Livemocha - Livemocha is the world’s first online social language learning site. Visitors who want to learn English can take free self-study lessons and partner with other people around the world who already speak English or are trying to learn the language themselves. Livemocha also offers video and audio downloads, extra help from knowledgeable tutors, and useful tips from native English speakers.

VerbaLearn – Anyone wishing to learn or improve their English vocabulary, will enjoy VerbaLearn. This interactive site allows students to use several different study methods so that they can customize the way they learn. The free version of VerbaLearn provides vocabulary builders, mp3 study lists, RSS vocabulary lists, and much more.

1-Language.com – Listening is sometimes the best way to learn English and other languages. Students who are trying to learn English as a second language will benefit from the free audio tutorial found at 1-Language.com. The tutorial includes 40 audio lessons that focus on practical conversations and the type of academic language students can expect to encounter at U.S. universities.

BBC – BBC’s language learning website is an excellent place to learn a variety of different languages, including English. The site offers free audio and video courses that can be taken online as well as newsletters, language tips, and other study materials.

Using English.com - This site provides a large collection of free language learning resources for students who are trying to learn English as a second language. The most useful resources include a language reference guide, an English glossary, ESL tests and quizzes, worksheets, English usage articles, and an ESL discussion forum. Students who are having difficulty with the language can also use the “Ask an English Teacher” feature to get answers to their questions.

About.com – The About.com Guide to English as a Second Language offers a free eight-lesson course to help students learn English as a second language. The course is delivered via email and includes links to additional learning resources as well as a community forum for students to discuss what they have learned.

Learn English Online – For those with little or no English skills, Learn English Online offers an 11-unit course that covers the basics of the English language. Each unit includes multiple lessons–more than 50 free lessons in all.

Word2Word – Word2Word is a free online language directory with links to free language courses, online dictionaries and translators, language learning on YouTube, language chat sites, and other language learning materials.

Transparent Language – Transparent Language sells language learning software, but they also provide free resources to help self-learners build vocabulary in more than 100 different languages. Free resources include games, articles, and downloads.

EnglishClub - The EnglishClub is an all inclusive free site to help you learn or teach English. With videos, lesson, games, chat, and more, this site is a good place to learn and practice English as a second language.

Italki - This online global language community uses web 2.0 concepts to help people learn English and other languages. Italki offers global partners, lessons, video, audio, and other study materials to assist in language learning.

A4esl.org – A4esl.org offers activities in English or in a bilingual format in an attempt to aid learners of all levels. Activities include grammar quizzes, vocabulary quizzes, bilingual quizzes, crossword puzzles, and ESL podcasts.

DigitalDialects – This useful site provides interactive games to help students learn many languages, including English, for free. DigitalDialects also offers games for learning geography as well as links to other free online study materials and language activities.

Radio Lingua Network – Radio Lingua Network offers free audio lessons that teach over 20 different languages, including English. Students can download the lessons and play them on their computer or mp3 player.

Vocabulix - Vocabulix offers the opportunity for language learners to build their English, French, and Spanish vocabulary through vocabulary builders, verb drills, and bilingual dictionaries. This free language learning site also offers 90 pre-defined vocabulary lessons.

Karen Schweitzer is an education writer who specializes in writing about business education. She is the Business School Guide for About.com. She also writes for OnlineCourses.org, a site that offers information on the best college courses.

Photo by Durian

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???? ???? ?????? (Mark Algren) ???????? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ????? University of Kansas  ?? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ???? ????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ??? . ??????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?????????? ???? ????? ????  ????? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ???????? ??????? ????? ????? ????: ??? ?? ????? ? ??????? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????????? ??????? ????? ?????.. ????? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ??? ????????? ?? ???????? ???????. ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ???? , ??? ???? ???? ????? – ????? ??? ???? ???? ???? ?????? – ?? ???? ??????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ??????? ???????.

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???????? ???????? ????????? ????? “??????? ?????????” (Host Family)  ? “??????? ????????” (Peer Monitoring) ???? ????????? ?? ??? ??????? , ????????? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ??????? ????????? ????????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ??? ???????? ???? ??? ???????? ??????? ??????? , ????? ???????? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ???? ???? .

