EFS 689E - STANFORD UNIVERSITY

Learning English on Your Own

Week 5

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EFS 689E

Week 5

I. Grammar

            A. Grammar reference: www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar

            B. Learn from quizzes: Internet TESL Journal: www.aitech.ac.jp/~iteslj/quizzes/grammar.html

            C. Grammar and vocabulary: words that go together. 
                    1.Google: www.google.com. Search for words & phrases in context.
                        Use quotes (" ") around phrases for exact matches; also www.stanford.edu/~efs/google
                    2. Edict Web Concordancer: www.edict.com.hk/concordance

II. Writing resources

            A. Methods
                1. Post to discussion lists at Dave's ESL Cafe or EnglishBaby
                2. Keep an English journal
                3. Write to friends and colleagues or find a "keypal" (check discussion lists)

            B. University of Wisconsin's Writer's Handbook

            C. Advice on proofreading (final editing)

            D. Online textbook in English for academic purposes

            E. Other links from the Advanced Graduate Writing website

III. Discussion of meaning technologies (technology-based meaning aids)

            A. Text support: scripts and captions: use when needed and for specific purposes

            B. Online translation http://world.altavista.com/

            C. Hypertext dictionaries & glossaries www.babylon.com

            D. Text-to-speech applications www.readplease.com

IV. Discussion of tutorial software and other materials

            C. An example of a useful procedure: www.lingual.net/triviewmethodemo.php#

V. Stanford Resources

    A. EFS classes for continuing students: www.stanford.edu/group/efs

    B. Stanford Continuing Studies courses (taught by EFS staff): http://continuingstudies.stanford.edu.

    C. Bechtel International Center: English in Action Program (conversation partner program for international visitors at Stanford) and free courses for students, postdocs and spouses:  www.stanford.edu/dept/icenter/families/learn_english.html

VI. Student presentations

VII. Summary of the course. Some principles to remember (below)

VIII. The end, but not good-by: I'll request a brief progress report in two weeks!

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SOME PRINCIPLES FOR 
LEARNING ENGLISH ON YOUR OWN 

• Find good "models" (native & non-native)
• Learn more about language learning
• Learn more about how you learn best

• Focus on one thing at a time
• Use variety in procedures - experiment! Keep in mind the need to focus on the form-meaning-use linkage
• Speak and write monologues or keep an oral journal. Use stories, descriptions, opinions: for topics go to http://infotrac.thomsonlearning.com/infowrite/res_topc.htm
• Monitor yourself during activities
• Make time for consolidation
• Use meaning technologies wisely
• Try to associate, not just remember: think more deeply