Category: Individuals: learning English

Individuals: learning English

Commit – Communicate – Engage?

Nov 20, 2019 by LSALingua

In any collaboration with clients, we share responsibility with them. We deliver exellent services of course, and, in turn, we ask our course participants to fully commit to the process and to actively partake in the training services we offer. Sharing responsibility with our client(s) ensures that our clients get to develop skills that actually allow them to communicate better in English and, ultimately, to engage their audience(s). Learn more about how we can help you, your clients or employees.

Individuals: learning English

Services for students and young professionals

Oct 29, 2019 by LSALingua

    Services for students and young professionals are offered through non-profit initiative Say WHAT now?!, which is part of LSA LINGUA.

    Learn more about on our website: www.saywhatnow.nl.

    Workshops are offered on Saturdays on November 2019, as well as in the new year in January and February 2020.

    Questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact us through e-mail: info@lsalingua.nl. We look forward to hearing from you!

    OUR WHY

    Meet Say WHAT now?!, a nonprofit that helps students and young professionals, who live in the Netherlands, develop more effective communicative skills so as to prevent communicative challenges from happening that cannot be overcome. Preventing such instances from happening is done by introducing them to plain English conventions and a wide range of discourse tactics that is available to them. By raising awareness regarding how language use affects communication, such issues of potential misunderstanding are tackled that affect both interlocutors, i.e. the Dutchie and their interlocutor or audience.


    Instructing them how to use the English language may help them to preserve or potentially restore the relationship they have with others – both native and non-native speakers of English- in various domains of communication, which may be work, school, or private life. For example. these Dutchies are made aware of the various types of register that exist for the purpose of helping them to communicate more appropriately. Ultimately, this is all understaken to help them navigate communicative situations more effectively to set them up for success.

    Individuals: learning English

    Individuals: speaking more comfortably

    Mar 31, 2018 , , , , , , , by LSALingua

    Are you investing in your career, or balancing a career and family life? Do you simply not have the time to take a traditional (16 – week) English course? Would you, however, really like to be able to speak more comfortably, fluently and accurately, so as to both get the most out of your career, and ultimately speak more confidently?

    At LSA Lingua, we understand that you face challenges on a daily basis, and that life is a balancing act. Consequently,  we specialize in designing effective training solutions for busy professionals, such as yourself. We offer our services flexibly, and offer our them not only during and after office hours, but also online. That way, you can take a tailor-made course in the privacy of your own home, or at a place of your choosing.

    Interested in exploring your options, and receiving a personalized offer? Just contact us! We look forward to hearing from you!

    Individuals: learning English

    Individuals: getting your tasks done more efficiently

    Mar 31, 2018 by LSALingua

    Are you a professional, and is it your main objective to spend your time efficiently to get the job done effectively? Have you noticed that carrying out tasks in English costs more time compared to when you do them in your native tongue?

    Would you like to invest in your own professional development with the aim of getting things done more efficiently?

    Then, just contact us. At LSA Lingua, we are specialized in the development of tailor made solutions, so as to cater to your needs. Consequently, you’ll be able to develop the skills required to carry out those communicative tasks. More specifically, we  can help you acquire the language, so that you can get the most out of your time , and , ultimately, your professional career. What are you waiting for? Just give us a call.

     

     

     

     

    Individuals: learning English

    What type of English communication services does LSA LINGUA offer?

    Mar 30, 2018 by LSALingua

    EGP versus ESP English courses

    EGP courses are usually exam training courses, which are focused on improving a general proficiency in English, i.e. learning how to expand the individual’s vocabulary range and improve grammar knowledge. Consequently, EGP courses are aimed at improving the four skills -listening, speaking, writing and reading- in English. Note that speaking involves short monologues and entering into conversations with others. In other words, EGP courses are usually taken when someone aims to:

    • improve his or her general proficiency,
    • feel more comfortable,
    • demonstrate a particular level of proficiency.

    Examples of EGP courses are the following Cambridge English courses:

    • First Certificate in English (FCE), i.e. B2-level of CEFR,
    • IELTS, i.e. a wide band-score,
    • Cambridge Advanced English (CAE), i.e. C1-level of CEFR,
    • Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE), i.e. C2-level of CEFR.
    ESP courses are developed to improve specific communicative skills

    ESP course are developed for groups of professionals or individuals, who are interested in obtaining improving specific skills in English. These course are useful for corporations that are interested in obtaining ROI, of which the investment is cost- and time-effective.

    For individuals, the following questions may be relevant. Are you interested in:

    • learning how to communicate in a specific occupational context?
    • developing specific skills?
    • developing specific skills in a cross-cultural context?

    Then ESP courses are perhaps more suitable for you. ESP courses are focused on learning how to:

    • communicate well in a specific context,
    • use proper intonation and learning how intonation changes the meaning of interactive moves in dyadic communication,
    • come across less forward or more assertive when communicating with a prospective client.

    In addition, ESP course can be focused on developing specific productive skills, i.e. speaking skills and interaction, but also writing skills. In sum, ESP courses focus on learning which vocabulary to use to be able to reach occupational objectives, i.e. how to communicative more effectively.

    Examples of ESP courses:

    • how to write reports in English,
    • how to improve your presentation techniques,
    • how to conduct effective meetings in multi-disciplinary and international teams.

    Whatever your objectives, we offer our services both professionally and flexibly.

    Please note that the owner of LSA Lingua is Cambridge ESOL Certified. She is, therefore, certified to facilitate Cambridge English language courses. However, only the British Council administers official examinations, which can be taken by learners of English throughout the country. What LSA Lingua offers, for example, are exam preparation courses to help students prepare for these official Cambridge English exams.

    Individuals: learning English, Individuen: vreemde taal leren

    What is the CEFR and how can this framework help me while learning English?

    Apr 23, 2017 , , by LSALingua

    Interested in improving your overall English skills? Have you heard of the CEFR, but no idea as to what it is and how it can help you while improving your skills in English? Then, watch the video on the CEFR.

    Please contact us, if you’d happen to have questions about:

    • the CEFR,
    • English language learning,
    • how to accurately determine your level,
    • improving English skills in the workplace or on the job.

    Individuals: learning English
    Individuals: learning English, Individuen: vreemde taal leren
    Individuals: learning English, Individuen: vreemde taal leren, Tips and tricks, Uncategorised

    Deel 1 How to boost your vocabulary in English- some tools for you to use (Nederlands)

    Apr 1, 2017 , , , , , , , , , by LSALingua

    Ik krijg vaak de vraag: hoe word ik beter in spreken en schrijven in het Engels? Hoewel er veel manieren zijn waarop je zou kunnen verbeteren, is er eigenlijk maar één manier. Gewoon gaan doen. Zo kom je erachter waar je goed en niet zo goed in bent. Op welke woorden kom je wel? En welke woorden bevinden zich niet in jouw reikwijdte? Door deze vragen te beantwoorden, wordt het vanzelf duidelijk waar je aandacht aan moet besteden.

    Oké. Dus je begint met jouw voorbereidingen voor je (educatieve of) taak (voor je werk) en het wordt duidelijk dat je niet op alle gewenste woorden komt en welke voor jou gewoon nog onbekend zijn. Hoe ga je verder? Of beter gezegd: hoe begin je vanaf deze constatering? (Let op: binnenkort wordt er een blog post gepubliceerd over hoe je spreken en schrijven kunt structureren.) Hoe kom je nu aan die woorden die je nodig hebt? En welke woorden dekken nu precies de juiste lading?

    Dit is misschien best lastig. Misschien merk je nu nog dat je sterk aan je moedertaal hangt en nog niet zo vloeiend bent in het Engels, waardoor je veel tijd kwijt bent aan het vertalen van Nederlands naar Engels. Door gewoon dingen uit te proberen tijdens het schrijven (bijvoorbeeld) kom je erachter dat het steeds beter zal gaan. Op het moment dat je in het Engels gaat dromen ben je er! Dit kost gewoon tijd en er zijn nu eenmaal geen short cuts. In de tussentijd zijn er voldoende gratis en goede online hulpmiddelen beschikbaar waar je mee aan de slag kunt gaan. Deze post is erop gericht je daar dus een beetje mee op weg te helpen door je een zetje in de juiste richting te geven.

