the words you have learned to ensure they become a permanent part of your vocabulary.

    Improving your vocabulary is imperative to mastering the English language and can open up numerous opportunities in various aspects of life.

  • Some Quick Steps to Learn English Grammar

    Some Quick Steps to Learn English Grammar

    Unravel the secrets of learn English grammar. Explore the fundamentals of nouns, verbs, and sentence construction to enhance your language skills.

    Some Quick Steps to Learn English Grammar

    Grammar can be pesky and annoying. It is not easy to learn because there are so many rules that simply do not make sense. For example, the pronunciations of ‘cat’ as ‘Kat’ and ‘price’ as ‘prize’, does not make sense. Grammar can be defined as a set of notions about the correct use of a language. English Grammar is extensive. The words can be distinguished into nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and conjunctions. A little introduction into the basics of Grammar is important so that you understand how things work.

    Nouns:

    In the simplest form, a noun is used to identify a name, place, animal or thing. It is also the largest English word class. Noun phrases are sentences that function as nouns. For example: The Eiffel Tower is in Paris.

    Pronouns:

    Pronouns function in place of nouns and noun phrases. These include personal pronouns, interrogative pronouns, demonstrative pronouns, and relative pronouns. For example, I, you, we, she, he, they are all pronouns. For example: They stabbed him in the back.

    Verbs:

    Verbs describe actions. For example: She is singing. It is used for a word that describe any action being performed.

    Adjective:

    An adjective describes an attribute of a word or phrase. For example: She is singing beautifully.

    Adverb:

    An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective or another adverb. For example: Sea biscuit was the fastest runner at the Derby.

    Conjunctions:

    A conjunction is a word that is used to connect two sentences. It creates a logical relation between two phrases. For example, and, or, but, nor, as well as, neither, for, so etc. are called conjunctions.

    Preposition:

    A preposition is a word that shows the relation of a noun or pronoun to other words in the sentence. For example: The book is in the shelf. Speaking English is different from speaking correct English. For someone who has been speaking in English his or her entire life, Grammar comes naturally. I know a lot of people who can speak English and get their point across, but their Grammar is not that great. There are a few steps you can take to practice your Grammar skills.

    Understand the parts of speech:

    Learn all the parts of speech. Essentially, every word in a sentence can be categorized into a word class. When you are reading a book or the newspaper, try figuring out which words are the nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, pronouns, conjunctions, and prepositions.

    Look for structures:

    Observe how people use their words and how books are written. There are certain structures that stay the same.

    Identify mistakes:

    There are a lot of mistakes in the way English is spoken and written, even by native English speakers. However, when learning a new language, some words may be difficult for your native speakers. This differs from language to language. For example, Russians have trouble understanding the difference between the use of ‘a’ and ‘the’.

    Exercises:

    Perform grammatical exercises. You could do this on the Internet or you could buy a children’s English schoolbook. Complete at least one exercise in a day. This is how children learn Grammar. There is no other way to do it.

    Hire a tutor:

    It would be advisable for you go hire a tutor to guide you. Only a tutor can tell you that you are wrong and correct your mistakes. Colleagues and friend might not correct you for fear of embarrassing you or hurting your feelings.

    Do not translate!

    Translating English to your native language or vise-versa will inevitably create mistakes. Let your native language be and concentrate only on English. Translating generally, spoils the Grammar of the sentence. Listen When you are listening, you are hearing correct Grammar. You could either listen to
    yourself while reading aloud or you could watch T.V.

    Note: Steps to Start Improving instantly;

    • Pick an English book or newspaper to read,
    • Keep a pen and paper with you. Preferably a small notebook specifically for components of Grammar,
    • While reading, go one paragraph at a time and note down the nouns, verbs, adjective and adverbs that you come across,
    • Try making your own sentences using these words,
    • Repeat the same process for the next paragraph

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Why is learning English grammar important?

    Learning English grammar is crucial because it helps you construct coherent and understandable sentences. Good grammar allows for effective communication and helps you avoid misunderstandings.

    2. What are the basic parts of speech?

    The basic parts of speech include nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and conjunctions. Understanding these categories helps you analyze and correctly construct sentences.

