English
with Heather
Learn English with a Native Speaker.
How well can you do the things below?
Speaking
speak and describe people, places and things
discuss advantages and disadvantages
talk about a variety of topics
be aware of how stress is used in a variety of situations (emotions, degrees of enthusiasm, surprise, etc.)
Writing
write describing people, places and things
write an informal/formal letter of about 100 words
write a story, edit your writing
fill in forms
follow a writing task accurately and include information expected
Reading
read different types of texts (formal and informal)
read quickly for the main ideas
read quickly for specific information
predict what will happen in the text
understand the use of pronouns, relationship of sentences and paragraphs
understand diffrent conjunctions in the text
understand inference in texts
Listening
listen for only the main ideas
listen for specific information
listen to take notes
listen for the difference between fact and opinion
predict, then listen to check your predictions
understand clear natural English spoken at a moderate pace
Grammar and Vocabulary
use the 3rd conditional, other conditonals
using modals and phrases to give advice and make suggestions (should, ought to, could, etc.)
use linking connectors (because of, due to, unless, etc.)
use the simple passive, used to
use reported speech and reporting verbs, question tags
use present perfect, present perfect continuous
Pronunciation
spell and read aloud
worked with minimal pairs
be aware of how stress is used in conversation (surprise, enthusiasm, etc.)
be aware of word linking and contractions
be aware of rising and falling intonation in question tags
Listening
Reading and Vocabulary
Speaking
Writing and Grammar
Speaking Challenges
Talk to a stranger (English native) for 2 minutes.
Talk to a person in a shop/store for a few minutes.
Give a 5-10 minute presentation on a topic you enjoy.
Create 5 questions on a topic and interview another classmate.
Create 5 questions to ask a local business. Call and find the answers.
Leave an English speaking friend a voicemail and check if they understand you.
Find another student that is one level above yours. Become friends with them and learn from them.
Feeling Confident? Need more of a challenge?
Choose a movie speech. Practice it and share it with me/the class.
Go to an EC social event. Or, make new friends on Meetup.
Volunteer with New York Cares. It's a great way to practice your English with kind people AND you can put the experience on your resume/student applications. Check your VISA requirements.
Skype with a friend who speaks English.
Pronunciation
Linda Lane's Focus on Pronunciation
Social
Volunteering
Free events in NYC
Grammar
9 best Grammar Apps (Learn on the train.)
Practice Exercises in your Student Workbook.
The answers are in the back.
Writing
Writing Activities you can submit to me
(Attendance must be 80% or higher to submit extra writing)
A. Write a story about favorite childhood memory. (Practice using past tenses, used to, etc.)
B. Write about your goals or dreams for your future. (Practice using future tenses, will, going to, etc.)
C. Write about someone you admire and how they make you feel. (Practice using personality adjectives and vocabulary about feelings.)
D. Choose a business context (writing a complaint letter, writing a boss, applying for a job, etc.). Research the organization of this writing style and write a business email or letter.
E. Choose a style of writing (formal email, writing a letter to a friend, writing a complaint letter, a movie review, asking a business for more information, a compare/contrast essay, personal narrative, etc.)
F. Choose a grammar point that you want to improve (modals, conditionals, past tenses, future tenses, present perfect, etc.) and ask me for a writing assignment.
G. Practice the skills of writing an essay. There are different kinds. Choose one and ask me for an assignment.