    Allereerst, gebruik een goed (online) woordenboek, zoals Longman Dictionaries. Misschien gebruik je (net als vele met jou) Google Translate. Als je er intussen achter bent gekomen dat dit niet zo’n betrouwbare bron is, dan is dat mooi. Zo niet, dan vind je hieronder een lijst met goede online dictionaries, waarbij sommigen zelfs een gratis app beschikbaar hebben gesteld, zie hieronder.

    • Cambridge Online Dictionary: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/
    • The free dictionary: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ (This one has a great app too, free of change by the way and available through the app store.)
    • Online dictionary: http://www.dictionary.com/
    • Oxford Dictionaries: https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/

    Nu denk je misschien: ja, uhm, nu heb ik het woord gevonden, maar dit dekt de lading niet volledig of in zijn geheel niet. Of je denkt: ja prima, maar hoe weet ik nu of dit woord de juiste connotatie heeft die mijn stijlkeuze ondersteunt? Wat nu? Het antwoord is simpel: gebruik een thesaurus, oftewel een soort betekeniswoordenboek. Een goede Engelstalige thesaurus is de volgende: http://www.thesaurus.com/, maar vergeet niet om de betekenis van je zoekresultaten even te dubbel-checken/ controleren in een Engels-Engels woordenboek. Dit is belangrijk, omdat woorden die synomiem zijn in betekenis, niet identiek zijn.

    Aan het online woordenboek ‘dictionary.com’ hangt een thesaurus(.com). Het enige minpuntje aan deze thesaurus is dat je soms de link tussen de thesaurus en het bijbehorende woordenboek niet soepel werkt, waardoor je opnieuw je zoekopdracht in de thesaurus moet invoeren, omdat het eraan gekoppelde woordenboek niet automatisch terugleidt naar jouw initiële zoekopdracht. Een oplossing voor dit probleem: open een nieuw venster en open een van bovenstaande links in die tab.

    Terug naar het feitelijk gebruik van zo’n thesaurus. Hoe gebruik je nu zo’n ding? Wat je het best kunt doen is kijken naar de kleurcode: hoe donkerder de kleur geel hoe dichter de betekenis ligt bij je zoekopdracht. Hoe lichter de kleur, hoe verder de betekenis ervan af ligt. Bij twijfel zoek je de betekenis even op in een woordenboek en sla je jouw zoekresultaat even op in een apart document, waarin jouw search entries en bijbehorende betekenis staan. Dat overzicht kun je bij een nieuwe taak direct erbij pakken. Zie onderstaande printscreen voor een voorbeeld search (thesaurus.com, 2018).

     

    Om snel te kunnen verbeteren, kun je je het best onderdompelen in het Engels door Engelstalige resources te gebruiken. De meerwaarde is niet alleen dat je een antwoord vindt op jouw vraag, maar ook dat je in de tussentijd meer woorden leert, doordat de betekenisuitleg van een woord ook in het Engels gegeven is. 

    Tenslotte denk je na dit alles gelezen te hebben wel: “Allemaal leuk en aardig, maar ik wil dit helemaal niet in het Engels opzoeken. Ik blijf gewoon een Nederlands-Engels woordenboek of Google Translate gebruiken”. Hoewel ik begrip kan opbrengen voor het feit dat je het waarschijnlijk druk hebt met van alles en nog wat, zou ik dit dus echt afraden. Simpelweg omdat je niet leert hierdoor, waardoor het moeilijk blijft op de lange termijn. Er vindt dan ook geen retentie plaats op deze manier en je bent eigenlijk door Google Translate te blijven gebruiken (op de langere termijn) je tijd aan het verkwisten. Wellicht is het dan beter om gewoon te zeggen: ik ben niet goed in Engels en ik laat het een ander doen, of ik betaal voor een vertaalservice of tolk. Allemaal prima, maar als je echt stappen wilt zetten, kun je dus het beste Engelse tools gebruiken en de Engelstalige betekenis in je opnemen. Zo sla je twee vliegen in één klap, je leert een nieuw woord en de woorden om het woord te omschrijven. Wel zo effectief! Maar voor alle vreemde talen geldt: use it or loose it! Veel succes!