    3. How can I effectively learn the parts of speech?

    You can effectively learn the parts of speech by reading books or newspapers and identifying the role of each word in a sentence. Practicing by categorizing words into their respective parts of speech can enhance your understanding.

    4. Why should I avoid translating between languages while learning English?

    Avoiding translation helps you think directly in English, which prevents grammatical errors that can arise from differences between languages. Concentrating solely on English ensures better grammar and fewer mistakes.

    5. What are some practical exercises to improve grammar skills?

    Practical exercises include completing grammatical exercises from children’s English schoolbooks, reading English literature and noting parts of speech, and making your own sentences using newly learned words.

    6. How can hiring a tutor help with learning grammar?

    A tutor can provide personalized guidance, correct your mistakes, and offer constructive feedback, which you might not get from friends or colleagues who may avoid correcting you to spare your feelings.

    7. What role does listening play in learning English grammar?

    Listening to correct grammar through spoken language, such as watching TV or listening to audiobooks, helps reinforce proper sentence structures and usage in your mind.

    8. What initial steps should I take to improve my English grammar instantly?

    To start improving instantly:

    • Read an English book or newspaper.
    • Keep a small notebook for grammar components.
    • Note down nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs while reading.
    • Create your own sentences using identified words.
    • Repeat the process for each paragraph.
  • Techniques for Memorizing Extensive Vocabulary Phrases Idioms

    Techniques for Memorizing Extensive Vocabulary Phrases Idioms

    Mastering a new language requires memorizing extensive vocabulary. Learn effective techniques to expand your word bank.

    Simple Techniques for Memorizing Extensive Vocabulary Phrases Idioms

    The hardest part is memorizing extensive vocabulary all those new words! It has to be done though. You cannot hope to master the language successfully without learning the words and phrases that make it up. The best way to expand your vocabulary and knowledge of idioms is through reading. Hence, making that list of new words is important! However, watching English movies will give you a bigger knowledge of idioms and phrases. Now, when you build your English memorizing extensive vocabulary as well as stock of phrases and idioms, you can disintegrate your learning into two levels:

    Fundamental level:

    There are 2000 to 2500 words which called the foundation blocks of English language. These words are not particularly listed but comprise of each first word for every meaning that you learn to the count. These include certain words like how, why, where which are not replaceable by another word. For phrases and idioms, the cardinal ones will fall in the fundamental category.

    Extensive level:

    Every word, phrase or idiom with similar or opposite meaning and intent as of the fundamental ones will form the memorizing extensive your vocabulary list for a more in-depth learning.

