25 Nov 2009 11:08
Berni

The Language Show

The Language Show is one of the premier events in the UK for anybody interested in languages and language learning. Whether you are a teacher, student, translator, interpreter or have an interest in languages this show is where you can find some of the latest ideas and materials.

This year's show was held at the end of October in Olympia and proved to be a very busy three days! We had a stand promoting Gapfillers and were kept busy demonstrating listening video exercises, grammar quizzes, spelling bees and our poetry and recipe Wikis!

Explaining the benefits of online language learning and Gapfillers

There were seminars running all day on new teaching and learning techniques and the opportunity to try out language classes both short and over the whole three days.

One student has a go at the grammar!It's not so easy he says!

These jokes and puzzles are fun!

So, if you are interested in languages go along to the expanded event at Earls Court next year. Oh, and please come and visit our stand!

14 Oct 2009 17:57
Berni

6 reasons why you might not want to choose London for your English course

Lets face it the UK is a very small place and you can travel to any part of it in a relatively short time. There are also many delights to be had both scenically, historically and in terms of course quality across the whole of the UK so it's worth spreading your wings and discovering new places!

Don't get me wrong I like London - I lived there for 12 years and I taught there and received Home Tuition students too. There is a lot to do and it's relatively easy (I use this word advisedly as travelling does take a lot of time) to get around. I agree up to a point with Samuel Johnson's remark: "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life." but that was a very different London and just as London is not England (or the UK) England (UK) is certainly not London!

So here are 6 reasons why you perhaps shouldn't choose London:

1. Over 250 languages are spoken in London - this makes it a wonderful melting pot of cultures but if you really want to immerse yourself in the English language you may not find it so easy.

2. London is a busy crowded place - there is a lot to see and do but it is not so easy to meet and converse with people - how do you find them? Country towns (especially in the north of England) are noted for their friendly, chatty people.

3. Other parts of the UK are not difficult to get to - with today's travel connections it isn't impossible to get to other parts of the UK easily. We are a small country and if you are prepared to take a train from London, Manchester or Edinburgh there is an opportunity to engage in conversation and improve skills on the way!

4. Most of the population live outside London - and they are spread out so you have room to breathe and more of a chance to engage.

5. London is too famous - discover something new; quaint little towns and villages, great country pubs, wonderful scenery, magnificent country estates to visit, different challenges with new accents, new vocabulary and regional news!

6. Be adventurous- discover that there is a lot more of the country north, south, east and west of London just waiting to be explored!

Still not convinced?

Here are 6 more reasons.

24 Aug 2009 16:21
Berni

The advantages of one to one training

10 reasons to choose one to one language training

Although on the face of it one to one lessons may appear solitary or expensive there are some great advantages that shouldn't be overlooked and it may not be as expensive as you think.

Lessons can be held in the comfort of your office saving you time. Sudden needs can also be dealt with by your tutor

Here are 10 reasons for choosing one to one lessons to improve your language skills.

1. Flexibility - you usually set the timetable and most one to one trainers are used to fitting lessons around quite busy schedules.

2. Tailor-made - one to one courses are arranged around your needs and language development. What you study should, therefore, be immediately usable and completely relevant.

3. Rapid progress - providing you meet regularly and complete the work set, your progress should be quite rapid. After all you are getting 100% of the teacher's attention.

4. Versatility - because there are only two people involved in this training process the sessions should be interesting and valuable. There is room to change both activities and focus quite easily.

5. Close teacher-student relationship - the British education system was based on a partnership of teacher and pupil - hence the tradition of boarding at schools and universities. A one to one learning relationship allows for a very close bond which enables the two-way process easily.

6. Saves time - often one-to-one trainers come into the office which means that you don't have to spend any time travelling. They are ready to hit the ground running (for them time is money so they don't hang around). This makes for a very efficient delivery of training.

7. Easy communication outside of lessons - If you need to postpone a lesson you only need to make one phone call and can rest assured that the message will get directly to your teacher. You will usually get a speedy response too and a timely re-booking.

8. Good follow-up - while writing this I received a message via Gapfillers from a former student who was working on a listening exercise and had a query about one of the questions. I was able to check and answer her question by return. I cannot guarantee that all teachers will be in a position to respond that fast but the partnership mentioned above means that you will get good follow up when you need it.

