您現在的位置: Language Tips> Columnist> Brendan John Worrell  
       
     





     
    Breaking though the intermediate barrier
    Remember language is for life – above and beyond any test. True achievement and quality comes from constant dedication.
    [ 2008-05-28 15:52 ]


    For many language students the first years of study are exciting and promising. Progress is clear to see and passion and enthusiasm is not a problem.

    However, the latter stage at an intermediate level can be more troublesome. Here improvement is often less easier to notice and students may feel like they are not getting better. A lack of motivation may emerge with the individual doubting if they ever will reach an advanced level.

    Chinese students, who must rank as some of the world's most hard working, will often throw new challenges into their path just to see whether or not they can reach the industry standard, e.g. a 6 or above in IELTS.

    Such a move is a good idea as it provides focus and offers students a clear measurement of where their English is.

    One danger though is that when students get their score, a true understanding of their strengths and weaknesses is not fully comprehended.

    Knowing you rated 5 in speaking, 5 in writing, 6 in listening and 6 in reading doesn't necessarily provide candidates with the clear knowledge of what they need to do to improve – unless they fully understand how their levels were examined and where their faults lay.

    Also, within their decision to complete the IELTS many students concentrate entirely on memorizing previous test papers rather than properly understanding and developing greater language competence within the four tested areas.

    In many respects the schools that provide crash course instant IELTS training are also to blame as they may not always adequately assess or direct students where they most need it.

    Still this isn't always the teacher's fault as they are faced with crowded classrooms and often little opportunity for one-on-one work. Also, those gateway assessment tests one often does at a new language school do not always adequately place you in the correct level or match your needs with the course and teacher you find yourself placed in.

    Ideally, before any IELTS test is contemplated a student will undergo a rigorous assessment that provides clear evidence of where their language is. Understanding which grammar items and which pronunciation deficiencies exist can then help them focus more specifically during their training and study periods.

    One thing I always do when meeting a student who wants to sit an exam or who wants to improve beyond the intermediate level is give them a 'needs assessment' test. As I have mentioned in an earlier article, my best friend is the "Essential Grammar in Use" by Raymond Murphy, published by Cambridge University Press. This text provides such a test at the back and shows students which units and grammar items they need to go back and study.

    By learning which areas a student has trouble with and then directing their study to this, improves their skills of writing and speaking – where good grammar is necessary to move beyond an IELTS band 5 which the present Chinese English language teaching system conducted nationally throughout schools seems to be getting students to – though rarely beyond.

    The problem is - those students intent on study abroad need to be taken to the next level and at present many test based language courses are not taking the students up the ladder. Also, even upon graduation after a bachelors degree many students are still hovering around a 5, or 5 and a half IELTS level.

    It's a long journey and no fast track, or rote memory method is going to get you there. It has been mentioned that 95% of people doing the IELTS test have actually done it before!

    My advice, first find out what your problems are, then narrow your energies to rebuilding your grammar and pronunciation weaknesses. Do not study blindly or continue to buy books and magazines all the while getting buried in English.

    Clear, organized, efficient practice and a constant vision of what you seek from your studies can give you the motivation you need to rise beyond an intermediate level.

    Remember language is for life – above and beyond any test. True achievement and quality comes from constant dedication. So stick at it and don't lose hope.

    The Chinese spirit can overcome some of the most insurmountable of obstacles and the English language, well – 'it aint nuttin speshul.'

    Jiayou Zhonguo!

     

     

    About the author:
     
    Breaking though the intermediate barrier

    About the author: Brendan has taught at universities, high schools and primary schools in Japan,the UK, Australia and China. He is a Qualified Education Agent Counsellor and has extensive experience with International English Language Examinations. In the field of writing Brendan has been published in The Bangkok Post, The Taipei Times, Inflight magazines and the Asia News Network. He can be contacted at brendanjohnworrell@hotmail.com.

     
    英語點津版權說明:凡注明來源為“英語點津:XXX(署名)”的原創作品,除與中國日報網簽署英語點津內容授權協議的網站外,其他任何網站或單位未經允許不得非法盜鏈、轉載和使用,違者必究。如需使用,請與010-84883631聯系;凡本網注明“來源:XXX(非英語點津)”的作品,均轉載自其它媒體,目的在于傳播更多信息,其他媒體如需轉載,請與稿件來源方聯系,如產生任何問題與本網無關;本網所發布的歌曲、電影片段,版權歸原作者所有,僅供學習與研究,如果侵權,請提供版權證明,以便盡快刪除。
    相關文章 Related Story
     
     
     
    本頻道最新推薦
     
    Walking in the US first lady's shoes
    “準確無誤”如何表達
    英國新晉超女蘇珊大媽改頭換面
    豬流感 swine flu
    你有lottery mentality嗎
    翻吧推薦
     
    論壇熱貼
     
    別亂扔垃圾。怎么譯這個亂字呀?
    橘子,橙子用英文怎么區分?
    看Gossip Girl學英語
    端午節怎么翻譯?
    母親,您在天堂還好嗎?

     

    无码中文人妻在线一区二区三区| 波多野结衣在线中文| 欧美亚洲精品中文字幕乱码免费高清| 亚洲中文久久精品无码| 中文字幕久精品免费视频| 精品人妻无码一区二区色欲产成人 | 在人线AV无码免费高潮喷水| 中文字幕无码播放免费| 无码精品久久久久久人妻中字| 免费无码国产在线观国内自拍中文字幕 | 999久久久无码国产精品| 亚洲VA成无码人在线观看天堂| 最近中文字幕视频在线资源| 亚洲AV永久无码天堂影院 | 日日麻批免费40分钟无码| 久久久久精品国产亚洲AV无码| 久久精品天天中文字幕人妻 | 无码AV中文一区二区三区| 精品亚洲成α人无码成α在线观看 | AAA级久久久精品无码片| 亚洲国产a∨无码中文777| 日韩三级中文字幕| 精品人妻V?出轨中文字幕| 无码专区久久综合久中文字幕| 无码人妻精品一区二区蜜桃百度 | 少妇人妻偷人精品无码视频 | 无码伊人66久久大杳蕉网站谷歌| 亚洲国产午夜中文字幕精品黄网站 | 亚洲AV无码久久精品成人| 精品亚洲AV无码一区二区| 中文字幕丰满乱子无码视频| 在线中文字幕av| 最新中文字幕在线观看| 日韩乱码人妻无码中文视频| 日韩三级中文字幕| 中文字幕亚洲综合久久菠萝蜜| 在线天堂资源www在线中文| 无码爆乳护士让我爽| 国内精品无码一区二区三区 | 亚洲va无码va在线va天堂| 无码无套少妇毛多18p|