Yoann

My very own best of English learning online :

Let's start with a reminder of why learning english's good for you (and for others too …) :

Let's discuss E-Learning

I'm not quite fond of e-learning myself, nothing's better than one-to-one practice, eye in the eye with the people speaking with you. My first contact with e-learning was threw giving some lectures in french at the Nova school in Tokyo. I dindn't enjoy it at all, mainly because of the lack of direct communication between the teacher and the students. Rules were very strict and i wasn't able to enjoy teaching without any direct contacts.

But, of course, the educational effect of internet in learning foreign language can't be denied as it offers multimedia training solutions : text, audio & video even a one-to-one class at your disposal.

How to become a student at major Universities without paying any fees …

It could be noticed that main universities are currently building e-learning programs. As an exemple, take a look at the Oxford University online program. Sadly enough, i haven't find any videos for free.

UC Berkeley webcasts are on. Here, you can consult video or audio lectures with subjetcts as diverse as astronomy or american foreign policy.

Few links on e-learning

Let's start this quick review on e-learning with an interesting website gathering text materials such as quizzes, tests, articles, essays, glossaries, … Using English.

The Cambridge online dictionary in order to empowered your vocabulary.

On the BBC website, you can find more than the average ressources to help you improve your english level. The important thing here is that they provide you with a written script for every audio and video on the website. BBC Learning english.
As a matter of fact, the so-called program "The Teacher" recently won President's Award from the English Speaking Union for this year. The award

recognises and encourages the widespread and successful use of new technologies to enhance English teaching and learning worldwide. It is presented for innovation in the use of free-standing, newly available technologies for the teaching, learning and advancement of English as a first, second or foreign language…The judging panel includes experts from the fields of language, design and technology.

BBC is also providing us with an audio program called the "flatmates" remembering the ones i got in school in my young days. The principle is quite simple : an audio conversation of no more than ten lines based on daily life with the text that you can hide and watch on purpose.

You also can find a section called "business english" for advance level and offering some tips as how to compil a cv, how to prepare for an interview and so on.

In an advanced level, here are some ressources that i constently refer to audio interviews at The Economist on recent political, environmental, economic issues. A nice way to listen english language and to combine it with useful analysis.

Blogs are still on …

As learning english is based on a day-to-day pratice, i could only recommend to read some blogs (fresh material everyday) as BBC's teacher blog as an exemple.

To conclude

Just keep on mind what can happen if you're not practicing on a daily basis in order to improve. The japanese way of teaching is quite impressive for sure. Knowing that Bob worked there as a teacher, i'm quite relieved now that all communication is based only on msn technologies. I finally start to understand interest of e-learning.

(The show is called Downtown Monzai if my memory's good)

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