Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fromtheuk]

I can string a coherent sentence together. My accent sounds pretty good.

I feel my usage of metaphor or descriptive language is sorely lacking.

If you read a newspaper article, they don't simply tell you what happened, they use imagery, or an imaginative style of writing which paints a picture of a situation.

They are able to create a mood or atmosphere with their skillful use of words.

I feel my style of speaking and writing is quite one dimensional.

How would you evaluate your own use of the English language?

Be critical of yourselves, or objective.

[le-paul]

you should download stephen frys podcasts on the english language, he makes some interesting points.

However, in general terms, I feel it is my obligation to keep alive and educate people of my local dialect so that I dont become part of the melting pot and my colloqualisms dont die with me.

[tomato]

After seeing so many spelling and punctuation errors on Eslcafe,
I would say that my use of the English language is above average.

[sulperman]

I don't write things like "you have to except the fact that....", "you're problem is that.....", or "drug test hurtles", so I feel pretty good about my skills.

Like Tomato said, eslcafe can be a pretty good confidence booster.

[murmanjake]

For that matter, being the only Native Speaker at your place of work can do wonders for the self-esteem as well.

I was getting a real kick out of explaining what "batter" was to my co-worker the other night.

No, not that dude who's trying to hit a ball.

That liquidy stuff that cake is before it bakes. No--not dough. It's drippier, wetter, more liquid. Dough is for making bread or pizza. *throws an imaginary pizza dough circle up and down a few times* Batter is for cakes or muffins. You know, you just pour it in. *pours the batter into an imaginary cake pan, and scoops the remainder out with an invisible wooden spoon, then scrapes extra batter off spoon and sucks off fingers*

My mimicry skills are through the roof and I'm sure I'd rock a game of charades, In general, my communication skills are better than ever. Though I've found my higher-level vocabulary has started to drain away bit by bit. Reading helps, but not using all those BIG words on a daily basis can take a toll after a while...

[Globutron]

I think my only problem is that I find it hard to explain the definition of words.

A student today asked me what 'Judge' means. This was quickly followed with me waving my hands around, making hammer actions to imply a court judge judging someone, whilst saying 'you know... JUDGE'. Before getting my phone out.

It should be a very simple task but it's my weak spot.

I don't follow many rules that I'm very aware of... such as 'My father and I'. I will always say 'me and my dad'. Because, I like it. I prefer it.
I don't really care about perfecting my grammar because I know I could if I wanted to (with probably a few vague exceptions not many people know I suppose)

Native doesn't equal fluent, after all, as somebody on this forum so elegantly stated.

[fromtheuk]

I think grammar is very important. Grandad would have been lost without her.

[AmericanBornKorean]

Im pretty expart in the English. It pretty easily language.

[Draz]

[Globutron]

[machoman]

if i had to rate it from 0-10, 10 having an extensive knowledge of vocabulary, and knows and can explain every english grammar rule.... then i would rate myself a 7.

[Taya]

I think my spelling and punctuation is very good (I'm hoping I don't make a typo in this post and prove myself wrong) and my grammar is usually good but sometimes my sentences make sense to a native speaker but ESL students are confused by what I mean. I can't think of an example but I tend to speak before I have the sentence mapped out in my head, so I add to it until it's a big messy sentence!

I admit that my vocabulary is poor. Well maybe not "poor" but certainly no better than your average Joe.

[Kaypea]

I think I'm losing my ability to make complex points through writing.

I also have trouble writing narratives that make sense.

Furthermore, my ability to say more difficult words is begining to flag. The other day, I kept trying to say "methodical" but I kept saying "methodological, d'you know what I mean?" Man. Man.

[Globutron]

[Taya]