Getting the Most Out of your English Classes at the Canadian Education College

1. Participate

Students should actively participate in their English courses. This means that you should “take part in” activities that are given to students during class. If it’s a class discussion, share your opinions. Don’t be shy! Everyone’s opinion “counts”. If it’s a group activity, also, give your “input”. It might be a reading activity where you read a passage and then answer the questions. If it is, share your answers with the class. The “bottom line” here is be active in you English class. This is a “surefire” way of improving your English skills.

2. Talk

This may be the most important point of this article. It’s very important that you practice speaking what you are learning in your class. And, this may be the only opportunity that you get to actually speak the English that you are learning. So, “take advantage” of the opportunity and talk in class. If it’s a pair work activity, be sure to talk with your partner. Ask your teacher questions. This is a way to have the all-important teacher/student speaking time. Again, don’t be scared. Everyone makes mistakes. In the end, “It’s all good”. 

3. Take Notes

This is also quite important. I think most of us already know this. While you are in one of our English courses, you should be taking notes. One benefit of taking notes is that it allows you to review the lesson at home, which gives you more practice. The more, the better.

What are some of the things in the Canadian Education College’s English courses that you should be taking notes on? You should definitely be “jotting down” notes on vocabulary. This is a very basic idea. We know this. Next, you should be noting the grammar. It’s very important to learn the grammar of English. This is necessary if you want to speak and write well and just for basic communication. If you can’t use the correct grammar, the chances that you will have a successful exchange are “slim”.

4. Practice

“Practice makes perfect”. We’ve seen this expression before in one of my prior writings. In western society, we consider this to be absolutely true. The more you practice something, the better you will become at it. Do you have this saying in your culture? Do you believe it to be true? Well, how should you be practicing? Speak the vocabulary. You have already taken notes on the vocabulary, so now practice saying the words at home. Try to make your own sentences with the new vocabulary. Also, practice the grammar. Do the same that you have done with the vocabulary which is make your own sentences with the new grammar. After you have made your sentences, practice speaking them. You can say them to yourself or find a friend or family member and read the sentences to them. In the end, practice a lot.

Written by: Alan Bruhn

English Teacher at Canadian Education College, Singapore