Today we are continuing a new video series to help you write to learn English. In this video series, I will be helping you to write in a journal. This is the second video in the series.
Making writing a part of your language development can help all aspects of your English.
For example, even if your main goal in learning English is to be able to speak with others, practicing writing can help you achieve that goal. When you write to learn English, you are really helping all aspects of your language development.
How does writing help?
- Remembering Words: When you write in a new language, you’re more likely to remember the words you use. It’s like practicing and reinforcing what you’ve learned.
- Getting Better at Grammar: Writing helps you practice the rules of how sentences are put together. This makes you more comfortable with the way the language works.
- Improving Spelling and Punctuation: When you write, you pay more attention to how words are spelled and where commas and periods go. This helps you get better at writing correctly.
- Remembering Better: Writing uses your brain in a way that helps you remember things more easily. It’s like a good exercise for your memory.
- Being Creative: Writing lets you express your thoughts and ideas in a creative way. This not only helps you practice the language but also makes you think more in that language.
- Talking Better: Writing helps you get better at expressing yourself. This is useful for when you want to talk to others in the language you’re learning.
- Finding Mistakes: When you read what you’ve written, you might see where you make mistakes. This helps you understand what you need to work on.
- Feeling More Sure of Yourself: When you can write well in a new language, it makes you feel more sure of yourself. It’s like gaining confidence.
- Getting Feedback: If you show your writing to someone who knows the language well, they can tell you what you did right and what you can improve. This helps you learn from your mistakes.
- Using What You Learn: Writing is a way to use the language in real situations. It’s like practicing for when you need to write messages, emails, or other things in the language you’re learning.
To make the most of writing, do it regularly and ask for help when you need it. Whether you’re writing a diary, essays, or talking to someone in the language, practicing writing helps you get better! Write to learn English and then share your writing with your teacher.
Writing Prompt
Today’s writing prompt is – What challenges are you facing?
Let’s look at the words in the prompt.
A challenge is like a tricky or difficult task that you need to do. It’s something that might be a bit hard, but if you try your best and work on it, you can learn and overcome it. Challenges can be puzzles, problems, or activities that push you to think and do things in new and sometimes tough ways. They’re opportunities to grow and get better at something!
In the prompt, it says to explain a challenge that I am facing.
Let’s look at the word – facing – and talk about how the word is used here.
The word “facing” can have different meanings depending on the context. Here are a couple of common meanings and examples:
- Positioned Toward:
- Example: The house was facing the ocean, providing a stunning view of the sunrise.
- Example: The store has large windows facing the street.
- Covering Material on the Surface:
- Example: The book had a leather facing on the cover.
- Example: The building was adorned with marble facings.
Here, the meaning of facing is a little different. When we are facing a challenge, it means
- Dealing with or Confronting something
- Example: The company is facing challenges in adapting to new technology.
- Example: She is facing a difficult decision about her career.
So today when I write, I will think about the challenges I am facing right now. I will think about a challenge I am facing professionally, a challenge in my family, and a personal challenge.
Write everyday
Remember, when you write, you do not have to write as much as I do. Even writing a single sentence each day can be helpful.
I am providing a range of examples to help you think of a response of your own.
Have you started your journal, yet? What kind of journal are you using? Are you writing with pencil and paper? Or perhaps you are writing digitally on a computer or a phone? Maybe you have started using a journaling app?
Let me know what you are doing in the comment section.
Let me know how your journaling experience has gone. Also, if you are enjoying this series, don’t forget to like this video. Share it and subscribe.
Again today I will start by reading my response. You will be able to use all four aspects of language in the lesson today.
First, You can listen and read along with me as I share my journal entry. Then, listen again and practice speaking the sentences that I wrote, imitating my accent and pronunciation.
Finally, you can write your own entry.
Model Response
Now, let’s look at my response:
What challenges am I facing?
I am facing a few challenges at my job. I am trying to find a good schedule so that I can be more productive. I have to write my lessons, read my students’ writing, and I need to produce my videos. Besides this, I also have to meet with my students for my individual and group lessons. I have been trying to improve my regular schedule to make my work more efficient so that I can have a less stressful workflow.
In my family life, one of the challenges I am facing is dealing with my son’s interest in video games. He loves video games like most teenagers. However, I do not always give him permission to play any game he wants to play. For example, many games are too violent, in my opinion. In addition, I don’t want him to spend all his free time playing video games. I want him to develop other interests, as well. For this reason, I give him time limits for his gameplay. It can be challenging to come to an agreement that he likes and that I like, also.
Finally, I have some challenges in my personal life. I am trying to clean clutter from my closet. I decided that I have too many old clothes. Now, I am going through the process of cleaning things out. I have to decide which items I will keep and which ones I will discard. These decisions can be difficult and challenging.
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Now, that you have read and listened to my response, it’s time to practice pronunciation. Here I encourage you to use the strategy of imitation. Listen again as I read my response and speak each sentence after me, imitating my accent as I read. Note the way that I blend words together and the phrasing I use. You may need to pause the video after each sentence.
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I am facing a few challenges at my job. I am trying to find a good schedule so that I can be more productive. I have to write my lessons, read my students’ writing, and I need to produce my videos. Besides this, I also have to meet with my students for my individual and group lessons. I have been trying to improve my regular schedule to make my work more efficient so that I can have a less stressful workflow.
In my family life, one of the challenges I am facing is dealing with my son’s interest in video games. He loves video games like most teenagers. However, I do not always give him permission to play any game he wants to play. For example, many games are too violent, in my opinion. In addition, I don’t want him to spend all his free time playing video games. I want him to develop other interests, as well. For this reason, I give him time limits for his gameplay. It can be challenging to come to an agreement that he likes and that I like, also.
Finally, I have some challenges in my personal life. I am trying to clean clutter from my closet. I decided that I have too many old clothes. Now, I am going through the process of cleaning things out. I have to decide which items I will keep and which ones I will discard. These decisions can be difficult and challenging.
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Did you understand all the words I used in my response?
Did you note any verb tenses that you didn’t understand? If so, go back through my response and make a note of new vocabulary or other grammar points that you don’t understand. If you can’t find the answer to your questions, ask your English teacher to help you.
Your Turn
Now it’s your turn to write to learn English.
Answer this journal prompt.
What challenges are you facing?
Remember, you can write as much or as little as you would like. Even writing just one sentence in response can help you start a daily journaling habit in English.
After you are happy with your response, read the response out loud, focussing on your pronunciation.
Don’t have a journal? Write a response in the comment section of this video!
Consider memorizing your response and speaking out loud to a friend or a teacher.
Thank you for watching this video.
I hope it will help you add writing to your language-learning routine and to write to learn English!
If you liked the video, don’t forget to like it, share it with someone else, and subscribe so you will know when the next video in the series is posted next week.
This is Andrew from Four Corners English.
Remember, you CAN learn English.
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