How to be good at language

5 Techniques for Improving Your Reading and Studying Skills
"SQ3R" A Reading and Study System
Reading a chapter correctly takes a lot more time than you probably spend now, but try this SQ3R method for just one class. Slowly add this system into your other classes too. Be patient and give this method 2 weeks to make a difference. At first, you'll spend a lot of time on this. Remember: You can study a lot of hours over the course of the semester or you can study all of those hours the week before your final.

Study time rule: 1 hour of class = 2 hours of study time!

This reading method will seem slow at first, but the benefits will soon be clear: You will remember more of what you read, and you won't waste time repeating work you've already done!

SQ3R Means:

Survey
Question
Read
Recite or Record
Review

SURVEY THE CHAPTER
Do not read the chapter yet! Do these steps first:
Read the title - prepare your mind to study the subject.
Read the introduction and/or summary - think about how this chapter fits the author's purposes, and focus on the author's statement of most important points.
Quickly look over each boldface heading and subheading - organize your mind before you begin to read - build a structure for the thoughts and details to come.
Look over any graphics, charts, maps, diagrams, etc. They are there to make a point - don't miss them.
Notice the reading aids - italics, and boldface print show that something is important
Also, the chapter objective and the end-of-chapter questions are all included to help you sort, understand and remember the information.
QUESTION
Do not read the chapter yet! Do these steps first:
Create questions from your reading to help your mind think about the material.

Look at each section at a time and turn the boldface headings into as many questions as you think will be answered in that section. The better the questions, the better your understanding will be. You may always add more questions as you continue. When your mind is actively searching for answers to questions, it is learning! This is also the best way to predict test questions - where do you think your teachers think up questions?!

Here's an example: if a heading says "Parts of the Flower," you can make a question like: "What are the parts of a flower?" "Historic People" can be a question like "Name some historic people."

Make up as many questions as you possibly can.


READ
Ok, now it is time to read the chapter, but follow these steps:
As you read, look for the answers to the questions you wrote, and write the answers in your notes!

Read each section of the chapter with your questions in mind. Look for the answers, and take note of questions you didn't think of that were answered in that section.


RECITE
As you read the chapter, you should recite your notes.
Reciting means practicing out loud what youâ?Tve written down. Yes, that's right - talk to yourself!

After each section of reading, stop, think about your questions, and see if you can answer them from memory. If not, look back again (as often as necessary) but don't go on to the next section until you can say what you have learned!


REVIEW
Spend 15 minutes every day reviewing your notes.
Once you've finished the entire chapter using the steps above, go back over all the questions that you made. See if you can still answer them. If you cannot, read the chapter again, being careful to answer your own questions.



