Don't Miss this #English #Learning #Seminar in #São Paulo on May 14

At a English learning seminar in São Paulo this Saturday hosted by Nativo Traduçôes, I have the distinct honor to address a select group of attendees.

Pronounce English Better

I plan to cover the following points on English pronunciation:

• Phonics - 44 Sounds of English
• 3 Challenges for Portuguese Speakers
• Native Pronunciation Tricks
• Intonation - Music of English
• Word and Sentence Stress

Participants should take away an immediate  increased ability to not only pronounce English better, but understand spoken English as well.

By understanding how native English speakers communicate (elisions, assimilation, etc), English learners can have a greater awareness to anticipate these linguistic features. 

In turn, a greater degree of fluency is achieved as well improved listening comprehension.

Legal English Primer

My colleague, Nasir Habib, plans to present a Legal English primer:

• What is Legal English?
• Legal Idioms
• Colors of Law
• Word Play
• Reading

Any lawyer or law student seeking an introduction or deeper understanding of Legal English should attend. Nasir is a Legal English specialist and always provides a lively presentation.

Together, we plan interactive and dynamic talks where participants are involved directly! Just like class, exercises are planned to serve up a "hands on" seminar.

Invitation

So, come join us to improve your English learning in São Paulo this Saturday, May 14! Let me know if you saw my blog post, too!

Please visit the seminar website for more information and to register today!


*** 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!

Top 3 iBT TOEFL Tips

Professor Winn is often asked about tips for the iBT TOEFL.

Here are three top TOEFL tips to hold you in good steed:

1) Increase your vocabulary!

A strong vocabulary cuts across all four sections of the TOEFL - reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Unfairly or not, one is judged by his or her word choice. Remember there is a passive and active vocabulary. The passive is used mainly while reading when you recognize familiar words that may not be used in everyday speech. An active vocabulary is the group of words you do use when communicating in line at the grocery store or swapping stories with friends. The Academic Word List is a good starting point.

2) Target and Improve Your Pronunciation Weaknesses

The speaking section of the iBT TOEFL  is unnerving for some. That is why it is doubly important to identify any weaknesses in your pronunciation BEFORE the exam. One way is to record your voice on a tape recorder. Is your voice steady? Do you hesitate or use ´´um, um?´´ To score high, one must be confident and express this confidence in their voice. Practice with a tape recorder will help!

3) Know thy grammar

Sure, it´s boring. Many times grammar is skimmed over by well-meaning teachers. However, no doubt about it, grammar is at the heart of a language. Without the rules, how can you drive from point A to point B? Grammar brings order and structure to the language and mastering the basics yields a strong foundation to express yourself intelligently in writing and speech. Knowing thy grammar will boost your score, too!

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If you are in São Paulo and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs or TOEFL preparation, please call Professor Winn at 6214-1511 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Mind Your -mb's in English

Silent -b words

English words ending in -mb bedevil students. They often try to pronounce the 'b' at the end of the word. It is silent!

Examples

The following are examples of the silent ' b' :

• climb
• crumb
• dumb
• comb
• tomb
• womb

Buy English Grammar Books Now!

A more complete list of -mb words with a silent 'b' can be found here.


Hire your own English Coach

Does English grammar bedevil you?

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

English is a Stressed Language

English is considered a stressed language while many other languages are considered syllabic.

In French or Italian, for example, each syllable receives equal importance. There is stress in each, but each syllable has its own length.

English pronunciation focuses on specific stressed words while quickly gliding over the other, non stressed, words.

The Importance

Why is this so important to understand?

If you know where the stress is, you can better pronounce the language. Native speakers automatically know where the stress lies.

Students of English need to realize how words are stressed in the language to improve their pronunciation.

Buy English Grammar Books Now!

The Best Way

The best way to improve your pronunciation is to work with a native speaker to mimic the sounds and learn the stress in sentences. A native speaker can also help with the cadence or rhythm which together with proper stress leads to better pronunciation.

Hire your own English Coach

Do your English pronunciation bedevil you?

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

The haffs and haff nots - English Pronunciation Tip

Patricia O'Connor's Grammarphobia blog has a great explanation of the voiced (vocal cord vibrations) and unvoiced pronunciation of the letter "v" in English.

For more on what linguists calls "voice assimiliation, " please visit her blog for an in-depth look at how in some cases the pronunciation changes.

Learning these tips will greatly improve your English pronunciation!

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!