T.I.P.S – To Improve, Practice Skills

Tired of studying English through basic grammar practice? There are many other creative ways to practice and improve your language skills than just by using a textbook.

Focusing on your listening skills can really help to improve not only your comprehension of English, but also your grammar and vocabulary. There are many programs available on the Internet or on CD to enhance your listening, however there are other resources that are readily available all around you while you are living in Canada.

Next time you have some free time, take a magazine or newspaper and go to a local coffee shop. Instead of reading the paper, use it as a disguise to hid behind and focus on listening to people’s conversations around you. See if you can understand the basic idea of their discussion. This is a great way to concentrate on your listening skills in a natural environment and you might even catch some really interesting gossip! Just don’t forget to turn the pages every once in a while so that it looks natural!

If you would like more information on T.I.P.S for English, please email Doctor English with your questions at drenglish@vec.ca.