Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

dreamer82 · Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Posts: 2

Hi!

I'm an university student who is eager to speak English fluently like anyone here.

Nowaday, a lot of students from non English-speaking countries are crazy about going abraod to conquer the world language.

In Korea, which is my country, there are a great number of students crossing the ocean to learn English regardless of their econimic situation.
Not all, but most of the students are supported by their parents.

Going abroad to study English seems like a required step people wanting to learn English should do.

I think going abroad is only a better way, not the best way.

What do you think about the going-abroad boom? Isn't there any other way to improve English ability at home?

ESL teachers' opinions could be also welcoming!

Emma · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 1 Location: Taiwan

Dear dreamer82
I think it's a good idea to going abroad to learn English
as I can see your English writting is very good Smile

I suppose your speaking must be good as well Very Happy

so there will no problems for you
you can find a part-time job to cover your spending
so don't worry
just go for it
your dream will come true.. Razz

best wishes

Emma Taiwan

Corey · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 445 Location: Costa Rica

To really become fluent it is absolutely necessary to go live in a country where the language you want to learn is regularly used. (unless you live on a walled compound Very Happy

)

Good luck
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mandrake1981 · Joined: 10 Jun 2003 Posts: 5

when in a foreign country, it`s not only improve ur english level, but also let u have a independant experence, which is pretty important for ur whole life

Doc C · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2003 9:25 am Post subject: Going Abroad to Study English

While your English might be sufficient for basic tasks, it is the context that is critical. English contains many meanings of the same word and to really understand the intent of that word, the context is important, i.e., how the word is used in relation to the others words in the same sentence.

One can never obtain enough information about anything and so, like it or not, Lifelong Learning must be sought! In your case, I strongly recommend you immerse yourself in a Western culture until you feel truly comfortable communicating in English, not just in academics but in the widest possible variety of situations available to you - social, job-related, etc.

In December of this year I will, for example, go to Taiwan for six months in the hope that I can learn to speak basic Mandarin. Alas, at my age, there's little hope I'll be able to either read or write Chinese but...bit-by-bit, I WILL gain far more by being immersed in the language than had I remained at home!

Good luck in arriving at the decision that is best for you!
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Professor Emeritus
Instructional Systems
University of Central Florida

Hung-chih · Joined: 24 Jun 2003 Posts: 1

Ya, actually, my younger sister is in U.S. now.
The most important purpose for her to go to U.S. is just learning English.
She has been there for 2 years. I feel her English ability is much better than before.
She says that she has a lot of chances to talk with Americans every single day.
So at the same time, she is practicing her English with them.
Now, she doesn�t feel shy to speak English anymore.
That�s why she can improve her English and speak well.
Therefore, in my opinion, I think that go abroad to study English is the most effective way.
Coz we need the English environment if you want to improve your English in the short time.

Doc C · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2003 1:06 pm Post subject:

Hung-Chih: Perhaps that will help the person from Korea to make a similar decision as did your sister.
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Professor Emeritus
Instructional Systems
University of Central Florida

obelix · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 304

Here's a question you can probably answer with one hand tied behind your back...
"Everything comes to him who is patient and waits for it." Is it correct?
If not, I would appreciate an explanation as to why not.
Thanks,
Obelix.

Doc C · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2003 11:18 am Post subject:

I think I might change the sentence to:
"Everything comes to he who is patient and waits for it."
Or substitute "she" for "he" or substitute "the one" to make it gender neutral.
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Doc C
Professor Emeritus
Instructional Systems
University of Central Florida

obelix · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 304

Doc, can you explain why it is not "to him", please?

I would normally say, for example, "Everything comes to him", not "everything comes to he" and I am not certain why it becomes "everything comes to HE who waits." Can you give me the grammatical reason behind it, maybe?

Doc C · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2003 4:35 pm Post subject:

Ha! Wish I could but it has been decades since last I messed with grammar! It just feels right! Very Happy

I know that's not the asnswer you might have been seeking but, at this hour, it's what I can give you! Crying or Very sad

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Doc C
Professor Emeritus
Instructional Systems
University of Central Florida

Shac · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 10

Hi there:

This is Shalliker. I'm a Taiwanese. Here i have a problem. It is about the body language. When people do this "xxxxx" with their fingers right in front of their chest or whatever the part, actually I really don't know what they exactly mean with their gesture. Firstly i thought it was about the idea of emphasis, the way to strongly stress your meaning with the fugure but it was until recently that I was told it is more about the irony way to show the opposite side of your meanings. Well, I'm completely confused about this. What's that? Sometimes it matches my original interpretation, but sometimes it just seems strange. Sad

Can anyone tell me the correct way to use this gesture??? I'd be truly appreciative of your help, thank you a lot!!! Exclamation

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obelix · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 304

In the schoolyard when I was young, if you crossed your fingers when you said something, it meant that you did not mean what you said.

Also, if you were rough-housing with another boy, you could say "Pax" and cross your fingers and he would stop whatever he was doing to you.

The most common use of "crossed fingers", is for luck. You say, "I am keeping my fingers crossed that I'll win the lottery." Or, "Keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't rain."

It may mean something entirely different in other countries, though.

obelix · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 304

"Everything comes to he who is patient and waits for it." is correct as the doc said. (Thanks Doc C)
Mark McDowell, who has a very useful website:

www.marksesl.com

gives me the following explanation:

Why? Well, as you know
you have subject vs. object pronouns (she, her; he, him,). It would appear
that "he" is really the subject of the sentence: To He (who is patient and
waits) comes everything. You know, we're really talking about the person -
not the "everything." Another example: "He, who is persistent, shall
succeed," or "Success comes to he who is persistent." Keep in mind that the
subject is not necessarily the doer of the action - that's a layman's
definitions of subject. Actually, the "subject" is the noun or pronoun in a
sentence "about which something is said," and again we are talking about a
person (any person) who is patient and waits. Correct? There's absolutely
nothing in the sentence that describes the "everything," so it cannot be the
subject. This kind of formal or poetic talk is fun to tinker with, but not
really of much use to ESL students because nobody talks like that.

--Mark McDowell

ochikoboreigakusei · Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 1

I agree with you about going abroad is only a better way, not the best way. It is NOT always to improve your English ability. Actually I have been USA for one year and half, but my English ability is not improved, especially about conversation. It is important to talk a lot with American and foreigners. But I think it is NOT necessary to go abroad for just studying the English. English is a one of tool for communication. You can learn English in your own country.