Why Learn English: 10 Reasons to Learn English

http://www.5minuteenglish.com

 English is the most commonly used language among foreign language speakers.
Throughout the world, when people with different languages come together they
commonly use English to communicate.

 Knowing English will make you bilingual and more employable in every country in the
world.

 Despite China, the United States is still a leader in technical innovation and economic
development. English is used in the United States and in each of these fields.

 English is commonly spoken throughout much of the world due to Great Britian’s
expansion during the colonial age. People in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, parts of
Africa, India, and many smaller island nations speak English. English is the commonly
adopted second language in Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands.
Speaking English opens these countries and cultures up to you.

 Another reason why English is so important is that it is the language of science. To

excel in science you need to know English.

 English is based on an alphabet  and, compared to Chinese, it can be learned fairly

quickly.

 English is also the language of the Film Industry and English means you no longer
have to rely on subtitles.

 in the United States, speaking English immediately opens up opportunities regardless

of your ethnicity, color, or background.

 Learn English and you can then teach your children English -- or if they are already
learning, you can now communicate with them in English.

 English speakers in the United States earn more money than non-English speakers.
Learning English will open your job prospects and increase your standard of living.
 How Can I Learn English?
http://www.5minuteenglish.com

You may be wondering, “How can I learn English?” Well learning English really is an
easy task. Everybody has a method or an idea on how to learn English language. There
can be so many ideas of how to study or how to memorize that it blows your mind. Here
are some tips on how to learn the English language. The important thing to remember is to
find a method that works for you and stick to it.

The very first place to start is with the alphabet. If you don’t have a basic
understanding of the alphabet learning the words will be tough. Learn how to pronounce
each sound that each letter makes. Then learn how to combine several letters
together and how the sounds work.

Once you have a solid understanding of the alphabet it is time to move on to vocabulary
words. Learning vocabulary words 
and what each word means is the easiest part of learning the English language.
Start off with just words and five to ten words daily. It is important to carry the words
with you wherever you go and study them when you have free time. 

After you have learned some words it is time to start in on the

grammar of the English language. Grammar takes time to learn, so do not rush it.
Start off by learning what types of words there are and what they do. For instance it will
be important to learn what nouns, verbs, and adverbs are. You will also learn about
subjects and other parts of speech that make the English language fun to learn.

To answer the question of how to learn English; one idea is to play a game that is
written in English. This begins to program your mind to think in English. Another thing to
do is speak the language whenever you can. The best way to speak it is to
speak it with someone who knows the language. Or find someone who is learning English
too and speak it with them. Whatever method you use or the path you take to learn
English stick with it to the end.
 Basics For Improving English Writing
By Deborah Brooks
http://www.5minuteenglish.com

Good writing starts with good ideas. If you write about things that you care about,
you will write better. If you write about things that you don’t care about, you’ll be bored and
your paper is likely to have few strong ideas. Even if you are writing from a prompt, a given
topic, you can find some part of the topic that is interesting or important to you.

Once you have a good idea, the next step is organization. Think through your paper
before you start. Write an outline. You need to know what your main points are before you
can write a good introductory paragraph. Use 2-4 main points, one paragraph each. Make
sure they fit together and all relate to your topic. In the introduction, you can explain how
they all relate and why they are important.

Steps to Good Writing

1. Good idea
2. Good organization
3. Clear examples
4. Review Structure
5. Review Grammar

In your central paragraphs, be concise and specific. Give examples with details, not just
general ideas. If you can say the same thing with fewer words, do it! Many writers think that
using lots of big words and starting every sentence with a complicated clause makes their
writing seem better. Actually, it often just makes it harder to read.

When you finish writing, look at your outline again. Did you really follow it or did it change
as you wrote? Many times you find different ideas as you write. Look at your central
paragraphs. What are their main ideas now? Are these ideas in the Introduction? I often
rewrite the introduction to fit the paper after I finish writing.
 How to Improve Your English Level
By Steven Starry
http://www.5minuteenglish.com

There are five points, number 1 is the most important.

1. Make English your hobby and have fun! 

Study at least two or three hours per week.

2. Learn English through other activities: 

Reading – there are graded books in English for your level. 
Internet – begin with the activities on this website and on the links page.
Songs in English - take your favorite songs, download the lyrics (the words)
from Google and sing them again and again until your neighbors scream: “STOP!!”. 
DVDs – many films are also in English with subtitles in your language.
Magazines – there are specialized magazines for English students. 
Travel – travel motivates you to improve your level because you need English for
everything.

3. Be constant! 
Don’t stop for long periods of time such as in the summer and don’t do too much! It is
also important to study at least 3 hours every week. To progress very well, you should
study at least 5 hours per week.

4. Be as disciplined and organized as possible with your classes! 

Free conversation is necessary and so is more controlled speaking (in practice activities
in class). However, it is better to balance conversation with other activities in your
classes or outside of your classes. In a "one-to-one" class, you should do all of the
homework, reading and vocabulary studying outside of your class and then comment on
the homework in the class. It is very important for you to do the homework that your
teacher assigns you and it is very important for you to be punctual to your classes.

5. Get a teacher or attend a class! 

It’s easier to be constant, disciplined and organized if you have a teacher. It’s more
difficult to study English alone. Also, it is more difficult to learn how to “speak” English
if you don’t have an English teacher to speak with.
 Seven ways to protect the environment
myenglishpages.com

We all want to protect our planet, but we're mostly too busy or too lazy to put up big change
that would improve our lifestyle and save the environment.

These are 7 simple habits to implement in your everyday life which will make a

difference. There is nothing new here but if you follow at least some of these tips, you can
be proud of yourself participating in the protection of the environment.
1. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs: 
It is true that these bulbs are more expensive, but they last much longer and they can save
energy and in the long run your electricity bill would be reduced.
2. Donate:
You have tons of clothes or things you want to get rid of. If they are still usable, give them
to someone who needs them. You may also choose to give them to associations. These
associations may sell them and collect a little money. Not only will you protect the
environment, but you will also contribute to a good cause.
3. Turn off your devices: 
When you do not use a house device, turn it off. For example, if you don't watch TV, turn it
off. Turn off the light when you leave a room (even if you intend to return.) It's an easy
habit to take up which will help you save a lot of money.
4. Walk or cycle: 
Driving is one of the biggest causes of pollution. If you want to use your car, ask yourself
the following question: do I really need my car? Walk or use your bike if the journey is a
short one.
5. Detergent:
Follow the recommended dose of detergent to wash your clothes or dishes.
6. Leaky faucets:
Watch leaky faucets, which can cause a significant increase in the the water bill. An average
of 120 liters of water can be wasted due to a dripping faucet.
7. Rainwater:
Think of recovering rainwater. This water can be used for different purposes.

This list is far from being exhaustive but in addition to saving the environment, all these
tips will help you save money.
 What is the internet?
myenglishpages.com

The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use

the standard Internet protocol suite, a set of communications protocols, to
serve billions of users worldwide. The internet has reshaped and redefined
most traditional communications media including telephone, music, film, and
television. This has given birth to new services. Newspaper, book and other
print publishing are adapting to Web site technology, or are reshaped into
blogging and web feeds.

The Internet has enabled or accelerated new forms of human interactions

through instant messaging, Internet forums, and social networking. Online
shopping has boomed both for major retail outlets and small artisans and
traders. Business-to-business and financial services on the Internet affect
supply chains across entire industries.

The origins of the Internet reach back to research of the 1960s, commissioned
by the United States government in collaboration with private commercial
interests to build robust, fault-tolerant, and distributed computer networks.
The commercialization of what was by the 1990s an international network
resulted in its popularization and incorporation into virtually every aspect of
modern human life. As of 2011, more than 2.1 billion people — nearly a third
of Earth's population — use the services of the Internet

Source: Wikipedia
 Six health tips
myenglishpages.com

The context in which an individual lives is of great importance on health status and
quality of life. Health is maintained and improved not only through the advancement and
application of health science, but also through the efforts and intelligent lifestyle choices
of the individual and society. Here are some basic tips for maintaining a good health.

