Expression of the Day:

To be "out there": If you describe a person as "out there" you are saying that this person  seems a bit strange. 

Example Sentence:  "My friend Gary is really out there.  He does the strangest things and he doesn't even know that he is not normal."

English Learning Tips

As a language learner there are many things you can do to improve your English.  Below are some daily exercises that will increase your English fluency.  Most of these activities can be done on your own with the use of the internet.

*  Watch an hour of TV in English each day:  Sit and watch TV in English with a pencil and a notebook handy.  Jot down words and phrases that you don't know and look them up later.  Don't try to understand each and every word.  Instead, try to get the main point of what is being said.  make sure to watch different types of programs so that you get exposure to all kinds of vocabulary.

* Read Novels in English: This is not easy to do, but it is a great exercise.  Think of a book that you have already read in your native language.   Find the English translation of that book.  Since you already read this book, you will know what the story is about, and you won't feel too lost.  Sit down with a dictionary and slowly read from the beginning to the end.   Don't look up every word. 


* Watch DVDs in English with the subtitles on: Pick your favorite movie and watch it with the English subtitles on.  When you hear a part that you don't understand, pause the movie and write down what the subtitles say.  Look up the words that you don't know.


* Write out a situation that you come across daily:   Think of something that you do everyday.  Some examples are going to the store, going to work or having dinner with your family.  Write out what you do in these situations like you were explaining it to a friend.  Look up the words you don't know and then check your sentences in Google (see next step)


*Use the internet to check your sentences:  If you want to know if the way you worded something sounds awkward type it into Google.  If you get a lot of hits, then English speakers would say it that way.  If you get no hits, then English speakers probably wouldn't use the words you chose.  This only works for a few words at a time.  You can't put in an entire sentence if it is long.

*Find online English Chat Rooms: There are many out there.  Just type "English online chat" and you will see many.  This exercise helps you with real time conversation skills.

Get yourself in situations where you are forced to speaks English: Try to get a job where it is required that you speak English.  This will force you to practice your speaking.  If you can't find a job like that try to find a volunteer position that requires English.  You are more likely to remember the English you learned speaking with a person as opposed to the English you learn out of a book.