Advice on improving English?

[DP4NB3S301314]

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Hi! Thanks soo much for taking little time read my post. Since you guys have been through college and in Med school now. Therefore, I think I might get some throughtful advice on how to improve English. 🙂

I've been U.S. for about 3 years. (Originally from China) As an immigrant, it's kind of tough to learning a new language and adujusting environment at the same time. I'd have a dream of becoming a doctor since 6 years old BECAUSE I've always curious about medcine, more precisly, herbal medicine. Herbal medicine have been my curer all the time and I easily get sick when I was a child. I'd always have questions about why and how when mix dozen different substances and cook it can cure people's sickness. Why its black while you know they are just plants.

So my problem is how to improve my English (includes writing, reading , understanding) It's really disappointted when I spend 10hours on a project or final test that for others they only need 5 hours instead. I'm experiencing this, and I excatly know my lack of English is the main problem I have to fix. A example, I took ap bio last year, there were lots of Free Response Questions that I need to spend 2 hours work while others only take about an hour. Sometimes, when it comes a test, we all spend same time, (30mins writing) but I got less points compare to people who born at U.S. 12 point max, I usually score 6~8 range, my friends just always score 10+...I'd also notice I need to spend 2x work to get the same results as people who only spend 1x or less. I never find excuses for my self that my first language is not English, however, I wanna find a way out and knows that evenusually I have to. I've been an observer at this form since I sign up...Today, I really wanna know what to do to get my English improve and I need serious response on this. Well, please reply as best as you can, no pressure if well don't have too much time. I score 350 on SAT 1 writing, 340 on reading...crappy score huh...I hated to accept the fact, and I never accept the fact that all other chinese friends had told me that we only rock on Math...and untill now, I gotta accept that only Math pull my scores up...

I've been learning and knows that reading Wall's journal everyday could help...however, I've been there serveral times, Wall's journal about economic or something like that?? What section you guys read the most? And more importantly, what's your suggestion on improve my English, what should I read as everyday base. I try to read news paper everyday. What others you think might help me get thought this? We all know MCAT verbal is a killer even to people who born here...I'd want to know how to get well on English before its too late. It's just disappointted me that when I spend more time to get the same results as others who born here...🙁

Btw, I've been in UCSF program for about half year or so. Luckly have chance with conversation with UCSF Med students. They all astonished that now a days high school students are work as hard as med students...You never know we sometimes don't sleep or only sleep few hours a day like 3~5hrs a day? Try to talk to people who go to ivys...they are true fighters...well, on average, med students workload is heaver.😳

Again, thanks for reading this long post.
So, advice please?😀

 

[Isoprop]

I'm a native English speaker, but my parents are immigrants from Asia. I also have a lot of non-native English speaking friends, so I can share with you what I have observed from their success.

Learning English to be fluent is different than how you may have studied English in school back in China.

Read and reread English everyday. Magazines and newspapers are a good source. The subject of the articles doesn't matter. It could be the Wall Street Journal or comic books. Just read a lot everyday. Oh, and it's okay to reread the same article over again.

Look up words that you don't know. Underline them and write them down. It is frustrating and slow in the beginning but you will notice that you will not need to look up words as time goes on.

Speak as much English with your friends as possible, even with your Chinese friends. The only time you shouldn't speak English is with someone who doesn't know how (maybe family back at home).

Watch English T.V. programs-- the news, soap operas, sitcoms, even cartoons. Listen to the radio, especially talk radio like NPR. Repeat what they say.

Don't get frustrated over idioms. Idioms are probably the most frustrating part of English. If you learn a new idiom, that's great. if you forget the meaning, don't worry about it.

I notice some of my friends get the translated version of the textbook/notebook for class. This helps them when they are lost with the English translation. This may help you for class, but I think it also hurts you learning English. Not all textbooks are going to be translated or even translated correctly. It's up to you whether you want to do this or not.

You have to accept that your native-speaking friends are going to have an advantage over you. That doesn't mean you have to give up! Try to improve everyday, and you'll be able to catch up.

Good luck.

