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Introduction
It is almost one year since Andre moved to Japan to teach English in a high school in Nara, which is know for old temples and beautiful moutains. Andre is a former Japanese Adult Language student at Aardvark Learning Academy. Kayo, Andre's Japanese teacher at Aardvark Learning Academy, contacted Andre to ask how he is doing! 1. What is your daily/weekly teaching schedule like? I go to two high schools in Nara Prefecture. I spend 3 days at one and 2 days at the other. I normally arrive at school around 8 am. I normally have 3-4 classes a day. I finish at 4:15pm but normally stay longer to talk with students. 2. What are your responsibilities at schools? I normally prepare lesson plans. I make 2-3 lesson plans a week. I normally do activities for the students. Focusing on speech. I help any teacher that asks for it. When I have free time I go to other classes and interact with students when appropriate. 3. Did studying Japanese help you start your life in Japan? How? Yes, it helped a lot. Although I knew very little when I left for Japan. Being able to order food was a big help. Also being able to know when being asked a question made early conversations smoother even if I didn't understand what was being said. I could also interact with students and they enjoy my low level Japanese. 4. What is the best part of living in Japan? I'm enjoying the convenience of travel. Being able to walk, bike, or take a train anywhere is very nice. I'm also enjoying the variety of foods. I've lost a lot of weight even though I still eat a lot. 5. Did you reconnect with Japanese students that you met at Guelph? (Andre made friends with Japanese exchange students at University goGuelph when he vounteered as a English conversation buddy.) Yes I did! We meet about once a month and go eat somewhere. They have also shown me around Osaka and Kyoto. It is nice being able to speak English with a Japanese person. They can explain Japanese culture and lifestyle to me. 6. Anything you would like to share. Learning as much Japanese as possible before coming is very useful. You don't need to read or write well, but being able to speak is the most beneficial. It will be easier to make friends and not get lost. Considering moving to Japan? Contact Aardvark Learning Academy to learn Japanese and travel in Japan with confidence!
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 Title: The Power of Shadowing for English and ESL Language Learners
Co-author: Dr Jeff Hawkins Email: [email protected] Phone: 705-417-3276 Source: Co-author with Microsoft Co-pilot. Read time: 10 minutes Lifetime Reward: Powerful self-study technique for English ESL language learners The Power of Shadowing for English and ESL Language Learners Shadowing in ENGLISH ESL is based on the idea the REPEATING words, phrases is a powerful technique for learning the language. This is the most used technique to learn any language in the world – for good reason…. it totally works. Beginners, intermediate and advanced learners can all gain significant benefits from Shadowing in English ESL. Even if you do not understand the words, you can improve LISTENING and SPEAKING and PRONUNCIATION dramatically through repeating the intonation, tone and pitch of the language. I mean, you use the SOUND system English language every time you use the Shadowing – Repeating technique. Secondly, human beings are curious by nature and once you are imitating a word, you will want to learn and discover the meaning behind what you are saying, singing or practicing in Shadowing. So that is a win-win. The best part is that there is NO COST, shadowing is Free. You can do it anywhere, at home, in the car, almost anywhere you are ALONE and have time and space to practice speaking, singing, listening to the radio. Any place you can hear and repeat the words out loud. What Is Language Shadowing? Put simply, language shadowing is repeating aloud what you hear, word for word, with as little delay as possible. Linguist and polyglot Alexander Arguelles is considered the inventor of language shadowing. He’s created a series of videos focused on teaching and demonstrating the technique. Arguelles defines shadowing as a language learning technique where the student listens to a recording of target language audio and simultaneously echoes what they hear. Shadowing is designed to force you to focus on the sounds of your target language and develop pronunciation that mimics a native speaker. How to Shadow Successfully: 7 Steps
 Written By Dr Jeff Hawkins
