• MAKING SMALL TALK INTO BIG STEPS •

Let us recall the article entitled “15 English Minutes a Day” (OFW Ngayon May 29, 2006). Do you remember the last two lines . . . ?

Speak English everyday . . . and . . . Practice is the best teacher.

So, practice one new English word with your CRP for 15 minutes every day!

WELL, HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR CRP YET?

CRP stands for Communication Relationship Partner? Have you started conversing in English? Have you been “making small talk” in English? Making small talk means exchanging ideas, points of views, feelings or opinions about any topic. “Small talk” means expressing or sharing your ideas about food, movies, sports, places, news, school, office, clothes or any subject as long as it is simple. You do not need to go to the library to research or interview an authority about the subject in order to talk about it. Small talks need not be factual or too intellectual. The object of the exercise is to practice speaking in English by sharing your knowledge, feelings or opinion about anything under the sun.

• ENGLISH FOR NEW DOMESTIC HELPERS IN SINGAPORE •

This week’s article is dedicated to all the prospective FDW’s (Foreign Domestic Workers) in Singapore. Effective April 1, 2005, new or first time FDW’s in Singapore are required to pass a 40-item written test in English. Half an hour is given to finish the test. This covers the following topics: work permits, immigration rules, safety measures in housekeeping and care-giving, use of electric household equipment and appliances, numeracy and English language literacy, work attitude, and proper relationship with employers. The test questions are all in multiple choice. There is a separate answer sheet wherein the FWD could shade the letter that corresponds to her chosen answer.

This compulsory test must be passed within three days upon arrival in Singapore. If the FDW passed the test, she will be given a work permit. If not, she will be sent back to the Philippines. With deportation as consequence, all of the prospective FDW’s MUST pass the test.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR THOSE FDW'S WHO WILL BE TAKING THE TEST SOON:

1. Read all instructions or directions before you do anything.

2. Follow all instructions strictly.

3. Read and understand each question before you answer. If you did not understand the question, skip it and go to the next one.

4. Shade the circle that corresponds to the letter of your answer.

5. Check if you are shading the answer to the right number.

6. Do not leave any blanks. Give your best guess. It might be correct. That way, you have a chance to get a point. A blank means you lost a chance to get a point for a possible (answer that you guessed) correct answer.

• FIFTEEN (25) ENGLISH MINUTES A DAY •

First, be positive. Think positive. Make “Yes, I can speak better English” your commitment and your goal. If you make “Yes, I can speak better English.” your commitment and your goal, then you just accomplished the first important step. Why? It is because you just changed your concept about yourself. You turned your negative concept into positive. A positive outlook is important in learning a language. If you are positive and you believe you can learn, then you will work towards that goal.

Second, surround yourself with English materials. Start listening to the news in English. Listening to the news reported in English can help you not only in correct sentence construction but also in pronunciation. Choose and understand English songs. Read English materials. When you read English materials, you not only improve your grammar but also enrich your vocabulary. All these steps increase your English exposure.

Third, invest on an English dictionary. To become better speakers and writers of any language, a dictionary is very important. A dictionary is a necessity. This will help you spell and pronounce the words correctly. This will also help you understand and use more words correctly. As you read and encounter a new word, or as you listen and hear a new word, you can easily reach for your dictionary and look up the new word. There are even dictionaries that provide grammar rules and examples that show how to use a word correctly.

Fourth, choose a communication relationship partner (CRP). This person – your CRP- must be willing to support you because he or she understands why you need to speak better English.

Fifth, try to have 15 English minutes a day. What does “15-English minute a day” mean? It means that to speak better English, you should spend 15 minutes speaking, reading, listening or writing in English every day. If you already feel more comfortable and confident using and exposing yourself to English, then you may increase this time little by little. But the best strategy is to spend 15 minutes studying English daily. Remember, constant PRACTICE. Practice is the best instructor. Practice makes perfect. As we constantly practice, then we slowly but surely build our confidence to speak better English.

REMEMBER: Speak English everyday . . . and . . . . Practice is the best teacher.

So, practice one new English word with your CRP for 15 minutes every day!

• IELTS: AN ORIENTATION •

FOR GREATER OPPORTUNITIES ABROAD

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an internationally acclaimed language proficiency test wherein a candidate (the one who is taking the test) demonstrates his or her English language ability in four skill areas – listening, reading, writing and speaking. These four skills are tested in two separate modules namely; General Training Module and Academic Training Module. Employers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA use this test to gauge the applicant’s ability to adapt and work in their country.

In all the skills, a higher level of English grammar and comprehension is essential. There are varied test types aside from the expected multiple choice questions in local board examinations. If test types are varied, so are the topics. If you are a nurse or an engineer, do not expect to find questions related to your field. The questions cover general subjects, no specific theme or topic to give equal chances to all the candidates with different backgrounds from all over the world.

All the tests are given under time pressure. The candidate, to increase the chances of getting the desired band score in the country where he or she intends to work, must be able to understand the question at first glance. The candidate must be able to filter the key words during the conversation/lecture in the Listening Test and in the paragraphs during the Reading Test. It is very crucial for the candidate to understand the topic questions given in the Writing Tests to be able to break it down into pieces he or she can easily and confidently write about. The examiner’s questions during the 15-minute one-on-one Speaking Test must be clearly understood. Without comprehension, the candidate may not be able to fully demonstrate his or her ability to speak English fluently.

The IELTS evaluates each candidate’s level of language ability. The demonstrated language ability could help the prospective employers gauge the candidate/applicant’s ability to cope as well as to adapt to the demands and changes required when working overseas. Furthermore, preparing to take a major and international examination such as the IELTS requires intensive preparation. It is during this intensive preparation that the candidate is more exposed to the language as well as to the prospective country’s culture. As a result, he or she gains more insight and knowledge about the decision to migrate and work. Indeed, there is a strong and direct connection between English and greater opportunities overseas.

So in Preparation for IELTS for greater opportunities abroad, remember the P.R.I.S.E.S:

(1) Practice English grammar and writing;

(2) Read as many English materials as you can;

(3) Increase your exposure to English;

(4) Speak English everyday;

(5) Enrich your vocabulary and;

(6) Surround yourself with English materials.