9. Instant feedback - your teacher will usually go through any homework there and then at the lesson.

10. No excuses - in a class it may be possible to sit quietly at the back - this is not the case with a one to one teacher. An excellent way then to gain confidence and ensure that you perform!

With highly relevant content, more rapid progress and concentrated learning, you should find that you need fewer lessons to achieve your goal - making one to one training a very cost effective way of studying.

27 Jul 2009 12:53
Berni

Speaking other languages can be powerful!

Being able to speak another language can be fun and interesting. It can also be very helpful and indeed powerful.

In this posting I want to share some personal anecdotes as well as other stories which illustrate the power of being able to communicate in more than one language.

The first is a life-death story about a soldier in Iraq. His interest in learning Arabic while serving in Iraq led him to prevent an Iraqi policeman from being shot. read his story

A friend of mine who was a fluent German speaker managed, while hitch hiking through Germany, to get invited to spend several days with a German family and procure a lift to his destination. This happened after he began conversing with a German man in a coffee bar. So impressed with my friend's German was the man, that he invited him home!

Another friend, with a limited knowledge of Chinese visited a small market. The bartering process began in halting English. My friend then used some of her limited Chinese to bring the price down and the stall holders were so amazed that they were more than happy to sell at her price! Most people are happy to see that you have made an effort to learn something of their language and culture!

I have two personal stories to share. One got me out of a very sticky situation and the other was an amusing incident. 

I was travelling from Singapore back to Indonesia where I was living. I had bought books in Singapore to use in my teaching and my luggage was overweight. I was trying to negotiate not having to pay a large amount of excess baggage when an Indonesian chap struck up a conversation. He wanted to know where I was going, why I was going there (questions Indonesians usually asked). I responded in Indonesian and this opened a floodgate of questions about why I was in Medan, where I lived, how long I'd been there etc.. etc.. I admit that I was rather irritated as I was trying to speak to the airport staff, but I answered his questions as politely as I could. At the end of the conversation he asked me what the problem was. I explained and immediately he told the woman to put all the excess on his ticket as he had no luggage! I was hugely grateful, very relieved and more than a tad guilty that for even a moment I had been annoyed with him!

Take time to speak to people in their own language - you never know how they may be able to help you

On another occasion an American friend and I went into a shoe shop in central Jakarta. We were looking at the shoes and the shop owner was speaking on the phone. Both my friend and I were fluent speakers of Indonesian a fact that the shopkeeper failed to consider. He proceeded to tell his friend what a bore it was that he would have to end the conversation because a couple of bouleys (a term used for westerners) had come into the shop and he would have to speak to us. He wasn't rude or abusive but his tone was one of annoyance as obviously he would have preferred to continue the conversation. My friend and I smiled at each other as we had understood everything he had said. When he came over and spoke to us in faltering English we both responded in excellent Indonesian. He went red and his expression was one of horror. We didn't need to say anything, he knew! I admit we did enjoy this episode at his expense but I'm sure he never again made that mistake!

So whether it's life-threatening, money-saving, friend-making or just simple fun, the power of knowing languages is real!

6 Jul 2009 22:20
Berni

After reaching Advanced level - what then?

I've got Cambridge CAE or IELTS Band 7.0 what happens now?

You've worked hard and done the exams. You decide to get a job using your English and arrive in the UK or US, Australia or an English speaking country or get chosen to travel there for meetings. You relish the challenge - now you have a chance to put all that language into practice.

Armed with your IELTS 7.0 or your CAE exam certificate and you're ready to move into the English speaking corporate world.   What language monsters await?   Only the usual idiom variety - but they keep on morphing!!

Consider this:

You will get to know these as you hear them around you or you could get a head start by subscribing to our word of the day

The point is that in many respects your training in the real language as it is spoken in these countries is just beginning! It can be frustrating at first but as with any other skill learning goes on and you develop and become more proficient.

If you find your new colleagues a little less than understanding why not book up a few hours of language lessons and get yourself up to speed. If you haven't time for this but want a daily drip drip of advanced material that you can compete fairly quickly then why not subscribe to Gapfillers and pop it on your RSS?

check your answers to the matching exercise above.

