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We've all been there before, as a student or as the teacher: the teacher finishes talking about a topic and then "broadcasts" a question to the whole group. What happens next? Often, nothing. Nada. Crickets. A whole herd of deer in headlights. And then after that initial uncomfortable time-span, what then? Usually anywhere from two to five students raise their hands to participate. The others just sit there. Are these other students thinking about the topic, but just n

When you first start learning the French language or the German language, or any second language, the fastest way to "open mouth, insert foot" is to use idioms like the one I just did. Idioms can make for idiots. Not really, but I love alliteration. The initial response of my students when I impart that advice is "What's an idiom?" An idiom is an expression or phrase, where the meaning of each individual word does not add up to the message being conveyed. The whole is not the sum of its parts in this case. Therefore, the meaning of an idiom is not at all predictable. This is why they don't tra

Many students have difficulty in taking longer turns in conversation. This article investigates the nature of these skills and considers the problems students may have in acquiring them.

If you can't understand what your partner is saying it might end up to be a huge hindrance to the effectiveness of your interpersonal English communication, so when trying to figure out how to improve spoken English, you should not neglect this area. The speech is too fast, or the accent is too strong - it is all a part of the same problem.

"Do you want to learn English well?" asked I. "Yes, I do!"

Vocabulary (Lexis) Vocabulary is essential to convey meaning. A student can't convey all that much without grammar, but can't convey anything without the use of vocabulary. A tourist visiting an English speaking country will be able to effectively communicate a request for directions by merely saying to a person "train!"