What if I really want to master English? (Part A)

Although I am saying that it is not really easy for working adults to learn English after they become employed, I do admit there are exceptions.

If you think you are one of them, I ask you to check out for youself what Uncle Martin can provide in terms of English language coaching.
http://www.thesunshineclub.cn/articles/unclemartin_englishcoaching.doc

The content of this program is displayed here for your convenience:-

English Language Coaching Program for Working Adults by Uncle Martin YAU

Uncle Martin Yau is now offering English coaching to young working adults to help them land on a successful career after bringing up their proficiency in the use of English.

For those who are very weak at the moment in English skills, there is hope still if they are willing to follow Uncle Martin’s English program step by step.

It is not surprising most of our college graduates in mainland China cannot use English at all even though they may have been certified to level 6 in CET. Uncle Martin has met TEM 8 graduates who are so weak in written English.

When it comes to teaching English language, schools and colleges in China have been avoiding to put the foreign language into practical use. The reasons are obvious and deep-rooted. Instead of showing students the way to use English in everyday life, they work on international phonetics and grammar rules.

Two obstacles immediately pop up with China trained English users (“CEU”). When CEU’s see a new word, they will not try to sound it out based on simple phonetic principles. Instead, they have to first consult a dictionary to see the international phonetics symbols. The handheld electronic dictionary is not helpful at all with pronunciation. Most are giving awkward sounds. Since Uncle Martin is not white, he has been challenged time and again by these CEU’s using the faulty pronunciation from these gadgets. It’s a pain.

CEU’s have over the years built up a habit to check and re-check the grammar rules in their head whenever they write or speak. Having said something, then they automatically trace back the last sentence and repeat it to remove the grammatical errors, even if not loudly. This has proven to be a nuisance to the counterpart engaged in a conversation. Not all foreigners you talk to are English teachers familiar with the issue. Businessmen insensitive to this may find it really annoying.

Again, only for those who will listen and follow what Uncle Martin recommends. A student starting a coaching program under him have to go through these.

1) Correction of English sounds

a) Why we have to do this?

At the moment, many CEU’s have difficulties talking and understanding someone who speaks with proper English sounds. Between fellow CEU’s, they don’t have any problem at all. Their mind is so used to their own sounds which are in fact not quite correct.

b) Benefits?

After correcting the way these CEU’s speak English, they will be able to make correct English sounds for native speakers to understand them. At the same time, they will find out that their listening skill will pick up drastically because the hearing sense is much sharpened after the rigorous training in Phonetics (not international phonetics).

2) Switch off your Mental Grammar Checker (put in on a OFF STATE)

a) Why we have to do this?

This is slowing you down and make you always suspect you are making errors in grammar. By switching off your mental grammar checker, you feel free to use English without worrying about grammar. You have been jailed in this GRAMMAR RULE PRISON (“MGC”) for too long. Uncle Martin is setting you free now. Simply follow him to the land of total freedom in the use of English.

b) How to do this?

Well, it’s easier said than done. Practice makes perfect. Certainly you cannot do this right away. In order to make you to do this, you have to do a lot of reading first, at the same time that you are practicing speaking or writing in an OFF STATE (with your Mental Grammar Checker)

c) Benefits

You will be surprised how fluent you suddenly become speaking or writing in English.

3) Vocabulary (Memorizing them as standalone words)

Simply memorizing a dictionary is not going to help you much at all in the use of English. Knowing which word to use in expressing an idea is more important. The only way to find out word usages is to read a lot and imitate how native English speakers use words to express ideas.

NEVER EVER memorize single words as it’s a waste of your energy and time!

(This post is too long and will be continued in a separate entry.)