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山衔说把这些资料放在一起,以后ESL-PRO的资料就都贴在这里了 另外有人说字小了,我就把字调大了点 另外有5个附件,是上面的E-BOOK我下载了下来,比较有用 AcademicStudySkills ListeningSkills
PreparationGuide Punctuation VocabularyClinic
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How to improve your pronunciation
 This week ESL Pro Systems is offering our readers a number of tips and strategies for improving one of the most difficult areas of the English language- pronunciation. Here are some self-study tips and strategies you may want to try.
Word stress is the key to understanding spoken English. English is considered a stress-timed language, which means certain syllables receive more stress than others while the other non-stressed words are quickly glided over. Native speakers of English use word stress naturally. It’s so natural for them that they don't even know they use it. Word stress is not used in all languages. Some languages, Japanese or French for example, pronounce each syllable with e-qual em-pha-sis. So, non-native speakers who don’t use correct word stress often encounter two problems: They find it difficult to understand native speakers, especially those speaking fast. The native speakers may, in turn, find it difficult to understand the non-native speakers.
So, what exactly is ‘word stress’? Native speakers of English do not say each syllable with the same force or strength. In one word, they accentuate ONE syllable. They say one syllable loudly and clearly and all the other syllables more quietly.
Let's take 3 words: photograph, photographer, and photographic. Do they sound the same when spoken? No. Here’s why: PHO to graph
pho TO graph er
pho to GRA phic
ONE syllable in each word is stressed more than the others. And it is not always the same syllable. This happens in ALL words with 2 or more syllables: TEAcher, JaPAN, CAnada, aBOVE, converSAtion, INteresting, imPORtant, deMAND, etCETera, etCETera, etCETera.
The syllables that are not stressed are ‘weak’ or ‘small’ or ‘quiet’. Native speakers of English listen for the STRESSED syllables, not the weak syllables. If you use accurate word stress in your speech, you will instantly improve both your pronunciation and your comprehension.
Try to hear the stress in individual words each time you listen to English - on the radio, or in films for example. Your first step is to HEAR and recognize it. After that, you can USE it!
When you learn a new word, you should also learn its stress pattern. If you keep a vocabulary book, make a note to show which syllable is stressed. If you do not know, you can look in a learner’s dictionary. All good learner dictionaries give the phonetic spelling of a word. This is where they show which syllable is stressed, usually with an apostrophe (') just before or just after the stressed syllable.
In addition to word stress, you also have to use correct sentence stress to sound like a native speaker.
As a general rule,
▪stressed words in a sentence are considered content words. These include nouns (e.g. kitchen,
Peter), (most) main verbs (e.g. visit, construct), adjectives (e.g. beautiful, interesting), and adverbs (e.g. often, carefully).
▪non-stressed words are considered function words. These include determiners (e.g.: the, a, an), auxiliary verbs (e.g.: is,
am, were), prepositions( e.g.: before, of, in), conjunctions (e.g.: but, and, so), and pronouns (e.g.: they, she, he) Read the following sentence aloud:
The beautiful mountain appeared transfixed in the distance.
Now read this sentence aloud:
He can come on Saturdays as long as he doesn't have to do any homework in the evening.
Notice that the first sentence actually takes about the same time to speak well! Even though the second sentence is approximately 30% longer than the first, the sentences take the same time to speak. This is because there are five stressed words in each sentence.
Try this simple activity to practice using correct sentence stress:
Write down a few sentences, or take a few example sentences from a book or exercise. First, mark the word stress (check a good learner’s dictionary if you’re unsure), and then underline the stressed words in each sentence. After that, read aloud focusing on stressing the underlined words and gliding over the non-stressed words. If you do this regularly you’ll be surprised at how quickly your pronunciation will improve! By focusing on stressed words, non-stressed words and syllables take on their more muted nature.
When listening to native speakers, pay particular attention to how those speakers stress certain words and try to copy this when you speak.
Tips: Remember that non-stressed words and syllables are often "swallowed" in English. Always focus on pronouncing stressed words well. Non-stressed words can be glided over. Don't focus on pronouncing each word in a sentence with equal stress. Focus on the stressed words only.
