Language Learning and Life टिप्स

Language Learning and Life Tips

Language Learning and Life Tips

Devices like iPod media players from Apple computers, as well as similar mp3 players from companies like HP, Sony, Dell, and Creative Labs, offer users the ability to listen to MP3 audio files (as well as other formats) on the go away from their computers or home entertainment centers.
So what does this mean for language students? First of all, media files from textbooks (when permission is granted by the specific publisher) could be digitized from an audio CD, converted to MP3 audio, and then uploaded to an i-Pod player. Then, the student could listen to the media files as he or she looked over the corresponding material from the class textbook.
Furthermore, many MP3 audio players have a recording feature that will allow you to record your voice. One practical use of such a feature is to keep a digital voice journal, that is, keep weekly recordings of your life events much like you would in a traditional diary. By maintaining such a journal, students can go back weeks, months, or years later to hear evidence of their progress.


Obtaining good health insurance while you are studying overseas is a real necessity to protect you from minor and catastrophic medical expenses that can wipe out not only your savings, but you dreams of an education abroad.
There are often two different types of health insurance you can consider buying: international travel insurance and student insurance in the country where you will be going. An international travel insurance policy is usually purchased in your home country before you go abroad. It generally covers a wide variety of medical services, and you are often given a list of doctors in the area where you will travel who may even speak your native language. The drawback might be that you aren't reimbursed for your medical expenses immediately. In other words, you may have to pay all your medical expenses and then later submit your receipts to the insurance company.
On the other hand, getting student health insurance in the country where you will study might allow you to only pay a certain percentage of the medical cost at the time of service (commonly called a co-pay), and thus, you don't have to have sufficient cash to pay the entire bill at once.
Whatever you decide, obtaining some form of health insurance is something you should plan before you go overseas rather than waiting until you are sick with major medical bills to pay off.

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Think about these questions before you start listening and then find the answers in the recording:
1. What is Web conferencing and how can it be used to share ideas and learning language?
2. What Web conferencing services can you find online that would best work for you in your situation?
First, there was the Internet . . . finding newspaper articles to read, but little interaction and few learning opportunities. However, as the Internet has evolved, a newer tool, Web conferencing, has redefined how learning takes place. Basically, Web conferencing is the use of multiple tools (c.g., Web Pages, voice over Internet Protocol, file sharing, voice and text chat, etc.) to create a rich learning environment fostering interaction between one or more people in often, real-time communications.
To give you an example, I once participated in a Web conference where I was the presenter on authoring audio for the Internet. I had to show a PowerPoint presentation to the attendees. At the appointed hour, teachers logged into the Website where the presentation was being held and listened to my presentation. The attendees could view and flip through the PowerPoint presentation and ask me questions via text chat. The entire dialogue between me and the attendees was archived so they could come back to it later and print it for their reference.
Web conferencing can also include voice and/or video chat where participants can see each other using a Web cam. There are also other Web conferencing tools that allow the presenter to launch files to the attendees, play media files, and even use the mouse pointer to draw picture or illustrate diagrams that appear on the people's screens. All of this interaction is to try to simulate actual face-to-face learning and teaching.
There are a number of technical and pedagogical issues that need to be examined and expanded to make this a truly long-term viable option, but the need for distance education is pushing Web conferencing along at a rapid pace.

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Think about these questions before you start listening and then find the answers in the recording:
1. What tips should you keep in mind when communicating with people on the Internet?
2. What three Websites can you find online that are best suited to language students in your situation? Find the sites and then explain your reasons.

Many students want to find friends on the Internet as a way of practicing their language skills and learning more about new cultures. Traditional pen pals were the primary source for such contacts, and students could write each other letters. With the Internet, finding friends has become much easier, and such relationship are called keypals.
However, care and consideration should be given when finding friends on the Internet:
• Search the Internet for reputable services. Look for reviews of such sites to learn more about other students' experiences. Don't join a service until you have done your research.
• Check to see if you can use a nickname, rather that your real name, to protect your identify.
• Never give personal information to anyone, including your home address, phone number, and birthday.
• Stop contact with others if you feel uncomfortable with the topics of conversation. Again, if you protect your identity, this will be easier to do. Tell your teachers, parents, or even local law enforcement if problems arise.
• Try to use the language you are studying in the classroom in your communications with others. Ask appropriate questions that will also help you learn about other cultures. Remember that one's personal experience might be just that: To understand a whole culture, you have to talk to many people, but this will get your started.

