REVolutionary Language Learning System

The secret to satisfied students is to help them learn English as fast as they can...so that's what Real English Victoria does!

www.realenglishvictoria.com

Watch this to find out why you need to stop speaking your language to learn a new one quickly!

If you want to improve your English language skills quickly you must be surrounded by it all day for an extended period of time. Otherwise, it will take years!





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CELPIP Listening Part 1: Listening to Problem-solving

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How to Practice and Improve Anywhere in the World

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It is important that you do all of these activities EVERY DAY. If you are not living in an English-speaking country where you can go to shops, recreation/sports centres, restaurants, etc., and practice English, you need to spend as much time as possible each day doing something in English for at least a couple of hours. This will help you to practice thinking in English, too.

TV and Radio to improve listening

CBC News Listening (CELPIP Listening All Parts)
CBC TV Listening (CELPIP Listening All Parts especially Parts 4 & 5)


Websites to improve fluency (listening and speaking)

Rachel's English Ben Franklin Exercises Listen to each video several times and repeat what Rachel and her guests say. If you practice these often you will improve your listening and speaking skills in a few weeks, even if you are not in an English country!

Songs to improve fluency

Listen to these songs and try to learn them. If you do this it will definitely help your ability to hear and speak English more quickly! Do not focus on YOUR pronunciation of the words that you see, focus on LISTENING TO THE SINGERS PRONUNCIATION OF GROUPS OF WORDS and you should do the same.

Pharrell Williams Happy or for the Weird Al Version (funny)

Frente singing Bizarre Love Triangle

Joni Mitchell Both Sides Now

A TED Video: Practice Listening and Learn Something Important About Language

A good reason to get to know the culture and ideas of the people whose language you are learning.



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Strategy for Studying for the CELPIP Speaking Test

Listen to CBC Radio

Watch CBC Television

Natural Pronunciation Practice with Rachel

Test Expert: Speaking Practice for CELPIP by Christien Lee on Amazon.ca

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CELPIP Speaking Task 8: Describing Something Unusual

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CELPIP Speaking Task 7: Part 2

https://www.showme.com/sh?h=epBq7oO


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CELPIP Test Speaking Task 7: Part 1

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REV CELPIP Intensive Announcement

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CELPIP Speaking Task 6 Part 2

More on the body of your answer: www.realenglishvictoria.com

CELPIP Speaking Task 6: Part 1

Thank you to Christien Lee and his book "Test Expert: Speaking Practice for CELPIP www.realenglishvictoria.com

More Strategies for Task Five in CELPIP Speaking

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CELPIP Videos Coming Soon!

Thank you for your patience. At this time, we are so busy at Real English Victoria that it is hard to get the time to make new videos. I usually make them to help students in my Intensive class remember what we discussed the previous day.

I promise they will continue soon!

Cheers,

Greg


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IELTS Test Preparation Success!

Usually I am posting about CELPIP, but I wanted to stop and brag a little bit! One of my IELTS students just came by to tell me he achieved 6.5 on the General IELTS test. He only needed 6.0, so we are both really happy. I helped this person for 30 hours and raised his score from 5.5 to 6.5 in about 6 weeks!

Congratulations Xu and good luck with the rest of your immigration process!



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CELPIP Speaking Task 5: Part 1 (UPDATED CORRECTION)

CELPIP Speaking Task 5

*UPDATE: Written on the whiteboard is "Although (your choice) is a good choice, I think that (my choice) may be better."

What is not clear is that "(your choice)" refers to the choice that the other person has made. My apologies if the video is not clear on that point!


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CELPIP Speaking Task 3 Part 2: Three Strategies (Good for Tasks 3 & 4)

Here are three strategies for the body of your speaking answer:

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CELPIP Speaking Task 3: Part 1 (UPDATED)

Here is a link to a series of Facebook pictures that you can use to get an idea of how to answer this part of the test well! I hope this is helpful! I will make more of these in the near future! This first series of pictures is actually for TASK 8, but it is helpful to use the picture as a way to practice. The second image is for Task 3.

Introduction

Body

Conclusion

Vocabulary

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CELPIP Speaking Task 2: Part 2

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CELPIP Speaking Task 2: Part 1

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CELPIP Speaking Task 1

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CELPIP Speaking Practice Advice #4

Listening is a key part of your ability to speak. Always focus on improving your listening first! www.realenglishvictoria.com

CELPIP Speaking Practice Advice #3

The key to getting a high score on the CELPIP is practice, practice, & practice. www.realenglishvictoria.com

CELPIP Speaking Practice Advice #2

In the video I refer to a link that you should visit to hear Canadian speakers from a popular show, The Fifth Estate, on Canada's national news service, the CBC. Here is the link www.realenglishvictoria.com

CELPIP Speaking Practice Advice #1

It is difficult to practice for the CELPIP speaking test if you do not have a teacher or a friend who can help you.

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Follow this link to the CELPIP Speaking Test!

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CELPIP Speaking: 4 General Tips

I will post more details on each of the 4 tips next week!

https://youtu.be/Oz5xLtvk6No


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CELPIP Advice: Create a Project for Yourself

When I met Yuki in 2016, she came and talked to me because she heard me giving advice to other Japanese students at an event. It didn't take me long to figure out that Yuki had some BIG dreams! Although she wasn't studying for the CELPIP test, her project gave her lots of opportunities to talk with people.

You should think of ways that you can talk with new people. At Real English Victoria, we help you to get as much practice speaking and listening as possible!

Check us out on the web at https://realenglishvictoria.com or follow us on Instagram realenglishvictoria



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How is the CELPIP speaking test different?

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CELPIP Writing Information

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CELPIP Tips

I am going to post some videos to help you practice your listening skills while getting valuable information about the upcoming Intensive CELPIP test preparation course at REV.

And in case you've never seen it...a little bit about my school!





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October 1st, 2018: Intensive CELPIP Course at REV

I have decided to start an intensive course at our school for those who want to take the CELPIPTM test. So many people want to know how to prepare properly and what things they can do to increase their score on the test. But there is so little information and so few books available; Victoria needs this course.

Intensive Preparation Course for CELPIPTM
9 Weeks: October 1st - November 30th, 2018

Time: 4:30PM - 6:30PM (90 hours)

Cost: $1650 + materials fee + tax

This is the only preparation course in Victoria and it will cover every section of the test multiple times. I am very serious about student results and the course has been designed to give you the confidence to take the CELPIPTM test and help you to get from 5~6, 6~7, 7~8, and 8~9.

If you follow the exclusive REV system, you will improve quickly. Each week you will practice reading and writing in the first hour and listening and speaking in the second hour of the class. Outside of class, you will be able to plan activities or homework, depending on how you enjoy learning. Some people might prefer to work on writing, while others prefer listening, speaking, or reading at home.

In my next post, I will talk about the different sections of the test, occasionally providing you with videos and websites that I think will help you master the CELPIPTM test! But if you really want a good chance of getting the score you need, or if your only goal is to improve your English skills, coming to my class in Victoria will be the best way for you to ace the CELPIPTM.

Visit our website (https://realenglishvictoria.com) for more information and check back here in a couple of days for the first post to help you with  CELPIPTM.

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Guided Self-Study

Does everybody need, or have time to attend a regular English class to be successful?

No. The fact is that many people have busy schedules and cannot do this.

What can you do?

Working on a project that is interesting to you that gives you a chance to develop the English skills that you want to improve is one of the best ways to fit English language learning into your day.

How does it work?

At Real English Victoria (REV) teachers work with students who cannot attend traditional classes to work out a plan that will make efficient use of your time. Using REVs CLB Wishlist & Trello project management apps and software, you can create a plan and schedule that maximizes your learning time.

Contact us to find out how Project class at REV can help you continue your dream in Canada.

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Ready and Waiting...