    Tips for memorizing extensive vocabulary

    • One word at a time: Do not try to learn the entire dictionary in a weekend. That will not do you any good! Start small. Once you find a new word, incorporate it in your daily use.
    • Spend every spare minute reading: Read, read, and read! Books will expand your vocabulary to a large extent. Pay close attention to what you are reading. If you do not understand a word, use a dictionary to find its meaning.
    • Context skills: Usually, while reading it is easy to decipher the meaning of a word from the sentence it is used in i.e. the context. In this sentence, you can figure out that the word ‘decipher’ means to understand or convert into normal language. If you come across a word that you cannot completely understand, before turning to the dictionary, trying figuring out what the word could mean. Then, you can cross check with the dictionary to see if you were right. This will build your context skills and it is important in English because a lot of words are similar and pronounced in the same way. Some words even have the same spelling but mean something completely different.
    • Practice: Of course, practice makes perfect. Use the new vocabulary you have, or you might forget it before you even get a chance to use it. After learning a word and understanding the context it is used in, make it a point to put that word in your sentences.
    • Use the dictionary: I know I said do not learn the dictionary in a day, but skimming through it and picking out words that fascinate you is a good exercise. Learn these words and use them so you get used to the context they are used in.
    • Play with words: Play games like scrabble or words with friends or razzle. These games can increase your vocabulary in a fun way. Ask friends to help you along the way. Since these games have a competitive twist, you intend to learn new words faster. Even Pictionary is a good game to learn new words. Since you are drawing the words out, the meaning of the word stays with you.
    • Crosswords: Make it a point to do the crossword every day. They can be a little overwhelming but with a little help, one can usually manage to complete the whole thing. They not only give you knew words as you go through the thesaurus, but your general knowledge also expands. I think this is a brilliant exercise for learning a language.
    • Write a journal: Start a written journal where you pen down your thoughts in English. This way you can practice writing as well. Remember to use the words you learned that day.
    • Listen: When others speak, listen! Observe how native English speaker use their words. Do not hesitate in asking what they mean if you don’t understand something. When you learn listen, you will also learn the usage of idioms, phrases, slang and colloquialisms. This will make you more fluent as well as understandable.
    • Associations: When you learn a new word, associate it with something so that you have an easier time recalling it later. It could be a color, a feeling, another word, or anything else. For example, ‘quintessential’ – one of my favorite words – means ‘the perfect example of something’. You can associate it with your favorite dish, your favorite actress or actor, your parents. Use these associations to remember the word.
    • Make a list of words: In a diary you keep with you, make a list of all the words you come across in a day. When you get home or in your free time, open a dictionary and find the meanings of each word you collected.
    • Learn the roots: Make it a point to learn the roots of the words. This is an interesting way to remember the words. Mostly every word in English has roots in either Latin or Greek. It is fun to learn how the word came about. Languages keep evolving, so a word that meant something in the 17th century would not mean the same today.
    • Use the word: Again, this point is so important that I am repeating is over and over again. If you do not use the words you learn; you will forget them. Learn to use the words. Make is a habit.
    • Prefixes and suffixes: English has a lot of words that use prefixes and suffixes. A prefix is a word that is added before another word. A suffix on the other hand is a morpheme that is added to the end of a word.

    Note: Steps to Start Improving instantly

    • Pick a subject or a noun,
    • Look for words and descriptive phrases in the dictionary which can describe or narrate about the subject,
    • Note down the relevant words with its meaning/s, synonyms and antonyms,
    • Now, using those words, construct descriptive sentences about the subject and place phrases in the right sequence,
    • Also, Repeat the process with other topics, objects and nouns.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Why is reading important for expanding vocabulary?
    Reading extensively exposes you to new words, idioms, and phrases in context, which makes it easier to understand and remember them.

    2. How can I use context skills to learn new words effectively?
    While reading, try to guess the meaning of unfamiliar words based on the surrounding context before checking the dictionary. This practice strengthens your ability to decipher meanings independently.

    3. What are some fun ways to learn new words?
    Playing word games like Scrabble, Words with Friends, and crossword puzzles can make learning new words engaging and enjoyable.

    4. How can keeping a journal help improve my vocabulary?
    Writing in a journal allows you to practice using new words and phrases in context, reinforcing their meanings and improving your recall.

    5. What makes associations an effective technique for memorizing words?
    Associating new words with familiar concepts, feelings, or images helps create mental connections, making the words easier to remember.

    6. Why should I focus on learning word roots, prefixes, and suffixes?
    Understanding the roots, prefixes, and suffixes of words helps you break down and comprehend complex words, making it easier to learn and remember them.

    7. How can listening to native speakers improve my use of idioms and phrases?
    Listening to native speakers helps you understand the natural usage of idioms, phrases, and colloquialisms, enhancing your fluency and comprehension.

    8. What should I do if I come across a word I cannot figure out through context?
    After attempting to deduce its meaning, consult a dictionary to verify or correct your guess. This double-checking process solidifies your understanding.

    9. Why is it important to use new words regularly?
    Regular use of new vocabulary reinforces memory, ensuring that you retain and can accurately employ the words in different contexts.

    10. What are the benefits of learning a new word each day?
    Learning a new word daily builds your vocabulary gradually without overwhelming you, making it an efficient and manageable way to expand your word bank.

  • Easy Methods for Improving English Reading Skills

    Easy Methods for Improving English Reading Skills

    Boost your English reading skills with these helpful techniques. Increase your vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension abilities.

    Easy Methods for Improving English Reading Skills

    Learning how to read is an important part of learning English. It expands your
    vocabulary and gives you fluency. If you are in a country where English is the main language, you will not get by without learning how to read. Also, reading is substantially easier than speaking and writing, or even listening.

