Learn from Many Things

Learning a second language can be a less daunting task if you use the appropriate resources, whether it is in the classroom or on the Internet. One website that I highly recommend for English learners and language educators is ManyThings.org. This site offers the ultimate English learning experience, not only considering the wide selection of topics to explore, but more importantly it can help students build confidence by applying what they learn and what they know to real-life situations.

The layout of this website can be described as elegantly simple. The links and written text on the homepage are neatly organized within boxed lines. You can easily find interesting topics to learn by clicking on the links found at the top, left, and right side of the homepage. Students of any age and educational background can greatly benefit from the focus on different aspects of English including speaking/pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Although it may take some time to familiarize yourself with the sea of links to find specific topics, there are plenty of "gems" within the site that make it a worthwhile learning experience.

Audio Podcasts: This site allows you to listen to audio podcasts while reading along with the written texts. This method of learning integrates awareness for your reading speed, accuracy, fluency, and listening skills. The lesson topics are plenty, ranging from animals and health to sports and history.

Themed Videos: Sometimes, you may just want to learn something from watching a YouTube video. ManyThings.org provides a rich collection of ESL videos with a wide range of topics. You can find the link under the drop-down category "Listening & Speaking" which is located on the top row.

Interactive Games: This is an excellent way to review your word knowledge, apply what you have learned, and creates an excuse to have fun while learning! Among the educational games are crossword puzzles, matching games, the all-time favorite Hangman, and scrambled words. These can be found under the category "Vocabulary".

American Culture: Learning a language entails learning a culture. This site provides insightful resources to help second language learners “blend in with the crowd” by increasing awareness of English idioms, proverbs, slang, and even how to read English signs. These links can be found under the "Other" category.

During any educational journey, it is important to set specific goals to accurately track your progress and maintain a trend of continual improvement. Maybe your goal is to increase your vocabulary knowledge by studying word lists, or improve your pronunciation by practicing with phonics... however you decide to achieve your goals, remember that being creative and staying determined can go a long way to help you reach your fullest potential.

Plug into the "Tech" Era of Language Learning and Language Teaching

The general realm of education is reaching a new level of cool. Learning to read, write, and improve spoken fluency has never been more fun than using smart technology and interactive games, instead of being limited to "rote memorization" techniques. Reports of elementary schools giving iPads to the students as a learning tool makes me ponder how my primary school years with somewhat lacking technological variety may have affected my outlook on learning styles. With the lightning-fast pace of digital advancements in our daily lives, I have noticed an upswing in the use of technology to supplement language learning and language teaching. As part of a Multilingual Writing group, I have come across many excellent resources that you can use to implement into your own learning or teaching process/curriculum. I will explore, analyze, and share some thoughts of useful websites, products, etc. in the coming weeks.