Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[da jiang]

Hi everyone,
I'm Dutch, and I've learned a couple of languages in the past. Some in High school (French, German), others in university (Russian) and by travelling (Chinese, Spanish).
Now, as a teacher (of English), I try to use my past experiences as a learner of languages in my lessons and in helping my students to understand the workings of English, and grammar.

The thing I have always relied on is to focus your energy on specific topics. for example, if you have trouble with 'a' or 'the', research this subject and only try to get that point right, and fluent.
Then, you move on to the next point. (for example, He or She --> in China this is a big problem for most students, and it really is not hard to overcome it if you put your attention on it!)

Also, it's very important to focus on the 'easy part of language'. Really, somethings are easy to remember, and because you know them, you should USE them more often.

For example, in English I always think modal verbs are pretty easy.
like 'should, could, must, will', etc. But also 'have to, ought to, be able to'.

With the first kind you don't have to worry about 's' in the 'He/She/It' form for example.
The easy thing is that after a modal verb, you always get an 'infinitive' or 'unchanged verb'. right? Don't use 'to' unless you learn the modal with 'to', and don't use past tenses or '-ing' verbs, because it is an 'UN-changed verb'! easy right?

"I WILL write a letter"
"I HAVE TO write a letter." --> 'write' doesn't change.

Well, another easy thing is that when you say 'to', you never use '-ing' in the next word.

And, I can't resist writing this one down, when you say 'do' or 'did' in questions (or some statements) you also use an infinitive, 'unchanged verb'. "did you go?" --> "yes, I went there."

I'd like to know if you think there are any other easy things in English that
you use in learning and speaking English.

Hope to see some replies,
best regards,

Roel / 'Da Jiang'
China.