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Think about these questions before you start listening and then find the answers in the recording:
1. What do people look for in an airline company when buying plane tickets?
2. What is the normal procedure and steps to get from the main door of the airport to the boarding area?
3. What emergency features are installed on airplanes for passengers' protection?
If you're planning to travel overseas, the most common form of transportation is by airplane. Knowing the entire procedure from purchasing plane tickets to coping with in-flight emergencies can ensure that you have a pleasurable trip.
First all of, choosing an airline carrier might depend on a number of factors including the company's service record, price of the ticket, length of time to destination, and even in-flight service.
Now, once you've purchased your ticket, you still need to make the long journey through the airport. Once you arrive, you usually check your bags at the main ticket counter. Then, you have to pass through the security checkpoint, where you will have to walk through an X-ray machine, and they will check your carry-on bags for any prohibited items, including firearms, explosives, and knives. Of course, this is for everyone's safety. You might also be asked to open your bags to be manually checked.
Once you pass through this checkpoint, then you will go to the designated boarding area and gate to wait for your plane. Just wait there until they announce your flight.
Of course, once aboard the plane, no one ever wants to experience any emergencies, but the plane is equipped with emergency exits in case you have to leave the plane. There are also life jackets under the seats, and oxygen masks in case the plane's cabin unexpectedly loses pressure. Be sure to read the safety instruction card located in the pocket of the seat in front of you.
Airplane travel can be exciting, and knowing what to expect before you go can make this experience even better.

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Think about these questions before you start listening and then find the answers in the recording:
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a credit card?
2. What other type of card is available besides a credit card that allows you to make purchases and how does it work?
3. Search the Internet for a good credit card deal. Discuss benefits and drawbacks of each one you find. Discuss the results with a friend or family member.
A student credit card? Is it right for me, and can it help me pay for expenses online such as online courses, music, language-learning materials, or even a degree?t
Actually, the answer might be yes or no, depending on your circumstances. Of course, probably the best advice is to save up and then make purchases with cash. Unfortunately, different online services often require a credit card. Here are some ideas to getting a credit card. First of all, obtaining a student credit card is becoming easier, and many companies are offering such cards to students in this growing market. From a student's perspective, it allows a person to pay for things online that only can be purchased on credit. Furthermore, it can help students build a good credit history that is often needed later for bigger purchases like a car or home.
Inspite of these advantages, students have to be careful because interest rates on such cards are often higher and have higher penalties if you fail to pay on time. Furthermore, students may spend well beyond their means and end up in debt that they can't pay off.
Perhaps a happy medium is for students to get a debit card that has a credit limit, and money for purchases is just deducted from existing funds from a student's account. Thus, it operates like a checking account, and when the student's spending reaches the credit limit, they can't continue to spend.
Before you decide to get a student credit card, look carefully at the agreement terms for each company and compare the advantages and disadvantages of each. Searching the Internet for such offers will give you a good start on what to look for in a company.

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Think about these questions before you start listening and find the answers in the recording:
1. What features should you look for in a free online email service?
2. Which online service can you find that offers the features mentioned below? Search the Internet and compare.
Web-based email accounts are becoming more and more popular for international communication because many services are free, and they often offer features formally only found in higher-end applications.
First of all, consider the reputation and longevity of the company. If the company has been around for years, then there is more of a chance the company will be around for years to come. You don't want to set up an email account with a service that might not be here tomorrow.
Second, look for a company that offers a huge email storage limit. In the past, companies offered mailboxes of two, four, or six megabytes. Now, however, companies are stretching that limit to 250 megabytes or more. Such a mailbox is really need for exchanging pictures, video, or voice attachments.
Finally, check to see what features are available for filtering spam, or junk mail. Spam is really becoming a serious problem that not only transmits viruses and inappropriate content, but also reduces productivity in a company considering the amount of time it takes to review and delete unwanted messages.
Taking these steps will insure that you get the best email account possible.


