Day 221 Ways to Enhance the Four English Skills

Recently, I have been trying various ways to enhance my English skills in all four areas: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. I will attempt the following methods for a while.

  • Listening
    I will practice shadowing and mimicking some free content uploaded on YouTube while commuting to work. The goal is to expand the vocabulary I can recognize in conversations, especially key phrases such as What if, I cannot help but, and so on.

  • Reading
    I will read research papers in fields I am interested in. Academic journals expose me to complex sentence structures, which will definitely improve my reading skills. In fact, I was able to do this when I was a university student.

  • Speaking
    I will keep in touch with my friends and try to participate in local events, such as running activities and volunteer work.

  • Writing
    I will continue updating my blog every day because I have noticed that my sentences have gradually improved since I started this practice.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 220 Phrases in Customer Service (9)

I wrote down two car parts for review. A wheel spacer is placed between the inner surface of a wheel and the hub attached to the car body to decrease the offset, which moves the tire outward. A wheel adapter is used to change the bolt pattern of a wheel, allowing different types of wheels to be installed on a vehicle. <My Past Articles Related to Customer Service> I will review my past articles and keep practicing every day. Day 166 Phrases in Customer Service (1) Day 168 Phrases in Customer Service (2) Day 169 Phrases in Customer Service (3) Day 175 Phrases in Customer Service (4) Day 174 Inquiries from Customers Day 178 Phrases in Customer Service (5) Day 199 Phrases in Customer Service (6) Day 203 Phrases in Customer Service (7) Day 204 Phrases in Customer Service (8)
Read more

Day 222 Appreciation For My Friend

Image
I visited Newmarket Park after work because my friend invited me, just like we did before. I have met many calm and kind people at language school and various events, but there are only a few reliable friends with whom I can share my honest thoughts without feeling pressured. It’s easy to see that she gets along well with her coworkers at her workplace. I always learn something new from her personality and attitude. Of course, English as well. I must not forget my wife’s understanding. She once told me, "It is precious to stay abroad for a long time. Also, please absorb different perspectives and ideas during your working holiday. You don’t have to worry about spending time with women because I also have reliable male friends. Don’t let that bother you."
Read more

Day 204 Phrases in Customer Service (8)

 I listed car-related vocabulary that I haven't clearly explained so far. A  High Mount Stop Lamp is positioned at the top of the tailgate. It lights up when the car is braking, making the vehicle more visible to drivers behind. Tailgate Gas Struts help keep the tailgate open. They contain gas inside a cylinder, which controls the movement. When closing the tailgate, the struts compress, and the gas inside slows it down. Power Steering makes it easier for drivers to turn the steering wheel, allowing for smoother and more effortless steering. A  Seat Belt Buckle secures the seat belt by locking it in place, ensuring passenger safety. A Shift Knob is the handle on the gear stick, which drivers hold when changing gears in both manual and automatic cars. A Combination Switch  operates multiple functions, such as turn signals, headlights, and wipers. A Door Lock Actuator is a small motor inside the car door that locks and unlocks the door when a button is pressed, e...
Read more

Day 280 to Day 282 Short Trip (Auckland, Hobbiton, Rotorua, etc)

Image
My wife arrived in New Zealand on the 1st of May, and we explored several spots together over the weekend. I selected some amazing photos and posted them in this article. But honestly, nothing beats being with my wife. 2nd May Remedy Coffee Mission Bay Cornwall Park  and  One Tree Hill Mount Eden  and  Friend & Whau Cafe Watching the Super Rugby Match between the BLUES and WESTERN FORCE at  Eden Park 3rd May Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland Rotorua Lakefront Boardwalk Auckland Night Market 4th May Takapuna Beach Sunday Market Mount Victoria Devonport Beach
Read more

Day 225 Sightseeing in Hamilton

Image
I finally visited Hamilton, a city I have been interested in for a while. This was my first time sightseeing in a different city. Although Hamilton is the fourth-largest city in New Zealand by population, most areas were calmer and quieter than I had expected. Such an atmosphere helped me relax and forget my worries. The highlight of my visit was Hamilton Gardens, where I saw a variety of gardens. The Japanese garden was especially amazing, and it reminded me of how beautiful Japanese culture is. Course Auckland Central to Hamilton Central: 7:15 am to 9:05 am Hamilton Garden: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Lunch: 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery: 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm Walking Along Waikato River: 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm Shopping Mall (Centerplace Mall): 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm Walking Around Hamilton Central: 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Hamilton Central to Auckland Central: 7:25 pm to 9:15 pm Cost Bus (Auckland Central to Hamilton Central): 36 NZD Bus (Hamilton Central to Auckland Cen...
Read more

Day 195 Newmarket Park

Image
My friend recommended that I visit Newmarket Park before, so I went there today. Originally, I had planned to keep running during my time there. However, I was unfortunately too tired and sleepy due to my recent tight schedule. As a result, I chose to walk and do some stretching to relieve my fatigue. Many people stopped by the park, just like me, since today is a public holiday, meaning some people had the day off. This park is quite ordinary, without any special features, but I was able to fully relax thanks to its well-maintained grass. I’d like to visit again someday.
Read more

Day 22 ALL BLACKS vs LOS PUMAS

Image
Today, I went to Eden Park to watch the rugby game between the All Blacks and Argentina. It was so much fun!! I have been wanting to hear New Zealand's national anthem and watch a game in person ever since I saw the Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand on TV.  One of my dreams come true today. I will be able to sleep well tonight.
Read more

Day 253 Daylight Saving Time Is Ending Soon

Image
Today is the last day of Daylight Saving Time, which means winter is coming soon. Some people dislike winter due to its cold weather. However, I like both summer and winter because they each have fantastic characteristics, especially from the perspective of nature. It's true that shorter daylight hours limit our activities, but I will continue to explore enjoyable things. As for today, I went running to Mission Bay with my friend from Taiwan. I always learn something through conversations with her. I really respect her warm personality and vitality. Although she will leave Auckland soon, I will keep cheering for her even if we live in different places. Also, I was able to secure some time to talk with my wife over the phone. I was so happy to hear about her current work situation and her plans for the weekend. I must not forget her kindness and supportive personality. Recently, I’ve realized how crucial it is to build good relationships with others, especially over the past couple ...
Read more

Day 185 My Emotional State

Image
I took the entire day to rest because I have been feeling extremely fatigued recently. To better understand my emotional state since arriving in New Zealand, I created a line graph to analyze my feelings. I rated my mood on a scale of one to ten three times each month. As shown below, the first peak occurred in mid-September, when I met a dependable friend at language school. Spending weekends together exploring different places helped ease the stress of adapting to a new environment. However, my mood declined soon after, as I faced challenges obtaining both a job and a working holiday visa. My motivation reached its highest point in mid-November when I finally secured a job, ensuring I could extend my stay in New Zealand. Although I’ve since encountered difficulties in areas I had no prior experience in, I’ve gradually adjusted to my new workplace.
Read more

Day 239 Northcote - Harbour Bridge and Kauri Forests

Image
Today, I participated in a walking event held by Hiking Aotearoa. I had an amazing time with people from various nationalities. It was great to immerse myself in different English intonations and accents. I also reflected on my current English level through communication with others. Overall, I had an enjoyable time, and being in nature helped me relax. An Intriguing Art Near Sulphur Beach Boat Ramp Little Shoal Bay Reserve Kauri Glen Reserve
Read more