My Best Xmas Gifts Ever – Plenty of Dystopian Fiction!

By Robby

If you are new here please read this first.


Improve Spoken English

Even though I’m all about the spoken word, I’m big into reading. Even when I’m quite busy, I’m taking advantage of every free moment to catch up with my reading.

Quite naturally, my family are very well aware of my reading addiction, so they know that books are the best gifts for me!

I don’t need new clothes.

I don’t need the usual mens toiletries gift sets.

Give me a couple of good books to read, and I’ll be grateful to you forever ❗

So, watch the above video to see what kind of books I got this Christmas, and you’ll also find out the following:

  • Why dystopian fiction is so interesting;
  • What to add to your reading to make sure your spoken language develops as well;
  • Why teenage literature might be just the kind of English fiction you’d enjoy!

Related blog articles:

Chat soon,

Robby 😉

P.S. Are you serious about your spoken English improvement? Check out the English Harmony System HERE!

English Harmony System

  • You’re welcome, I’m glad you find my advice useful!

  • Danni Hou

    It does help me a lot! It gives me a new view of learning English! Thanks a lot!!
    Sincerely.

  • Hi Danni,

    Thanks for the positive feedback, I really appreciate it!

    Speaking of learning new vocabulary – which is what your question is about – there’s one thing that beats it all – CONTEXT.

    CONTEXT is the King.

    Next thing – not FORCING yourself to recall certain words.

    Here’s an example.

    Let’s say, you’ve heard a new English word ‘vague’.

    The very first thing to do upon hearing the word is to note in what context it’s used. Never try to translate that one individual word into your native language and memorize it the old-school way because you won’t create natural vocabulary associations in your mind that way.

    Let’s say, the word ‘vague’ was used in a sentence “I had a vague recollection” and you guessed (or asked someone) that it means that the person wasn’t sure of what he remembered; he didn’t remember it in the very detail.

    Now, it’s also important not to try to figure out the EXACT meaning of the word ‘vague’ and translate it into your native language. Just ACCEPT the fact that it’s used in this context, that’s all! So basically learn the collocation ‘I had a vague recollection’ by a way of spaced repetition – try to use this sentence a good few times within the next day or two.

    Now this phrase ALONG with the new word ‘vague’ has become part of your active vocabulary and you’ll be capable of using it naturally – whenever you’ll want to say that you don’t remember something precisely, but you just have a general notion of what this or that particular thing might have been like.

    You won’t even have to force yourself to recall the individual word ‘vague’ simply because it’ll be imprinted into your mind along with all those associated words, and you’ll be able to use it instinctively.

    If, on the other hand, you’re learning individual words, you’ll keep forcing yourself to recall them which results in unnatural, hesitant and broken speech.

    Basically you have to perceive WORD COMBINATIONS as the basic language units instead of individual words and you have to make sure to memorize all new vocabulary in context – then you won’t have any of the problems you mentioned in your question.

    Hope this helps,

    Best Regards,

    Robby

  • Danni Hou

    Hello Robby! Your video encourages me so much and I feel confidence to achieve my resolution of learning English!
    I have got a question: It is hard to come up with and use the word that I remembered. Also, as you said before, when I want to say something, especially by using the new word I have learnt, I always think about it in my mind so that it influences the fluency. Even though I want to overcome it, but I can’t find the effective strategy.
    Please give me some advices!
    Thx!

  • Sure enough, in order to speak we have to SPEAK, no doubt about that!

  • Interesting video.

    Reading helps you speak better English but you’ve got to practise, of course!

    I usually read online newspapers and, sometimes, magazines, but I’m busy most of the time building my own site or posting something on my blog.

    I also come over to see what you’re up to here 😉