REV staff are too busy to pose for a proper picture because they are excitedly getting the school ready for our students from Japan! It will be exciting to see PBLL (project-based language learning) fully operational! 20 high school students will land in Victoria ready to learn about Canadian learning models, waste management, the relationship between animal and humans on BC's west coast.

Students will visit a food forest and a compost centre, where they will tour and use language that they have learned at REV, which relates directly to the activities that they engage in.  Each day, students will learn as much as they can about each topic, using English, of course, but with guidance from teachers skilled in project and inquiry-based learning. Doing, rather than memorizing.

In the end, it is about building relationships that go beyond borders and creating international communities that can communicate effectively with each other.



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How to make friends while living in Canada

Most students studying English in Victoria ask how they can make Canadian friends, so I thought that I would talk about that a little bit today.

First of all, the main point to remember is that Canadians enjoy meeting and talking to new people. Canadians will talk to you at the bus stop, on the bus, waiting in lines at restaurants, movies, and banks, or on a beach walking their dogs or playing frisbee. We are interested in you, your country, and we always like to help.

The second thing to remember is that Victoria is a tourist town, so many Canadians think that if you are speaking your language here, you probably do not speak English. If they hear you speaking English, then they will be more likely to talk to you. People do not want to embarrass you, so they will not force you to speak English if they think you cannot.

So what should you do?

Speak to your friends in English when you are around other people. Don’t worry if your are good or not, Canadians don’t care about that. You can speak to your friends in English, even if they are from your country. You need to practice as much speaking and listening as possible. Get used to doing this and you will see how many people will want to talk with you and find out more!

Students who come to Real English Victoria are often surprised how easy it is to talk to each other in English. We have even heard students say that it seems strange speaking their own language in Canada, now!

You can also watch my short video here.

Do your best.
Make new friends everywhere.

Practice English as much as you can.

Have a lot of fun living and learning in Victoria.

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The REV System

If you are thinking about coming to Canada to visit and improve your English, I think the best place to be is Victoria, BC, Canada. 

WHY? Real English Victoria (REV) language school is located there. They have a system for QUICKLY improving your English that is unique. The teachers own the school, so you can talk to the owners everyday!

How is REV different than other language schools?

First, you can try any of REV's classes for FREE. Stay for the day and find out what it feels like to be at the school.

When you arrive at REV, you will be asked to create a list of things that you would like to be able to do, called a CLB Wishlist. The CLB  (Canadian Language Benchmarks) are levels used across Canada so you can see what you can or can't do using English.

REV teachers will help you create your list. You will then learn how to use a project management app that will help you and your teachers track your progress. You will make a To Do List, and as you are able to do more in English you move things to the Done List. This is how you know you are building stronger English skills! You will be able to see the list of things you can do grow longer!

Language programs at REV are designed for YOU! You can improve as fast as you want. The more time you can spend on your To Do List, the faster you will improve!

There's no other language school that will meet your needs like Real English Victoria, where
Real Life means Real English

Visit REV's website, or go directly to the school if you are in Victoria now, so you can start planning your English language learning Right Now!!!

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The Best English Language School

The best language schools do not have a grammar class.

The best language schools do not have levels.

The best language schools do not have tests.

The best language schools ask you what you want to learn.

The best language schools involve you in the community.

The best language schools give you lots of personal feedback.

The best language schools help you learn English fast!

The best language school in Victoria is...

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My Favourite FREE English Pronunciation Site

It is great to use the internet to help you to improve your English skills. One of the best online help sites is by a woman named Jennifer. Her Youtube channel is a great place to get help for pronunciation. But remember, learning to pronounce an individual word is not always helpful. Practice speaking in sentences.

Jennifer's fantastic Youtube channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/user/JenniferESL

Don't forget to tell Jennifer that you love her lessons and that Real English Victoria (www.realenglishvictoria.com) recommended it to you!


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But I Can't Speak English Well...

One of the most difficult things for students moving to Victoria is to find people to be friends with who also speak English. Some students feel nervous because they think that their English sounds funny, or they make mistakes.

The answer is "Yes, your English sounds funny and you make mistakes."

