East Bay ESL
  • Home
  • Study at Home
  • Shop ESL Lessons Plans
  • Take a Class
  • Start a Class
  • The Blog
  • Home
  • Study at Home
  • Shop ESL Lessons Plans
  • Take a Class
  • Start a Class
  • The Blog
Search

How to Use The Moth to Study

2/13/2014

0 Comments

 
The Moth can be a useful resource for students, especially those who live or work in the United States, because it can expose students to regional accents and cultural attitudes of the United States. Here are a few ways I encourage students to use The Moth.

1.  Record Unfamiliar Words or Phrases.  Since most of the participants in The Moth are native English speakers communicating with other native English speakers, you will hear a wide breadth of words and phrases.  Taking notes on new words and looking them up in a dictionary (or, for slang, on urbandictionary.com) can expand your vocabulary and introduce you to words people really use.

2.  Create Questions for the Speaker.  Even though you can’t speak with them, you can practice your small talk skills by creating imaginary questions for them.  In social situations, people often tell stories about their life.  If might be difficult for you to come up with questions or related stories on the spot, so you can practice that skill with The Moth.  Imagine what questions you could ask to keep the conversation going.

3.  Summarize the Story.  Summarizing is a skill you can’t practice enough.  What was important in the story?  What was a turning point?  What lesson does the story teach?  Don’t repeat phrases directly from the story.  Rather, try to paraphrase.  Share your summary with another student and see if you agree.


All three activities can help you improve your English, but don’t forget to listen to the stories for pleasure as well!

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    East Bay ESL is an English language school for learners in the San Francisco East Bay.

    Archives

    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013

    Categories

    All
    Academic English
    Business English
    English Vocabulary
    Free English Classes
    Job Skills/VESL
    Online Resources
    Pronunciation
    Scenarios
    Study Tips For ESL Students
    TOEFL

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Study at Home
  • Shop ESL Lessons Plans
  • Take a Class
  • Start a Class
  • The Blog