1. Foreign language learning: Tools & Strategies

2. Foreign language learning
CEFR : The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

3. Communicative time 9% writing 11/16 % reading 25/30 % speaking
40/50% listening 3

4. Interaction
74% NNS-NNS
0,4 bn NS
1,5 bn NNS bn (in 10 yrs) 4

5. Varieties of English
Often you have a boardroom full of people from different countries communicating in English and all understanding each other and then suddenly the American or Brit walks into the room and nobody can understand them…
Typically, when misunderstandings happen, it’s usually the native speakers who are to blame. Ironically, they are worse at delivering their message than people who speak English as a second or third language. 5

6. Varieties of English: US vs. UK English
“England and America are two countries separated by a common language” (G. B. Shaw)
Mixing the two varieties will make your English sound strange and unnatural so it is best to choose just one and use it all the time.
There is no “better” or “worse” variety of English and both British and American have their advantages depending on how and where you intend to use the language. 6

7. Varieties of English: UK vs. US English
Vocabulary: misunderstandings can arise….
Shop vs. Store Bill
Check Bin vs. Trash can
Biscuit vs. Cookie
Boot vs. Trunk (of a car)
Car park vs. Parking lot
Lift vs. Elevator
Full stop vs. Period
Pram, pushchair vs. Baby carriage
Engaged vs. Busy 7

8. UK vs. US English: prepositions
EXAMPLES:
At the weekend vs. On the weekend
In a team vs. On a team
Tuesday to Friday vs. Tuesday through Friday
Talk to John vs. Talk with John
Different to vs. Different than 8

9. UK vs. US English: idioms
There are also some small differences between idioms in the two varieties (Brit vs. Amer)
EXAMPLES:
A storm in a teacup vs. A tempest in a teapot
Touch wood vs. Knock on wood
Sweep under the carpet vs. sweep under the rug 9

10. UK vs. US English: spelling
N. Webster ‘s An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828)
spelling simplified with the aim of making American English more logical in its reading and pronunciation 10

11. UK vs. US English: spelling
EXAMPLES:
-our vs. -or in words like: behaviour/behaviour, colour/color, favourite/favorite
-ll- vs. -l in words like: fuelled/fueled, travelling vs traveling, instalment/installment
-re vs. -er in words like: centre/center, theatre/theater, litre/liter, metre/meter, fibre/fiber
-se vs. -ze in words like: analyse/analyze, apologise/apologize, colonise/colonize
-oe- or -ae- vs. –e in words like: manoeuvre/maneuver, encyclopaedia/encyclopedia
-ence vs. -ense in words like: defence/defense, pretence/pretense
-ogue vs. -og in words like: dialogue/dialog, catalogue/catalog, monologue/monolog 11

12. UK vs. US English: grammar
American English also has a tendency to replace complex tenses with simple ones where possible, for example, present perfect with past simple (adverbs such as yet/ever/already/just are commonly used in the past simple)
EXAMPLES:
He’s eaten too much. vs. He ate too much. (now he’s feeling sick)
Have you ever been to France? vs. Did you ever go to France?
I haven’t read this book yet. vs. I didn’t read this book yet. (can I borrow it?) 12

13. UK vs. US English: grammar
In British English collective nouns can often take either a singular or plural verb form depending on whether the speaker is emphasising the unified concept or breaking it down into individual elements.
American English always follows such nouns with a singular verb form.
EXAMPLES of collective nouns that fall into this category: family, government, class, staff, team, etc. 13

14. UK vs. US English: grammar
Sometimes Americans favour “do” where Brits would use “have (+ got)”
EXAMPLES:
Have you got a problem? vs. Do you have a problem?
Have you got children? vs. Do you have children?
Have you got time to... vs. Do you have time to... 14

15. UK vs. US English: grammar
regular/irregular verbs (past tenses and past participles)
For instance, the verbs burn/dream/learn/smell/spill/spoil are regular in American but irregular (-ed to -t) in British English. 15

16. English varieties How many varieties can you think of?
Notwithstanding their number, it will always take you time to learn… 16

17. Curve of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 17

18. the Curve of forgetting
(Overcoming)
the Curve of forgetting
-Long-term memory
-Working memory
«mid»-course test
When such misunderstandings happen, it’s usually the native speakers who are to blame. Ironically, they are worse at delivering their message than people who speak English as a second or third language 18

19. Self-study -WHY? Make up for lost time
WHEN? Shedule your self-study time
WHERE? ex.: commuting
HOW? Consistently
WHAT? Identify your weakenesses 19

20. Self-study (assesment)
DIALANG test (Lancaster University)
N.B. for free! 20

21. Self-study (listening)- -
- Ted’s talks (wih subtitles in English)
BBC learnenglish
videos: lower cognitive load
N.B. for free! 21

22. Self-study (grammar) www.perfect_english_grammar.com
N.B. for free! 22

23. Self-study (vocabulary)
ESP : English for specific purposes
ENPP: English for no particular purposes 23

24. Cultural awareness (examples)
Mitigators, politeness
Intonation
«sorry»: Amercans don’t say it if they come across someone, British do
«excuse me»: to grab somebody’s attention
Personal space
Lilac (/ˈlaɪlək/) shirt & suit 24