Hello everyone! Today’s post is not about learning English. It is about Russian holidays. Better to say it is about how we celebrate our holidays. Yesterday in our country and of course in my city was the day of the youth. I am going to show you three moments remained in my memory:
Jazz band is playing at the theater park. It is so great to seat on the grass and listen to nice music.
The race in the fountain is the national Russian traditional entertainment:)
The youngest rock music fan.
What about you? Have you ever seen people swimming in a fountain during a holiday celebration in your country?
I think you already know about Michael Jackson’s death. Actually I was not Jackson’s fan but I have to say he was the greatest singer. He really made an outstanding contribution to music. During the last years the press cover Michael Jackson’s name in mud. We heard nothing good about him. It is so unpleasant. Let’s remember…He was a legend… He is dead. It is really sad… I feel sad…
Read the text:
What about sunrise, what about rain What about all the things that you said we were to gain What about killing fields, is there a time What about all the things that you said was yours and mine Did you ever stop to notice all the blood we`ve shed before Did you ever stop to notice this crying Earth, these weeping shores?
Aaaaaaaaaah Aaaaaaaaaah
What have we done to the world, look what we`ve done What about all the peace that you pledge your only son What about flowering fields, is there a time What about all the dreams that you said was yours and mine Did you ever stop to notice all the children dead from war Did you ever stop to notice this crying Earth, these weeping shores
Aaaaaaaaaaah Aaaaaaaaaaah
I used to dream, I used to glance beyond the stars Now I don`t know where we are although I know we`ve drifted far
Aaaaaaaaaaah Aaaaaaaaaaah
Hey, what about yesterday (what about us) What about the seas (what about us) The heavens are falling down (what about us) I can`t even breathe (what about us) What about Africans (what about us) I ain`t even you (what about us) What about nature`s worth (ooh ooh) It`s our planet`s womb (ahat about us)
What about animals (what about it) We`ve turned kingdoms to dust (what about us) What about elephants (what about us) Have we lost their trust (what about us) What about crying whales (what about us) We`re ravaging the seas (what about us) What about forest trails (ooh ooh) Burnt despite our pleas (what about us)
What about the holy land (what about it) Torn apart by creed (what about us) What about the common man (what about us) Can`t we set him free (what about us) What about children dying (what about us) Can`t you hear them cry (what about us) Where did we go wrong (ooh ooh) Someone tell me why (what about us)
What about babies born (what about it) What about the days (what about us) What about all their joy (what about us) What about the man (what about us) What about the crying man (what about us) What about Abraham (what about us) What about death again (ooh ooh) You don`t give a damn
Hello everyone! Throughout the Father’s day theme I want to tell you about the story I listened recently at Storylineonline – the program providing by the screen actors’ guild. It is a great website with a lot of digital videos of professional actors reading children’s books.
Actually I like listen and reading books for children in English. I think it is much more interesting than graded reader. The literary language of children’s book is easy but more alive than in textbook for ESL learners. And if you are like me, you’ll appreciate the Storylineonline at its true value:)
So the story I want to tell you about is titled “Dad, are you the tooth fairy?” The story was written and read by Jason Alexander, the actor and writer. He has two children, who were the inspiration for this story.
“Dad, are you the tooth fairy?” is about little boy named Gaby and his father. One day Gaby overhears from older kids: there are no tooth fairies and another magical creature in our world! And he goes to his father to find out the truth. As for me, his father’s answer is very wise. If you have your own kids, you must read this book with them!
Hello everyone! Today is the fifth day of increasing our English Vocabulary! Yesterday I promised you to tell about really special resource. So it is time for performing a promise :)
Today I am going to tell you about HotForWords – very special video lessons for discovering new words and their meaning! And especially I want to talk about the beautiful woman behind of HotForWords – Marina Orlova.
Marina is originally from Russia, but she lives in USA now. Believe me, she is absolutely amazing! She is really cool! She is the “Sexiest Philologist in the world” according to New Yorker Magazine! I found her web-site last week and I was so excited! I thought: I should write about her in my blog!
Her method of word explaining is…different? What can I say…I don’t know…I think you can like her, I think you can hate her, but you can’t stay indifferent to her!