Chippy_mouse

PREPARING FOR ESSAY TESTS
Essay examinations can be short answer questions or long general questions. Essay tests do not have an exact answer key. They are usually scored on the logic and completeness of the answer, although there will be certain facts expected in the answer. The number one reason students fail essay tests is because they don't answer the questions completely and specifically, and because their answers are not well-organized, not because they cannot write.
Essay tests require students to remember what they learned. Preparation must be done during the semester, not the night before! Here are some tips you can use during the semester to be ready for any essay test that your instructor announces.
Try some of these suggestions to get a better score on your next essay test:
Carefully figure out the major content areas you need to learn.
Focus on the main source for the test: notes, the reading from the textbook or whatever you think will be asked on the test. It's better to understand a few things, than to try to learn a lot of unorganized material the day before the test.
Make a list of some possible topics for the test. List important subtopics for each.
Quickly read over all the materials you should cover. Mark the topics you need to study more intensively.
Write down all the main topics covered in class and in your reading up until the test date.
Read or reread all the materials you do not understood; use a specific purpose when reading.
Create a "bank" of information for each topic. Ask yourself questions about the materials you study. Use question words like "who," "what," "where," "when," "how," Ask yourself about the key characteristics of the information, what are some causes and effects? Create some examples for each topic to help you cover the most important information.
And lastly, on the day of the test, take some extra pencils in case you break one. If your teacher asks you to write in ink, take a pen with erasable ink.
Taking the Essay Test
Read all the directions and questions first! Take notice of the number of questions, the points for each question, the range of difficulty and the time available. Write any answers that come to your mind immediately. Write down any other key information you don't want to forget.
Analyze the test question and divide it into its main parts and sub-parts. From the parts, you should quickly make an outline of what you will write about.
Read the instructional words included in the question carefully, for example, "Compare and contrast the culture of your country with the culture of a different country." If the directions say to compare and contrast, then your answer must be a comparison essay!
Make an outline as a "map" to answer the essay question. If you don't have time to finish the whole test, this outline may give you some points! More importantly, the outline helps you to stay focused.
Make your answer as specific as possible. If you know the answer, write only what you are asked. Avoid generalities and always try to give specific examples.
Use part of the test question sentence in your test answer at the beginning of the paragraph. This tells the reader that you are answering this part of the essay here. This will earn you points!
Include a topic statement at the beginning and a conclusion paragraph at the end.
Review your answers. Your essay is written in a hurry and with a deadline, but it is scored under much more relaxed con***ions. Give yourself enough time at the end of the test to check for spelling mistakes, grammar errors, omitted words, incorrect dates, etc. This is when you will be glad you wrote in pencil or erasable ink!
A MINI-DICTIONARY of ESSAY EXAM WORDS
ANALYZE
When you are asked to analyze, you must separate a thing or idea into its parts to explain their relationship to each other.
COMMENT
When you're asked to comment, you should explore the importance and meaning of something, or write a note of explanation, or write a criticism or example of something written or said. You may also write a remark or make a critical observation or express your opinion.
COMPARE
Here, you must look for similarities. The term compare is usually stated as compare with, and it means that you are to emphasize similarities, although differences may be mentioned.
CONTRAST
Show the differences between two or more topics.
CRITIQUE
Express your opinion with respect to the correctness or merits of the factors under consideration. Give the results of your own analysis and discuss the limitations and good points or contributions of the plan or work in question.
DEFINE
When asked to define something, your definition must contain concise, clear, and authoritative meanings. Details are not required, but boundaries or limitations of the definition should be given. Keep in mind the group/class/category to which a thing belongs and whatever differentiates the particular object from all others in the group/class/category.
DIAGRAM
You must draw a chart, a plan or a graphic representation in your answer. You may be expected to label the diagram or add a brief explanation or description.
DISCUSS
Examine the topic, analyze it carefully and then present detailed considerations pro and con regarding the problems or items involved. This type of essay question is common.
EVALUATE
Present a careful analysis of the problem, and stress both the advantages and limitations. Evaluation means an authoritative and personal appraisal of both contributions and limitations.
EXPLAIN
Clarify and interpret the material you present. State the "how" or "why," explain differences of opinion or experimental results, and state any causes if it's possible. In short, tell how it all happened!
JUSTIFY, PROVE
To justify your answer, provide factual evidence or logical reasons. In this type of answer, the evidence should be presented in a convincing form. Establish your answer with certainty by evaluating and giving evidence or by logical reasoning.
LIST, ENUMERATE
Write an itemized list, series or tabulation. Be concise.
OUTLINE
Give the main points and essential supplementary materials. Leave out the minor details and present the information in a clear systematic arrangement or classification.
SUMMARIZE
Give the main points or facts in condensed form. Brief examples can help make your summary more specific.
TRACE
Give a description of the progress, historical sequence or development from the point of origin. This type of essay may require probing or deductions.
Chippy_mouse