23 Jun 2009 18:39
Berni

How does a Home Tuition course work?

Does the idea of living with your teacher worry you?

Don't worry, teachers who offer these courses receive all manner of students and are sensitive to their needs - you are in a very safe pair of hands.

Lessons are held in a formal way. Your teacher will provide a quiet place in their home where you can both study without interruption. The teacher will use various books, tapes and other materials in line with best practice.

What happens on a Home Tuition Course?

Before you arrive we will ask you to give us some details about your language learning experience, expectations and any specific issues such as allergies or dietary requirements. After this you will usually receive an email from your teacher introducing themselves and asking you to respond. This is an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have and make a connection.

When you arrive in the UK your teacher will be there to meet you at the airport or station. You will have time to settle in and possibly have a look at the local area after you arrive.

Your bedroom will usually have a desk to work from. Some teachers provide TVs but even if you have your own in your room it is a good idea to spend as much time with the family as possible. Bathrooms are sometimes shared - this is always worked out well.

Your lessons will usually be in the morning and often start at around 9.30. This is flexible and if you feel tired after your journey it is possible to begin later. You will have a skeleton timetable but because everything is arranged around your language needs things can change to spend longer on one topic if needed or miss something out if it isn't required. It is by being so flexible that your teacher can address your needs and you can make better progress.

Your teacher will give you some 'homework' to do by yourself to consolidate what you have studied just like a classroom based course. This will be minimal because the real value of Home Tuition courses is the time you spend using your English during the day.

Will my teacher take me out?

This depends on the course you have chosen. At RLI we feel that visits out with the teacher give you a chance to speak and listen in a more informal way and also see something of the culture and history of the UK. We include 2 afternoon visits in our courses.

The teacher will try to choose places that are typical of the area or that will be of interest to you. (One football-mad student went to see the old Wembley stadium with his teacher, another Beatle fan wanted to visit Abbey Road. Others wanted to visit particular Historic houses or gardens)

We try as far as possible to include any special requests but your teacher will know their area very well and the things that are interesting to visit.

What about the food?

If you have any special requirements you should indicate these when you book. Most teachers will prepare simple, home cooked meals using fresh ingredients. Breakfast will be coffee/tea, cereals and bread. Lunch will be a light meal; a salad or sandwich or maybe soup in the winter. The main meal is in the evening. The teacher will probably cook some English dishes for you to try but these will be simple with meat and vegetables and perhaps a pudding - something we are known for!

The most important thing to remember when you come on a Home Tuition course is that your teacher is a qualified individual who wants to share not only their expertise but their culture and home, things they are passionate about.

This is a total immersion experience which will certainly give you the maximum opportunity to use and develop your English but also share the life, for a short time, of your teacher and as such, can only be valuable.

See information on RLI Home Tuition courses

29 May 2009 00:00
Berni

Can I really learn languages online?

Learning languages needs some self discipline.

If you enrol for a language class there is usually an incentive (though not always, as many teachers can testify) to attend. In a class we are motivated by the teacher and also by classmates. Homework is probably the area where we need more self motivation and discipline and in my experience the percentage of students who complete this is far lower than those who attend the class!

Anybody who has learned or tried to learn a language will know that unless student input matches teacher output progress will be slow and drop out rates high. Exams and grades will help with motivation but there is a danger here that real learning will be sacrificed for 'passing the exam' and once that goal is achieved much will be forgotten.

So, where does that leave online learning?

I will raise my hand and admit that I have tried to learn Spanish online several times and haven't gone past unit 2! I've also had a go at Chinese, even had a learning partner and only got to unit 3. I'm a language teacher, I can speak a couple of languages and I have an interest -so what is happening here?

In my opinion the key is to do with our being social animals and the fact that language is about communication and not static exercises. There are some (I imagine very few) who can be self-motivated enough to study alone but the vast majority of us crave some 'social' element.

Online learning presents a fabulous opportunity to engage with people all over the world and study together using the wonderful array of online tools that are available. Language is about communication not practising grammar (although this is part of it) and the opportunities to use language in real communicative activities are key. Where this is monitored by teachers or fellow students and feedback given then progress will be assured and the experience far from being solitary will be meaningful and real.