What I am talking about? Her lessons are better to see once than hear a hundred times! By the way, Father’s day will be celebrated on June 21 in America. If you are listener of VOA Special English , you already know about the history of this holiday. Otherwise you can see Marina’s video “Father’s day”:
What would you say? Isn’t that nice? Tell me what do you think about Marina. And I have another little question for you. Do you celebrate Father’s Day in your country?
Hello Everyone! Today is the fourth day for increasing our English vocabulary and I have a little question for you:) Do you like music? Why am I asking? It is because of our great resource for increasing your vocabulary number four: The Princeton Review Vocab Minute!
It is short podcast for ESL learners and it is music podcast! Every time the team of Princeton Review Vocab Minute sings 60 seconds’ song that teach you a few new words. They have two levels’ songs: junior level and senior level. All their songs are really funny and useful! So enjoy English!
Listen the example of junior level song by Princeton Review Vocab Minute:
Don’t forget to come back to “My English Webmarks”. Tomorrow is our final day of “Increase your English vocabulary!” week. And I'll tell you about really special resource!
And, of course, leave a comment on this post. Your opinion is very important for me! And practicing writing skills is very important for you:)
Hello everyone! Today is the perfect summer day and I want to remind you of this week theme: great resources for increasing your English vocabulary!
You know, the Internet is full of wonderful web-sites for ESL learners and it is very hard for me to decide what I should tell in the first place. You already know about two podcasts which every day deliver a new word with explanation: Just Vocabulary and The Word of the Day.
And today I want to tell you about the third one: Podictionary – the podcast for word lovers:)
Every day Charles Hodgson, host of Podictionary, with his gentle and soft voice, tell us new short story about the history of a common word. There are nearly one thousand words in podictionary’s archives. You can really enjoy this way of learning words!
So make a cup of hot tea or coffee or something else, relax and just listen example of Podictionary’s short story:
If you like this podcast, go to Podictionary’s web-site for more words. Don’t forget to come back to My English Webmarks tomorrow for another great resource for increasing your vocabulary!
If you don’t want to miss something interesting and useful, I recommend you to subscribe to My English Webmarks’ feed that is, if you have not already done so! By the way, leave a comment on this post. Your opinion is very important for me! And practicing writing skills is very important for you:)
Hello again! Today is time for second great opportunity for increasing your English vocabulary! Are you ready? This time I’ll tell you about free daily podcast from Merriam-Webster's experts! Who are they?
Merriam–Webster, which was originally the G. & C. Merriam Company of Springfield, Massachusetts, is an American company that publishes reference books, especially dictionaries that are descendants of Noah Webster’s An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828). Merriam–Webster is a subsidiary of Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
As you can see, these guys are professionals in English language. Their podcast “The Word of the Day” gives you new interesting word every day. You will learn new word, explaining its meaning, current use, and little-known details about its origin!
And come back tomorrow to “My English Webmarks” for another great opportunity for increasing your English vocabulary:)
If you don’t want to miss something interesting and useful, I recommend you to subscribe to My English Webmarks’ feed that is, if you have not already done so!
This is turning out to be a week for increasing your English vocabulary! During the week I plan to tell you about five great resources which help you in this process! So if you don’t want to miss something interesting and useful, I recommend you to subscribe to My English Webmarks’ feed that is, if you have not already done so:)
Now, let’s get started! The first great opportunity is Just Vocabulary! Just Vocabulary's Podcast is for everyone who wants to improve their everyday English vocabulary. This short (two-tree minute) podcast gives you two new and useful words from Monday to Friday. Amaze your family and friends with your erudition! This podcast is especially recommended if you are advanced English learner!
Tomorrow I’ll tell you about another great opportunity for increasing your English vocabulary:) Don’t forget to leave a comment on this post. Your opinion is very important for me!
It is one of my all time favorite web-site for listening practice! You should visit this one! It's got nearly 1,000 listening activities with transcript and interactive quiz!
Here you can find:
Interviews : natural conversations with various speakers of English from all over the world! People talk about their countries and particular qualities of their life, about their culture and things they like and dislike, about traditions, environmental problems and many other things. You can learn much that is new!
Mixer: listening activity that features six speakers. Each speaker answers the same question. You can listen to the answers for fun or test your listening comprehension by answering the questions.
Video responses: short video clips that relate to the audio from the main listening activities. Each response has the transcript of the video response and a simple quiz to test listening compression. Watch videos of people discussing questions about the interviews!
Listening Games: in these games you should listen the audio and choose the picture that is right for the audio. There is very little reading. The listening games are designed for beginning students.
STeP stands for Standadized Test Practice. These English listening activities are designed to help you prepare for Standardizes Tests of English and become accustomed to exercises used to test listening and reading comprehension on TOEFL®, TOEIC® and IELTS®.
News Center: an animated newscast with six stories. Practice Academic English with short newscasts! Good for beginner and intermediate levels.
Talking Points: activities that help you with test taking skills and academic English. Each listening activity is a mini-lecture or presentation divided into six sections. Listen to mini lectures. Perfect for Academic English practice!
Songs: it is my favorite part! It is a great way to learn English. Below are some great songs by independent artists. As you listen, the words are displayed on the screen so you can sing. You can catch the lyrics as well as work on grammar, pronunciation, reading speed, reading by chunks and common slang and idioms.
ELLLO is the work of Todd Beuckens. Todd is a full-time English teacher based in Japan. He now teaches in Kyuushuu. He creates elllo in his free time! It is amazing!
You also can subscribe ELLLO podcasts: free ESL/EFL podcasts with interviews, slideshows, audio notes , and original songs so you can keep practicing your English even when you are away from your computer.
And, of course, you should visit ELLLO blog - ELLLO-ology!
Yesterday I found the video “Jay Walker on the world's English mania” witch I think will be interesting for you. Last time we talked about the reasons for learning English. And from this video you’ll get to know another reason.
By the way, Jay Walker is fascinated by intellectual property in all its forms. His firm, Walker Digital, created Priceline and many other businesses that reframe old problems with new IT. Read here why you should listen to him.
In my humble opinion the idea of this video is very arguably. So watch the program, write what you think about it.
Addition: I just found transcriprion for this video at ELLLO-ology blog! If you don't understand video by your ear, go and read it!
Don't forget leave a comment! Then more you write then better you write!
And, of course, you can subscribe to my feed that is, if you have not already done so!
I heard on the radio this morning: nearly 700 000 000 people around the world learn English! It is absolutely amazing! And I began to think. Why? Why are these people learning English? Why are you learning English? Why am I learning English?
So, here they are:
My 5 reasons for learning English language:
First and foremost: I am microstocker. I draw vector images in Adobe Illustrator and sell them through the Internet with the help of microstock agencies. For example: my portfolio on Shutterstock. People all over the world can buy my images using this site. It is my way to earn money. But the problem is: most of microstocks located in the USA and, of course, they use English language for communication with customers and contributors. I have to describe all my images in English words. The conclusion is: no English knowledge – no money.
The second reason is: great part of my life I spend in the Internet. Nearly 75% of Internet resource is in English! We live in the epoch of scientific discoveries. But it is commonly encountered problem to find wanted information in the .ru zone. But with English help I can be well informed by reading web-pages and listening public media from all over the world!
The third reason is communication. Nearly 700 000 000 people around the world learn English! Plus 1 000 000 000 people already use English! It is seems like English becomes a global language! If I can speak English, almost everyone in the world can understand me. And I’ll never get lost in foreign country. So I’ll can travel more easily there and everywhere!
My fourth reason is: I really like reading. What could be better than reading my favorite English and Americans authors in the original? O. Henry, Mark Twain, Earnest Hemingway, Jack London, Jerome Salinger, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, William Shakespeare! I understood something: the books’ translation and books’ original are not the same. The translators are not writers. They can reproduce words’ meaning but not beauty.
And last but not least: learning English is my hobby and I really like it!
What about you? What are your reasons for learning English? Practice your English writing skills – leave a comment!
And don't forget to subscribe to my feed that is, if you have not already done so!
P.S. I have to remind you I am also only on my way for learning English. And so I hope you forgive me all my writing mistakes.
So…let me suppose you read my post about importance of listening practice in learning English. But what should you do if you just start your English way and don’t understand nothing by ear …or almost nothing?
