Friday, April 25, 2008

Q8: What movie is good for studying English?

As we know, Watching and mimicking the actors/actress is one of the best way to make our speaking natural.
I like "while you were sleeping".
My recommandation of this week is : "Before Sun Rise" and "Before Sun Set"
I uproaded the edited video on our Cafe.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Q7: How can I improve my English speaking?

Hi,
I thought suprasegmental elements are the most important things in natural speaking. However, through my long-term observation, I have to practice speaking from the beginning(pronouncing drill of alphabet) if I want to speak English naturally and correctly. But it's a long way. Before reaching the goal like that, I should be retired.

Plz, tell me your practice experience and good tips to improve your speaking.
I'm serious. Hope all of my classmates' helpful suggestion or advice.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Q6: What is the usual substitute for the regular meal?

Hi!
Last week, I stayed here at Knue on the election day. It was like a survival game. No heater, no warm water, and no free meal.
In case of having no regular meal, I used to eat Ramyon. But after I have some problem in my health, I changed my dietary habit. I tries to eat small as possible as I can, and do exercise.

So the Ramyon is the first one to avoid, but sometimes I can't be irresistable.
Can you tell me what good substitute food you know.
Enjoy your daily life here~~^^

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Q 5: When do you feel happy studying English?

Hi, classmates!
In my case, I feel happy when I find a solution to the problem which always haunted me. Yes! Yesterday, I realized one solution for my bad pronunciation problem.

My recent agony was whether I could change my pronunciation more naturally. In a book, American Accent training, the writer encourages us to have confidence saying, " just as classical musician can play the jazz music if training some time, any non-native speakers can change their pronunciation with proper textbook and practice."

I've thought of my pronunciation on each word is not bad, but when speaking or reading a sentence, the rhythm and intonation is really bad. Hearing my recorded voice reading some paragraphs always made me frustrated.

Yesterday, I read and practiced pronunciation using a book, Clear Speech, and I realized why I can't sound like native's rhythm. I have misunderstood accent. I've just tried to make a strong sound at stressed syllable in a word, not to use proper pitch which means the highness or lowness of a musical note in music. Maybe it is related with my tone-deafness in singing. I learned a tip that American children's 'Uh-uh!' sound is useful to practice English tone, and I abrubtly realized how I can improve my pronunciation while practicing to pronounce 2~3 syllable words. It's an miracle for me. I couldn't do anyting from that moment. I went on a picnic near natural park and have a nice time with my kids. Even though I didn't start the outline for second essay homework, I am really happy now.