Reading time: 5-7 minutes P: +1 705-417-3276 E: [email protected] Quick response to all email. Why English Language Tests? Increasingly today, Canada and many other countries require language PROOF / a total score from an ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST like IELTS or CELPIP that you have proficiency in English and are ready to enter the workforce and contribute to society in the official language or languages of that place. For example, if you decide to immigrate to the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, you will need to show proof of your English language skills and that is the why you must write an English language test like IELTS< CELPIP or Pearson PTE Core. These different TESTS determine and score English language ability based on 4 key skills in SPEAKING< READING< WRITING and LISTENING. The score is based on academic ability in the 4 key skills. I mean to say, all of these English Tests are fundamentally ACADEMIC tests of English skills even though the general test for Immigration purposes is only slightly easier than the academic test to enter University. Why so hard? A very important point to remember is that none of the English language test that I have named above is easy to do because no ESL person is strong in all 4 skills of English (reading, writing, listening and speaking). At Aardvark, I help ESL Adults that struggle gigantically with ONE or TWO aspects of the test. Either writing, reading or another student will want Speaking and Listening, it all depends on which area you need to focus on. At Aardvark, we adapt our ESL program to meet the students test needs and requirements. Recently, I had one gentleman from Mexico that only wanted LISTENING and we focused for 20 hours on Listening skills. You can easily see that he is going to CRUSH the CELPIP or IELTS or PTE core listening section when he takes the test in June. IELTS: INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST The IELTS test is the oldest and most recognized English Proficiency test around the globe for ESL adults that want to attend University or for Permanent Residency purposes. For those looking to go to any country internationally not just Canada, you should take the IELTS test, because it is the gold standard in English Language testing. The IELTS test is the father of all other English language test and many of the newer tests follow the example format in listening, speaking, reading and writing in order to evaluate and score a person English language proficiency. A key difference of the IELTS test is that on the LISTENING section, the IELTS Test uses native speakers with accents from all around the globe that includes: Ireland, England, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, United States. As a result, the IELTS test listening section can be much harder than the CELPIP because the student (YOU) must be able to understand the accent and intonation of British English. This can be quite a challenge for someone that has lived only in Canada for the last 10 years and is accustom to the sounds, register of Canadian English. CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program The CELPIP test much like the IELTS follows its own UNIQUE format of Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking. There are several MASSIVE differences between CELPIP VS IELTS test. Foremost, CELPIP uses time to add SIGNIFICANT pressure on the person taking the test. I do literally mean significant time pressure. This means that YOU, the test taker have MORE questions, but a shorter amount of time to respond to each task. This is particularly true in CELPIP SPEAKING, which has 8 tasks to be completed in 8 minutes. Yes folks, 8 topics to be discussed in 8 minutes. Just imagine how that goes if you are not well prepared? And CELPIP listening includes 6 inputs that range as follows: 1) Problem solving (easy) 2) Everyday conversation 3) Specific Information (harder ) 4) New report academic input 2-3 speakers 5) Video, 2-3 speakers or News Report (difficult) 6) Viewpoints academic discussion (2-3 speakers difficult) So folks, you can see the CELPIP uses more INPUTS to get a better sample of your English Language skills. One key difference between IELTS and CELPIP is that the listening section ONLY USES Canadian speakers and Canadian accents. This can be a huge advantage for anyone that has lived in Canada for a number of years or studied Canadian English. The CELPIP test also offers more VISUAL input with PICTURES in Speaking section and Video in the listening section to make the test more user friendly. However, I believe the IELTS / CELPIP or PTE Core are very difficult to score well on and one must know the testing tricks of the trade to perform well and realize your dream of becoming a permanent resident of Canada. ENGLISH TESTING TIPS There is nothing usual or normal about taking the IELTS / CELPIP . PTE CORE English Test. In other words, no academic ability means NO SCORE on the test. Even a native speaker of English will have difficulty passing these tests without preparation or help from an experienced IELTS / CELPIP / PTE core