Chapter 1: Learning English at a University In this chapter, you will learn

about:

• Tips and strategies for learning English in a university setting

• Tips and strategies for improving listening and speaking skills in English

• How to identify syllables in English words

Marathon, by
Gwynda h, CC0

Learning a language is like running in a race. There is a lot of warm-up and a lot of
practice before you can do well. However, if you try hard, you can win.

Discussion Questions

1. Read the sentences above. How is learning a language similar to running a race? What are
some similarities between the two activities? What are some differences?
2. When a person runs a race, they need to warm up their muscles before they start. Is learning a
new language similar? How can you warm up before speaking in a second language

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 Learning English at a University

Maybe you have studied at a university before, but learning a new language is a special goal that needs
a special set of tools in order to succeed.
This chapter will discuss three sets of learning tips to help you get on a great start to learning English.

• General learning tips for university classes

• Tips for improving speaking and listening skills
• Tips for learning vocabulary in a second language

General Learning Tips for English Learners

Follow the learning tips below to improve your language learning.

Remember that learning must happen in the class with your teacher and classmates but also outside
of class in your own time. Use English as much as possible.

In-class Outside of class

• Speak only English as much as
possible ● Use conversation partners and tutors
• Sit by someone who doesn’t speak ● Use resources available to you at your
your language in class school
• Ask a lot of questions when you don’t ● Visit your teacher’s of ice hours for
understand questions and practice
● Go to parties and events on campus
• Before you translate a word in your
with English speakers
dictionary to your language, try to
understand the word from its context ● Go to community events where
English is spoken
(the words around it)
● Listen to the news, radio, and TV in
• When the teacher asks a question, English
raise your hand to answer. Don’t be
● Review old vocabulary words and
afraid to try.
listen again to practice audio quizzes
• Be brave and speak- don’t be shy to try
your English skills

Discussion Questions:
1. How many of the learning strategies listed do you already use?
2. What are 2 or 3 new strategies from the lists that you can try this week?
3. Do you use any other learning strategies that are different from the ones discussed here?

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 Tips for Improving Speaking and Listening Skills

Improving your speaking and listening skills in English requires a lot of time and effort. However, with
knowledge and use of some learning strategies, your English abilities will grow quickly.

Speaking and listening are skills that are closely connected. Improving one of them will help you
improve the other. Remember this as you study English. Also, remember that improving your reading,
grammar and writing skills in English will also help you improve your speaking and listening. Try to
use and practice all part of the English language together.

Speaking
• Speak in English as often as possible, not only in class

• Find good English speakers to practice with

• Use grammar rules in your speaking

• Listen to the pronunciation of words, then repeat the works in the correct pronunciation

• Practice using the correct stress, intonation, and rhythm of a native English speaker

• Spend at least 30-60 minutes every day of the week speaking in English.

Listening
• Listen in English as often as possible, not only in class
• Listen to activities that you can read at the same time
• Listen to something 3 or 4 times
• Listen and write what you hear
• Listen actively: write down what you understand and what you don’t
• Spend at least 30-60 minutes every day of the week listening to English

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 Listening Practice

Part 1:

After reading about learning strategies on the pages before, listen to the story below about Kaori, a
Japanese student who has moved to the United States to study English.

Young woman walking - Free from Pixabay

As you listen, try to hear the answers to the questions below. Take some notes by the questions. After
you listen, discuss your answers to the questions with your partner.

Chapter 1 Activity 1

Discussion Questions:

1. Why does Kaori feel shy to speak in her English class?

2. Why isn’t Kaori’s English improving?
3. What can she do to change her feelings?
4. Do you understand how Kaori feels? Why or why not?

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Part 2:

Now listen to another story about Kaori. Has she changed anything about her learning habits? Is she
feeling more successful? Listen and answer the questions below.

Chapter 1 Activity 2

Discussion Questions:
1. What are two of the changes Kaori made at school?
2. Why does she feel better now?
3. What is the main idea of these two stories?

Learning Tips for Vocabulary Words

To successfully learn vocabulary, you will need to understand and use the new word a lot. Using the
same strategy each time you learn a new word will help you remember new vocabulary. Follow the
steps below while you are learning English, and your vocabulary will increase quickly.

1. Look at the spelling of the word and listen carefully to how it is pronounced.
2. Using an English dictionary, ind the meaning of the new word and the part of speech. Is it a noun?
Is it a verb?
3. Study how the word is used in context (inside of a sentence or paragraph).
4. Quiz yourself on the word. Use lashcards often. Can you remember the word’s meaning and how it
is spelled? Can you easily use it in a sentence?
5. Review and recycle the new word until you can easily remember it.

Apply these steps to the chapter one vocabulary words on the next page.

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Chapter 1 Vocabulary

important (adj.) information (n.) opinion (n.) discuss (v.) response (n.) apply (v.) knowledge (n.)
strategy (n.) environment (n.) success (n.)

Part 1:

Directions: Use your dictionary to ind the meaning of the vocabulary words in the box. Then write the
words from the box next to their de initions below.

1. A plan of steps for achieving a speci ic outcome:____________________________

2. To talk about an idea or subject with someone:____________________________
3. The people and things that are around you in life:____________________________
4. Something that is said or written as a reply:____________________________
5. To make a request for something such as a job:____________________________
6. Facts or details that tell you about something:____________________________
7. Your idea or belief about a subject.:____________________________
8. When you achieve what you want :____________________________
9. Information, skills, and understanding that you have gotten through learning or
experience:____________________________

Part 2:

Directions: Read the questions below. Find and underline each vocabulary word in the
questions. Then ask your partner the questions.
1. What kind of environment is good for studying?
2. What information did you learn in class yesterday?
3. Do you like to discuss your opinions in class?
4. What do you need to do to be a successful student?