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I need to get ready, Where do I get the bus, I do not know what to get at the coffee shop

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??? ??? ????? ?????? ” ??????? ?? ???????” ???? ?? ???? “Google”, ???? ?? ???? “college slang” ????? ????? ?????????? ???????? ?????????????? ?? ???????? ?????????. ??????? Google ??????? ????? ???????????? ?? ??????????. ??????? ???????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ?? ???????? ??????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ??????,?????? ?? ????????? ?????? ????? ????? ???????:

Slang and Sociability:In group Language among College Students, by Dr. Connie Eble, at University of North Carolina

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Slam Dunk and Other No Brainers; by Leslie Slavin

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??? ????? ?? ??????? ???????? ???????? ????? ?? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?????????? ??????? ?? ???? ????????, ??? ?? ?? ???? ??????? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ???????? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ????, ????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??? ????? ??. ??? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ???. ???? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ??????? ?????? ????????? ???? ?????? ????, ?? ???? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ???.

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???? ???? ??????? ?????? ???????? ????? ????? ???? ????????, ????? ?????????? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ???????? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ????, ??????? ?????? ???????? ????????? ?? ??????? ?????? ?? ????????? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ??? ??????? ?????? ????? ??? ?????? ??????. ?? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ????????? Slangcity.com ???? ?? ?????? ???????? ???? ???? ??? ??????? ??????? ????????? ?? ????? ??????, ????? ??? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ?????  « If you are what you eat, Iam fast, cheap, and easy » ???? ????? ?? ?? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ?? ???? ????? ??????? ???????, ???? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ????????? ????? ?????.

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Read this article in English http://www.al-jamiat.com/college-lifestyle/making-sense-of-american-slang/

If you are not sure what the above statements mean, you are not alone. Each year, international students like you master the English language only to discover, upon arrival in the United States, that they cannot follow all of the conversations that involve them. The reason: English as a Second Language (ESL) programs cannot adequately prepare them for the dizzying array of slang, idioms and colloquialisms that color everyday speech in America.

“Students can feel lost in conversations,” says Mark Algren, Language Specialist at the Applied Language Center at the University of Kansas. “The language they have learned in a classroom setting is not how people talk.” 

He is quick to add, however, that ESL programs provide a good foundation on which students can build their language skills. “I find that students learn a lot of colloquialisms, slang and idioms very quickly.”

According to Algren, the best way to learn them is through everyday speech. Since slang changes so quickly and varies from one region to the next, language classes—particularly those taking place outside America—cannot really prepare students to understand it.

What will help? Take the following steps and, over time, you will be able to understand what your peers are saying; you may even find American slang, colloquialisms and idioms slipping into your own speech.

Interact with Americans and other native English speakers

As you settle into campus life, you will begin to form new friendships. Although it may seem easier to approach other international students at first, reach out to people from a wide range of backgrounds, including Americans. By doing so you will enjoy rich and rewarding cross-cultural experiences and—as a bonus—you will learn the intricacies of the language from a native English speaker.

Most colleges and universities offer Host Family and Peer Mentoring programs. If possible, take advantage of the opportunities that they present. In addition to meeting Americans who can share their culture and traditions with you, you will meet supportive people who can answer your questions about puzzling phrases, teach you what to say in confusing situations, and let you know when it may be inappropriate to say certain things.

Do the best you can

You will quickly realize that most Americans want to see you succeed. They are curious about your culture and willing to help you express yourself clearly. Many of your teachers and peers have traveled to other countries in the past. They understand how difficult it can be to speak a foreign language, particularly one with lots of regional variation. They will understand that you are doing the best you can.

You may even develop a few tricks to help you get by in various circumstances. One of Algren’s colleagues reported that a Brazilian friend considers ‘get’ to be the most useful English verb. “Whenever she does not know what to say she will use ‘get’: I need to get ready; where do I get the bus; I do not know what to get in the coffee shop.”

Do your research

If you are curious, google the term {college slang} to find a list of some of the words and phrases commonly used on American campuses. (Google is a common slang term referring to internet research.)

