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Why do teachers use audiocassettes in class?
One of the techniques associated with TEFL methodology is the use of audiocassettes in class. Even though the teacher is native English, it must be realized that he or she speaks using only one variety of English. Often referred to as the teacher's accent, it can come in many forms depending upon the teacher's place of birth. Thus, there are American accents, British accents, Irish accents, Canadian accents, Australian accents and so on. Were the class only to listen to their teacher, then their 'ear' would become both sensitive and tuned to only one particular accent, making it difficult for them to understand the other varieties of English. By using audiocassettes, the student is afforded the opportunity of both hearing and learning to understand the various other forms of English as they are spoken in the world today.

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Which English course is right for me?
Studying English is little bit like buying a new car. Just as there are different makes and models of cars each coming with a different set of options, so too, are there different types of English courses. Likewise, just as cars or English courses can be different so too, are the people who want or need to learn English. In fact, one of the major difficulties involved in wanting to study English is to decide just which course is best for YOU. Perhaps the most appropriate place to begin is by asking yourself what type of English do you need to learn. English can take two forms. Either one chooses to study General English or English for Specific Purposes, also known as ESP. This latter category actually represents three different classes of English. The first, English for Occupational Purposes, places strong emphasis upon the vocabulary and grammatical structures associated with a particular occupation such as business, banking, finance, tourism, hostelry, etc. The second, English for Science and Technology, stresses the type of English that one might need in order to understand scientific and technical literature. The last, English for Academic Purposes, places its emphasis upon the type of English that one would need to know in order to succeed at an academic institution where the language of instruction is English. Should it not be obvious, each variety emphasizes one or more of the various language skills, these being speaking, listening comprehension, reading and/ or writing. The reader should note that an ESP course is only recommended for students who already have a pre-intermediate to intermediate level of English. One should be capable of general communication prior to attempting an ESP course. In other words, ESP courses build upon the English knowledge acquired during a General English Course.

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How often and for how long should I study English?
Based upon experience, we at Language Link are aware that most people need General English more than they do English for Specific Purposes. In other words, most people who wish to study English could generally profit from a course designed to develop a combination of the four language skills, these being speaking, listening comprehension, reading and writing. Such courses are generally long-term with near-native fluency acquired after about 600 hours of study. Depending upon your present level of English and your particular time constraints, such courses can last from a few months to several years. Obviously, the higher your level and the greater the amount of time that you can devote to your English studies, the faster you will progress. Language courses which offer ten or more hours of tuition a week are generally considered to be intensive English courses. When such courses last two to three months, the student has ample opportunity to develop all four of the language skills listed above. In comparison, Intensive English Courses which last a month or less are usually designed so as to emphasize only the speaking and listening skills. Such 'short' courses, however, are for people who need to be 'up and speaking' in the shortest possible period of time; in other words, someone who has a deadline to meet. Essentially, short, Intensive English Courses attempt to target a limited amount of vocabulary and a few grammatical structures which, it is hoped, the student can either learn or learn to use within the time constraints imposed by the length of the course. These, it is hoped, will suffice the student to accomplish the purpose for which s/he needed English.