Three Steps to Improve English Communication Skills for Newcomers
Based on open-door policies, every year, Canada attracts thousands of immigrants, who come from all over the world. However, many of these newcomers’ native language are not English. When they step off the plane, and land on the peaceful and exquisite country full of maple leaves, the first challenge for them is to effectively communicate in English. If newcomers can not overcome the critical communication barrier, even if they have strong education background and excellent work skills, they would also have to face many difficult situations. English becomes a new essential living skill for them and learning it becomes their primary goal. To achieve this goal, three effective methods to improve an immigrant’s English verbal commutation skills are listening continuously, speaking accurately and reading broadly.
Listening to English speakers as much as possible is the clincher because listening is the process of receiving information, and is the base of understanding. A newborn baby’s first step to learn language is listening. He or she catches ambient sound signals or his or her parents speaking, gradually identifies their meanings, and finally understand completely. If one cannot listen accurately, it is impossible to provide accurate feedback. If an immigrant always immerses him or herself in the world of English sounds, and naturally forms quick responses to English, he or she would successfully go through the most difficult pass. Several ways of improving listening skills include: listening for knowledge from teachers, classmates; listening to news from TV, radio; listening to dialogues from movies, plays and even neighbors. Dictation is a very fruitful method to enhance listening ability. It is a four-step cycle of listening, writing, correcting and reviewing. Consistently persisting in dictation will bring a newcomer good listening study results beyond expectation. As soon as the listening skills improve, English learning becomes an easier process.
Speaking is a course of releasing and feeding back information. Accuracy of expression is the target of good speaking. Practicing the sounds and methods of common pronunciation in North America is another necessary way. Unusual pronunciation might result in miscommunication. If it happens in the workplace, this could results in operation errors or industrial accidents. The pronunciation method of English compared to other languages is not exactly the same. For instance, a Chinese speaker is used to speak Chinese with tongue tip. However, an English speaker is more accustomed to throat pronunciation. If using foreign language’s pronouncing methods to speak English, the outcome may produce strange sounds. English speaker might find the spoken words difficult to comprehend. A newcomer needs frequent practice to form proper English pronunciation habits, and speaking out every word, phrase, sentence accurately. Reciting is a powerful method to improve English-speaking skills. For example, ancient Greek speakers often recited famous proverbs, and made their speeches impressive, outstanding and graceful. Not only is speaking formal language important, but also is learning slang and colloquialism. Local language can keep communicate more diversified and broad. When a local English speaker begins to understand what an immigrant says, then the goal of being understood has been achieved.
As a matter of fact, extensive reading will definitely expand the reader’s warehouse of vocabulary. At same time, it will increase the depth of understanding for the country, society and culture. In the view of traditional Chinese philosophy, “Reading Thousands of Books and Travelling Thousands of miles” are two big and important steps to helping a person gain success. The choice of reading materials is much multiple. Textbooks, magazines, newspapers and even flyers, are all good reading resources. In order to get the most effective reading outcomes, developing consistent reading interests in some specific fields is recommended. Following the reading rules is essential, choosing materials from low to high and from easy to difficult. There is a Chinese saying, "A little pencil is far better than a good memory ".It expresses the importance of making notes. Making notes is a very useful method to accumulate new knowledge, and is also very good for reviewing purpose. While reading, a new learner should always bring pens and paper, and often record the learning experience. These are very good habits to become an effective communicator. When an immigrant can thoroughly understand an academic article in "National Geography", or a TV documentary related to complicated scientific background, these will indicate that he or she has already reached relative high reading level. The learner should be pleased with the outcomes.
As mentioned above, listening continuously, speaking accurately and reading broadly are the three effective methods to improve an immigrant’s English communication skills. Success only favors prepared minds. There are no shortcuts to master good English except hard study and practice. If a new immigrant can follow these three methods to keep tireless efforts, his or her English verbal commutation skills will steadily improve. In today’s Canadian society, immigrants have already organically integrated into various parts of the country. Many of them have become excellent citizens and have been a positive contribution to their communities. The good outcomes definitely rely on their strong knowledge background and good communication skills.
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