There are a lot of things to consider when planning to study English abroad: place, quality, teachers, etc. You may even have a lot of questions in mind regarding the English language before finally packing your bag and flying to the Philippines. No worries because teacher John Ray, Cebu Blue Ocean Academy‘s best teacher for the month June, has just the right answers for you. Read on! 😉
“Hi. I’m teacher John Ray and I’ve been teaching English as a Foreign Language for more than a year now. I usually teach patterns, idioms and speaking subjects. Activities are essential part of the learning process. This is why I always give time to make and create activities that fit the subject and also the student’s interest. In my speaking class, I give simulation or interview as an activity. Through this, my students develop their skills in making and answering questions. In pattern and idiom classes, I always create my own game like board games, treasure hunt and game of luck. In those activities, I can assess the learner’s learning and retention of the lesson that we discussed.
Today, I’m going to answer some questions about the English language. If you are planning to study English abroad, this one is for you. Let’s get started.” ♠
1. What’s the most difficult part about learning English?
“I think this question doesn’t have a precise answer as it is very subjective. 😋 Moreover, I think it depends on the learner’s language learning skills. English has some tricky points which make it interesting and personally, I wouldn’t say that English is too difficult to learn. I can emphasize though that acquiring good range of vocabulary is a bit of a problem. “
2. What should students do to overcome their fear of speaking English?
“Well, I have three tips that I always ponder on:
★ Accept that fear is normal, and you need to have courage to face it.
★ Acknowledge that mistakes and difficulties are part of learning.
★ Make English a fun, convenient and practical daily habit.
The more you get used to using English in your daily life, the easier it will be to find the courage to conquer your fear of speaking English. So, whenever you get the opportunity to use English, grab it. Don’t worry about making errors. Just enjoy. <3″
3. How do teachers handle shy students?
“In my case, I think one of the best strategies to help shy students is by first building a strong relationship between the learner and the teacher. I show my students that I really care about them, and I let them know that it’s okay not to be outspoken because not everyone is born to be one. However, I challenge them to converse more with people.”
4. How can students improve their pronunciation?
“Basically, you need to practice isolation first. It means that you need to distinguish or differentiate sounds. This will increase your accuracy in understanding and in spelling. For example, bag and back. So, if you can isolate the sound of each word, you can increase your understanding like you’ll know the meaning and spelling of the word. ”
– Personal Advise for Students –
“Teaching is interesting and challenging as I get to meet diverse students. Each learner has unique learning style which sometimes bears hesitation and fear in learning English. However, learning a language need not be complicated, it only requires positive outlook towards your desired outcome. In other words, be optimistic, look at the brighter side, face your fears and be assertive. After all, you are the benefactor of all the good changes that will happen when you do so. Thus, believe of what you can do. Don’t fear to commit mistakes, as they say mistakes are part and partial in one’s development. Learn without fear and grow without limitation.
Thank you so much for reading. This is teacher John Ray, your teacher of the month in June, right here at the best place to study English, Cebu Blue Ocean Academy. Don’t forget to like, and follow our social media accounts. 
Bye!”