 FREE E-BOOK!
ESL Pro Systems has recently developed a number of free downloadable workbooks for our members. To download your free copy of our Accent Reduction workbook, click here.
 1000 Key English Words & Idioms is an excellent learning resource that will help users greatly expand their vocabulary. With this product you will learn the definitions of 1000 key words and idioms in the English language. In addition, you will be able to see how these words and idioms are used in example sentences and hear each word's pronunciation as spoken by a native speaker. That's not all! You can also record your own pronunciation of each word and then compare it back to the native speaker's. Also included are lists of the most frequently misspelled English words, most commonly used idioms in the TOEFL® exam, and common English expressions used in daily conversation. In addition, you can also print out the words and idioms to make flashcards that you can study on the bus, in the classroom, or anywhere else!
We have developed several workbooks and study guides to help you improve your pronunciation.
We have developed several workbooks and study guides to help you improve your pronunciation. All workbooks are available in CD-ROM format, or can be downloaded straight to your computer! 
Practice Makes Perfect Volume 1: Designed for non-native English speakers who want to improve their pronunciation and reduce the effects of their first language accent. Topics covered include: The Individual Sounds of the English Language, Consonant Sounds, Vowel Sounds, Common Pronounciation Problems, and Specific Pronounciation Problems for Speakers of Major Languages (including French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Hindi, and Korean).
Practice Makes Perfect Volume 2: This workbook is the companion product to Volume 1 and
builds on the content learned by moving on to the suprasegmental features of English pronunciation such as word stress, sentence stress, and common intonation patterns.
 ESL Pro: This program provides the learner with native-speaker models to listen to and imitate. Students are able to record their voices and then compare the result with a native speaker's voice. Also included is a student workbook that emphasizes key concepts taught in the software. A companion teacher's manual provides lesson plans and exercises for the classroom environment that can also be used by parents and tutors to stress key components of language acquisition.
Please email this to a friend! Please take a moment to forward this email to friends, students, or teachers who may find it useful. We thank you for your support. For more great ESL, TOEFL® test, TOEIC® test, and teaching resources, just go to
www.esl-pro.com
This message has been sent to you because you expressed interest in receiving updates from free-ENGLISH.com, Free-TOEFL.com, Free-TOEIC.com, ESL-PRO.com, or ILSC online materials. This email has been sent in strict compliance to Anti-Abuse and CAN Spam Act 2004 regulations. To be removed from our address book, click here or send us an email at unsubscribe@eslprosystems.com. If you have received this email in error please accept our apology for any inconvenience. Should you wish to contact us please send an email to contact@free-english.com. Under Bill(s) 1618 TITLE III by the 105 US Congress, per Section 301, Paragraph(a)(2)of S. 1618, a letter cannot be considered Spam if the sender includes contact information and a method of "removal". If you prefer to contact us by regular mail, please mail all correspondence to .O. Box 190, Pt. Roberts WA, 98281-190, USA. TOEFL� and TOEIC� are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS®). However, there is no connection between this publisher and Educational Testing Service.
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How to Improve Your English
This week we’d like to offer our readers some motivational tips and advice for learning English. ▪ Be patient with yourself. Keep in mind that learning a language is a gradual process - it does not happen overnight.
▪ Define your learning objectives early: What do you want to learn and why?
▪ Make learning a habit. Try to learn something every day. It is much better to study (or read, or listen to English news, etc.) for ten minutes each day than to study for two hours once a week.
▪ Choose your materials well. You will need reading, grammar, writing, speaking and listening materials. ESL Pro Systems offers a full range of excellent study materials that can help you improve your English faster.
▪ Vary your learning routine. It is best to do different things each day to help keep the various relationships between each area active. In other words, don't just study grammar-study all the language skills.
▪ Find friends to study and speak with. Learning English together can be very encouraging. In addition, try to make friends with native speakers. If you don't live in an English environment, try to interact with people that speak only English. Go to businesses where English is spoken and try to ask for help in English. Don't look for a person that might help you in your own language.