But...Canadians do not really care.

They want to find out more information about you and why you came all the way to Victoria. They want to know about your country, your customs, your family, and what you like to do in your spare time.

But...Canadians don't know if you can speak English. Victoria is a tourist town, so if people hear you speaking Korean, Japanese, Spanish, Russian, or Portuguese (and any other language other than English), they will think you can't speak English.

But...if Canadians hear you speaking English with another person, they will feel more comfortable trying to speak to you. Maybe they just chat about the weather...or maybe they want to have a deeper conversation.

Now you are living in Victoria, speaking English and building friendships and making wonderful memories.

Students at REV speak English all day. They tell us that it now feels strange to speak their own language in Canada! This is great news...

SPEAK ENGLISH EVERYWHERE AND YOU WILL MEET CANADIANS IN VICTORIA!

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Daily English Plan: UPDATED for Pronunciation Practice

While you're living in Victoria, you should make a daily plan to make sure you're using your time well. Here's an example of a schedule that I recommend for students at REV:

UPDATE: I also require all students to practice Ben Franklin exercises to improve fluency in speaking, but also to improve your ability to understand natural English as spoken by native English speakers. 

Listen to these exercises as often as you can and repeat everything in the text that Rachel uses. You may have to do these exercises 4 or 5 times to get it correct!

Rachel's English: Ben Franklin Exercises

English Learning Plan

Morning & Afternoon

7:00AM-9:30AM    >>> Watch CBC News or Listen to CBC Radio
10:10AM-12:20PM >>> Attend morning classes.
12:20PM-1:00PM   >>> Eat lunch at REV
1:00PM-5:30PM     >>> Attend Classes

Evening

Watch CBC Fifth Estate and/or Listen to CBC Radio

Spend time talking with roommates, homestay family, friends (even from your home country) in English.

After a couple of weeks, you will notice that it gets easier and easier to speak without thinking too much. This means your fluency is improving, and that is why you came to Victoria!

If you tell me your situation, I will try to give you some ideas to help you improve, too!

Greg


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Are you memorizing more incorrect English sentences???

For most people trying to learn English, tests are a fact of life. TOEIC, IELTS, TOEFL, CELPIP, CAE...the list is long. Unfortunately, studying to do well on a test will probably not help you to improve your English communication skills and I am going to show you why!

Try to remember how you studied for an English test in your school. Did your teacher show you lots of incorrect sentences and ask you to change the sentence to make it correct? Did you have to look at jumbled words and try to make a sentence? How much time have you spent staring at incorrect English?

Yes.
Yes.
Way too much!

Think about the following grammar exercise.

Make a correct sentence using the following words:

fox dog over the jumped the
________________________

For most students, this is an activity they have done many times. Think about how you remember something. Usually, if it is written we read it over and over until the sentence stays in our mind. This is exactly what you do in the above grammar exercise, but the sentence you are reading over and over is not "The dog jumped over the fox." Most students read "fox dog over the jumped the" many times and only read the correct sentence one time.

Another common exercise for English learners is to try to find the mistakes in an incorrect sentence. For example:

Look for the mistake in this sentence and write the correct sentence below.
"I am go to shopping."

______________________

If you want to know why you still make basic grammar mistakes when you speak, it is probably because you have memorized more errors than corrections. You will read "I am go to shopping" many times to try to find the mistake. Your brain will remember anything that is repeated often.

So what should you do? Are you in a school where you are memorizing bad English sentences for a test? Do you have to study to prepare for a level test so you can memorize even longer incorrect sentences? Let me tell you how to improve, even if you are not a student at Real English Victoria.

Stop doing homework. Yes. STOP DOING HOMEWORK.

Wait until the teacher gives you the correct sentences in class. If the teacher asks you why you did not do your homework, tell them that you did not have time because you were spending time speaking English with friends or your homestay family. You came to Victoria to practice English with people in Victoria. So spend your valuable time after school talking with sales clerks, people at the bus stop, or friends you have made.

Don't waste time memorizing more incorrect English sentences.


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