College slang is not a new phenomenon in the US. Every generation—and most geographical regions—have had their own way of expressing themselves throughout the years. For an interesting overview, see Slang and Sociability: In-group Language Among College Students by Dr. Connie Eble, Professor of English at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Another popular book is Slam Dunk and Other No-Brainers by Leslie Slavin.

Listen closely to everyday speech

Although people who like to research language—and have ready access to the internet—may be interested in reading more about slang, idioms and colloquialisms, it is not necessary. Truthfully, the most effective way to learn about it is to listen for it in everyday speech.

When you hear something unfamiliar, ask someone to explain it to you. If you are not able to ask right away, make a note of it. To the best of your ability, memorize the word or phrase as well as the context in which it was used; write it down if possible. Later, ask a friend, teacher or English tutor what it means.

Avoid dangerous words and phrases

Learn what words to avoid, especially curses and expletives. English is a colorful language. Many international students find that swear words as well as other derogatory, offensive or insulting terms are used more freely and publicly in the US than in their home country.

International students and ESL teachers can share countless stories recalling embarrassing incidents in which these dangerous words were innocently misused.

The website www.slangcity.com features a segment called Real English: T-Shirt Slogans. This is an entertaining and informative reminder to make sure you understand what you are saying. On slangcity.com, you can read some of the most popular American t-shirt slogans; then, you can read an explanation of the hidden or double meaning associated with them.

For example, you may want to avoid wearing a t-shirt that says: “If you are what you eat, I am fast, cheap and easy”. Although it initially seems to refer to eating at fast food restaurants, it also implies that the person wearing the shirt is sexually promiscuous.

Keep a vocabulary log

Algren recommends international students keep a vocabulary log. Purchase a small notebook that you can carry with you at all times. Use it to record unfamiliar words and phrases. By writing a word down as soon as you hear it, you ensure that you will be able to recall it later. You can then research it online or ask a friend to help you understand what it means.

“Keep track of how often you are hearing things and under what conditions,” he advises. “What is the relationship between the people who are saying these things to each other? Friends? Acquaintances? Same sex or opposite? Older or younger?  There are so many variables.”

As Algren observes, not all slang, idioms or colloquialisms are widely used. If you only hear something once or twice, you likely do not need to go out of your way to learn what it means. If, however, you hear something daily—in class, on the streets, on television—it is common usage. Understanding its meaning could make day-to-day conversations easier to understand.

Also, there are a number of unspoken rules and customs regarding language. It may be appropriate to say one thing to a peer but completely unacceptable to say the same thing to a teacher or employer.

“Think about how you would ask a favor of a friend, sibling, parent or ruler,” says Algren. Undoubtedly, there would be differences among all of these. “The same is true for the use of slang. There are things you can and cannot use. And, the higher up the social ladder you go, the less slang you can use.”

For example, students may greet each other by saying “Whazzup?” or “Sup, Dawg?” but they would say “Good morning” or “How are you?” to their teachers.

Be comfortable with ambiguity

Relax and enjoy yourself. Do not feel pressured to understand every word that is being said. “Students have to get used to dealing with ambiguity,” warns Algren. “That’s true both inside and outside the classroom language learning setting. Sometimes you just smile and nod, and try to remember what you heard.”

In most cases, you will still be able to appreciate the general sentiment of what someone is saying. If not, you can always ask someone to explain it to you later.

Remember, you don’t have to use it

Not everyone uses slang, idioms or colloquialisms. As Algren points out, it depends on who you hang around with.

“Some American students affect a cool demeanor and can be barely comprehensible because it’s all about the vocabulary they use. But others use it far less frequently.”

Although it is useful to understand the meaning of words and phrases that are frequently used, you do not have to use slang when you are speaking. Find a way of speaking English that feels natural and comfortable to you. The most important thing is to convey your meaning clearly, not to sound cool or hip while doing it.

By Shelley Motz
Copyright: Al Jamiat Magazine, 2007/2008 Edition
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