▪ Choose listening and reading materials that relate to what you are interested in. Begin reading magazines and publications that use fairly easy language such as Reader’s Digest, People, and Biography. Being interested in the subject will make learning more enjoyable, and thus more effective. For example, by watching English films & TV programs (especially those with subtitles) you can expand your vocabulary and hear the flow of speech from the actors. Try to listen to talk radio. This will help you get acquainted with American idioms and slang. There are some very interesting and informative shows well worth listening to.
▪ Music can also be a very effective method for learning English. The best way to learn though, is to get the lyrics (words) to the songs you are listening to and try to read along as the artist sings. There are several good Internet sites where you can find the words for most songs. (insert link here)This way you can practice your listening and reading at the same time. And if you like to sing, that’s even better!
▪ Relate grammar to practical usage. Grammar by itself does not help you use the language. You should practice what you are learning by employing it actively.
▪ Move your mouth! Understanding something doesn't mean the muscles of your mouth can produce the sounds. Practice what you are learning by saying it aloud. It may seem strange, but it is very effective.
▪ Communicate! There is nothing like communicating in English and being successful. Grammar exercises are good, but having your friend on the other side of the world understand your e-mail is fantastic!
▪ Use the Internet. The Internet is the most exciting, unlimited English resource that anyone could imagine and is available in almost every country right at your fingertips. Be sure to check out www.free-english.com, www.free-english-games.com, and www.esl-pro.com. ▪ Speak without fear.
The biggest problem most people face in learning a new language is their own fear. They worry that they won’t say things correctly or that they will look stupid so they don’t talk at all. Don’t do this. The fastest way to learn anything is to do it – again and again until you get it right. Like anything, learning English requires practice. Don’t let a little fear stop you from getting what you want. Final tips: 1. Remember that English learning is a process.
2. Be patient with yourself.
2. Practice, practice, practice!
 FREE E-BOOK!
ESL Pro Systems has recently developed a number of free workbooks for our members. To get your free copy of our How to Master Tricky Elements of English Punctuation workbook, click here.
We have developed some great study guides to help you improve your English skills. All workbooks are available in CD-ROM format, or can be downloaded straight to your computer!
English Tutor Box Set:
This collection of English language software is just like having your own tutor in a box! It provides instruction and practice in the core principals of English: grammar, reading, writing, and listening as well as pronunciation and vocabulary. English Tutor Box Set includes:  ESL Pro - Uses a phonetic approach to teaching students how to speak the English language properly. ESL PRO accelerates learning by teaching the key sounds that make up the English language. Students are also able to record their voices and then compare the result with a native speaker's voice.
Learning English Grammar Workbook - This 130-page printable workbook provides valuable grammar instruction and hours of practice, providing the student with a strong background in this traditionally difficult area of English. The exercises included in this workbook will test the student's ability to recognize written English and correct grammatical form.
Learning English Listening Workbook - This 113-page printable workbook will improve the student's listening skills so that verbal communication becomes easy and fun. It also gives the student the flexibility to both listen and read the dialogues enhancing his/her ability to develop listening techniques and gauge skill level. In addition, it gives the student the opportunity to listen to native speakers using different tones of voice.
 Learning English Reading Workbook - This 105-page printable workbook will help the student improve his/her ability to understand written English. This guide contains several different readings, varying in length from 100 to 880 words. The passages included in this workbook are both academic and practical in nature. Following each passage are exercises to test the student's understanding of the text.
 Learning English Writing Workbook - This 129-page printable workbook focuses on the essay and its three different forms: expository, narrative and descriptive. Tips, techniques, and templates for other correspondence, such as letters and email, are also included.
 1000 Key English Words and Idioms - Record your own pronunciation of each word and then compare it back to the native speaker's. Also included are lists of the most frequently misspelled English words, most commonly used idioms in the TOEFL® exam, and common English expressions used in daily conversation. In addition, you can also print out the words and idioms to make flashcards that you can study on the bus, in the classroom, or anywhere else!
 BONUS: With every English Tutor box set ordered before September 15, 2006 (with a valid credit card), either by download or physical shipment, we will include a copy of our Grammar Study Guide for English Language Proficiency Tests guide - for FREE!