Don’t despair! I know two great web-resources which help you train your ears with using of special English.
"Special English is a controlled version of the English language first used on October 19, 1959 and still employed by the United States broadcasting service Voice of America in daily broadcasts. The news is read slowly, using a limited vocabulary (about 1500 words) and simplified grammar. There is a short pause between adjacent words so that word boundaries are easily discerned. The intended audience of Special English are people who have studied English in school, but do not speak it in daily usage."
American stories - a short story written by an American writer and rewritten into VOA Special English.
Explorations - a fifteen-minute feature report about outer space and the world around us.
This Is America - a program about life and issues in the United States.
Another resource I want to tell you about is Spotlight. It is a daily 15 minute radio program, which also uses a special English method of broadcasting. This makes Spotlight easier for many people to understand, no matter where in the world they live. Spotlight programs are about many different subjects from around the world. They cover many topics including arts, culture, science, technology, health concerns, relationships, human rights, and world issues. List of recent programs are here.
By listening VOA and Spotlight, you’ll prepare your ears for more serious listening practice and real English speech. So good luck in learning English!
As I promised last time, I begin to familiarize you with my favorite podcasts. And the first podcast I want to tell about is ESLpod.com. Actually, it was the first podcast show I’ve heard. And it was the first time I understood: learning English have to be interesting! After that (and until now) I guess ESLpod is one of the best educational podcast.
There are nearly 700 podcasts on the ESLpod.com at the moment. Its broach a lot of topics like: business, daily life, entertainment, travel, transportation, dining, relationships, health/medicine, shopping, etc. And all its podcats are free!
Every lesson include tree parts. The first one is a slow speed dialog, which use everyday phrases and expressions. The second one is an explanation. The third one is a fast speed dialog (usual speed of native speakers).
The team that records the ESL podcasts consists of:
Dr. Lucy Tse. She writes scripts and plots for every podcasts, and also records many of the dialogs and stories. Dr. Tse was a professor of applied linguistics and education at Loyola Marymount University, Arizona State University, and California State University, Los Angeles before.
Dr. Jeff McQuillan. He is the host for the podcast. And he also helps read the scripts and provides explanations for them. By the way, Dr. McQuillan was a professor of applied linguistics at California State University, Fullerton, and Arizona State University.
Their method of feed is simple and understandable, but totally effective. And I am not only who think so.
These are a few of the emails they have received from their listeners all over the world:
“Hi!
Thanks for the ESL podcast. It was a great help! I listened to it about two years ago, and got 650(PBT) on my TOEFL. Now I’m at UCSB, getting my master’s degree.
Thank you!
Liu (from China)”
“Dear ESLPOD family, Dear Prof. Jeff McQuillan,
I’m one of the millions from all over the world, who’re enhancing their English proficiency with your podcasts. Thanks for your efforts.
Thanks beforehand, Rufat (from Azerbaijan)”
“Hi,
I have been listening to your podcasts since August 2006. My English really improved ever since: last year my marks were around 13 out of 20, this year it’s around 16.?And I just got my results for the TOEIC exam: 890 out of 990 ! I guess I would never have such a score without listening to ESLPOD.
Thanks again for your work ! Henry (from France)”
“Thanks, Jeff and Lucy.
This is the first time in 30 years that I enjoy learning English. I am hooked by Eslpod. I need it, and I think 3 episodes a week is not enough!!!! I recommend your web to everybody!!! People at work think I am crazy, and it’s true, but I say that Jeff is to blame.
And now I also have a chance to say thanks a million Dr. Lucy and Dr. Jeff for your great work!
You’ll learn lots from it. Just try! Go to ESLpod.com, listen to the podcasts! It would be great if you leave a comment about your experiment under this post. So feel free for comments and don't forget to subscribe to my feed that is, if you have not already done so!
Do you know what does the world “podcast” mean? It is good for you if you know:) But for some reason, a lot of people don not guess about so useful and interesting thing like “podcast”!