 

[Janieve]

Living in Japan and teaching English here, I've noticed three behaviors that help people improve their skills:

1. Write things by hand. It sounds silly, but the students who write their first drafts of their essays by hand tend to develop quicker. They're more likely to rephrase than to copy and paste, and they recognize more easily the words they don't know very well. (After writing it by hand, type it to hand in)

• Pros for you: Speeds up notetaking ability, improves legibility.
• Cons for you: Time consuming

2. Read a lot - and read aloud. Even native speakers improve their speaking and writing abilities by reading, whether silently or out loud. My students especially tend to get a better 'feel' for the language in question if they read stories/articles/etc. often. They also tend to grasp meaning quicker if they read it out loud.

• Pros for you: Chance to learn new words, speed up reading, pick up grammar and fluency points, easy to find material.
• Cons for you: Can be loud (not to be done in library), material can be difficult to understand, time consuming.

3. Listen. Get an audiobook, maybe, or an audio lecture. My students do this (iTunes tends to have parts of certain audiobooks and university lectures for you to download for free), and I've noticed that their listening comprehension has gone through the roof. They recognize speech patterns and are exposed to more idiomatic expressions and vocab.

• Pros for you: Easy to find material, improves listening comprehension, can be done on the go, cheap.
• Cons for you: Time consuming.

That's just what I've observed. Good luck!

 

[schrizto]

About what section of the newspaper I read the most... movie reviews. It's kind of strange but it's a very good vocab builder because the critics like to use fancy words to describe characters and moods.

I'd have a dream of becoming a doctor since 6 years old BECAUSE I've always curious about medcine, more precisly, herbal medicine. Herbal medicine have been my curer all the time and I easily get sick when I was a child. I'd always have questions about why and how when mix dozen different substances and cook it can cure people's sickness. Why its black while you know they are just plants.

This is slightly off-topic but I don't know how that would sound if you decided to write that into a personal statement. Herbal medicine is often considered an alternative medicine in the US even though it's regarded as very credible in Asia.

 

[tennisball80]

I also speak English as my second language. However, during high shcool, I worked really to improve my language skills. I can totally understand your.

One of my high school English teachers has told me that it will improve your English dramatically if you get a girlfriend who speaks English as her first language. Well, if you can find one, it's good for ya.

 

[artx2008]

Hi! Thanks soo much for taking little time read my post. Since you guys have been through college and in Med school now. Therefore, I think I might get some throughtful advice on how to improve English. 🙂

I've been U.S. for about 3 years. (Originally from China) As an immigrant, it's kind of tough to learning a new language and adujusting environment at the same time. I'd have a dream of becoming a doctor since 6 years old BECAUSE I've always curious about medcine, more precisly, herbal medicine. Herbal medicine have been my curer all the time and I easily get sick when I was a child. I'd always have questions about why and how when mix dozen different substances and cook it can cure people's sickness. Why its black while you know they are just plants.

So my problem is how to improve my English (includes writing, reading , understanding) It's really disappointted when I spend 10hours on a project or final test that for others they only need 5 hours instead. I'm experiencing this, and I excatly know my lack of English is the main problem I have to fix. A example, I took ap bio last year, there were lots of Free Response Questions that I need to spend 2 hours work while others only take about an hour. Sometimes, when it comes a test, we all spend same time, (30mins writing) but I got less points compare to people who born at U.S. 12 point max, I usually score 6~8 range, my friends just always score 10+...I'd also notice I need to spend 2x work to get the same results as people who only spend 1x or less. I never find excuses for my self that my first language is not English, however, I wanna find a way out and knows that evenusually I have to. I've been an observer at this form since I sign up...Today, I really wanna know what to do to get my English improve and I need serious response on this. Well, please reply as best as you can, no pressure if well don't have too much time. I score 350 on SAT 1 writing, 340 on reading...crappy score huh...I hated to accept the fact, and I never accept the fact that all other chinese friends had told me that we only rock on Math...and untill now, I gotta accept that only Math pull my scores up...

I've been learning and knows that reading Wall's journal everyday could help...however, I've been there serveral times, Wall's journal about economic or something like that?? What section you guys read the most? And more importantly, what's your suggestion on improve my English, what should I read as everyday base. I try to read news paper everyday. What others you think might help me get thought this? We all know MCAT verbal is a killer even to people who born here...I'd want to know how to get well on English before its too late. It's just disappointted me that when I spend more time to get the same results as others who born here...🙁

Btw, I've been in UCSF program for about half year or so. Luckly have chance with conversation with UCSF Med students. They all astonished that now a days high school students are work as hard as med students...You never know we sometimes don't sleep or only sleep few hours a day like 3~5hrs a day? Try to talk to people who go to ivys...they are true fighters...well, on average, med students workload is heaver.😳

Again, thanks for reading this long post.
So, advice please?😀

You must be kidding!

 

[rmbsstock]

I am an immigrant too, and I came here at the age of 25. I threw myself right away among American speaking people by joining the US Army (You can make the funniest Hollywood movie about this experience).
Anyways, In addition to reading your school material, I have several suggestions that really helped me.

1) STOP translating in your head everything that is said, try to translate from English to English.
2) Start to think in English, dream in English, talk in English to yourself.
3) I agree with the suggestions listed above, listen to the Radio, watch TV, and keep talking to people at all time. You will make lots of mistakes, but Americans are forgiving in general.
4) If you can get a job or a volunteer job within your school so you can interact with people at all times.
5) Go to church or any place of worship where you can be surrounded with American families, some of them like foreign students. They would like to learn about your culture, and you can learn from them.
Good Luck

 

[GoBriightly]

I am an immigrant too, and I came here at the age of 25. I threw myself right away among American speaking people by joining the US Army (You can make the funniest Hollywood movie about this experience).
Anyways, In addition to reading your school material, I have several suggestions that really helped me.

1) STOP translating in your head everything that is said, try to translate from English to English.
2) Start to think in English, dream in English, talk in English to yourself.
3) I agree with the suggestions listed above, listen to the Radio, watch TV, and keep talking to people at all time. You will make lots of mistakes, but Americans are forgiving in general.
4) If you can get a job or a volunteer job within your school so you can interact with people at all times.
5) Go to church or any place of worship where you can be surrounded with American families, some of them like foreign students. They would like to learn about your culture, and you can learn from them.
Good Luck

So true. Although my first language is English... I've learned how to speak French, German, and Spanish. I've noticed that whenever I stop translating a particular language, like French, in my head to English, I learn it better. It's almost like you recognize a particular word for what it is and not as the symbol for the English word (or in your case... whatever your native language is)... Sorry if that makes no sense whatsoever. It's kind of hard to explain.
Also, I know that when I was learning a language, I would check out books from the library in that language and read, looking up words that I didn't understand.

 

[sassilysweet]

For more formal help, many communities offer classes that help people with English as a second (or third or fourth..) language. These are usually adult education classes and are FREE (at least in my city). They meet in the evenings typically and you can go as often or as little as you want. It is a good environment to meet others who want to improve their English and get more practice.

On a different note, I notice in writing that you tend to skip prepositions (words like "to" or "for"). This is something that is important to work on in your writing skills. Do you have any English grammar books from your high school that you can review? Or talk to your English teacher about getting help in this area--maybe s/he can give you more practice exercises.

Good luck!

 

[artx2008]

For more formal help, many communities offer classes that help people with English as a second (or third or fourth..) language. These are usually adult education classes and are FREE (at least in my city). They meet in the evenings typically and you can go as often or as little as you want. It is a good environment to meet others who want to improve their English and get more practice.

On a different note, I notice in writing that you tend to skip prepositions (words like "to" or "for"). This is something that is important to work on in your writing skills. Do you have any English grammar books from your high school that you can review? Or talk to your English teacher about getting help in this area--maybe s/he can give you more practice exercises.

Good luck!

And they are usually of poor quality.

 

[sassilysweet]

And they are usually of poor quality.

I sat in on one for a class I had and it was actually really good, the teacher was awesome and you could tell she really cared.
Again, I understand if this is not the typical experience, but you can't know unless you try one.

 

[artx2008]

I sat in on one for a class I had and it was actually really good, the teacher was awesome and you could tell she really cared.
Again, I understand if this is not the typical experience, but you can't know unless you try one.

Why did you sit on only one class?

 

[sassilysweet]

Why did you sit on only one class?

I took a master's level "Intro to the Undereducated Adult" course and the final project was to sit in on one community-based adult ed class, could be for GED or ESL/EBD or family ed, etc. The class I sat in on was 3 hours long and then I stayed and just talked with the teacher for over an hour afterward.

 

[artx2008]

I took a master's level "Intro to the Undereducated Adult" course and the final project was to sit in on one community-based adult ed class, could be for GED or ESL/EBD or family ed, etc. The class I sat in on was 3 hours long and then I stayed and just talked with the teacher for over an hour afterward.

I have noticed that these classes usually lack direction, and they do not lead anywhere. That is why you can skip as many as you want.

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

English as a third language here!

TV should be your best friend, soaps, cartoons. Just immerse yourself. If you have Chinese friends and talk in chinese then stopped hanging out with them. Just immerse yourself as much as you can in English. Only hang out with people who speak English, if you have Chinese TV channels, then don't watch them, only watch English. Read everything you can, find really hard material to read, and dissect it, define each word understand it, and USE it. Ask people to correct you. Think in English, surround yourself in English, and eventually you will be ever comfortable in it, and might even dream in English.

 

[artx2008]

English as a third language here!

TV should be your best friend, soaps, cartoons. Just immerse yourself. If you have Chinese friends and talk in chinese then stopped hanging out with them. Just immerse yourself as much as you can in English. Only hang out with people who speak English, if you have Chinese TV channels, then don't watch them, only watch English. Read everything you can, find really hard material to read, and dissect it, define each word understand it, and USE it. Ask people to correct you. Think in English, surround yourself in English, and eventually you will be ever comfortable in it, and might even dream in English.

What is your second language?

 

[anavistas]

I'm a non-native speaker and I'm still learning but I have several suggestions. If you want to learn any language you need to learn the grammar first, this is usually neglected and nothing can compensate for it. I see ppl who have been in this country for more than 20 years, most of them educated and among whom many professors but still they can't use a simple past- tense or a simple conditional clause. This is not something you can learn from watching TV or talking to native-speakers. You can just open a TOEFL preparation book, and start studying it. Nowadays nobody cares about it, but You can improve a lot this way.

 

[artx2008]

I'm a non-native speaker and I'm still learning but I have several suggestions. If you want to learn any language you need to learn the grammer first, this is usually neglected and nothing can compensate for it. I see ppl who have been in this country for more than 20 years, most of them educated and among whom many professors but still they can't use a simple past- tense or a simple conditional clause. This is not something you can learn from watching TV or talking to native-speakers. You can just open a TOEFL preparation book, and start studying it. Nowadays nobody cares about it, but You can improve a lot this way.

I totally agree. That was my approach as well.

 

[tennisball80]

i’m a non-native speaker and i’m still learning but i have several suggestions. If you want to learn any language you need to learn the grammer first, this is usually neglected and nothing can compensate for it. I see ppl who have been in this country for more than 20 years, most of them educated and among whom many professors but still they can’t use a simple past- tense or a simple conditional clause. This is not something you can learn from watching tv or talking to native-speakers. You can just open a toefl preparation book, and start studying it. Nowadays nobody cares about it, but you can improve a lot this way.

i totally agree. That was my approach as well.

+1

 

[Alwaysbehopeful]

I came here when I was seven but here is my best advice...

DON'T HANG OUT WITH ONLY ASIAN PEOPLE....THIS DOESN'T HELP....

I have never hung out with only Asians and actually don't have any Asian friends..However in high school, I noticed that all the Asians hang out together and spoke Chinese together. That doesn't help anything in terms of language. Immerse yourself in the culture, read books, watch TV, listen to music (enough of that Chinese pop). This helps a lot! You can learn grammar this way as well, and vocabulary from your English speaking friends. Also when someone says a word you don't understand, don't hesitate to ask. I find a lot of fobs (pardon me for my use here, I don't mean any offense) just nod along and smile when they don't really understand what is going on. Stop people and ask! They won't laugh at you and will probably give you a little English lesson.

