20 best ways to improve your English and make friends too

這些tips來自一個UMass的英文老師所給予的建議。主要對象是給 International TAs (teaching assistants)，但是我覺得很多也適用於每個正在努力學英文的朋友！大家一起努力apply這些方法，一起讓英文再進步吧！:)

1. Immerse yourself in the culture.

2. Live with Americans – a family or roommates.

3. Have an American officemate.

4. Talk with other students in English, before and after class.

5. Go into stores in the community and ask questions about products.

6. Don’t be afraid of the telephone. Call on the telephone to get information. Talk slowly and carefully. Ask others to talk slowly, repeat what they have said, say it another way, or spell it.

7. Watch TV.

8. Listen to the radio.

9. Read English language periodicals.

10. Keep up with local, national, and international events so that you can participate in discussions about these topics. Ask people their opinions.

11. Read The Collegian, the campus newspaper, in order to know what is happening on campus.

12. Keep a notebook with unfamiliar vocabulary and expressions. Look them up in the dictionary or ask an American to explain. Americans use lots of idioms and colloquial expressions you may not have heard before.

13. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. The best language learners are willing to take risks and make mistakes. People in this community are willing to take the time to listen and help you.

14. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

15. If you don’t understand, ask people to repeat, talk more slowly, say it another way, spell it, write it down.

16. If people use unfamiliar words and expressions, ask what they mean.

17. Ask American TAs and returning international TAs what to expect in the American classroom. Clarify your concerns about the culture of the American classroom with your supervisor or other experienced TAs.

18. To be understood in the classroom, speak slowly, carefully, and loud enough to be understood. Do not slur your words. Write unfamiliar terms on the board.

19. If you are unsure about the pronunciation of words from your field, ask an American graduate student in your department to pronounce the words for you. Or better yet, have them record the words on audiotape so you can listen to them and practice.

20. Talk about yourself, your family, your country, your lifestyle, your educational system. You are a resource to our community and we have a lot to learn from you.