Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[ncumary]

Dear teachers：

I am a taiwanese university student,Mary.
Since I was a primary school student, my English is not well.
Now,although I am a college student,my english still bad,
but fortunately,I meet a good teacher to lead us know
�how to use the english learning resources�.

I choose a software called�My ET�(My English Tutor),
I record my speaking,
and then it will tell me how to improve my pronunciation.
Now,my pronunciation actually have progress,
but I still very nervous when I speak with foreign friends and take a public presentation.

I also attended �English Cafe� in my campus,
It is a party in the wednesday afternoon, all-english.
But I almost speak nothing in the party.
My teacher encouage me that I must get progress in next 2 years,
But now I find my patience for learning english is little to little,
could you give me some advice?

Thanks a lot for your reading.

[Bluegum]

It sounds as if you have already found a lot of ways to improve your English. Perhaps your problem is shyness, or lack of confidence. I have met a lot of students, specially from Chinese-speaking backgrounds, who do not like to speak in English unless they are 100% sure they are correct. However in speaking a foreign language, "Fortune favours the brave."
I suggest you bolster your confidence by these methods:
Watch an English language film you like (with Chinese subtitles if necessary) and act out one of the roles, repeating the words the way the character says them. You could get a friend to act another role.
The English party sounds like an excellent idea. Maybe you could practise some conversation-openers to use, e.g:
"Have you ever been to an English-speaking country?" (if the other person is Taiwanese) "Did people understand your English?' "Which country would you like to go to?"
Set yourself a goal, like talking to 4 people, and call it success when you do - don't worry about mistakes or misunderstandings.

[ncumary]

Dear Bluegum：

Thanks for your reply.
I will attend English Cafe again tomorrow,
and I will try to speak with more friends.

Your views are so accurate,
If I don't get your advice, I even didn't find I have shyness.

In fact,I study classical chinese well,
so I have much confidence for myself,
although I know I like a child in English,
but I still can't admit that:
When I speak English,I am very shy.

Now,I decide to change my attitude of that.
I will do my best to improve that.

Thank you!