mission statement

E-learning in cyberspace or online education is now becoming the norm rather that the exception. Evolving communication technologies are empowering the people. What does being fluent in English mean? To really know a language, we need to develop  a high level of understanding and socialisation into a culture. In this blog we are giving some hints and advice as to the best ways available today to gain fluency using mainly free or low cost resources. Also, we aim to build up a directory of cyber resources for students, so please post your tips...Learning English to fluency should be a picnic!

PICK OF THE DAY

Language Learning with Livemocha   
This is a good site, you can interract with learners from around the world, help each other learn language, and even become a teacher...
Livemocha is the world’s most popular language learning site. Learn online with our award winning course and practice with native speakers. Best way to learn a new language.

www.livemocha.com · Aprendizaje de Idiomas con Livemocha
Livemocha es el sitio de aprendizaje de idiomas más popular. Aprenda online con nuestro curso ganador de premios y practique con hablantes nativos. Es la mejor manera de ...

es-mx.livemocha.com ·

Stay anywhere in the world for free:
 http://www.couchsurfing.org/

“Meeting friends through this site, hosting them, interacting with other languages and customs, has been one of the best experiences of my life. The satisfaction of having the honor to host has been very significant for me and my family.”
  SERGIO RICARDO LINARES MURCIA Bogota, Colombia

Have a look at South American news in English:
http://thedailyjournalonline.com/category/venezuela-news/
An article about the virtues of digital technology:
Spanish.http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2010/11/12/english-learners-in-the-digital-age-natives-immigrants-or-outsiders-collab
On the virtues of digitalisation:
21/http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/~tanguay/english-teachers.htm

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

http://translate.google.com/http://translate.google.com/

http://dictionary.reverso.net/spanish-english/
Reverso is a portal of linguistic tools including: translation, dictionary, spell-checker, conjugation, grammar, pronunciation feature (just click on a word or a selection of words or on the voice icon). It is a free service mostly financed by advertising.

http://translate.google.com/

Enrich your vocabulary http://thesaurus.com/

English is a mix of several lanugages, study its Etymology http://www.myetymology.com/ http://www.myetymology.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/subjects/english.shtml
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/learningenglish/2010/06/momentary-art.shtml

QUESTIONNAIRE GOALS

I´ve made this questionnaire with several purposes in mind....

• to gather information about the resources learners of English as a foreign language use, to be able to list them on this blog.
• to find what methods the best learners use
• to see how language learning has been redefined by technology (internet, software, technology) and how much is available at little or no cost
• to find out how much learners know about technology and to give information on this blog on how to use technology to learn English (eg download form internet to mp4)
• to find out how enjoyable learning English is.
• to find out if learners need to change attitude to language learning in the light of new technology, and to see how much you have been conditioned by traditional educational attitudes

QUESTIONNAIRE

What are your goals in learning English?

What level do you want to achieve?

Do you enjoy learning English?

How important is learning English for you?
Does knowing English increase your happiness?

What has helped you learn English?

How much has technology contributed to your learning?

Describe the level you have achieved, and what you still need to achieve.

How good is your understanding of standard English?

What kind of English do you like most?

Do you think it´s important to improve your understanding of English?

Define what fluency of English is--that is to say--if you are fluent in English what would you be expected to know.

If you went to work for an international university in Canada as course advisor for students from Canada and from all over the world, how good would your English need to be? What problems would you have if you started the job tomorrow?

How many countries speak English as a first language and second language?
Which countries speak English as a foreign language?

How good is your Pronunciation?

Most language methods teach you to SPEAK English...How important is it to UNDERSTAND English?

Is "jumping in at the deep end" a good method? (being exposed to all levels of Englgish right from the beginning)

How much do confidence, motivation and will-power have to do with successfully learning English? Quantify your own levels of these 3.

• How confident would you be in these situations: (1=little confidence, 10 =fluent ability)

1. Giving a presentation in your company in English ( )
2. Being a teleponist in an international company receiving calls from all over the world ( )
3. Talking about yourself and your hobbies ( )
4. Talking about general themes in English ( )
5. Talking on specialised subjects ( )
6. Understanding the news in English ( )
7. Understanding an English comedy ( )
8. Understanding educated speakers of English ( )
9. Understanding English natives when they talk among themselves ( )
10. Understanding people speaking English as a foreign language ( )
11. Going for an interview in English at an international company ( )
12. Listening to English music

Why are you learning English and how much do you enjoy it?

