Replying to [kuusport]:

Hi kuusport,

I guess the original plan was twofold. Firstly, to give English learners a chance to put forth any general questions they had. Secondly, to give myself and any other teacher who is interested a chance to help these students out as well as brush up on our own teaching abilities. I encourage you to share some of your experiences as well as those repetitive mistakes you are encountering. Here is one I have noticed having been in Shanghai 2 and a half months now:

Often, if a native Chinese speaker wishes to clarify themselves in English, they will use a phrase such as:

"My meaning is ..."

or

"My means is ..."

Although any English speaker will most probably be able to understand this, it is best worded as:

"What I mean is ..."

"In other words ..."

"To rephrase ..."

Thanks for the post!

Ryan

kuusport wrote:
Just poking my head in here......in the interests of helping people out, how picky are we being with grammatical errors? Missing articles, mis-conjugated verbs, etc?

Is the purpose here to make things only as clear as necessary to be understood, or to correct mistakes, some of which I've found to be quite repetitive from a variety of Far East natives?

Replying to [EnglishRyan]:

Makes sense. Although in your example, while somewhat awkward, saying "My meaning is" is fundamentally correct, if misplaced. That phrase would work if someone were to be expressing their intent, as opposed to trying to rephrase themselves i.e.:

"My meaning is for us to be working together"

Replying to [EnglishRyan]:
Hi! How are you? You must be pretty busy!
May I have some information about the phonetics ?
Which web-sites may help to improve and learn better?
Thank you very much for your time and hearty reply soon.
Take care!

Replying to [Leosun]:

Hello Leosun,

I find that www.dictionary.com is great for phonetics and pronunciation. There is an option to even have it read the word to you phonetically, it shows different pronunciations that may be available, gives a definition of the word, and even shows related forms of the word to ensure you are using the correct one.

Replying to [Leosun]:

Hey Leosun,

Kuusport's dictionary.com suggestion should really help you. You may also want to check out these: www.youtube.com/user/jenniferesl and http://www.youtube.com/user/sozoexchange

Jennifer is a great teacher and many students have told me her pronunciation videos are really helpful.

All the best,

Ryan

Replying to [EnglishRyan]:

Hi EnglishRyan,

It seems I have been late for your online cl *,But also learned a lot from this 'Ask and Answer' form.

I have had a hardlook at every replies for about one hour and a half.
... Cause I am not good at english,It tooks me considerable time to absorb all the usage you mentioned .

I want to learn as much as I can from this forum.And U just provide me as well as all the members in ali a good opportunity.Thank you,You are really a nice teacher.I havent though the english can be taught in this way. I think you may know that many chinese students like me started to learn english from the junior school and can't speak english well when graduated from university.

I just want to know how to improve our english in a more efficient way.

Thanks for your help!By the way,Your reply really broaden my view in learing english.

Replying to [EnglishRyan]:Hi Ryan,

I would what do you thing of www.english-bizniz.com.
I am looking for information on report writing.

Thanks

Replying to [SailingStar]:

Hey SailingStar,

Please excuse my late reply. I just moved into a new place here in Shanghai (Hong Kou district) but did not have any internet access for about a week.

Thanks you kindly for your compliments and I am very happy to hear that this forum is helpful to you!

Yes, I think your story is very common here in China - most of the English students I have encountered in my three months here have much stronger writing than speaking skills. My only advice to you is what many teachers have probably told you before: speak, speak, speak! :D I know this can be difficult if you do not have English speaking friends, but many cities in China organize 'English corner' style public speaking sessions that I am sure you could get involved in. A Google search for 'Shanghai English corner' brings up some helpful results.

If you are in Shanghai, maybe I'll see you there!

Your friend,

Ryan

SailingStar wrote:
Hi EnglishRyan,

It seems I have been late for your online cl *,But also learned a lot from this 'Ask and Answer' form.

I have had a hardlook at every replies for about one hour and a half.
... Cause I am not good at english,It tooks me considerable time to absorb all the usage you mentioned .

I want to learn as much as I can from this forum.And U just provide me as well as all the members in ali a good opportunity.Thank you,You are really a nice teacher.I havent though the english can be taught in this way. I think you may know that many chinese students like me started to learn english from the junior school and can't speak english well when graduated from university.

I just want to know how to improve our english in a more efficient way.

Thanks for your help!By the way,Your reply really broaden my view in learing english.

Replying to [EnglishRyan]:
Dear Ryan,
First to wish you a very Happy Chinese New Year and a healthy
2008 in China! I think it can be your first time staying in China for
the First Chinese New Year in your life.
Anyway, all the best wishes to you.

Again, can tell us some differences about New Year from the West
in compare with our Chinese New Year in English?
And do teaching us how to express some meanings in English from
the experiences now you have in China?
I think it is interesting for you to interpreuate as a foreigner to
say something here for our members in English expression.
Thank you very much in advance for your effort and learning as well.
Hearing from you soon.

Best regards
Leosun

Replying to [Leosun]:

Hi Leosun, thank you very much for your CNY wishes. I also wish you, your family and friends a wonderful 'Rat Year' :D

On Tuesday night of last week, I experienced my first New Year's celebration here in Shanghai. Here are some expressions I will use to describe my experience:

Taken aback - to be surprised, usually we use this phrase for a positive surprise

No idea - to not know or understand

Out of control - older people use this term to describe something lacking organization, but young people today use this to describe an experience that is cool

Gather round - when people group together to experience something

Awesome - another word for 'cool'

Drop dead gorgeous - used to describe something beautiful (usually people)

So, here is a quick bit about my Tuesday night experience using these words:

My Chinese New Year's was totally awesome. My friends and I gathered around the TV and watched funny and talented performances on CCTV. I had no idea who the singers were, but they were drop dead gorgeous!

We were all taken aback when we first heard the banging of fireworks outside and quickly went out to watch. The fireworks were out of control! I have never experienced anything like that in my entire life, and it is a night I will never forget!

:D
Ryan

Leosun wrote:

Dear Ryan,
First to wish you a very Happy Chinese New Year and a healthy
2008 in China! I think it can be your first time staying in China for
the First Chinese New Year in your life.
Anyway, all the best wishes to you.

Again, can tell us some differences about New Year from the West
in compare with our Chinese New Year in English?
And do teaching us how to express some meanings in English from
the experiences now you have in China?
I think it is interesting for you to interpreuate as a foreigner to
say something here for our members in English expression.
Thank you very much in advance for your effort and learning as well.
Hearing from you soon.

Best regards
Leosun