"A podcast is a series of digital media files, usually either digital audio or video, that is made available for download via web syndication. The syndication aspect of the delivery is what differentiates podcasts from other ways of accessing files, such as simple download or streaming: it means that special client software applications known as podcatchers (such as Apple Inc.'s iTunes or Nullsoft's Winamp) can automatically identify and retrieve new files in a series when they are made available, by accessing a centrally-maintained web feed that lists all files currently associated with that particular podcast. The files thus automatically downloaded are then stored locally on the user's computer or other device, for offline use."
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Got that? Ok. It is quite interesting, but what is “podcast” for us, for English learners? Of course it is absolutely suitable way for improving our listening skills! Especially, if we’ll use special educational podcasts for people who learning English! Discovering podcasting system can really change and make better your way of studying.
Watch a great 3 minute explanation of podcasting from Commoncraft:
I plan to write about my favorite podcasts in the next few posts. So, be patient!
As we know English skills include: reading, listening, writing and speaking. I think all of us want to learn English thoroughly. Therefore we need to work with each of four elements. How can we improve our skills? Of course, with the help of the Internet! The Internet gives a lot of opportunities for us.
How can we acquire and improve our reading skills?
It is simple! We all learn to read by reading! Just read everything: newspapers, magazines, books, blogs, etc. Find something what would be interesting for you. Do you like cars? OK, read information about cars. Is your hobby a fine needle-work? So, read magazines about your hobby in English! Try to find at least 30 minutes per day for reading.
How can we acquire and improve our listening skills?
Of course by listening English speech! Listen to music, radio, podcasts, recorded speeches every day. Don’t forget about TV! Watching TV is a good way to hear English in real conversations. You can also watch your favorite movies and tv-shows.
How can we acquire and improve our writing skills?
The best way for improving our writing skills is corresponding with another English learners or native speakers. The second one is preferably. There is a lot of sites in the Internet for people who want to find new friends. We need to use the opportunity. Americans are people too. They have need for friendship too. And some more, improve your writing skills by leaving a comment under this article:)
How can we acquire and improve our speaking skills?
Only by speaking! Who would have thought? Actually, you can also read English books out loud. It would be helpful for training your facial muscles. Your mouth have to get into the habit of speaking English. By the way, you can use Skype or another communicative program for contact with your foreign friends.
Of course, we all are different. And everyone has his own way for learning English. But in this day and age the Internet really gives a lot of opportunities for us. In my blog I am going to post reviews of the most interesting on-line resources for English learners.
Could you please tell me about your way of learning English?
And don't forget to subscribe to my feed that is, if you have not already done so!
P.S. I have to remind you I am also only on my way for learning English. And so I hope you forgive me all my writing mistakes!
The first resource I want to tell about is FreeRice.com. It is a non-profit website run by the United Nations World Food Program. Their partner is the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University.
FreeRice is very interesting and helpful website. You can increase your English vocabulary and feed a hungry person at the same time!
How is it possible? Just go to Free Rice and start playing! On the home page you’ll see a word with four definitions. To play the game, click on one of the four definitions that you think is correct. For each word you get right Free Rice donate 10 grains of rice through an international aid agency!
FreeRice has two goals:
1.Provide education to everyone for free. 2.Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free. This is made possible by the generosity of the sponsors who advertise on this site.
Hello everyone and welcome! Thank you for visiting my blog. My name is Anna. I was born and raised in Russia. Learning English is my obsession. I am not good in English yet but I am on my way.
My Russian friends tell me I am not learning English I am just collecting the ways and resources for learning. I don’t know. May be they are right.
Anyway, during my studying, I actually found a lot of possibilities for learning English and improving English skills. So on this blog I want to share all these ways and resources with you!
Hello Everyone! Today is the fourth day for increasing our English vocabulary and I have a little question for you:) Do you like music? Why am I asking? It is because of our great resource for increasing your vocabulary number four: The Princeton Review Vocab Minute!
Hello again! Today is time for second great opportunity for increasing your English vocabulary! Are you ready? This time I’ll tell you about free daily podcast from Merriam-Webster's experts! Who are they?
As I promised last time, I begin to familiarize you with my favorite podcasts. And the first podcast I want to tell about is ESLpod.com. Actually, it was the first podcast show I’ve heard. And it was the first time I understood: learning English have to be interesting! After that (and until now) I guess ESLpod is one of the best educational podcast. 
