http://blog.samespeak.com Speak natural English in a fun, fast way with native speakers! Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:01:52 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://1.gravatar.com/blavatar/90b2cae0dbd24020c2b189b7cc06983b?s=96&d=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.png http://blog.samespeak.com http://blog.samespeak.com/2012/01/11/2012-resolutions/ http://blog.samespeak.com/2012/01/11/2012-resolutions/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:15:49 +0000 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/?p=612 ]]> We seem to do it every year – make resolutions about the goals we want to achieve. It’s a great thing to do but sustaining the resolution until you actually reach the goal is key! Put in small achievable steps that will help keep you on track until you get there and surround yourself with people, events or things that will continue to motivate you.

Filed under: Speak English Language ]]> http://blog.samespeak.com/2012/01/11/2012-resolutions/feed/ 0 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/10/25/what-a-world-cup-means-to-a-country-like-nz/ http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/10/25/what-a-world-cup-means-to-a-country-like-nz/#comments Tue, 25 Oct 2011 05:56:27 +0000 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/?p=602 ]]> NZ suffered the Pike River mining disaster, the Christchurch earthquake and the Rena oil spill – a lot of hope was pinned on the mighty All Blacks rugby team winning the Rugby World Cup in October 2011. The entire country got behind the tournament that was hosted here and it was 6 weeks of fantastic fun and support for all teams BUT New Zealanders were wanting to WIN the World Cup after a 24 year drought and a slew of natural and man-made disasters. The final against France was one of the most nerve wracking sporting events I have ever watched along with 50,000 odd fans at Auckland Party Central. If we were stressed, imagine the boys on the field carrying the hopes of 4 million people! I have never screamed so loud at the final whistle and spent the entire night wearing the biggest grin on my face. If you could feel the vibe of this country and the atmosphere at games and the cup parade, you would know what it means to a New Zealander…fantastic!!!

Filed under: Speak English Language ]]> http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/10/25/what-a-world-cup-means-to-a-country-like-nz/feed/ 0 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/09/25/self-learning-made-easier-through-technology/ http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/09/25/self-learning-made-easier-through-technology/#comments Sun, 25 Sep 2011 22:02:20 +0000 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/?p=600 ]]> This is a great video around how you can learn something at your own pace alongside a formal learning programme. The example used is for Mathematics and offers a way for multi-level learning to take place in the comfort and privacy of your own home. I can see great potential in this approach for the learning of languages! Watch videos and listen to audios around a language learning concept, practice in your own time until you achieve total mastery, then practice with a real person!

Filed under: Speak English Language ]]> http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/09/25/self-learning-made-easier-through-technology/feed/ 0 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/08/05/bilingualism/ http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/08/05/bilingualism/#comments Fri, 05 Aug 2011 05:32:51 +0000 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/?p=598 ]]> Represented as two languages existing together in balance – ideas learnt in one language can be transferred to the other language.

Filed under: Speak English Language ]]> http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/08/05/bilingualism/feed/ 0 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/05/06/succession-planning/ http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/05/06/succession-planning/#comments Fri, 06 May 2011 04:07:53 +0000 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/?p=594 ]]> We must never forget to up-skill young people alongside us and involve them in high level education such as decision-making, curriculum and assessment writing or we will end up having to continue those responsibilities well into our senior years! As a young teacher I was plucked out of a school to sit alongside more experienced people to help drive national projects but that’s one of the reasons that I am where I am today. I was given the opportunity to learn and experience alongside some of the best. I am definitely on the hunt for young, innovative and clever people to ensure we have a great pool to draw on in the future for national projects!

Filed under: Speak English Language ]]> http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/05/06/succession-planning/feed/ 1 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/03/15/japan-tragedy/ http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/03/15/japan-tragedy/#comments Tue, 15 Mar 2011 06:17:47 +0000 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/?p=589 ]]> My heart goes out to the people of Japan who have suffered a devastating tragedy. I spent over 6 years living in their country and have a huge appreciation, respect and love for the people that reside there. Everywhere I went, I was met with kindness and overwhelming generosity. Please accept my humble donation and I urge all Samespeak users to do the same.

Filed under: Speak English Language ]]> http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/03/15/japan-tragedy/feed/ 0 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/03/01/life-is-for-living-to-potential/ http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/03/01/life-is-for-living-to-potential/#comments Tue, 01 Mar 2011 05:30:12 +0000 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/?p=586 ]]> The earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand is a reminder to everyone how precious life is and how we need to maximise each and every day that we are alive. Many people died instantly under rubble, smoke and falling debris who never had a chance to say good bye and say how much they loved those that were dear to them. Some were international students learning English, away from home, friends and family. Take a moment to be grateful for what you have and the people you love, let them know you care and strive to reach your own potential while you are here. Sincere condolences to Christchurch, its people, those who passed away and those that remain. Walk forward in hope knowing that the whole world is behind you.

Filed under: education, IELTS, learn English, speak English, Speak English Language, teach english Tagged: earthquake ]]> http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/03/01/life-is-for-living-to-potential/feed/ 0 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/01/26/accelerate-english-in-2011/ http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/01/26/accelerate-english-in-2011/#comments Wed, 26 Jan 2011 04:06:12 +0000 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/?p=581 ]]> If you’ve been learning English for a long time and still can’t speak it fluently, then you need to try a different approach. The most obvious approach is to use English as much as possible with others. If you don’t practice speaking English, then you will have difficulties communicating with people. Reading, writing and listening is not sufficient. Set a New Years goal and speak English as much as possible in 2011!

Filed under: Speak English Language Tagged: fast english, free english, IELTS, speak english, TOEFL ]]> http://blog.samespeak.com/2011/01/26/accelerate-english-in-2011/feed/ 1 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/2010/11/30/facebook-is-great-for-birthdays/ http://blog.samespeak.com/2010/11/30/facebook-is-great-for-birthdays/#comments Tue, 30 Nov 2010 08:45:52 +0000 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/?p=579 ]]> I don’t think I have ever had so many people wish me Happy Birthday before until now. In fact, my email froze because there were so many links coming in from people I know well and people I have met across the site. It’s awesome to receive and makes you grateful for the people who really do care out there and want to make contact on a special day to someone!

Filed under: Speak English Language ]]> http://blog.samespeak.com/2010/11/30/facebook-is-great-for-birthdays/feed/ 0 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/2010/08/26/give-it-heaps/ http://blog.samespeak.com/2010/08/26/give-it-heaps/#comments Thu, 26 Aug 2010 06:32:41 +0000 samespeak http://blog.samespeak.com/?p=572 ]]> An idiom used to encourage people to do their best. For example:
A:Hey I’ve got an IELTS test tomorrow.
B:Well give it heaps!

Filed under: IELTS, Language, learn English, speak English, Speak English Language, teach english, write english Tagged: conversational english, IELTS, learn english, practice english, speak english ]]> http://blog.samespeak.com/2010/08/26/give-it-heaps/feed/ 0 samespeak