Please email this to a friend! Please take a moment to forward this email to friends, students, or teachers who may find it useful. We thank you for your support. For more great ESL, TOEFL® test, TOEIC® test, and teaching resources, please visit us at www.esl-pro.com
This message has been sent to you because you expressed interest in receiving updates from free-ENGLISH.com, Free-TOEFL.com, Free-TOEIC.com, ESL-PRO.com, or ILSC online materials. This email has been sent in strict compliance with Anti-Abuse and CAN Spam Act 2004 regulations. To be removed from our address book, click here or send us an email at unsubscribe@eslprosystems.com. If you have received this email in error please accept our apology for any inconvenience. Should you wish to contact us please send an email to contact@free-english.com. Under Bill(s) 1618 TITLE III by the 105 US Congress, per Section 301, Paragraph(a)(2)of S. 1618, a letter cannot be considered Spam if the sender includes contact information and a method of "removal". If you prefer to contact us by regular mail, please mail all correspondence to.O. Box 190, Pt. Roberts WA, 98281-190, USA. In addition, you can also call us at 1-604-692-2500. TOEFL® and TOEIC® are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS®). However, there is no connection between this publisher and Educational Testing Service |
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Tips for Writing Descriptive Essays
 Each week ESL Pro Systems presents free tips and strategies to help our readers improve their English. This week we are focusing on tips for writing descriptive essays.
So, what exactly is “descriptive writing”? Perhaps your teacher has asked you to do a writing task such as this: Students often ask, "But how do I write a purely descriptive essay? What's the point of description? What's so different about it?"
The key word here is "descriptive". Your goal in a descriptive piece of writing is to describe something, someone, or some place in a way that shows the readers, rather than tells. Descriptive writing portrays people, places, things, moments, and theories with enough vivid detail to help the reader create a mental picture of what is being written about. This is done by using lots of descriptive language and details. Descriptive writing can be done in an essay format (4-5 paragraphs), or even as a story or a poem. Here is a list of points to consider when you sit down to write a descriptive essay: First, think of an instance that you want to describe. Then try to answer the following questions:  Why is this particular instance important?
What were you doing?
What other things were happening around you? Is there anything specific
that stands out in your mind?
Where were objects located in relation to where you were?
How did the surroundings remind you of other places you have been?
What sights, smells, sounds, and tastes were in the air?
Did the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes remind you of anything? What were you feeling at that time? Use the five senses to create your description!
Has there been an instance in which you have felt this way before?
What do you want the reader to feel after reading the paper?
What types of words and images can convey this feeling?
Can you think of another situation that was similar to the one you are writing about? How can it help explain what you are writing about?
Once you’ve answered these questions you’re ready to start writing the essay. Use the following tips to help guide you through this process:  Try giving all the details first; the dominant impression is then built from these details.
Check your details to be sure that they are consistent with the main impression. You might even want to write down the five senses on a scratch piece of paper and check to see that you have covered them all.
Try moving your reader through space and time chronologically. For instance, you might want to describe a train ride from start to destination, or a stream from its source to the point at which it joins the river.
Use a then-and-now approach to show decay, change, or improvement. The house where you grew up might now be a run-down shack. The variations on this strategy are endless.
Select an emotion and try to describe it. It might be more difficult to get started, but it can be worthwhile.
Finally, is there enough detail in your essay to create a mental image for the reader?
Here’s an example of a well-written descriptive paragraph. Notes how the writer uses the points we discussed above: Nick took the line in his left hand and pulled the trout, thumping tiredly against the current, to the surface. His back was mottled the clear, water-over-gravel color, his side flashing in the sun. The rod under his right arm, Nick stooped, dipping his right hand into the current. He held the trout, never still, with his moist right hand, while he unhooked the barb from his mouth, then dropped him back into the stream. He hung unsteadily in the current, then settled to the bottom beside a stone. Nick reached down his hand to touch him, his arm to the elbow under water. The trout was steady in the moving stream, resting on the gravel, beside a stone. As Nick’s fingers touched him, touched his smooth, cool, underwater feeling, he was gone, gone is a shadow across the bottom of the stream. Source: “Big-Hearted Riverart II” by Ernest Hemingway. (pp.224-225) * Remember that, as a writer, you don't want to tell the reader how he or she should feel about the person, place, or thing that you are describing. You want to show your reader something or someone, and describe that subject so vividly--and so pointedly--that he will feel about it just as you did.