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 Listening tip: Syllables

When you listen to a word in English, you can hear different parts of the word. These parts are called
‘syllables.

For example:
the word paper has two parts: pa - per
the word beautiful has three parts: beau- ti- ful
the word love only has one part: love

Knowing how many syllables a word has will help you be able to pronounce the word correctly. It will
also help you be able to spell the word.

How do you ind the syllables in a word?

• A dictionary will mark the syllables in a word like this: pa - per

• Study the spelling of the word- Every syllable needs at least one vowel: pa- per.

• Put your hand under your chin and say the word. Each time your chin touches your hand
counts as one syllable.

• Listen carefully to each sound you can hear in the word.

Practice hearing syllables below with the chapter 1 vocabulary words:

Directions: Listen to the pronunciation of the vocabulary words. Write the vocabulary word then
listen again and write the number of syllables that you hear in each word. The irst word has been
done for you. Mark the syllables on each of the words.

Chapter 1 Vocabulary

• Im-por-tant (3)

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 Using Vocabulary in Context

Part A Directions

Read the paragraph and try to complete the missing words with the chapter 1 vocabulary
words. You may need to make a word plural.

important (adj.) information (n.) opinion (n.) discuss (v.) response (n.) apply (v.) knowledge (n.)
strategy (n.) environment (n.) success (n.)

On the irst day of English class, there is a lot of _____________________ that you will talk about and

_____________________ with your teacher and classmates. It is very _____________________ that you pay

attention, so you don’t miss anything. Your teacher will ask you questions and will wait for your

_____________________. In American classrooms, the _____________________ is interactive, which means

the teacher and the students talk to each other a lot. Also, it is common for the students to talk

in groups or pairs a lot and share ideas or _____________________ about something. On the irst day,

your teacher might share a new learning skill or tip that will help increase your

_____________________ in the class. Before too long, you will have a lot of _____________________ in your

brain, and you will improve your English in no time. You might even use your new English skills

to _____________________ for a student job or a place on a university team! Good luck!

Part B Directions

Listen below and check your answers in the paragraph above.

Chapter 1 Activity 3

Part C Directions

Practice reading the paragraph with a partner. Take turns reading the paragraph out loud and
practicing correct pronunciation of the vocabulary words.
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 Find someone who….

Directions: You must ind a classmate who says “yes” to the points below.

First, think of how to ind the information using a question.

Then, ask your classmates the questions and write their names if they say “yes”.
If they say “no”, ask a different classmate.
Try to ind a different name for each question.
Question Name of classmate who says “yes”

**Example** 1. wants to study English for two years. Naif

Q: Do you want to study English for two years?
A: Yes, I do. I want to study English for two years.

• likes to learn new information

• wants to apply for a job in the United States

• likes to discuss interesting news topics

• has strong opinions

• thinks learning English is an important skill

• wants to speak English at a future job

• likes to speak with Americans on the weekends

• enjoys movies and TV shows in English

• has a good strategy for learning English

• likes the environment of a university

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 Discussion Activity: Choosing a University

Directions: You and your best friend have just inished high school and want to choose a
university to attend together. You have narrowed it to two choices, but you can’t decide
which one you want to go to. Both schools have accepted you. Which one will you choose?
You must agree with your friend. Information about each university is on the next page.

Samford Hall, by TPSDave, CC0

Sumner School, by TPSDave, CC0

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University A University B
In a small community Next to many restaurants and shops
500 students In the middle of a big city
Quiet neighborhood 25,000 students
No public transportation Loud and noisy
Not close to restaurants or shopping Close to public transportation
$ 35,000.00 per year tuition $25,000.00 per year tuition

1. Which university will you choose to attend?

2. What are three reasons why you will choose the university and not the other?

a. ______________________________________________

b. ______________________________________________

c. ______________________________________________

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 Chapter 1 Review

Learning English isn’t easy, but you can improve quickly if you work hard!
• Remember and use the learning tips in this chapter.
• Apply the strategies discussed in this chapter to your vocabulary learning.
• Notice the number of syllables in words.
• Use English as often as you can outside of the classroom!

Extra Listening Practice

Should College be Free? - Listen to the Studying Habits -
discussion and then answer the questions. Listen to the discussion and then answer the
1) Shalini says if it is free, students _____ . questions.
a) will study harder
b) will study what they love 1) What does she say about homework at
c) will not have to work university?
a) It is important.
b) She has a lot.
2) Prae says if students pay _____ . c) She has little.
a) they will have less stress d) She never does it.
b) they will make better choices
c) they will work harder 2) What is the best way for Tini to learn?
a) Reading
3) Maiko thinks it should be free ______ . b) Listening
a) because high school is free c) Writing
b) regardless of one's income d) Discussions
c) so students study harder
3) What does Tini like her teacher to be?
a) Strict
4) Paul says people should pay so ______ .
b) Understanding
a) people appreciate their education
c) Moderate
b) colleges can hire good teachers
d) Interesting
c) less people apply to college
4) What does Tini like to learn with?
5) Eoin ______ education should be free. a) Audio
a) thinks b) Computers
b) does not think c) Journals
c) is unsure d) Books

6) Lindsay says college should be free for

______ .
a) everyone
b) no one
c) some people’
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