English [American English, British English, Canadian English Contrasted]
IELTS = British English
TOEFL = North American English
TOEIC = International English
Please be sure that you know the RIGHT English for the
RIGHT EXAM !!!
Chinese English-learners would do well to check this
Content-based education is learning a language by
studying some topic in the target language, which is this case is
words (Do you know all English
If one thinks that English has only 8 to 10 color
words, one would be so very mistaken. There are literally
thousands of color words in English used by artists, illustrators and
interior designers, and I cannot teach them all, but I do teach the main
color words used in daily English conversations.
English (This is especially good for
NO Language on Earth is completely logical, yet
English seems to take the cake for its craziness. I elucidate some
of English's crazy, illogical, words.
VI. Dictionary Errors
To completely trust any bilingual lexicon / dictionary
would be a BIG mistake. Some words cannot be translated into other
languages, and yet the authors of bilingual lexicons attempt the
impossible, much to detriment of international communication.
Having lived in Korea and having studied Korean for ten years, I have
come across lots of translation errors in the English-Korean and
Korean-English lexicons. This page lists those errors and
Pedagogy / Second Language Acquisition
This page is for TEACHERS of second or foreign
My personal essays might help one prepare for the
written portion of above tests. But, one should also visit my page
My grammar page is for advanced learners and one
should be an advanced learner if one wishes to do well on the tests
(above) of English.
My history of English page explains why English has so
many words (from many different languages).
What better way to learn English than through humor?
Teach YOURSELF English intonation! I teach you
how to teach yourself.
Korean English-learners would do well to check this
If one thinks that grammar is the only thing you need
to know about how a language works, then one would be very sadly
mistaken. There is also textual competence, illocutionary
competence, and sociolinguistic competence. Students
and Teachers of English would do well to check out this page.
What better way to prepare for a reading comprehension
test that to read. I review some classic literature for you to
(and other figures of speech)
It is estimated that English is 70% metaphorical [Lakoff
& Johnson, 1980]. So, no English language program would be complete
without this page. This is especially good for TOEFL !!!
The best way to improve one's English vocabulary is
through the study of English morphemes.
of learning English
Some people have some ideas about how to learn a
language that are not always correct. One of my favorite myths is
that there are "short-cuts" to learning a language.
Sorry, but there are none.
(For your speaking section)
If you're having trouble articulating some of those
more difficult English phonemes, such as the vowels: /i/
& /i:/; OR /e/
& /æ/; OR the two 'th'
phonemes: & ,
then you've come to the right place, my friend.
(Prove you have excellent English by using English proverbs!!!)
To demonstrate your knowledge and mastery of English
proverbs on the speaking and writing portions of the tests above would
go a long way to impressing the markers. This is good for both
writing and speaking sections!!!
(Get high scores on vocabulary using similes!!!)
Some common English similes to add to your vocabulary
(Words to avoid !!!)
English slang is fun to learn, but should be avoided on
the speaking/writing portions of the tests.
(Popular English Songs)
Practice your listening skills by listening to English
songs (with lyrics)
English synonyms can be difficult to navigate
mentally, because it is not often known (by the non-native speaker) when
to use which synonym. I, Leon, teach usage of some popular
synonyms in English.
Page for teachers who prepare students for the tests
...for practicing English pronunciation and
intonation. This is good for both LISTENING & SPEAKING.
I teach vocabulary through morphemes. (The best
This page is designed to prepare one for the written
portions of the tests above, where one has to write essays or short
answers. If one doesn't know anything about style, register,
nor cohesiveness, then one had better visit this page.