Think about these questions before you start listening and then find the answers in the recording:
1. What should be the main goal of any pronunciation class or course?
2. What are the kinds of activities that will help you improve your pronunciation?
Many ESL learners are concerned about eliminating their accents, but before you run out and spend hundreds of dollars on the latest pronunciation course, let me give you some things to think about.
First, the main goal of any pronunciation course should be to focus on accent reduction, not accent elimination, which is virtually impossible. Rather, students should work on reducing areas of their pronunciation that affect comprehensibility, that is, areas of their accents that make it difficult for native speakers to understand them.
Second, with this goal in mind, students need to be able to identify which specific areas of pronunciation give them the most trouble. Of course, there are universal areas of pronunciation that affect specific language groups, and reading up on these commonalities will help you. Furthermore, if you take a class on pronunciation, the teacher probably will ask you to record a speech sample which can be analyzed to check which specific areas you need to work on, for example, vowel and consonant sounds, word and sentence stress, and word reductions, and linking, and intonation.
Finally, you need to practice these features in different situations, from very structured exercises to extemporaneous speech. In other words, let's say you are focusing on past tense, -ed endings (e.g., worked, played, constructed, learned, etc.). The first step would be able to recognize and produce the corrected pronunciation of the endings of each word in isolation by repeating them; however, this does not guarantee that you will be able to use them in natural conversation. Thus, you might want to record yourself talking about the past weekend and what you did---again, using past tenses. Rewind the recording and check to see how well you formed the verbs and if you pronounced them correctly.
Just remember that improving your pronunciation will take a lot of practice and commitment.

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Think about these questions before you start listening and find the answers in the recording:
1. What are the steps for renting online movies?
2. What is one way of using video to improve your language skills?
3. What online movie rental companies provide service in your area and which seems to be best for students on a low budget?

Looking to improve your language skills, but you don't have the time to go overseas to attend school? More and more universities around the world are offering opportunities for students to obtain degrees online (distance education) from the comfort of their own homes, and many of these institutions are accredited, meaning that they have met certain standards of excellence.
If you decide to take language courses online (or any subject for that matter), be sure to evaluate the benefits of studying online versus going abroad. The advantages of studying online are that the costs are usually lower, you can study at your own pace, and you have access to the materials 24-hours-a-day from almost any computer in the world. However, you won't get the human interaction of meeting people to face to face like you would if you were physically attending a school overseas.
On the other hand, the advantages of going overseas may include day-to-day opportunities to learn a new culture, meet new friends with whom you can use and practice the language, and chances to see different parts of the world. However, there may be a number of disadvantages for some including expense, time away from one's school, family, or work life, and the challenge of adapting to a new culture and way of life.
Whatever you do, consider a distance education program that meets your educational needs, is within your budget, and equally important, provides you with opportunities to grow beyond the classroom through cultural and educational activities.

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Think about these questions before you start listening and then find the answers in the recording:
1. How can people find apartments for rent in your area?
2. What costs are associated with renting an apartment?
3. What should you be aware of before signing a rental lease?
The procedures for renting an apartment in different counties, and within the same area, city, or local area, can differ widely, and thus, know what to expect can help you in your apartment search.
First of all, decide on the type of apartment you want to rent. How big of a place do you need? How much money are you willing to spend? Is public transportation available nearby? Think carefully about the place for you.
Next, many apartments are advertised in the local newspaper, and these listings generally described the size, location, and amenities of the place. Looking over these ads will give you a general idea of the types of apartments available. Ask your friends and teachers if they can recommend any specific place to live. Other students might be looking for roommates, and this might be a good way to minimize your apartment search. Compare what they tell you to what you find in the newspaper.
Then, figure out the exact costs for renting an apartment and determine your budget. In addition to your first month's rent, you might have to pay a security deposit to cover any damage to the apartment. The amount you get back when you move varies widely, but don't expect to receive the entire amount because landlords sometimes deduct money for regular maintenance including carpet cleaning and new paint.
Finally, be sure to carefully read and understand the terms of the rental agreement because once you sign, you will be bound to uphold the terms of the contract. Ignorance is no excuse. Can you keep pets in the apartment? Is smoking allowed? How much notice do you need to give the landlord before you move out? Ask questions if you aren't sure.

