Become a Better Student With These English Study Tips

Become a Better Student With These English Study Tips Learning a new language like English can be a challenge, but with regular study it can be done. Classes are important, but so is disciplined practice. It can even be fun. Here are some guidelines to help you improve your reading and comprehension skills and become a better English student. Study Every Day Learning any new language is a time-consuming process, more than 300 hours by some estimates. Rather than try and cram a few hours of review in once or twice a week, most experts say short, regular study sessions are more effective. As little as 30 minutes a day can help you improve your English skills over time. Keep Things Fresh Instead of focusing on one single task for the entire study session, try mixing things up. Study a little grammar, then do a short listening exercise, then perhaps read an article on the same topic. Dont do too much, 20 minutes on three different exercises is plenty. The variety will keep you engaged and make studying more fun. Read, Watch, and Listen. A lot. Reading English-language newspapers and books, listening to music, or watching TV can also help you improve your written and verbal comprehension skills. By doing so repeatedly, youll begin to unconsciously absorb things like pronunciation, speech patterns, accents, and grammar. (Scientists call this phenomenon indirect learning). Keep pen and paper handy and write down words you read or hear that are unfamiliar. Then, do some research to learn what those new words mean. Use them the next time you are role-playing dialogue in class. Learn the Sounds Separately Non-native English speakers sometimes struggle with certain word pronunciations because they do not have similar sounds in their native tongue. Likewise, two words may be spelled very similarly, yet be pronounced quite different (for instance, tough and though). Or you may encounter combinations of letters where one of them is silent (for example, the K in knife). You can find plenty of English pronunciation videos on YouTube, such as this one on using words that begin with L and R.   Watch Out for Homophones Homophones are words that are pronounced the same way, but are spelled differently and/or  have different meanings. There are a number of homophones in the English language, which is one of the reasons why it can so challenging to learn. Consider this sentence: Pack your clothes, then close the suitcase. Both clothes and close sound the same, but they are spelled differently and have different meanings. Practice Your Prepositions Even advanced students of English can struggle to learn prepositions, which are used to describe duration, position, direction, and relationships between objects. There are literally dozens of prepositions in the English language (some of the most common include of, on, and for) and few hard rules for when to use them. Instead, experts say, the best way to learn prepositions to memorize them and practice using them in sentences. Study lists such as this one are a good place to begin.   PlayVocabulary and Grammar Games You can also improve your English skills by playing vocabulary games that are related to what youre studying in class. For example, if you are going to study English on topics that focus on vacations, take a moment to think about your last trip and what you did. Make a list of all the words you might use to describe your activities. You can play a similar game with grammar reviews. For example, if you are going to study conjugating verbs in the past tense, stop to think about what you did last weekend. Make a list of the verbs you use and review the various tenses. Dont be afraid to consult reference materials if you get stuck.  These two exercises will help you prepare for class by making you think critically about vocabulary and usage. Write It Down Repetition is key as youre learning English, and writing exercises are a great way to practice. Take 30 minutes at the end of class or study to write down what happened during your day. It doesnt matter whether you use a computer or pen and paper. By making a habit of writing, youll find your reading and comprehension skills improve over time. Once youre comfortable writing about your day, challenge yourself and have some fun with creative writing exercises. Choose a photo from a book or magazine and describe it in a short paragraph, or write a short story or poem about someone you know well. You can also practice your letter-writing skills. Youll have fun and become a better English student. You may even discover youve got a talent for writing.

Naturalist Intelligence Examples

Naturalist Intelligence Examples Naturalist intelligence is one of researcher Howard Gardners nine multiple intelligences. This particular intelligence that involves how sensitive an individual is to nature and the world. People who excel in this intelligence typically are interested in growing plants, taking care of animals or studying animals or plants. Zookeepers, biologists, gardeners, and veterinarians are among those that Gardner sees as having high naturalist intelligence. Background Twenty-three years after his seminal work on multiple intelligences, Gardner added the naturalist intelligence to his original seven intelligences in  his 2006 book,  Multiple  Intelligences: New Horizons in Theory and Practice. He previously laid out his original theory with seven identified intelligences in his 1983 work, Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. In both books, Gardner argued that there are better or at least alternative ways to measure intelligence than standard  IQ tests  for students in both regular and special education. Gardner says that all people are born with one or more intelligences, such as logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic  and even musical intelligence. The best way to test, and develop, these intelligences is by practicing skills in these areas, says Gardner, and not through paper-and-pencil/online tests. Famous People With High Naturalist Intelligence In Multiple  Intelligences, Gardner gives examples of famous scholars with high naturalist intelligence, such as:   Charles Darwin: Historys  most  famous evolutionary scientist, Darwin proposed the theory of evolution through  natural selection.  Darwins famous journey on the  HMS Beagle  allowed him to study and collect natural specimens from across the globe. He published his finding in the classic book explaining evolution, The Origin of the Species.  Alexander von Humboldt: This 19th Century naturalist and explorer  was the first person to suggest that humans were having an impact on the natural world and causing climate change. His declaration was made over 200 years ago based on observations he recorded during his travels through South America.E.O. Wilson: The worlds greatest naturalist, and the father of sociobiology, wrote a 1990 book, Ants one of two books for which he won the Pulitzer Prize that explained how these insects create social structures, organizations, and hierarchies traits that were once thought only humans possessed.John James Audobon:  This naturalist created a collection of paintings, Birds of America,  published in four volumes from 1827 to 1838. Audobon is considered the father of the conservationist movement and inspired millions to take to the woods, lakes, and mountains in search of rare bird sightings. Using the Naturalist Intelligence in ELA Class Perhaps the best example to use in a classroom of a naturalist intelligence is one offered by the poet, William Wordsworth. Wordsworth summed up his own naturalist intelligence best in his poem, The Tables Turned when he encouraged the reader to get up from his studies and go out of doors. After reading the poem, teachers could simply end the lesson, and take Wordsworths advice and march the class out-of-doors! (with administrations permission, of course). Two stanzas highlight Wordsworths enthusiasm for Nature as a teacher for all: STANZA I:Up! up! my Friend, and quit your books;  Or surely youll grow double:Up! up! my Friend, and clear your looks;  Why all this toil and trouble?  STANZA III:Come forth into the light of things,  Let Nature be your teacher.   Characteristics of Naturalist Intelligence Some of the characteristics of those students with naturalist intelligence include their: Physically/emotionally adverse to pollutionIntense interest in learning about natureDramatic enthusiasm when in contact with naturePowers of observation in nature  Awareness of changes in weather Gardner notes that such persons with a high degree of naturalist intelligence are keenly aware of how to distinguish the diverse plants, animals, mountains, or cloud configurations in their ecological niche. Enhancing a Students Naturalist Intelligence Students with naturalist intelligence are interested in conservation and recycling, enjoy gardening, like animals, like to be outside, are interested in the weather and feel a connection to the earth. As a teacher, you can enhance and strengthen your students naturalist intelligence by having them: Attending class outside  Keep a nature journal to record changes or discoveries in natureIllustrate discoveries in natureRead books and articles about nature and the environmentWrite  articles about nature (poems, short stories, news articles)  Giving lessons on weather and naturePerforming skits about nature and cyclesConduct research on local foliage Students who have naturalist intelligence may take informed action, as suggested in the Social Studies Standards, in order to preserve the environment. They may write letters, petition their local politicians, or work with others to create green spaces in their communities. Gardner suggests bringing what he calls the summer culture into the rest of the year and into the learning environment. Send students outside, take them on short hikes, teach them how to observe and identify plants and animals and help them get back to nature. This is the best way, says Gardner, to increase their natural intelligence.