Tips on Studying a Foreign Language
Learning another language is not easy, but most people can learn a second language IF they are willing to put in the necessary time. Here are some practical suggestions for studying effectively, overcoming anxiety, and learning the grammar and skills necessary for success in foreign language classes.
STUDY EVERY DAY! A foreign language course is different from any other course you take. Language learning is cumulative: you cannot put it off until the weekend. Study 1 or 2 hours for every class hour if you want an A or B.
DISTRIBUTE YOUR STUDY TIME in 15- to 30-minute periods throughout the day. Focus on a different task each time: vocabulary now, grammar next, etc. Get an overview during the first half hour: spend 10 minutes reviewing dialog, 10 minutes learning new vocabulary, 10 minutes learning new grammar...so you'll at least have looked at it all. Approximately 80% of your study time should be spent in recitation or practice, including practice in the language lab.
ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN EVERY CLASS--even if you are not well prepared. Class time is your best opportunity to practice. Learn the grammar and vocabulary outside of class in order to make the most of class time. Spend a few minutes "warming up" before each class by speaking or reading the language.
MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE IN THE CLASSROOM. Get to know your classmates, so you will feel you are among friends. Visit your instructor during office hours to get acquainted: explain your goals and fears about the course to your instructor.
LEARN GRAMMAR IF YOU DON'T ALREADY KNOW IT. Grammar is the skeleton of a language, its basic structure: you must learn it. Review a simplified English grammar text. Compare new grammatical structures in your foreign language to their English equivalents.
PRACTICE FOR TESTS by doing what you will have to do on the test. If the test will require you to write, then study by writing--including spelling and accents. If you will be asked to listen, then practice listening. Ask for practice questions; make up your own test questions. Invent variations on patterns and forms. Over-learn: study beyond the point of recognition to mastery.
DEVELOP A GOOD ATTITUDE. Have a clear personal reason for taking the class. Set personal goals for what you want to learn. Leave perfectionism at the door; give yourself permission to make mistakes and learn from them.
GET HELP IF YOU NEED IT. Talk with your teacher. Form study groups among class members. Use tutoring services. Don't wait!
READING and WRITING a foreign language are analytical skills. You may be good at these if you are a logical person who attends to detail. Train yourself through practice to notice and remember details such as accents and gender agreement.
READING SKILLS TIPS:
First, read the vocabulary list for the assignment. Next, read the questions about the reading. Then read all the way through a new passage two or three times, guessing at meaning from context. Avoid word-by-word translation. It is a waste of time!
Isolate new vocabulary and study it separately. DON'T write between the lines! Make flash cards. Carry them with you and recite them several times during the day at odd moments. Overlearn them until they are automatic.
Isolate new grammatical forms and study them separately. Write the pattern on a flash card and memorize it. Write out and label a model sentence. When you encounter the form while reading, pause and recite the pattern to recognize the form.
WRITING SKILLS TIPS:
Pay attention to detail: notice accents, order of letters, etc. Compare letter-by-letter different forms (singular, plural, gender, etc.). Write out conjugations of verbs, declensions of pro-nouns, etc., and check your endings. Memorize irregular verbs.
To master spelling, have a friend dictate 10 words to you. Write them out and immediately have your friend spell them correctly aloud while you look carefully and point at each letter. Repeat until you get all the words right.
Write (in your own simple foreign vocabulary words) a story you have just read.
LISTENING and SPEAKING are performance skills. You may do well at these if you are naturally outgoing. Students in foreign language classes often have difficulty hearing and speaking because they are anxious about making mistakes. It's OK to make mistakes! Have fun trying to speak!
LISTENING SKILLS TIPS:
Frequent the language lab. Read the exercises in your book first; then listen and read together; then listen without looking at the print. Say aloud/write what you hear.
Participate silently in class when others are called on to speak. Focus on the task; don't worry about how you'll do.
If you feel nervous, relax yourself physically by taking a couple of slow, deep breaths. When called on, pause, relax, and give yourself time to respond.
Listen while a friend dictates to you and write what you hear. Check for accuracy.
Practice: join language clubs, watch foreign TV, listen to foreign radio.
SPEAKING SKILLS TIPS:
Study out loud! Mimic the sounds of the language. Don't mumble. Although most people feel embarrassed making strange sounds, the language will soon feel more familiar to you.
When called on in class, say something, even it it's wrong: you'll learn from it. If you need a moment to think, repeat the question. If you don't know the answer, say in your foreign language, "I don't know" or "help!"
Practice with a foreign student who wants your help to learn English or with another class member.
Chúc mọi người học tốt nhá!!!!!!!!!!
Chippy_mouse

ah! ruth ui! Tao la`m theo yêu cầu của mày rùi đấy!
Chippy_mouse

vãi hàng, hi`.

Tiền là Tiên là Phật.

híc! ý ri` vậy???
Thấy hay thì tui post cho mọi người tham khảo thui ma`! Vậy thì lần sau không post nữa! hic
Chippy_mouse

hi` thi` hay do chu, an excellent job, keep it up.

Tiền là Tiên là Phật.

hey! these methods i think may be help u to improve ur language! But there also many other methods! Why dont u post it up( ur own methods??)???So we can dicuss to find the best one! OK??
Chippy_mouse

má ơi! đọc xong hoa cả mắt. mà lại còn bị choáng váng nữa chứ hic hic. gì kì vậy?
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