Are the following suggestions useftuul for you (0=useless 10=really useful)

1. Study English through music
2. Study English accents on Youtube with transliterations
3. Use chatrooms
4. Use facebook and Yahoo in English English
5. Take up a hobby in English
6. Skype an English speaker
7. Do some voluntary work in an international NGO
8. Download film with subtitles
9. Listen to English speaking radio from around the world on the inernet and mp4

Did you know professional language learners can learn a language in 3 months studying 8 hours per day to advanced level (jumping in at the deep end method and being exposed to all kinds and levels of English) by:

(check which ones you already do and for how long

• Reading the dictionary for 30 minutes a day ( )
• Watching TV/film for 2 hours ( )
• Reading novels fast for 1 hour ( )
• Reading magazines and specialised puplications for 30 mins ( )
• Listen to the radio for 1 hour ( )
• Chat with native and non-native speakers of English 30 mins ( )
• Listen to recordings and dialogues 30 mins ( )
• Reading grammar books fast 30 mins ( )
• Reading English language methods/websites fast 30 mins ( )

Would you have the confidence to follow this method?

How much time could you dedicate to learning English in this way?

Did you know if you study 3 hours per day it is 5 or 6 (not 3) times faster then studying 1 hour per day?

Name the following resources you already use or know about for learning English:

• English magazines.......................................................................................................................
• English language courses...........
• Films...............................
• Video.............................................................................................................................
• Grammar resources......................................................................................................................................
• Music resources.................................................................
• Internet resources................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
• ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................
• Technology (eg computers, hand held technology)...........................................................................................................................................
• Humour.................................................................................................................................................
• yHobbies in English..................................................................................................................................................
• Sayings and
• expressions...........................................................................................................................................
• Funny ads.................................................................................................................................................e
• Culture.........................................................................................................................................
• Travel/tourism............................................................................................................................
• Exchaange Programmes
• Chat rooms..................................................................................................................................
• (online) dating/friendship..........................................................................................................
• (online) academic courses in English.........................................................................................
• English languages courses..........................................................................................................
• Other.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
• ...............................................................................................................................................................
• ...............................................................................................................................................................

How much do you depend on a teacher for motivation? How strong is your discipline to study alone (eg online courses, self-study, distance courses/open univeristy, using internet) ? (0=totally undisciplined 10 =I am totally self-disciplined) ( )

What technology do you possess or have access to?

• computer ( )
• laptop ( )
• cellphone ( )
• Ipad ( )
• Iphone ( )
• Blackberry ( )
• Walkman ( )
• CD player ( )
• Mp3 ( )
• Mp4 ( )
• satellite/cable TV
• DVD player
• other............................................................................................................................................

ONLINE RESOURCES

THE FOLLOWING RESOURCES ARE FREE ONLINE!

Language Learning with Livemocha Learn a Language Online - Free!
www.livemocha.com/ - Livemocha
is the world's most popular language learning site. Learn online with
our award winning course and practice with native speakers. Best way to
learn...

bbclearningenglish.com/
Comprehensive materials for intermediate to advanced ESL learners from the BBC World Service.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/learningenglish/
Every month students get the opportunity to blog on this site. Their
blogs will be commented on by a teacher who will give tips and advice to
improve their writing.

MIT OCW Offers Free Online Education Online Degree Studywww.onlinedegreestudy.org/mit-ocw-offers-free... - Traducir esta página13 Jan 2007 – But of course, just like the free online courses of UC Berkeley that are in podcast format. for those people who want to self-study or learn something new without engaging in formal education program.
The MIT OCW has a total of 1550 published courses
and these free online courses of OCW comes with syllabi, video or audio
lectures, notes, homework assignments, illustrations and many morfor those people who want to self-study or learn something new without engaging in formal education program.
The MIT OCW has a total of 1550 published courses
and these free online courses of OCW comes with syllabi, video or audio
lectures, notes, homework assignments, illustrations and many more. And
I can say that this is great online resources to supplement your
studies and to feel how it is to study in an online university.Learn English with YOUTUBE, start here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOCtzkLpkGQ