Get Results! - Six Steps to Winning Written Communication

Effective written communications is a secret key to success in business.

Follow these six steps to enhance your writing skills and increase your ROI today!

1. Before you begin to write, define your goal and audience. What do you wish to accomplish? Who will receive your written communication? Your intended recipient influences both word choice and tone of your project.

2. Use attention-grabbing sentences or headers and visuals to hook your reader. You have about 30 seconds to capture the reader. Too much boring text is a complete turnoff. Use vivid prose and pictures to reinforce your point.

3. Regarding content, what is the benefit for the reader? What does she or gain by purchasing your service or product? After a captivating entrée, deliver the sizzle, but not the steak. Solve a problem. Make a situation easier. Be responsive to the potential customer's need or desire. Get an order!

4. Check your spelling, diction, and punctuation. Use a style guide if necessary to add uniformity to your document(s). Nothing detracts more from your effectiveness than misspellings and poor grammar.

5. What is your call to action? Do you want a phone call or an email? Include this information and your website. Ask for the business; you might just get it.

6. Find an objective reader. What is the person's reaction to the document? Are there any errors or omissions? Before printing hundreds of flyers, make sure the document is top notch before going out the door.

*** If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please contact Professor Winn by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts today!

Can you learn a language online?

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill grabbed headlines last October in deciding to offer its introduction to Spanish classes exclusively online.

The increase in high-band Internet access at home, revolutionary software programs like Skype, and an explosion of convenient online opportunities have combined to force brick-and-mortar universities to compete in cyber educational arena.

Online Language Learning Works?
While some subjects like calculus and history may be adaptable outside the traditional classroom, what about languages?

Modern languages can indeed take their rightful position along with other university classes online.

While not privy to the setup of the Spanish classes at UNC-Chapel Hill, introduction classes for any language are delicate. Students need to be able to listen and mimic the language to speak it. Thus, a heavy audio and/or video component would be necessary.

From experience, as both student and teacher, online courses are customarily divided into self-contained modules in which students are exposed to new material every week. Homework is submitted by school-based email using Blackboard or another content management system.

In the case of a language program, students could record an audio file and upload it for the professor to grade.

And for office hours? Fire up Skype or MSN. My Skype ID is professorwinn. Notice the Skype button in the lower right column.

Conclusion
A pioneer in online education was MIT's Open Courseware Project. Its free modern language offerings include Chinese, French, Spanish, and German. Unlike the UNC Spanish class, no university credit is given.

Other institutions have joined MIT's lead as learning a plethora of subjects online becomes a reality.

Spanish and Portuguese speakers also have a key to online courses via Universia.

Have you taken a language class online? What was your experience?

*** If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please contact Professor Winn by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts today!

What were the 10 most translated languages in 2010?

According to the Kwintessential translation services firm, the Top 10 most translated languages to/from English in 2010 were:


1.French
2.German
3.Spanish
4.Arabic
5.Italian
6.Chinese
7.Dutch
8.Russian
9.Polish
10.Portuguese


Three of my languages, from French, Spanish, and Portuguese to English, made the top 10.

Is it surprising that Polish is in the top tier of the list?

For the next five languages, visit their site.
*** If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please contact Professor Winn by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts today!

Extensive Reading Helps Students Read Better and Faster

It is not surprising that students learn to read better and faster by reading. But there are two types of reading for students.

EFL professors may prefer an extensive reading approach.

What is extensive reading?
Reading is usually divided into two types: 1) intensive and 2) extensive.

Intensive reading involves the practice of particular reading skills and the close examination of text. Tasks often include scanning and skimming for particular details in texts.

By contrast, extensive reading involves reading numerous texts and thus a greater exposure to the language. Students read for pleasure and for a general comprehension of texts.

Benefits for Students
Students participate in the selection of texts of their interest. Less pressure provides an enjoyable reading environment.

Improvements in writing and a stronger vocabulary are also results from extensive reading programs.

Moreover, students are empowered to take control of their own language learning.

Conclusion
A key component of an extensive reading program is measuring progress. Students are often required to maintain a reading journal in order to record their reflections on texts.

The following questions can be used as a guide:

• What book(s) did you read this week?
• What did you find particularly interesting?
• How many pages did you read?
• How much time did you spend reading?
• What are your reading goals this week?

You may be interested in a study evaluating an extensive reading program.

*** If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please contact Professor Winn by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts today!

Challenges Teaching Aviation English

Aviation English is more prominent today because of a  March deadline imposed by ICAO ((International Civil Aviation Organization) for all commercial pilots and air traffic control crews to demonstrate a Level 4 proficiency in the language.

That makes Mr. Darren Cairn's timely  masters thesis, An Insight into Aviation English: The Importance of Professional Collaboration, published just last week, more important.

Mr. Cairn provides a primer for English professors hoping to meet the overwhelming demand for specialized English for pilots and air traffic control crews.

Challenges to ESP Professors
Aviation English, as an ESP, centers around the special needs of the student, the pilot, in this case, who usually knows more about the subject than the professor. Therein lies one challenge and opportunity for the professor to take chances and innovate.

By nature, ESP professors are called to be daring in the classroom.

While a plethora of information, research, and standardized tests exists for Business English, Aviation English is a developing field and the rush is on now to fill gaps given the ICAO mandate. The absence of standards and developed course curriculum poses additional obstacles to ESP professors.

Specialized English for pilots is the main thrust of a course. However, General English is important as well (p.22-23).  Pilots must be able to describe and analyze situations and communicate with the air traffic control officials beyond the technical operations of the the aircraft.

Mr. Cairns also tackles the native-speaker paradigm for Aviation English. Basically, it does not apply (p.27).  A pilot needs to be able to communicate  intelligibly in English and thus perfection (however relative a condition that is) should not be the aim, if ever.

Conclusions
The  nascent field of Aviation English provides both rewards and risks for ESP professors. As the frequency of international flights increases and the Chinese air market matures, future demand is a near certainty. The time seems right to gain the specialized aviation knowledge and apply your own winning formula for classroom success.

*** If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please contact Professor Winn by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts today!

#Writers, Avoid these 5 ''Gotchas''

Writers, avoid these 5 writing ''gotchas'' for more effective writing.

1. Always know who your audience is. Thinking is the first step in writing. Before tapping the keyboard or writing the first sentence on paper, ask: Who am I writing for? Who will read my marvelous work? Your word choice and paragraph construction are quite different depending upon how you answered these questions. Decide that before you start writing.
   
2. Create an outline. Do you know how to reach a new destination without a map? An outline organizes  your thoughts and saves time in your writing project. What information or storylines will you convey?Build a detailed outline and watch your productivity soar!
   
   
3. Wordiness is boring. As Shakespeare's Polonius reminds us in Hamlet, ''...brevity is the soul of wit.'' As lover of words, writers often get caught up in their art. Delete as many words as possible. Less words bring more clarity and cohesiveness to writing.
   
   
4. Vary sentence length for action. Readers get lost in long involved sentences. Short snappy sentences are active, but vary their length. Most sentences contain about 10 words.
   
   
5. Cut run-on sentences. My students are famous for this one. Remember, when you complete a thought, stop by adding the period(.). Sometimes it is necessary to write a compound sentence, but remember the conjunction!

Happy writing!

*** If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please contact Professor Winn by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts today!

#Aviation #English Exam Looms

English is the international language for aviation.

By March 1, 2011, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requires commercial pilots flying international routes to demonstrate an English language proficiency of  Level 4 (operational).

The scramble is on for English professors to prepare pilots to meet the demand in time given the special demands of learning and practicing English for Aviation.

Given read-back/hear-back error is the greatest threat in air safety communications, the ICAO moved to implement English language proficiency norms for pilots.

The bet is better communications will reduce human error and promote greater safety for both passengers and crew.

Note: Read more on ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements.
*** If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please contact Professor Winn by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts today!

Will #ABA Abandon the #LSAT?

Apparently the American Bar Association is considering abandoning the requirement of LSAT scores for accredited law schools.

The decision  could come next year according to the article on the ABA's website: ''LSAT Would Be Optional Under Possible ABA Accreditation Change.''

Do you agree with this move? Is it a loosening of standards or pragmatism?

Surely aspiring students to law school agree, but what about the test preparation industry.

*** If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please contact Professor Winn by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts today!

#Chavez Needs #English Lessons

credit: BBC

English is important for world leaders personally despite professional interpreters in earshot to make sure the correct meaning is conveyed given the stakes of an errant word.

Case in point is the grand gathering of global potentates in Brasilia at the inauguration of Brazilian Presidente Dilma Rousseff last Saturday.

Now we have even more details about the awkward tête-a-tête between Venezuelan Presidente Chavez and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Venezuela and the US are at odds over a range of issues in Latin America.

Chavez to Hillary: ''How are you wife?'' according to the Spanish daily El Mundo.
Hillary (laughing): ''Ah, husband, husband.''

Chavez admitted he was mistaken because he speaks English poorly.

In the photos of the encounter, interpreters did not seem to be present. It would be curious to know how well Mrs. Clinton speaks Spanish.

Sidebar: Brazilian financial magazine Exame says Presidente Rousseff spoke in both Portuguese and English with Hillary; an interpreter was present in those conversations.

*** If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please contact Professor Winn by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts today!

Sun Tzu and the Art of Learning English

Great Wall of China

Ancient Chinese general Sun Tzu's thoughts are studied by contemporary generals, corporate titans, and now, English students.

Wise thoughts
In his ageless book, The Art of War, Sun Tzu shares his pearls of wisdom applicable to learning any second language:

Rule 1: 'if you know yourself and your enemy, you'd surely win'
English Translation: If you know why (motive) you are studying English and realize the difficulty and patience required in learning a second language, you'll have success. 

Rule 2: 'if you know yourself but not your enemy, you may either win or lose'
English Translation: If you know why (motive) you are studying English but do not realize the difficulty and patience required in learning a second language, you may have success. 

Rule 3: 'if you know neither yourself nor your enemy, you would lose'
English Translation: If you know neither why (motive)  you are studying English nor realize the difficulty and patience required in learning a second language, you may not have success. 

Conclusion
Learning English or any second (or third?) language requires dedication, patience, and most importantly, motivation.

If you apply Sun Tzu's rules by being true to yourself, heeding the lessons of a wise professor, managing your expectations, and yes, having fun, you will succeed in reaching your goal.

*** If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please contact Professor Winn by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts today!

Please vote in our blog poll. Tell a friend!

Why are you studying English?

Please vote in our first blog poll located on the right panel.

We will keep the poll active for the next week.

Please ask your friends to vote in the poll and to subscribe to our site!

Thank you and Happy 2011!

*** If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please contact Professor Winn by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts today!