A     Attitude determines everything; Always be ready to learn by carrying a pen and a notebook.

 

B     Be yourself – and be bconfident in who you are

 

C     Create sentences with new vocabulary words

 

D     Don’t do direct translation! Try to interpret the MEANING.

 

E     Email and SMS in English

 

F     Find a study buddy (2 brains are better than 1); Commit to a mutual plan

 

G     Guess the meaning of a new word first, then look it up in the dictionary

 

H     Have fun! Sing and act out conversations and scenarios like actors and singers.

 

I      Invite foreigners to join your table at KFC and McDonald’s

 

J      Join an English-speaking club or event

 

K     Keep a journal in English. Write down your thoughts in English.

 

L     Listen to English programs and music: e.g. 91.5fm; Listen to others, and get used to accents

 

M    Make some flash cards; draw pictures of words

 

N     Never give up! Newspaper-reading is a good learning tool

 

O     Opening your mouth is the ONLY way to speak English

 

P     Protect the time you set aside to study English: Put up a DO NOT DISTURB sign..

 

Q     Quitting is NOT an option

 

R     Repeat the new words 5 times in different ways and sentences

 

S     Seek out mentors & help; Set aside at least 30 minutes a day to study English

 

T     Tape words and phrases on the mirror or walls

 

U     Use what you know frequently and with everyone who is willing to speak English with you.

 

V     Visit museums and exhibits and galleries – look for bilingual signs

 

W    Write letters to your friends and colleagues in English.

 

X     eXercise your body and mind with sports or hobbies.

 

Y     You are in charge of your future – you can do it! 

 

Z     ZZZZZZ’s (sleep) is good for renewing your mind and to prepare for studying English.

 

 

Joyce Chao is the Chief Representative of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) in China. Joyce’s work is to strengthen the professional body’s partnership with the Chinese Ministry of Finance and the Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CICPA) to develop top talent and globalised leaders of the profession. 

 

Joyce received her BA in Sociolinguistics and Business from University of Southern California and her MA in Education from Grand Canyon University.  Joyce worked in Los Angeles for over 15 years in marketing and management for AT&T and the banking industry. Joyce moved to China 7 years ago when she was recruited to manage a training centre for Wall Street English in Beijing.