Learn English Naturally

Learning English? Same words – different meanings!

Martin Swords — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 20:04:02 +0000

Where might you walk down an aisle, with a cheap bouquet?

Learning Natural English?

Sometimes words mean two things, or two places.

Whichever way you understand this question, you could get into hot water!

(answer in next Post)

Martin Swords – Tutor

Poetry? While Learning English Naturally?

Martin Swords — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:36:21 +0000

Poetry? While Learning English Naturally?.

Poetry? While Learning English Naturally?

Martin Swords — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:26:58 +0000

As you can see from my profile I write Poetry and Short Stories – as well as Teaching Natural English. No, I don’t teach Poetry as part of the Natural English Tuition, but if a learner has an interest in Poetry or Literature – in any language – then this gives us something interesting to discuss and around which to practice Natural Conversation. Words like verse, stanza, title, rhythm, rhyme,page, idea, image. Conversation contexts like imagination, visual, emotion, description, literature.

Many learners I hear from find this interesting, so if you want to find out more about me and my work you can read some of my poems on http://poemhunter.com/martin-swords/

Meanwhile here is a short poem of mine. It was inspired by seeing an interview on TV from New York given by a gentleman from China following news of an earthquake which destroyed his home village and he thought, probably injured or killed some of his family, relatives and friends. What struck me about his interview was the sense of distance and helplessness.

A Bowl of Rice Always

A fractured home

A distanced heartache

A chopstick, an empty cup

A windchime in a garden

A bowl of rice

Always the small things

Martin Swords May 2009

That’s it, thanks for reading, until the next time, bye.

Martin Swords - Tutor

Broken English?

Martin Swords — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:19:52 +0000

So – what’s the difference between a Broken Arm and Broken English?

Well you’ll know pretty quickly if you have a Broken Arm! But you may not know if you have Broken English – unless someone tells you, and helps you to correct it.

I meet many students whose English is broken, and they don’t realise it. They may be speaking to other learners whose English is also broken, or they may be talking to Natural English speakers who think it would be impolite to correct them. The problem is, you can be understood with Broken English – so learners think they’re doing fine.

Typically, I have had learners say to me:
“Tomorrow I go shop, buy shirts.”

I understand what they mean, but they are not correct. If they are corrected their Natural English will improve and they will realise they should be saying
“Tomorrow I will go to the shop to buy some shirts”

So, put your Broken English in a sling, get some treatment/tuition and move towards Speaking English Naturally!

All the best, Martin Swords – Doctor of English – Tutor

What are your interests? Use them while learning English

Martin Swords — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 20:54:19 +0000

I like to establish early what the learners interests are – and then to arrange cultural activities, trips and visits, and lessons around these interests.

This approach I think makes learning easier, as the subject matter is interesting, and the drive to discuss such subjects -in English – is a strong incentive to do so correctly.

Learners interests have included Irish Music, History, Celtic Studies, Literature, Gardening, Nature Photography, Modern Music, Jazz, even shopping for fashion or souvenirs ! Where a learner’s interests are similar to mine – then there is more to be learned than English, in other cases I learn more than I teach ! !

Everyday Speech – It’s a Battle !

Martin Swords — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 18:51:23 +0000

You need strenght and stamina for this sport – The Tug-O’-War, and very competitive it is too! And you would need a good command of English to discuss tactics with the members of these teams.

When I am teaching students I speak deliberately slowly, clearly, and easy to understand. However students need to meet and speak with other native speakers who may talk quickly, and perhaps with a regional accent. It’s all part of Learning English

Martin Swords - Tutor

Learning English while having fun….naturally

Martin Swords — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 23:03:04 +0000

As well as in formal lessons, a great deal of English can be learned during Cultural or fun activities. Here are three happy French students with a not-so-happy fish, the one that didn’t get away!

New vocabulary here might include rod, line, cast, catch, to land a fish.

Conversation context could include – leisure, sports activity, nature managment

Martin Swords – Tutor

Learn English Naturally in Beautiful Glendalough

Martin Swords — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:44:19 +0000

When I am teaching English, I often hold lessons and cultural activity in the beautiful and historic valley of Glendalough. The name comes from the Gaelic – Gleann Dá Lough, meaning “The Valley of the Two Lakes”. So, perhaps your first English Lesson will include a phrase or two in Gaelic – as a surprise !

Martin Swords - Tutor