| When you learn a new language the only way to | | | | often one of the hardest parts of learning English |
| improve is to practice, practice and practice! However | | | | according to EFL students. A great listening exercise, |
| it can often be boring to keep studying from books so | | | | particularly for advanced EFL students, is listening to |
| I'd like to recommend some interactive learning | | | | English radio stations online. Radio hosts often speak |
| methods and resources - all using the internet. | | | | quite fast which makes this exercise rather difficult; |
| Chat Your Way to Better English | | | | however, this will help sharpen listening skills and be |
| Chatting with others, either native or non-native | | | | very good practice for phone conversations or |
| speakers of English, is a great way to practice your | | | | meetings with native speakers. It is also an excellent |
| written skills in a stress-free and uninhibited | | | | way to pick up new words and learn about a variety |
| environment. This is a particularly good method if | | | | of cultural topics. |
| you're shy about speaking English as it will allows you | | | | Podcasts |
| to be anonymous online and will build your confidence | | | | If you don't have constant access to the internet, |
| to eventually speak the language face to face. By | | | | downloading podcasts is a great alternative to listening |
| joining a chat room like you can discuss any special | | | | to radio. The advantage of a podcast is that you can |
| interest topic you like, or write posts in the forums. | | | | listen to it at your leisure until you feel you have |
| Having an email pen pal can also be a fun and | | | | completely understood the topic. You can also pause |
| effective way to practice English and make friends. | | | | the audio while you look up new words or take notes |
| Online Grammar Exercises | | | | on the subject. There are some great sites available |
| For a more fun and interactive approach to practicing | | | | which offer podcasts specifically to EFL learners. The |
| grammar exercises, try one of the many online | | | | podcasts often come in manageable 15-20 audio files, |
| grammar exercise sites available on the internet. You | | | | complete with full transcripts, additional vocabulary, |
| will find varied exercises and quizzes for most | | | | cultural explanation, general notes and sometimes |
| grammar points where you will be given corrections to | | | | comprehension questions. This additional information |
| your answer and useful explanations. Joining an EFL | | | | means podcasts are effective language learning tools |
| community will also give you access to volunteer EFL | | | | even at a lower level of English. |
| teachers who are available to answer all your | | | | These resources should enable you to practice your |
| grammar questions. Being part of a community such | | | | English in a more inventive way rather than relying on |
| as is also excellent way to meet and communicate | | | | books and classroom time. Of course face to face |
| with other English learners. | | | | interaction is really important but these are excellent |
| Online Radio | | | | alternatives and will contribute to acquiring more |
| Understanding native speakers and their accents is | | | | fluency and confidence in your skills. |