Strategies & Practices for English Class
Many students struggle with the English language. Some children grow up in homes that use a vernacular, while other students grow numb to the power of the properly written word through boring lectures and rote memorization. This is unfortunate, because a basic grasp of grammar and an arsenal of well-chosen words can open worlds of opportunity. If you don't think you've received a good English learning foundation, then you can implement some strategies and practices to flourish in an English class.
Other People Are Reading
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Extracurricular Reading
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After most students have mastered grouping letters into words, they think they know how to read. Unfortunately, most of them don't. Reading requires more than simply knowing the definition of each word on the page -- it requires that you understand what is being conveyed. A good reader engages in a conversation with the text, asking questions and thinking critically about what the text is really saying. To develop critical reading skills, choose books outside the classroom that really interest you, and practice reading with them. Even reading a fantasy novel will help encourage your mind to think critically about the plot, and it will expose you to new vocabulary that will expand your grasp of language. Ask the text questions like "What does this symbolize?" or "What proof do we have of this?" Write in the margins -- don't highlight. Writing requires you to think about what is going on in the text; highlighting is passive. Look for recurring themes, phrases and symbols. Consider the background of the text, and ask yourself if it relates to what you perceive as the author's objective. Remember that reading is entirely interpretive, so there is no definitive meaning, only stronger and weaker arguments.
Vocabulary
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Knowing what words mean is vital to being able to read and write, and knowing the right word can mean the difference between communicating your ideas and failing to express yourself. When you have an idea about the book you are reading in English class, you have to be able to verbalize it to others; the same holds true for any situation in life. In order to expand your vocabulary, read as much as you can -- newspapers, magazines, books and websites. The more exposure to words you have, the more likely you are to stumble across a new one. Try to read erudite materials rather than teen fashion and gossip articles. Read the dictionary. Open it to a random page and glance at a few different words every night before you go to bed. Look at the roots of words to understand their fundamental usage. Collect words and make a list on the desktop of your computer or on your mirror so that you read it often. Slip new words into quotidian conversations, and use them whenever you can in your writing.
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Grammar
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Proper grammar is almost as important as a well-equipped vocabulary. When you write a sentence that doesn't follow the rules of English, your audience becomes distracted and confused, completely missing the point of what you are trying to say. One of the best ways to learn grammar is to observe how published authors write. When you read, notice where the author places punctuation, especially commas, semicolons and quotation marks. Also note how authors conjugate verbs, where they place their words and how they weave their simple sentences together to create an engaging ebb and flow. Practice writing yourself, even if you just write a short piece of fiction or a description of an object in your room. As you write, pay close attention to the rules of grammar and the subtleties of sentence variation. Try to make your writing sound like the writing of authors you admire until you find your own voice and master the rules of English.
Speaking
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One of the most commonly overlooked portions of English class is the oral communication of ideas. Some students may be able to write and read, but they may not be able to share these ideas effectively to the rest of the class. Public speaking, even in a small group, often makes students nervous, and it requires a certain amount of quickness to think of a well-formed response on the spot. Watching or listening to videos of excellent public speakers, like President Kennedy or Dr. Martin Luther King, is a great way to expose yourself to new vocabulary while learning how to convey your thoughts in an effective manner. You can also join a book club, or found one yourself, to practice thinking and speaking about books in a public setting. Build confidence in yourself by talking about books with one or two friends, then gradually expose yourself to more public situations.
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References
Resources
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