Job Discussion Forums

[jen_blue]

Hello,

It seems that my english grammar and spelling is not up to standard and I would like to rectify this. I have done a google search and found a number of online resources but wondered if anyone else has this issue and how they coped with it.

Thanks

Jenny

[spiral78]

Dear Jenny:

Don't feel too bad! Long ago I took a university class called English 101, which basically deals with helping native speakers gear their English up to a professional level. Almost no-one has a real grasp of formal English naturally; it's something learned and practiced for most people (there are a few exceptions - people who read widely in works that are written formally, for example, or the children of picky English language teachers:-)).

I've since taught the same course for many, many first-year university students.

Such courses focus on writing in a formal/professional register, and being able to paraphrase the work of other writers accurately. Developing formal writing skills also translates into functional English at a higher level (when needed - I may speak very differently to a class than to my friends, of course!).

I wonder if you might be able to find something similar to this online, or to sit in on such a course at some university nearby you just for your own edification? I know that at the two universities where I've taught, we have occasionally had someone (a staff member or someone from outside the university) attend a course not for credit, and for free.

Maybe others will have better/quicker suggestions, but I can vouch that formal writing (especially for marks!) is a great way to focus on accuracy.

Best,
spiral

[fluffyhamster]

I think it depends on what you mean by not up to 'standard'. If as Spiral is suggesting you are looking to improve your formal English, sure, there may be some prescriptive shibboleths you need to be aware of (depending on your readers), but a lot of informal English is perfectably acceptable Standard English, so don't confuse formality with correctness (not saying that's what you're doing though!). And the way to improve your writing isn't necessarily to only write in formal English. As for spelling, most grammar~usage guides include a chapter or at least a list of commonly misspelt words, and I guess the best way to master them is a mixture of reading, quizzes, and free writing until you develop a sense for what is visually right versus wrong regarding the troublesome item or items.

[jen_blue]

Thank you for your suggestions.

The problem I had at this interview for a celta was with the free writing task: Please explain what qualities and skills a good language teacher holds.

I mis-spelled many words, one paragraph didnt make a lot of sense (apart from to me) my grammar wasn't good etc etc.

They sent me a disclaimer to sign saying that although they were willing to allow me on to the course they had serious reservations about the many errors in the task.

What Im worried about is that on the website they say something along the lines of if you apply, you enclose a cheque of �300 and if you decide not to undertake this course (which I didnt think would ever happen) then they will return it minus �50 admin fee. The way they phrased this disclaimer seems to imply that in essence that if I dont sign it I have decided not to embark on the course.

Jenny

[Glenski]

Your problem will not be one that can be fixed soon. Correcting one's writing takes a long time, with lots of practice, good instruction, and rewriting galore.

I'd suggest at the very least that you get a self-help textbook on academic writing. As for spelling, I've never really had a problem, but that's mostly because I always looked up things I had the slightest doubt about, and the words just stuck with me. That's about all I can suggest, other than to pore over sites like these:
http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html
http://www.learnenglish.de/mistakes/CommonMistakes.htm

Always keep in mind that unless you are writing an email or something similarly casual, one does not usually write like one speaks.

[fluffyhamster]

Well, did what you'd written have much in the way of content and considered opinion etc (i.e. was there a fair bit being being communicated despite the errors and unclear paragraph), or were the faults pretty much all there was to pick up on?

The disclaimer seems fair, if they have genuine reservations about whether you can successfully complete the course and you can accept the now-explicit possibility of failure. (Remember that nobody is guaranteed a pass, I think it even says so in the UCLES - if you're doing the CELTA - small print somewhere...so failure is always an implicit risk for everyone). The deposit meanwhile is just that, a deposit to secure your place, and having only �50 of it non-refundable seems very generous (I recall when I did my cert they'd've kept the full �300 or whatever amount it was had I dropped out).

By the way, I'm using Safari as my browser at the moment, and one good thing about it is that it underlines in red where you may have made spelling, punctuation and spacing, or grammar errors. Maybe install it and give it a try, it might help.

[fluffyhamster]

I've just remembered an old thread, Jenny. Perhaps the disclaimer you have to sign is pretty similar to the 'Language Warning' document mentioned at the start of the following:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=53633

[DebMer]

Jen, I just wanted to chime in and tell you I really respect your decision to improve your English skills and your determination to continue to pursue your goal of teaching ESL.

[jen_blue]

Thank you for your advice; I have done some research and intend to embark on some study on the area.

I wasnt comfortable with signing the disclaimer; gut feeling is that yes maybe my grammar etc wasnt perfect but also that they may not have been a place(s) as they stated. Thus a fast �50; for looking at an application, telephoning the applicant, photocopying standard application stuff and requesting we complete them and spending 10 minutes chatting about the course .... no wonder they were so keen to see me! Thats a full days work for me.



Either way the cheque has been stopped and I wont have anything further to do with them.

Like I said I sent this application in around January without a cheque as I didnt have the money and when the lady rang on Wednesday (to confirm whether they had places supposably) she was very keen I should forward a cheque "to secure a place on the course."

Jenny