    • Remember to always read a book that is of your level. Do not get ambitious and read a book above your level because that would involve words that you will not understand. Reading English can get downright weird! Why? ‘Read’ and ‘read’ have the same spelling but different meanings as well as pronunciations. ‘Read’ is pronounced as ‘reed’, which is in present tense while ‘read’ is pronounced as ‘red’, which is in the past tense. A few steps for you to start improving your reading skills are explained below.

    Decide what you want to read

    Preferably, you should stick to reading a book that is your level. Do not decide to read Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. You can do that when you have successfully mastered the language. That novel will not disappoint! You can read children’s books, newspapers, comics, or anything else. Once you have decided, go pick up the books from the library or bookshop.

    Take it slow:

    Reading takes patience. Do not try rushing through the book or newspaper. Concentrate on every word that you read. If you do not understand a particular word or phrase, look it up in a dictionary or on Google. Do not proceed without understanding it completely.

    Reread:

    Rereading is a good exercise. You know how when you watch a movie for the second time, you pick out all that bits of information that you missed out on the first time you watched it? Rereading does the exact same thing. At times, while reading, a person fazes out. That means they is reading but not really concentrating or understanding. A second read makes everything clearer.

    A list of unfamiliar words:

    Make a list of all the new words you come across with their meaning. After you finish reading the text, go through this list and try using the words in your daily life.

    Read aloud:

    Read every few sentences or paragraphs out loud. Concentrate on your pronunciation. This will help in developing fluency while reading. Fluency in speech is not the only thing that is important!

    Once you are done reading, summarize everything you read by either writing it down, or by speaking out in front of friends and family. You could also do this by yourself in front of the mirror. Remember to do this in English.

    Note: Steps to start improving instantly;

    • Pick an English book or topic over the INTERNET of your interest,
    • Keep a dictionary, pen and a paper alongside,
    • Scan, skim and start reading the text out loud in a subtle speech,
    • Break the words that are difficult to pronounce at one go into sounds and speak in a connecting flow. In you don’t know how that particular word sounds, refer to an audio dictionary and follow. E.g.: Anticipation = An – tee — see — pay — shun,
    • Note down new phrases, words and expressions you come across while reading and simultaneously take meaning from the dictionary,
    • On completion, review the topic in your head, Note the estimated time you took to read the text, number of words read and as a trend, try and speed up with every third time you read.
  • Ways to Leverage Your English Listening Habits

    Ways to Leverage Your English Listening Habits

    Discover the importance of English listening habits. Enhance your language skills by incorporating listening into your daily life.

    Ways to Leverage Your English Listening Habits

    The English Language has a lot of slang, colloquialisms and idioms. The only way to master these is by listening. Listening will improve your speaking capabilities hugely. You will learn the correct pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, accent, and intonation. One can apply what you hear in your daily life.

    • Make it a point to listen to the radio, or T.V. while doing random chores. All human beings learn a language by listening. Make sure you watch a movie without subtitles.
    • Singing is a great fun way to improve your pronunciation. It can also develop fluency. Remember, developing your English listening skill is not only important to learn to language. It is also important because a person is not going to repeat himself over and over waiting for you to understand. Watching a movie without subtitles will teach you how to keep up with what a person is saying.
    • Role-playing also helps in improving speech. Watch an English movie that you are fond of over and over again till you understand it complete, and then enact the movie yourself. Repeat this exercise with another movie. This will not only improve your speech; it will also improve your ability to listen. Listening and repeating is the best way to learn a language. I know people who have learned a complete language perfectly just by watching the movies and listening to the songs. Of course, this works better if the language you are trying to learn is closer to your own native language. However, remember that English is a mix of a number of different languages.

    How to Strengthen English Listening Habits?

    Now, in order to strengthen your English listening habits for an extra leverage, let us take a look at the three types of listening one must indulge into and further ways to improving your skills in each.