Your descriptive essay should be organized as follows:
_________________________________________________________
Title I. Your attention-getting first sentence
A. background
B. "
C. details
D. "
Thesis statement:
II. Your topic sentence goes here for your first "body" paragraph.
A. Point 1 (Use the 5 senses to write descriptions!)
B.  oint 2 "
C. oint 3 "
D. Point 4 "
E. Point 5 " (Use a transition into your next paragraph)
III. Your topic sentence goes here for your second "body" paragraph.
A. Point 1 "
B. oint 2 "
C. oint 3 "
D. Point 4 "
E. Point 5 " (Use a transition into your next paragraph)
IV. Your topic sentence goes here for your concluding paragraph. (Remember that the purpose of your conclusion is to "bring to a close" or "restate" your main point(s) in your essay. You might want to open a blank page and, without looking at your essay, write what your essay is about in four or five sentences. Another tactic is to restate your introductory paragraph by restating your thesis statement and summarizing your introductory paragraph from last sentence to the first sentence).
A.
B.
C.
D.
______________________________________________________
Now it’s your turn! Find a topic that interests you and use our tips to help you.
 FREE E-BOOKS!
For more study tips and information, check out our free downloadable e-books!
We have developed several workbooks and study guides to help you improve your writing skills. All workbooks available in CD-ROM format or can be downloaded straight to your computer.
Writing Lab for the TOEFL® iBT Test: This 143 page printable workbook includes: an instructor's manual, a detailed review of the Writing Section, steps for mastering the integrated and independent writing tasks, essay writing tips, samples questions and essays, printable flashcards, as well as listening, note taking, editing, and summarizing skills.
 Learning English Writing Workbook: This 129 page printable workbook focuses on the essay and its three different forms: expository, narrative, and descriptive. Tips, techniques, and templates for other correspondence, such as letters and email, are also included as well as a list of frequently misspelled words.
Writing Workbook for the TOEFL® iBT Test: This 133 page printable workbook includes: an instructor's manual, an overview of the TOEFL® iBT Writing section, tips on how to excel in the integrated and independent writing tasks, scoring information, and essay writing tips.
Structure Workbook for the TOEIC® Test: This 91 page printable workbook provides a concise analysis of typical grammar points tested in Parts V & VI of the TOEIC® test, and offers valuable tips and test-taking strategies that examinees can use to excel in these two parts of the test. Also included at the end of the workbook is part of a realistic practice TOEIC® test that will allow you to apply the strategies and information gained from the workbook.
Please email this to a friend! Please take a moment to forward this email to friends, students, or teachers who may find it useful. We thank you for your support.
For more great ESL, TOEFL® test, TOEIC® test, and teaching resources, please visit us at
www.esl-pro.com
This message has been sent to you because you expressed interest in receiving updates from free-ENGLISH.com, Free-TOEFL.com, Free-TOEIC.com, ESL-PRO.com, or ILSC online materials. This email has been sent in strict compliance with Anti-Abuse and CAN Spam Act 2004 regulations. To be removed from our address book, click here or send us an email at unsubscribe@eslprosystems.com. If you have received this email in error please accept our apology for any inconvenience. Should you wish to contact us please send an email to contact@free-english.com. Under Bill(s) 1618 TITLE III by the 105 US Congress, per Section 301, Paragraph(a)(2)of S. 1618, a letter cannot be considered Spam if the sender includes contact information and a method of "removal". If you prefer to contact us by regular mail, please mail all correspondence to.O. Box 190, Pt. Roberts WA, 98281-190, USA. In addition, you can also call us at 1-604-692-2500. TOEFL® and TOEIC® are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS®). However, there is no connection between this publisher and Educational Testing Service. |
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发表于 2006-9-13 18:47:00
发表于 2006-9-13 18:49:00
楼主
发表于 2006-9-13 19:55:00