 

[DP4NB3S301314]

Thanks for all the replies. Especially Isoprop, Janieve, SwedishMD2B, rmbsstock and anavistas. 🙂 I'll definitly use this advices as a guilde to get me through this situation.


To anavistas, I actully like cats. xP 😀 I'm a cat lover, but no dirty cats.

 

[anavistas]

I love cats, have had several but I don't have any right now. I'm waiting for the genetic engineering to invent clean cats or me to become clean and be able to add another mess on top of what I have now!!
I think Barron’s TOEFL (the old one) is a good start as it covers the basics, then 504 words and then 1100.

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

What is your second language?

Swedish, I think.

 

[NickNaylor]

Read, watch English TV, and speak with people. Three quickest ways to build intuitive language skills.

 

[strummin]

I've found that the best way to learn any language is to speak it with native speakers of the language. Of course, reading magazines/newspapers also helps but you'll pick up the language much better when you just talk to people.

 

[rmbsstock]

Ok, I learned something new. I advise you this. DO NOT WRITE IN THESE FORUMS AND GIVE YOUR OPINION ON ANYTHING, unless you have friends in these forums, and are supportive of you.
I did so well a while back on the Toffel exam. However, when I get excited, I write fast, and sometimes I make mistakes in the spelling or the grammar. You should see how the people misunderstand me on these forums. They call me a slut, a bitch, go learn English, and how did you graduate from collage here if you have this kind of language...Although, I got my MA from here with a GPA 3.89, and I am getting my PHD.
So watch who you correspond with and talk to here.🙁

 

[kehlsh]

Ok, I learned something new. I advise you this. DO NOT WRITE IN THESE FORUMS AND GIVE YOUR OPINION ON ANYTHING, unless you have friends in these forums, and are supportive of you.
I did so well a while back on the Toffel exam. However, when I get excited, I write fast, and sometimes I make mistakes in the spelling or the grammar. You should see how the people misunderstand me on these forums. They call me a slut, a bitch, go learn English, and how did you graduate from collage here if you have this kind of language...Although, I got my MA from here with a GPA 3.89, and I am getting my PHD.
So watch who you correspond with and talk to here.🙁

I lol'ed at Toffel and and collage

still there is <3

 

[J ROD]

OP, read more....🙂

 

[sassilysweet]

I have noticed that these classes usually lack direction, and they do not lead anywhere. That is why you can skip as many as you want.

Again, I would like to argue that this depends on your location and the program.

The one I attended had a set agenda and the class was working through 2-3 different workbooks (one dealing with grammar and another with expanding vocabularly). They also had time to read through magazine articles that the class chose and discuss the topics.

I am sure there are programs out there that are stand-alone classes but this was not my personal experience.

 

[tennisball80]

http://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-...=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262306548&sr=8-5

This is a good grammar book. Give a try.

 

[Grand]

English as the 4th language: Avoid Chinese, be friends with Americans.

They call me a slut, a bitch, go learn English, and how did you graduate from collage here if you have this kind of language...Although, I got my MA from here with a GPA 3.89, and I am getting my PHD.
So watch who you correspond with and talk to here.🙁

Yeah, trust this guy.

 

[rmbsstock]

Ok Grand, Thank you for finding my spelling mistake. It is the word 'College' that I intended to write. Now why shouldn't you trust me!!!, just because of a spelling mistake! You saw that, but you did not hear how much I am hurting by other's comments? Why are you judgmental? Or are you Mr./ Mrs. Perfect. Oh please, forgive me for my sin.

 

[artx2008]

English as the 4th language: Avoid Chinese, be friends with Americans.




Yeah, trust this guy.

 

[anavistas]

I’m a non-native speaker and I’m still learning but I have several suggestions. If you want to learn any language you need to learn the grammer first, this is usually neglected and nothing can compensate for it. I see ppl who have been in this country for more than 20 years, most of them educated and among whom many professors but still they can’t use a simple past- tense or a simple conditional clause. This is not something you can learn from watching TV or talking to native-speakers. You can just open a TOEFL preparation book, and start studying it. Nowadays nobody cares about it, but You can improve a lot this way.