    Type 1: Passive or Inactive Listening

    Passive listening plays a dormant role in the communication process. The listener simply listens and absorbs the meaning of the language and is not expected to react or put his views across. As a foreign learner, passive listening allows you to acquaint the verbal form of speech and take time to assimilate what you listen. It is the most comfortable way of taking massive input. Here are some important aspects you can instill to maximize learning from passive listening. Focus on understanding each word in individual sense and in correlation with the constructed sentences. Do not deviate your concentration in putting emphasis on preconception of the context while listening.

    • Rehearse and summaries in your mind what you comprehended from the speech as an aftermath.
    • Take note on how vocabulary is used interchangeably to get a hand on varied ways of expressive ability.
    • If possible, pen down the main frame of sentences in short hand for further reference.
    • Keep observation on the pauses used while conveying the emotion of the context. There is clause, sentence and paragraph pauses in conversational speech in a rhythmic pattern which you must focus on while listening English.
    • As a foreign listener, at times the speech might sound out of your pace to absorb the meaning of it. Do not get intimidated with the volume of words and sentences while listening as it might keep you from taking whatever input you can anyway.
    • In case of listening live to a speaker, note the lip movement made while pronouncing the syllables, vowels and consonants differently.

    Type 2: Extensive Listening

    Furthermore, and beyond specific information, Extensive listening includes listening to long textual narratives which in return builds the listener’s stamina to take in more and more bulk of conversational language and understand the contextual reference in larger lengths. After listening to a particular audio book on repetitive mode, you will observe that you are consciously picking up the pronunciation and can fairly summaries the meaning in portions. Extensive listening is a great self-tutoring method for learning second languages. While making extensive listening a habit, keep the following points in mind for exceptional learning.

    • Use different mediums like English audio books, recordings, videos, entertainment pieces, musicals, debates and dialogues for extracting a variety of accents, speech alterations and genres of vocal English.
    • To avoid hurtling up while listening extensively, pick a topic of interest and listen through till the end.
    • Since mostly you can repeat and take a pause while listening to prerecorded mediums, list down new words and phrases you come across and look up for the meaning of complex vocabulary to keep up with the flow of speech.
    • One of the best way to keep a log of different pronunciations while listening to voluminous text is to pen down the words as they sound. This will give you an edge on the phonic tone to understand what you listen better. 

    Type 3: Responsive Listening

    In interpersonal communication, responsive listening is the half kernel of the two-way process. Now as a non-native learner, getting into habit of responsive listening is a place where you are active as a listener as well as a speaker. Engaging yourself with this type of listening will build your grasping speed and make you spontaneous with the language. Once you start practicing it as a habit, you can further optimize listening through these elements: Responsive listening is a behavioral act. Keep the focal point on listening calmly rather than getting anxious about how you would frame your response. Ask the speaker to reiterate if you do not get the context clearly. It is always better and elucidating to seek clarification rather than responding in irrelevance. Take time to apprehend what you listen before jumping to a response

    It is observed that very often people practice prejudiced listening and neglect the minutes. As a settler to the foreign language you must keep a flexible and open mind while listening so as to ingest the actual meaning of what is being spoken. 

    Note: Steps to Start Improving instantly;

    • Watch an English movie,
    • Make an honest list of all the words that you thought were pronounced in a different way,
    • By the end of the movie, if your list is small, your pronunciation is not so bad. However, if your list is long, you need to work on pronouncing those words.
    • If you are not sure about the pronunciation, use the help of Internet tools or download a dictionary app on your phone to help with correct yourself.
  • How to Speak English Fluently?

    How to Speak English Fluently?

    Improve your speak English fluently with practice and gain the skills to speaking the language without stopping or stuttering.

    How to Speak English Fluently?

    Fluency is the ability to speak a language with ease, without any hiccups! Now, you must be wondering what I mean by ‘without any hiccups’. Do not take that literally! It is an idiom. An idiom is a group of words whose actual meaning is different from the literal meaning. ‘Without any hiccups’ does not mean speaking a language without suffering from a bout of hiccups, what it means is speaking a language without stopping and stuttering, and being unsure of how to use your words.

    Fluency means knowing how to use your words with ease and comfort. Fluency comes with practice. You cannot study every “How to speak English” book and expect to be fluent in the language. Practice is a must! Also, if you think you read well and so you must be fluent as well, you are mistaken! Reading and speaking are very different. The thing with leaning English is that you need not concentrate on the grammar while speaking. Concentrate on conversing. English is a weird language with a lot of loopholes. 

