LEARNING TIPS: KEEP ENGLISH 'FRESH' IN SUMMER

Good morning. I hope you had a good weekend!

Last week we reviewed four Ziggurat paradigms or philosophies that any English student should have in mind if they are serious about learning AND maintaining their English. Today I want to focus, one more time, on paradigm 2:

Ziggurat Paradigm 2: The most difficult thing about learning a language is maintaining what you've already learned.

As summer holidays move closer and the weather improves, there is a tendency to forget about English. We are planning our holidays, finishing up projects at work and slowly disconnecting from the "rat race." (See Daily Vitamin 07/05/04 for an explanation of "rat race.") Disconnecting from the rat race is a good thing, but treating English like a seasonal activity, rather than a daily, lifetime activity, could be the thing that is keeping you from reaching your desired level!

Imagine coming back after summer with your English at the same level or even better than when you left. It is possible, but you have to make the choice to do something with English during the holidays and WRITE IT DOWN! Don't just say it, write down a plan, follow it and keep track of your progress during the summer.

There are literally thousands of simple things that you can do to improve your English during the summer. Last Wednesday, when we talked about paradigm 2, I included a document with ideas for maintaining your English. Today I'm attaching another document; some of the ideas are similar, but there are more suggestions. Besides, repetition is an important element of any learning process; so please read it!

Maybe you have some favourite ideas for keeping your English "fresh" in the summer, too. If so, write us and tell us and we will share them with the other Daily Vitamin subscribers.

If you have any questions about today's Daily Vitamin, please post them in the Daily Vitamin Plus! forum section on our website.

Have a relaxing day.