How to learn English quickly

Here are some tips on how to learn English quickly :

Find out what your learning style is. Are you an eye learner (or visual)? Then you learn best by seeing words written down, taking notes and making mind maps. Are you an ear learner (or auditory)? Then repeating new words aloud, talking things through with a teacher or other student and telling stories will help you learn. Are you a body learner (or kinesthetic)? Then you can do role plays, move around while learning things and can learn by writing and rewriting edited drafts. You may also use a mixture of these styles. English language courses in Atlanta usually tend to focus on different style in different lessons or in different parts of lessons.

Think about how you can integrate newly learnt skills together. For example, you may have been watching TV and written down a couple of new words or a phrase that you heard. Try to use them again as quickly as possible either in conversation, in an email or in a writing exercise in class. Keep practising the new language until you get the context and pronunciation right. Think of yourself as a scientist, testing and retesting!

Use the resources around you every day. Just a simple walk down the street can be a great lesson. Look at all the signs, eavesdrop on all the conversations on the bus and train, and ask every shop assistant lots of questions about their products. TV is a great medium, especially soapies where the stores are quite simple and you’ll learn lots of local slang. The Internet is an amazing resource so if you can find a site related to one of your interests, you can read new vocabulary, natural grammar, listen to native speakers and maybe even chat with people who have the same interests. Remember that English language schools are not the only places where you can learn English. When you learn English in Atlanta, English is around you all day.

Finally, the most important aspect to learning English quickly in Atlanta is your attitude. The trick is to have fun learning but have the serious intention to learn. Studying English in Atlanta is sure to be one of your best memories for the rest of your life. Be strong but flexible enough to make mistakes as sometimes it feels like you are back being a child! English language schools will help you do this. Learn to express your ideas and feelings and remember everyone has to right to their point of view since the ability to listen is an equally important part of the communication equation. This is an expectation once you reach higher level English language courses. Finally, remain optimistic and keep your eye on your long term goal – you will have forgotten any small problems when you have your dream job or are communicating easily with travellers on your next holiday.

AEI - Recommended ESL School by the SACM

Atlanta English Institute is proud to be one of the recommended ESL schools by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM). AEI is approved by SACM to enroll Saudi scholarship students who are aiming to study English as a Second Language in Atlanta. http://esllist.sacm.org/

Studying too much for the GMAT: is there such a thing?

Students often ask me whether they should be concerned about studying too much for the GMAT. The short answer is that in almost all cases, the more you study for the exam, the better your performance will be. 

Gauge your progress with practice tests

A common-sense approach is needed to know when you are ready to take the exam. The good thing is that there are tools that can you help you to assess when you are ready. The main tool you can use is practice tests.

Practice tests can give you a good guide as to your current level of preparedness for specific topics, as well as provide you with the best possible practice for the test itself. Taking one practice exam at the beginning of your studies can give you a sense of what is to come, while strategically timed practice tests later in your studies—generally starting at the halfway mark or later—will allow you to consolidate your knowledge, practice timing strategy and start getting comfortable with the exam.

As long as you are adding new tools to your metaphorical GMAT toolbox, you are undoubtedly using your time well. Over the course of your studies, you will develop a sense of whether or not you are still making progress. When you finally feel like your skills can’t progress further, test this feeling with a practice exam: if everything is in order, proceed to register for the test.

Too much study can lead to diminishing returns

In some rare cases, it is indeed possible to study too much. GMAT preparation and the GMAT itself are mentally demanding. Approximately 10-20 hours per week of studies are what our tutors advise, though on any given day, once you are feeling too tired to concentrate properly, it is time to put your study materials aside and take a rest. In the long term, between two and four months of GMAT studies (sometimes a bit less or more depending on special circumstances) ought to suffice. Much more than that—sometimes we hear of individuals drawing their preparation out for years—can negatively affect knowledge retention and motivation.

3 easy tips to help you get real with your English resolutions

Follow these simple tips to set up English resolutions that you can stick to and achieve your English goals :

1.       Set a resolution that is focused and measurable. A vague resolution such as ‘I want to improve my English’ isn’t going to help you make the most of your year. You can make it more specific by including the level you want to reach in English or a particular thing you want to be able to do in English. So, a more effective resolution would be to say ‘I want to improve my English level from beginner to intermediate level’ or ‘I want to feel comfortable conducting business meetings in English’. If your resolution is related to a level of English competency, you can measure it using a standard test such as IELTS or TOEIC. If it’s related to feeling comfortable communicating in English in a particular situation, you can measure your success by evaluating your own feelings in that situation.

2.      Make your resolution an outcome rather than a process. If your resolution is to study for 20 minutes per day but your method of studying is not effective, your English will not improve as quickly as it could. Instead, resolve to achieve a certain level of competency or to be able to communicate in a certain situation. By focusing on the outcome rather than the process and constantly reviewing how effective your study techniques are, you will use your time more efficiently and achieve more.

3.       Be sure your resolution is achievable. Achieving resolutions and goals is partly down to you but there are also a lot of external factors that affect you reaching your goals. The most common of these are money, time, access to experts, and support from family and friends. By planning well, you can take steps to limit the effect that these factors have on your resolution. One simple way to do this is to make sure your family and friends know about your resolution and support you with it. You might even find someone to study with who has the same resolution. Having a study partner is an effective way to stay accountable and make sure you reach your goals.