Learning English

Associate

Hi All,

I hope I'm in the right place!

I have an Estonian friend who manages to have basic conversations with the level of English he possesses, but it isn't strong enough and he isn't confident enough to deal with people in formal, official settings or apply for a job his skills merit.

I believe he is currently using self-help material to learn English and because he works 9-5, it is difficult for him to devote the necessary time or to attend classes.

Can someone please give some pointers on the best and most effective way from him to learn English even if he has to start attending classes, and also touch upon:

1) How to find a good English for beginners school or class?

2) What books, audio and other material he should purchase?

3) Useful Websites and Chat Forums he could visit and benefit from?

4) Any other useful tips you can provide?


Thank you.

Regards,

Jay

Oldernotwiser

Unless you're in London or another big city you may not have a choice of classes. I'd start by asking at your local college as many of them will run evening classes for someone in his position.

Associate

Sorry, he lives in London.

Fire_Fox

If he wants English good enough for intelligent conversation then books and websites will be of limited use. Listen to Radio 4, watch the news or educational kiddies programmes ... Get out and actually practise by joining in with any societies, groups, organisations that might interest him. Perhaps even consider a voluntary job for a couple of hours a week in a basic service role - looks good on the CV AND involves interacting with the general public.

Also does he live in an English speaking house? When I was a child we had a series of foreign student lodgers, and I vividly remember teaching them the names of everything in the kitchen while we ate!! If he attends classes tell him to sit with non-Estonian people so he has to practice his English. My mum was an ESL/ EFL teacher (hence the lodgers!) and she told me the Spanish and Portugese could understand one another so sat together, they were not as successful as those who practiced more. :cool: