Online English Speaking Practice for Your Vacation

If you’ve been meeting with family or friends to decide where your next vacation destination will be, you may have decided that you want to put your English lessons to good use and venture abroad.

This can be daunting for those who have never been outside of the boundaries of their homeland, but it can also be a fun and exciting experience.

Luckily for you, there are many different English speaking countries that have a lot to offer in terms of a great vacation. We would never want to downplay a vacation to countries where English is a popular language (but not native). However, we do want you to put your English skills to good use and explore as much as possible. So, pay attention to this guide to learn a little more about vacation spots that may interest you.

Jamaica

Jamaica is one of the most popular islands in the world. While the natives of Jamaica may have their own interesting dialects of English, they’ll definitely be able to understand you and are generally familiar with tourists who are entering the island for the first time.

The tropical weather is ideal because it is not too hot or too cold. In relation to language, most Jamaicans speak a dialect of English call “Patois.” You may have heard this in popular Reggae songs. Visiting sunny Jamaica will give you an opportunity to practice your own English skills and learn something new at the same time.

United State of America

We don’t suppose you are too surprised to see the United States on this list of desirable vacation locations. As you may have seen, American culture is everywhere.

This is a huge country with a lot to choose from for vacation spots. If you love the beach, Miami, Florida may be the place for you. Interested in gambling and exclusive social functions, you may want to visit Las Vegas, Nevada. Perhpas you love non-stop partying, visit New Orleans, Louisiana. We could go on and on.

The major point is that the USA is a great place for you to enjoy yourself and practice your English skills.

United Kingdom

Like the United States, the UK is a popular destination for those who are wanting to try out their English speaking in a vacation setting. Granted, the weather is a bit more sporadic, but the amount of tourist activities makes the experience worth it.

This is the place that brought us Shakespeare, Adele, and various other features of the entertainment world. We guarantee you will never get board and you’ll likely fall in love with all areas of the country.

Whether you spend the bulk of your time on the countryside, or in major cities like London and Bristol, you are bound to experience the charm and attractiveness of the UK that will win you over.

If you are getting ready for a vacation in an English speaking nation, be sure to consult with your online ESL teacher to learn more about the way English is spoken in various countries.

Your ESL teacher can tell you everything you need to know in order to have the best vacation ever!

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500 Most Common English Words

This list of 500 common words in English is a good place for beginners to start learning the foundation of the language or for advanced students to really test themselves.

Vocabulary is the foundation of language.  Without the words, you can’t make the sentences.  Many students get overwhelmed at the thought of learning ‘all of those words’.  Everybody learns differently, so you need to figure out what is best for you!  If you are an organized, laid-out-plan type of person, this list of the 500 most common words in English is a good place for you to start.  Do you prefer more of a random style of learning?  This list will be great for you as well.

  • Come up with a plan of attack: I’ve grouped the words into clumps so that it is easier to identify small groups of 10 words instead of looking at a list of 500 words.  Decide on a number that you want to focus on per day/per week.  3 a day seems to be a popular number with students or 15 a week if you have less time to spend on it.  You decide what works for you best.  If you miss a day it is not the end of the world, pick up where you left off.
    • Make paper note cards
    • Make electronic flash cards (Quizlet & Anki are both popular)
    • Use a whiteboard 
    • Have a notebook with the words ANDthe words used in sentences
  • Random sampling: Save this list and each day just point to a word and use it in a sentence.  Do not just say it in your mind and tell yourself, ‘Cool, I know this word’.  WRITE IT DOWN or record yourself saying it.

500-most-common-english-words.pdf

Pronunciation

Now that you KNOW the words, it time to pronounce them correctly!  Have a look at this link here > Pronunciation in English: 500 Common Words

As you look at the words, click on VIDEO in each column to watch video lessons on the sounds and word lists.  Soon you will be pronouncing 500 common words according to American English pronunciation. Plus, you will feel confident about American English sounds.

Practice

Practice makes perfect!  You have to use the words in order to really KNOW them.  Practice speaking with a native speaker and in no time, you will feel comfortable and confident with your English speaking>>  SkypEnglish4U Online Sessions

Plan of attack (noun) ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation