ESL Labs & Homework: Practising English
With the new year upon us, perhaps one of your goals is to speak English. If that is one of your goals, then EZ-Teach has some tips for you in this blog. Whether it is through an ESL lab or a private tutor, we’ll cover the different ways to start practising English. Here are some ways to learn English:
Learning Tips: Tutors, ESL Labs, and More
Hiring a tutor will ensure you stay accountable and progress towards your goals!
(Image Source: Katerina Holmes)
1. Get a Tutor
One of the best ways to start learning English is through a tutor. A tutor can find out what your goals and needs are and then make a personalized learning plan that is designed accordingly.
Having your own tutor provides you with many perks such as:
1:1 time and attention - Your tutor will give you alone their attention. They will answer your questions, assess your progress and provide correction
Curriculum tailored to your needs - Your tutor will find out how you learn best and will tailor the work to your needs
Grade-level or job-specific approaches - Your tutor will refine the work to reach your specific goals
Personal accountability - You can’t hide behind your classmates and your tutor will ensure you reach your goals
You can find tutors in person or online such as here with our tutors at EZ-Teach. For more help finding a tutor, read our blog post “Finding the Right Private ESL Tutor for You”. Alternatively, you could try an ESL Lab - find out more in the section below.
Joining an ESL Lab will help you learn proper pronunciation.
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2. Join an ESL Lab
If you choose not to have a private tutor, joining an ESL Lab is another great alternative. Now you may be wondering, “What is an ESL Lab”?
An ESL lab is usually a small group of students who meet to practice English language skills together in a focused environment under the direction of a teacher or tutor. You’ll find that there are small groups that meet to practise ESL in person or online.
Overall, most ESL Labs focus on listening and speaking. You’ll probably be given some sort of reading (maybe a short story or dialogue) which will focus on building vocabulary, refining pronunciation and encouraging listening and comprehension.
If you can’t find an ESL lab, you can take a self-teaching approach. For example, you can find a variety of lessons and quizzes online at English Listening Lesson Library Online. You can listen and read in English at your own pace and check your progress and comprehension.
And if you want English pronunciation help, you can check out our fun pronunciation videos on our new YouTube channel!
Whether you are part of an ESL Lab or not, one important language skill you can develop on your own is listening.
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3. Different Methods to Try Yourself
If you can’t hire a tutor or find an ESL lab to join in person, there are other options for learning independently. You’ll find that there are many resources available online. You just need to do some research and find a balance of methods that work well for you and your schedule.
Here are some other methods to try yourself:
Watch movies or TV shows in English - you can find a wide variety of free options! Use subtitles if you like at first, but try to practise without as well so your ear is forced to be attentive
Listen to music & sing along with the lyrics
Read the news in English - either a paper journal or an online journal. Accompanying videos can help you with your listening too.
Follow a podcast
Find a partner for language practice. Meet up and just chat in English! Or do an exchange. Maybe someone can help you learn English and you can teach them another skill you have - it’s a free swap.
Find a language Meet Up, join a club, or go to a church where the people speak English
Listen to an audiobook - Try Audible or borrow a book with audio accompaniment from your local library
You can even do English word searches and puzzles in your free time! Whatever you choose to do when creating your own learning plan, make sure you have a balance of activities that include reading, writing, listening and speaking.
And try to do some English practice at least once or twice a week - the more frequent the better! You can practise using what you've learned regularly in between classes by talking to people in English or by consuming English-language media.
Be sure to visit your local library to see what ESL resources they have available.
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4. Inquire at Your Local Library
Sometimes in this modern age, we forget that we can actually visit our local libraries! Visit in person, make a call, or go online to your library’s website and you might discover that they offer an ESL lab or classes which are accessible and free.
Here are some links to libraries throughout the GTA and Southwestern Ontario:
As free resources, they may lack the personalization of EZ Teach, but it is a good way to get started. Compare your options - you’ll see that some of the libraries are advertising a program called Transparent Language which offers self-guided courses. And if you are a new immigrant to Canada, be sure to check out the language classes funded by the government.
Whatever your learning goals are, contact us at EZ-Teach so we can help!
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ESL Resources From EZ-Teach
You’ll discover that at EZ-Teach we are constantly thinking and writing about education. We aim to support learners and educators from all spheres. Whether you are a homeschooler, a parent, a teacher or a student here in Canada or abroad, we have resources and curriculum for you.Check out the following links to learn more about what we have available through our site:
Online ESL Classes with curriculum and teaching tailored to your needs in private or small-group settings
Courses from our partner school Waterloo Independent Secondary School
Curriculum available online
Blog posts to help you learn more about education, homeschooling and other current issues related to learning
Links to helpful online resources and other resources like our Free Homeschool Planner!
We look forward to hearing from you - contact us here if you have any questions or concerns.