    Practice:

    Practicing speaking in English is a must. You cannot learn how to speak fluently otherwise. The reason for this is the slang that has infiltrated the language and also the utter lack of regard for grammatical rules while speaking. However, if one starts using correct grammar, by the book, English would sound extremely weird.

    Small talk:

    Learn how to begin a conversation. This will also grow your confidence. While standing in line, ask the person in front or behind you a simple question such as ‘What time is it?’ Try continuing with the conversation. If you have trouble understanding the person, politely ask them to repeat what they said. Normally, people say “I’m sorry?” but you could also say “Pardon”. 

    Confidence:

    Practicing English speech will require confidence. During a social gathering, start small conversations. Do not hesitate to ask the person to repeat him or herself. If you do not understand the meaning of a particular word or phrase, ask them to clarify. Chances are they know you are in the learning process and would gladly help. Do not think that you can go home and open Google translations and type in the word or phrase they used. This does not work! Also, do not feel embarrassed when somebody corrects you. You could also go to a karaoke bar!

    Listen:

    Reading and speaking is not enough. Listen to how people speak, the pronunciations, and the way words are use. Watch T.V., listen to songs etc. This way you are listening to other people speak and observe how they pronounce the words.

    Read books:

    Read novels. Concentrate on the formation of the sentences. Novels have dialogues, a conversation between two people that you can use to your advantage. Notice how people speak. They do not pay attention to the grammar as much as they do to talking. Also, when you are reading, mark every unusual phrase or word and find out what it means. Incorporate new words into your vocabulary.

    Do not translate:

    Avoid translating what you hear, or what you say. Translating a phrase from your mother tongue to English or vice versa will completely ruin the actual meaning of the phrase. It will also most likely be incorrect. Instead, use a dictionary.

    Study words and phrases:

    I’ve been using the term ‘phrases’ a lot. You may know a thousand words in the language, but putting them together and making an intelligible sentence could be difficult. This is because you are not concentrating on using the words you are learning. To speak fluently, you need to learn how to put words together into phrases and sentences.

    Idioms:

    Idioms are an essential part of the English language. You will find yourself dumbstruck if you do not understand idioms. You might hear somebody saying ‘break a leg’ to you before your English exam, and you would be baffled at why somebody would want you to break a leg. ‘Break a leg’ is actually an idiom meaning ‘best of luck’ or ‘I hope you do well’. Fluency in English requires the knowledge of idioms.

    Do not think of yourself as a student:

    To become fluent, think of yourself as a person who can speak English. You will make mistakes, but these are the building blocks. As a student, you would probably find yourself studying Grammar books. This is not important. To speak English properly, you do not need to study Grammar books. You would also be wasting a lot of your time by reading these books.

    Recruit a friend as a mentor:

    An English-speaking friend is the perfect person to be with when learning the language. Surrounding yourself with people who can speak English fluently is important. You can ask a friend to help you along the way. Make it a point to talk in English, no matter how scattered it sounds. Ask friends and colleagues to correct you if you are wrong.

    Movies and songs:

    Build a library of English songs and movies. This works better than just reading or listening to others speak. Songs and movies stick to your mind. ‘My Fair Lady’ is a good movie to watch since you are learning English.

    Think in English:

    Make it a point to think in English and not your mother tongue. Whenever you are talking to yourself or thinking, do it in English. This way you will become more comfortable with the idea of speaking and learning the language.

    Record yourself:

    Every night before going to bed, record your day’s events in an audio journal in English. You will find that you speak much better when you do not have to worry about embarrassing yourself in front of others. When you realize that you can speak reasonably well without stumbling around, your confidence will grow and you will find yourself initiating conversations. Incorporate these points in your day-to-day life.

    Note: Steps to Start Improving instantly;

    • Watch an English movie twice and concentrate on how a person speaks,
    • On a piece of paper, note down all idioms and colloquialisms you come across,
    • Look up their meanings,
    • Make your own sentences and try incorporating them in your everyday life.