Lucius Vo

Lucius Vo

Doctoral Candidate|Data Scientist

How to learn English in an effective manner (In Progress)

Published:

This is a collection of my proposed lessons for self-learning English in a structured and effective manner. Here are several disclaimers about this collection. Firstly, this collection is targeted towards learners of Academic English preparing for standardized language proficiency tests such as IELTS. Secondly, most of the lessons here are created with the intention of preparing the readers for IELTS. However, even those not preparing for IELTS may find the lessons useful. Finally, the lessons are written in both English and Vietnamese, making it a great reference for Vietnamese learners struggling with the language.

Textbooks

The list of recommended textbooks to learn Academic English are as follows:

  1. Grammar and Vocabulary:
    • Giải Thích Ngữ Pháp Tiếng Anh (tr. Explaining English Grammar) by Mai Lan Hương and Hà Thanh Uyên $\rightarrow$ by far the best grammar reference books for Vietnamese students.
    • English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy $\rightarrow$ one of the most popular grammar reference books for learning English in general.
    • Grammar for IELTS by Diana Hopkins and Pauline Cullen $\rightarrow$ one of the best grammar reference books with a focus on IELTS.
    • Destination (there are three volumes) by Malcolm Mann and Steve Taylore-Knowles $\rightarrow$ highly praised for their combined contents between grammar and vocabulary.
  2. Reading:
    • Inside Reading, published by Oxford Publishing $\rightarrow$ one of the most popular for reference books for learning academic reading.
    • Collins Reading for IETLS by Els Van Geyte $\rightarrow$ one of the most well-known reference books for IELTS Academic Reading preparation.
    • Improve Your IELTS - Reading Skills by Sam McCarter and Norman Whitby $\rightarrow$ a great complimentary to the Collins series once the latter is finished.
  3. Listening:
    • Listening & Notetaking Skills, published by National Geography $\rightarrow$ one of the highly praised textbooks to self-learning listening in English.
    • Collins Listening for IELTS by Fiona Aish and Jo Tomlinson $\rightarrow$ one of the most well-known reference books for IELTS Academic Listening preparation.
    • Improve Your IELTS - Listening and Speaking Skills by Barry Cusack and Sam McCarter $\rightarrow$ a great complimentary for the Collin series after the latter is finised.
  4. Writing:
    • Longman Academic Writing Series (there are five volumes) $\rightarrow$ by far the best academic writing reference books.
    • Colins Writing for IELTS by Anneli Williams $\rightarrow$ one of the most well-known reference books for IELTS Academic Writing preparation.
  5. Speaking:
    • ELSA by ELSA Ltd. $\rightarrow$ a great AI-powered tool to learn speaking in English.
    • English Collocations in Use by Felicity O’Dell and Michael McCarthy $\rightarrow$ without doubt, this is a great textbook to learn how to use and speak English like a native.
  6. Academic skills:
    • Cambridge Academic English - An Integrated Skills Course for EAP $\rightarrow$ these are the must-have materials to prepare for studying in universities where degrees are taught in English.
  7. IELTS Practice Tests:
    • New Insight into IELTS by Vanessa Jakeman and Claire McDowell $\rightarrow$ great materials to get familiarized with IELTS.
    • Cambridge IELTS Practice Tests, published by Cambridge $\rightarrow$ these are the must-have practice tests to prepare for IELTS. The tests are hosted in study4.com (the webpage is in Vietnamese).

Lessons

The list of lessons are as follows:

Speaking

General English Speaking Skills

  1. How to introduce yourself in English
  2. How to initiate small talks
  3. How to prepare for an English interview

Writing

IELTS Academic Writing

  1. An overview of the IELTS Academic Writing Test
  2. How to get a Band 7.0+ for the IELTS Academic Writing Test

Reading

Academic Reading Skills

  1. How to excel in reading English materials