Whether homework will be done or submitted may still be in doubt!

21 Apr 2009 00:00
Berni

What is the best way to learn a language?

I think this depends to a certain extent on the individual and their preferred learning style but I think you learn best when you don't realise you are learning.

This may sound a bit contrary but think about a time when you did something really well but didn't realise that you could do it! It was almost a subconscious thing. You had obviously learned the skills you needed at some time but everything came together when you weren't expecting it.

In my long experience (too long I think sometimes) I've found that students have progressed the most language-wise when they weren't involved in language activities per se. They may have been involved in a game or a negotiating activity. They might have been at a show or discussing a book they had read. In all cases the focus wasn't on the language but the activity and with the language in the background it often comes out more readily and fluently.

Language is a living thing so you can't do it just with books. Get out and get interacting too, use the internet, twitter, facebook etc.. a great opportunity to communicate.

Create opportunities to talk to people whenever you can. Language fluency cannot necessarily be measured in exams you have to live it.

25 Feb 2009 00:00
Berni

New Name!

So, why the change?

I like Vernacular, it isn't too different in meaning but I decided it was time to call a spade a spade.

At RLI and Gapfillers we are about real language and making sure that students are exposed to real everyday language - so, a no-brainer really - it's Real Language.

Go to the movies, watch English medium TV the more language you are exposed to the better you'll become! The mere fact of doing something you enjoy will mean that you develop the language without realising it!

Years ago at school I remember all my bi-lingual friends taking exams in Polish, German, Italian etc. they didn't do too much preparation, they didn't need to - they knew the language they spent time using it and being surrounded by it.

This is, I think, the key - while books and preparation materials are important you cannot get away from the fact that just exposing yourself to a language; hearing it, speaking it and generally absorbing it works best.

I believe exams are important too, for benchmarking and providing qualifications but I think we are sometimes in danger of putting the cart before the horse.

22 Jan 2009 00:00
Berni

How long will it take to learn a language?

This is a question I often get asked by prospective students.

The short answer to this question is another question - how long is a piece of string?

There are lots of factors to be considered:

• What level are you now?
• What level do you want/need to get to?
• How much time can you devote to study?
• How much exposure do you get to the language?
• Do you speak other languages?
• How interested are you in learning languages?

Quite a bit to think about.

It does well to remember, however, that being able to use a language is a skill and like any other skill you need to do it in order to progress. Little and often will keep your skill levels up and improve your performance.

Don't be daunted by this the daily dose can be just 10 or 15 minutes on the bus or train, in your lunch break or while preparing dinner.

Now here's something interesting, why not get the practice delivered to you! Get alerts when new exercises are posted or do them on your mobile phone!!

Check out Gapfillers

18 Nov 2008 00:00
Berni

Are spell checkers changing the language?

I wonder how many have attended a presentation recently and noticed 'that' being used instead of 'who', 'practise' instead of 'practice' and sentence constructions which are almost gobbledygook being used to avoid the passive voice? These all seem to be the work of a spell check tool.

I hear again and again the advice to 'use the spell check' as if it were a magic charm to transform even the most sloppily written text into high literature.

To my mind spell checkers are brilliant at spotting 'typos' but nothing beats careful proof reading and a bit of common sense.

We might start a Chamber of horrors for spell check blunders - all contributions welcome!!

22 Apr 2008 00:00
Berni

Tried and tested - are the old methods still relevant?

Don't throw the baby out with the bath water is an old proverb and rings very true for language learning.

Tried and tested methods have a place along side the 'bells and whistles' of the new technological age.

At RLI we are committed to using the latest good materials and techniques but we also like to adapt older, successful techniques alongside these.

Here are some examples of these and how they can still be relevant:

Dictation

This is a good way of testing several skills; listening, spelling and punctuation. At RLI we often dictate essay questions and short instructions rather than write them up. It's a quick, easy and useful way of using this tool. Taking down messages is dictation - so a real life skill. On Gapfillers, our online site, there are dictation exercises in the writing section.

'Spelling Bees'

Spelling often constitutes a problem for native speakers as well learners. Children at school memorise spellings and then have 'test' like spelling bees where they spell out words. These are quick and easy ways of practising and reinforcing spelling. Our online spelling bees are in podcast format and can be downloaded and practised on the go!

Grammar Drills

We can all remember, I'm sure, chanting verb lists and declensions (like times tables in maths). Recycling language is important to aid memory and usage. Drilling in the form of repetitive exercises need not be boring. Doing these things electronically adds a new dimension.

So, the old ways are still relevant but we now have new ways of making them more fun and exciting!

5 Feb 2008 00:00
Berni

An online community for language learners

Here it is your chance to communicate with the world!!

E learning and on line communities are the order of the day and now we have combined them to give you one site to do both!!

• Wouldn't it be good to have just a few minutes of practice everyday?
• Wouldn't it be good to have new material every day?
• How about something new and different!
• What about authentic stuff - newspaper articles, real people speaking?
• A story would be interesting or some poetry!
• Can I communicate with other members?
• Will there be some on line events and seminars?
• It would be great if I could do this in my own time!

The answer - yes, yes, yes and much more too!!

Practise your language skills, take part in on line events, meet and make friends with other learners, explore your creative talents!!

This is Gapfillers!!

See it all at Venturefest 2008, February 6th at York racecourse.

Or sign on at www.gapfillers.co.uk and get started!!

20 Oct 2007 00:00
Berni

Entry for 20 Oct 2007

I don't need to write.

hands up all those who don't write emails!

Often students associate writing with essays, letters or reports. 'I don't need to practice writing' is often heard by teachers. Then comes an email which often proves to the teacher that actually 'you do need writing practice'.

Some widely held beliefs:

1. Email is informal
2. it doesn't matter too much about spelling and punctuation
3. I can be direct

The truth is that writing emails needs the same care as writing letters, so:

• some emails are informal some are not and it's important to realise the difference
• attention to detail is important, badly written emails say a lot - most of it negative
• being direct if not in the hands of a skilled writer can come across as rude and aggressive.

Decide who, why and what - informal, text-type spelling in a direct way might be fine for friends, close colleagues (but do be sure) and family but generally business emails should be handled with care!!

28 Sep 2007 00:00
Berni

Entry for 28 Sep 2007

What are the challenges for Advanced language learners?

You function well in the language, everybody compliments you on your ability. You can manage in most situations but you know that there is more you can learn.

This is the chance to 'put the icing on the cake', to push yourself to new limits - don't be complacent!

Take a long hard look at your performance. Be honest you will know where you need to tweak and where you need to do some serious study.

Force yourself to deal with those niggly areas like prepositions - wrong use of articles - small pronunciation problems. Read more and improve your vocabulary (it will help with structure too!). Listen with more attention to the way native speakers use certain words and phrases.

Get into a rhythm. Make it manageable - 10-15 minutes a day will see real progress, an hour once a month won't!! Use your 'dead' time - in the car or on the train, at the station or airport, on the tube. Use your Mp3 player or your pda or smart phone. It's never been easier!!

learn one new word a day

Learn today's word!!!

Remember - it's good for your brain too!! An actor friend aged 90 memorised a new poem everyday - what a lovely activity for him to look forward to each day! No wonder he's 90!!!!

17 Aug 2007 00:00
Berni

Entry for 17 Aug 2007

Keeping up the practice when you're working

This can be a challenge. Life is busy we might make it to our lessons (or most of them) but when it comes to homework - forget it - there just isn't time!!

Language is a skill and like all other skills the more you practice the better you will be.

Little and often is the key. Drip,drip every day. This should be less time-consuming and less of a chore!

If you are living in the country where the language you are learning then the language is all around you - take advantage of this - listen, speak and read - on the train, in the car at the bus-stop. Make yourself do 10 minutes learning something new each day and then try it out.

If you haven't this advantage, then you need to create opportunities. Reply to a blog like this one or start your very own, join a forum. Learn a new word every day, download a listening exercise on to your mp3 player and take it along with you. Use your dead time: - at the station, on the bus or at the airport to do a little practice.

If you want it all 'on a plate' then look at a site like Gapfillers www.gapfillers.co.uk

This gives you 10-15 minutes of practice everyday.

Above all keep it fun and interesting and you will see your language ability grow and grow!!!!!