Teacher. Just because you have lived in Canada for 20 years, does not mean you will automatically pass the English test. Below are a few TEST tips to get you started to help with your test . TIP #1: The test is a performance, a dramatic performance and you need to be ready to provide an extra ordinary amount of THICK detail on every section of the test: namely the WRITING and SPEAKING sections. No thick details, no high score. TIP #2: Vocabulary and Grammar: You need to show synonyms in the speaking and writing sections as well as control over more complex grammar such as the present perfect (have eaten, have seen). Better vocabulary and grammar show the examiner that you are a fluent speaker of English. DO NOT use the same words and grammar again and again if you want to score high. TIP #3: READING & LISTENING: Is all about the key words and the ability to identify the key words in reading and the listening section. Although the CELPIP and IELTS are essentially different tests the underlying English language skills you need are ACADEMIC in English. Fortunately, we can help you ACE the IELTS< CELPIP or PTE Core test. In person or online. Give us an email today [email protected] today and you will quickly achieve your test goals. Usually in 32 hours of study. Contact us: 705-417-3276 [email protected] Q: What was the best part of your trip? Holly said without any hesitation, "Being able to communicate with people". Holly and her husband Tyler are nature lovers and decided to visit Japan as their honeymoon destination. Holly studied Japanese at Aardvark 1 year prior to taking her trip to Japan. As a result of her language skills in Japanese, they achieved A LOT in Japan. The couple made Japanese friends on Shinkansen(bullet trains) and ate dinner with them at a local restaurant with no other tourists. They also rented a car, drove to a rural area of Shikoku and climbed a beautiful Mount Iyofuji. When the GPS App on her phone was wrong, HOLLY was able to ask people in Japanese for directions, which made the Japanese people happy to help them. Learning language is not only for the convenience of the trip but also gives you heartfelt memories and stories to tell. It is strongly recommended to learn the local language, wherever you plan to go, before the trip in order to fully experience the vibes of your destination. Contact Aardvark and be ready for your next trip. We teach Japanese, French and Spanish.  https://www.aardvarklearningacademy.com/esl-ielts--celpip-preparation.html Study English ESL in Barrie Ontario Canada!!! Aardvark Learning Academy located in Barrie ON, 60 minutes north of Toronto, offers elite ESL/English programs for groups and individuals visitors from all over the world to learn English. Aardvark has 5*** rating on Google because we have a proven track record of helping adult ESL students achieve outstanding results in English, including IELTS, English Skills (all levels) and University preparation courses. Outdoor Lifestyle in Barrie ON! Barrie Ontario is beautifully located beside Lake Simcoe and provides outdoor experiences that you cannot miss while studying English in Canada. In Barrie you can go fruit picking, hiking, canoeing, kayaking in the summer months. And in winter, you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, skating, even ice fishing. While you studying English at Aardvark Learning Academy, you can experience the real Canadian outdoors and use English everyday in your activities. Aardvark offers group classes ($30 per hour) with certified Canadian English teachers for the students of all ages, and all English levels from Beginners to Advanced courses. If you are a looking for private English class in order to improve your English, we can tailor your class specifically to meet your English goals and working lifestyle. English at Aardvark The English courses at Aardvark Learning Academy are specifically designed by Dr Jeff to deliver results for ESL-Adults, based on his 23 years teaching academic English at University and Colleges internationally and in Canada. Take one class at Aardvark and find out for yourself that the University Preparation (EAP), IELTS, CELPIP and Intensive English programs are for real. Aardvark Learning Academy pride itself on delivering results for students, just like you to realize their goals and dreams with English ESL. Whether you want to study IELTS / CELPIP / or English for Academic Purposes for University preparation, Aardvark has a proven track record of helping ESL adults succeed. Contact us today: [email protected] regarding English language ESL learning in Barrie. We look forward to welcoming you here as part of the Aardvark learning Academy family! Sincerely, Dr Jeff & Kayo Hawkins Owners Contact P: +1 705-417-3276 E: [email protected] Quick response to all email. |
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