 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 LearnersShadowing 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, signing 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, signing, 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
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 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] |
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