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Think about these questions before you start listening and find the answers in the recording:
1. What features should you look for in a free online email service?
2. Which online service can you find that offers the features mentioned below? Search the Internet and compare.
Web-based email accounts are becoming more and more popular for international communication because many services are free, and they often offer features formally only found in higher-end applications.
First of all, consider the reputation and longevity of the company. If the company has been around for years, then there is more of a chance the company will be around for years to come. You don't want to set up an email account with a service that might not be here tomorrow.
Second, look for a company that offers a huge email storage limit. In the past, companies offered mailboxes of two, four, or six megabytes. Now, however, companies are stretching that limit to 250 megabytes or more. Such a mailbox is really need for exchanging pictures, video, or voice attachments.
Finally, check to see what features are available for filtering spam, or junk mail. Spam is really becoming a serious problem that not only transmits viruses and inappropriate content, but also reduces productivity in a company considering the amount of time it takes to review and delete unwanted messages.
Taking these steps will insure that you get the best email account possible.


Think about these questions before you start listening and then find the answers in the recording:
1. What are the benefits of using voice or video chat for language learners?
2. What safety measures should you use when communicating online this chat services?
3. What chat services can you find online that are safe and easy to use? Search the Internet to find such Websites and discuss these with your friends and teachers.
Voice and text chat, in addition to instant messaging, are quickly becoming preferred ways of communicating with others online. For language learners, these forms of communication allow users to share ideas about themselves and the world in almost real time, and students can establish friendships with people from around the globe, and thus, it can be an easy way to learn languages and world cultures.
However, care and consideration should be given when finding friends on the Internet because you really don't know who the person is at the other end. Thus, always use a nickname when chatting online and never give out personal information including your age, where you live, and the name of the school where you attend. Also, be careful about meeting online acquaintances in person, and if you do so, make sure it is in a public place and go with a friend or family member. Finally, contact local authorities if you feel you are in danger.
Again, chatting with others can be a fun and educational activity if you use care when doing so.

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Think of these questions before you start listening and find the answers in the recording:
1. What are the steps for renting online movies?
2. What is one way of using video to improve your language skills?
3. What online movie rental companies provide service in your area and which seems to be best for students on a low budget?

Have you heard of online movie rentals? If not, there might be an option for you to increase your language skills and enjoy some entertainment at the same time. Some people have grown tired of going down to the video rental store to rent movies. Now, more and more companies are offering customers the ability to rent movies online.
Here's how it works for most of these companies like Netflix, Blockbuster, and Qwikfliks:
1. Select and sign up for a payment program, which will determine how many movies you can rent and hold at any one time.
2. Choose the movies you want to watch (generally 1-3 at a time).
3. Movies (usually DVDs) are sent to you within 1-3 days, and shipping is covered by the company.
4. Watch the movies, often with no late fees.
5. Return the movies in a prepaid return envelope.
New companies and terms of service are always changing, so check these sites for specific, up-to-date details.
Once you receive the movies, how can you improve your language skills with them? Well, just sitting in front of the TV with a drink in one hand and popcorn in the other isn't a bad way to relax and passively enjoy movies, but you won't learn much doing it. Rather, one idea to improve your listening skills is to watch the movies with the captions turned on and pause the movie when you see and hear new expressions. Write down these words and look them up in a good English-English dictionary to understand their possible meanings. Then, think of some sample sentences for each word. In other words, learning vocabulary has little meaning if you don't know how to use them in context. Good luck.

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