Resources for the learning and teaching of English. . .worldwide

Learning and Teaching English Speaking Skills

Conversational English: How can I develop my English conversation skills?

• Learn from Sean Cooper the art of “conversation threading” (“How to always know what to say next”)
• Practice sample OPI “everyday situation” role plays
• Practice answering sample OPI/TOEFL questions on easier, more familiar topics
• Practice answering sample OPI/TOEFL questions requiring the use of background knowledge

Presentation-Planning: What are “best practices” for planning my speaking/writing?

• If you’re a visual thinker/learner who thinks and learns best when able to graphically organize your ideas via “mindmaps” or “concept maps” (e.g., when planning your writing or presentations), you will likely appreciate how quickly and easily the free online draw.io app allows you to create professional-looking flowcharts, etc. (Check out this 4-minute tutorial — including subtitles if you need them ☺ — and draw.io’s templates to quickly learn what draw.io can do!)

Presenting in English: How can I develop my English presentation skills?

• 4/3/2 (a “15-minutes-per-day” exercise)
• Practice fluently giving a talk using common words and technical terms containing your problem sounds (a “15-minutes-per-day” exercise) — needs to be checked
• 3MT presentatation feedback master
• Feedback Master (Presenting/Teaching)

How can I effectively answer student/audience questions?

• Predict the questions students are likely to ask (and practice answering them!) (needs to be checked)
• Feedback Master (Asking and answering academic questions)

Fluency: How can I develop fluency in speaking English?

• Fluency Buildup (a “15-minutes-per-day” exercise)
• 4/3/2 (a “15-minutes-per-day” exercise)
• Analyze2Imitate: Thought Grouping, Phrase Stress & Intonation (a “15-minutes-per-day” exercise)
• Shadowing (a “15-minutes-per-day” exercise)
• Read and talk with an English conversation partner about the several fundamental (but often invisible!) ways in which cultures frequently differ, as described in Sarah Lanier’s book, Foreign to Familiar, so that you can avoid the deep culture-crossing frustration and conflict these differences so easily produce!
• Feedback Master (Fluency)

Word Stress: How can I learn to automatically stress English words correctly?

• Create and review Anki flashcards for practicing problematic word stress patterns (a “15-minutes-per-day” exercise)

Phrase Stress & Intonation: How can I make my English easy to understand by following English phrase stress/intonation norms?

• Analyze2Imitate: Thought Grouping, Phrase Stress & Intonation (a “15-minutes-per-day” exercise)
• Shadowing (a “15-minutes-per-day” exercise)
• Feedback Master (Phrase stress & intonation)

Individual Sounds: How can I learn to pronounce the individual sounds of English?

• North American English Pronunciation Highlighter
• Practice fluently giving a talk using common words and technical terms containing your problem sounds (a “15-minutes-per-day” exercise) — needs to be checked
• Create and review Anki flashcards for practicing difficult English sounds (a “15-minutes-per-day” exercise)
• For students interested in following British English pronunciation models, check out this fantastic series from the BBC: Improve Your Pronunciation with BBC Learning English  (a “15-minutes-per-day” exercise)
• Feedback Master (Segmentals)

Teacher Feedback Resources (Speaking)

• Feedback Template for Speaking/Teaching Placement Test Results
• Presentation Feedback Template (needs to be checked)
• Feedback Master (Overall speaking skills)
• Feedback Master (Conversation)
• Feedback Master (Fluency)
• Feedback Master (Phrase stress & intonation)
• Feedback Master (Word stress)
• Feedback Master (Segmentals)