OooOps, always write in a word processor first to avoid having spelling mistakes! 😉

 

[rmbsstock]

OooOps, always write in a word processor first to avoid having spelling mistakes! 😉

Agree 100% but we have to proof read it and know exactly the difference between every word. Cause, although sometimes when you check and you do not have any spelling mistakes, the meaning can be wrong. Additionally, when you proof read several times, you start reading from your head rather what's on the paper. I do not know if I am making any sense. But, for example: Weather and whether, our and hour, where and were, their and there. These words will not be corrected by the spell check, and we have to find them on our own. And God help us if we put an "o" instead of an "e". You should see the attacks I have been going through on these forums. People stop listening to your ideas and feelings, and focus on your spelling and grammar (which are important, but it's not like they don't make mistakes).
Also, what is important in my opinion, is to learn the abbreviations and some new words even some slang, that are being used with the new use of the computer and the cell phone. I think all these changes are important to embrace, since most of the young generations are using them. It seems that the American English language is an evolving language, and we have to keep abreast of these changes. I studied long time ago Shakespeare and Hemingway, and many great writers but other than their ideas, their language is history, and there is no use to it!!. Do you agree with that?

 

[casillas]

I studied abroad in a spanish speaking country and the difference between people who's spanish improved and those whose spanish remained stagnant was the following.

1. Speak english wherever you can. Go to a store and speak, don't worry about messing up just speak and don't apologize when you make a small mistake, that's how you learn.

2. Make sure you and your friends are speaking in english

3. Watch english TV, it doesn't matter what just watch english stuff (perhaps you should watch the history chanel so you can also learn about american culture)

4. Read a novel in english. Make sure it is not too challenging for your level so you do not give up.

5. Where do you live? get english speaking roomates and engage them in conversation.

 

[rmbsstock]

I studied abroad in a spanish speaking country and the difference between people who's spanish improved and those whose spanish remained stagnant was the following.

4. Read a novel in english. Make sure it is not too challenging for your level so you do not give up.

5. Where do you live? get english speaking roomates and engage them in conversation.

I love these last two. Especially No. 5 , it is so true because you will not be able to learn this from books. When I was in the Army, I was in the Barracks, and the Army has it its own language, that even many civilian American civilians don't know. Same at college, if you live in a dorm or have roommates outside the school, you might learn the lingo, that if you studied abroad you wouldn't know!

 

[anavistas]

Agree 100% but we have to proof read it and know exactly the difference between every word. Cause, although sometimes when you check and you do not have any spelling mistakes, the meaning can be wrong. Additionally, when you proof read several times, you start reading from your head rather what's on the paper. I do not know if I am making any sense. But, for example: Weather and whether, our and hour, where and were, their and there. These words will not be corrected by the spell check, and we have to find them on our own. And God help us if we put an "o" instead of an "e". You should see the attacks I have been going through on these forums. People stop listening to your ideas and feelings, and focus on your spelling and grammar (which are important, but it's not like they don't make mistakes).
Also, what is important in my opinion, is to learn the abbreviations and some new words even some slang, that are being used with the new use of the computer and the cell phone. I think all these changes are important to embrace, since most of the young generations are using them. It seems that the American English language is an evolving language, and we have to keep abreast of these changes. I studied long time ago Shakespeare and Hemingway, and many great writers but other than their ideas, their language is history, and there is no use to it!!. Do you agree with that?

I was actually making fun of myself 😀 I didn't mean you at all, since I was advising the OP to read "grammar" but was misspelling that "grammer"!lol
However, I think when you are in a country you have to respect the language and try your best to learn it. I understand to some extent why ppl start attacking... I become angry when encountering ppl who don't even try to learn. I mean if the person is an illegal immigrant and has tried his/her best to be able to communicate in English even with a lot of mistakes, I'd appreciate the effort, but common when a professor who has lived here for more than 20 years doesn't even try to learn the past tense of "Do"...that's sad.