    Individuals: learning English, Individuen: vreemde taal leren, Tips and tricks, Uncategorised

    Part 1 of how to boost your vocabulary? Some tools for you to use.

    Apr 1, 2017 , , , , , , by LSALingua

    Many of my clients/students frequently pose the question: how do I become better at speaking and writing? There are many answers to that question, but the best one is just to start producing language output. In order words: just start speaking and writing in English. That way, you’ll quickly discover your strengths and weaknesses. You’ll find out which words can you come up with now, and which ones are currently unavailable to you. Via such an inquiry, the areas that require some attention are quickly exposed to you. Not all of them, I am sure, but you’ll gain some valuable insight.

    All right, so you’re preparing for your next educational/occupational task and some of those areas are, in fact, exposed to you. So how to take it from there? And, how to quickly find the right words to best describe what it is you’re trying to convey? Well, answering these questions may not be easy. The fact is, you probably don’t really know where and how to start, which is something you can easily overcome. However, you may just need a little help in that department. (Please note that a post will appear shortly on how to start structuring your writing or speaking.) Perhaps, you find yourself translating utterances (speaking) or sentences (writing) from your native tongue to English. This can be temporary. Just remember, by the time you start dreaming in English, you’re able to think in English, which is half the battle, but simply takes time.

    Back to your task. So, you’re preparing for a task, and now what? How to find the right words to use? Well, first off, start using a proper online dictionary instead of heavily relying on Google Translate. If you have already found Google Translate to be an unreliable source, great. If not, here is a list of some great online dictionaries:

    • Cambridge Online Dictionary: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/
    • The free dictionary: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ (This one has a great app too, free of change by the way and available through the app store.)
    • Online dictionary: http://www.dictionary.com/ (and thesaurus.com)
    • Oxford Dictionaries: https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/

    Second, as you come across words you may think: “well, this word doesn’t quite capture the meaning I’m looking for. What to do now?” Well, just look op synonyms in a thesaurus. “Say what now?!” Yes, a thesaurus, which can either be a book or an online corpus of words, which contains similar meanings of the word you’re comparing them to. A good online thesaurus is the following one: http://www.thesaurus.com/, but alway always always check its meaning in an English-English dictionary, to make sure that this is word that you should be using.

    The only downside of this tool (thesaurus.com) is that you may want to look up the meaning of the word given. After you click on the word, you are directed to the online dictionary website, but finding your way back to the thesaurus can be a little tricky. I’d, therefore, recommend opening a new tab and copy-pasting the word into another dictionary. That way, flipping back and forth between the dictionary and the thesaurus is much easier. But despite that small inconvenience, it is quite a useful tool.

    How to use this thesaurus? Well, what you can do is look at the words in darker shades of yellow, which match the meaning of your search entry best. Please note that the brighter the shade of colour, the more the meaning will deviate from what you are looking for. Please see the printscreen below from dictionary.com (march, 2018)

     

    To be able to improve at a faster rate, you need to immerse yourself in English by using these online resources of which the upside is that you’ll learn more new words by studying their descriptions given in English. 

    Finally, you might think: “yeah, that all well and good, but why would I want to look up words in English? I’d rather just use a Dutch-English dictionary”, for example. As much as I understand that a quick fix would seem better, it really isn’t. In order to become more accurate, you need to immerse yourself in English and by using these online resources, you will find that you’ll improve at a faster rate! Another advantage of using such a dictionary is that you’ll learn more new words by looking at the English descriptions of new words. That way, you’ll learn even more words compared to when having looked them up in a Dutch-English dictionary, for example.

    Remember when it comes to languages, it’s either use it or lose it! Good luck and have a good one!