1.Exercise
You don't have to belong to a gym club. Thirty minutes walk every day will to prevent
weight gain and encourage moderate weight loss.
2.Eat healthy
Reduce fat intake, cut down on sugar and opt for fruits and vegetables. This helps reduce
cholesterol and blood pressure. Healthy food will also lead to better blood sugar control.
3.Reduce stress
Not everything we want we get. We have to accept that there are things that we cannot
control. Managing time is also of great importance too. We must allow ourselves enough
time to get things done. Set a time during the day for relaxation.
4.Improve sleep
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and other chemicals that interfere with sleep. Equip
your bedroom with a comfortable mattress and pillows. Sleep in a dark clean and quiet
environment.
5.Meditation
Meditation has been linked to a variety of health benefits. It has been linked to changes in
metabolism, blood pressure, brain activation, and other bodily processes.
6.Positive thinking
People who think positively have an optimistic view of life that affects their health and
well-being. Optimism has been shown to explain between 5–10% of the variation in the
likelihood of developing some health conditions, notably including cardiovascular
disease, stroke, depression, and cancer.
 Smoking
myenglishpages.com

What is smoking?
Smoking is one of the most common forms of recreational drug use. It is a habit which
consists of breathing in a smoke from a burned substance. This substance contains the
active alkaloid nicotine which is absorbed into the bloodstream. It may cause various
diseases and dysfunctions. Tobacco smoking is the most popular form of smoking. It is
practiced by over one billion people globally, of whom the majority are in the developing
world. Less common drugs for smoking include cannabis and opium. Some of the
substances are classified as hard narcotics, like heroin, but the use of these substances is
very limited as they are usually not commercially available.

History of smoking
The practice of smoking can be dated to as early as 5000 BC, and has been recorded in
many different cultures across the world. Early smoking evolved in association with
religious ceremonies; as offerings to deities, in cleansing rituals or to allow shamans and
priests to alter their minds for various religious purposes. After the European exploration
and conquest of the Americas, the practice of smoking tobacco quickly spread to the rest
of the world.

Smoking and health problems

Smoking has negative health effects, because smoke inhalation inherently poses
challenges to various physiologic processes such as respiration. Diseases related to
tobacco smoking have been shown to kill approximately half of long term smokers when
compared to average mortality rates faced by non-smokers. A 2007 report states that, each
year, about 4.9 million people worldwide die as a result of smoking. It is among the
leading causes of many diseases such as lung cancer, heart attacks, erectile dysfunction,
and birth defects. The health hazards of smoking have caused many countries to institute
high taxes on tobacco products, run ads to discourage use, limit ads that promote use, and
provide help with quitting for those who do smoke

Source: Wikipedia
 Ramadan
myenglishpages.com

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the Islamic month
of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking from
dawn until sunset. Ramadan had been the name of the ninth month in
Arabian culture long before the arrival of Islam. In the Qur'an it is said that
"fasting has been written down (as obligatory) upon you, as it was upon
those before you" which is a reference to the Jewish practice of fasting on
Yom Kippur. Fasting is meant to teach the Muslim patience, modesty and
spirituality.

Ramadan is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God and to offer more
prayer than usual. During Ramadan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins,
pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to
purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.

As compared to the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving

backwards about ten days each year as it is a moving holiday depending on
the moon. Ramadan was the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an
were said to be revealed to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. That was during
a night that Muslims call Laylat al-Qadr (the night of decree or measures.)
The night is believed to be one of the 10 last days of the month.

Ramadan ends with Eid ul-Fitr on the first of Shawwal, with much

celebration and feasting.
 What is the internet?
myenglishpages.com

The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that

use the standard Internet protocol suite, a set of communications protocols,
to serve billions of users worldwide. The internet has reshaped and redefined
most traditional communications media including telephone, music, film,
and television. This has given birth to new services. Newspaper, book and
other print publishing are adapting to Web site technology, or are reshaped
into blogging and web feeds.

The Internet has enabled or accelerated new forms of human interactions

through instant messaging, Internet forums, and social networking. Online
shopping has boomed both for major retail outlets and small artisans and
traders. Business-to-business and financial services on the Internet affect
supply chains across entire industries.

The origins of the Internet reach back to research of the 1960s,

commissioned by the United States government in collaboration with
private commercial interests to build robust, fault-tolerant, and distributed
computer networks. The commercialization of what was by the 1990s an
international network resulted in its popularization and incorporation into
virtually every aspect of modern human life. As of 2011, more than 2.1
billion people — nearly a third of Earth's population — use the services of
the Internet