Playing language chess

Hello everybody,

In English we sometimes say about a situation "getting all the chess pieces right". This means making the best of a situation and planning things well.

We often talk about "language learning", "language study", "language development"

I am suggesting we think about:

*language practice/activities

*language performance

*language action

*language use

*language achievement

*language accomplishment

So, to do this we need to move our "chess pieces" to get our language working well. We can do this at any level.

Chess is a game of tactics and strategy. I think for languages, we are playing a chess game with what life brings us.

So, to play our language chess well, we need to know what we can do with each of our "pieces"

So, to play a good "chess game" 

For practicing at home (or for studying)

*plan our speaking practice

*choose some interesting reading practice

*ask the right questions and get some good answers

*choose some interesting listening

*write about interesting things

and when we are actually given the chance to make contact with native speakers:

*keep a positive attitude

*keep friendly

*try to avoid feelings of frustration

*keep relaxed (as always! haha)

*try not to do too much (and get very tired)

*don't forget to ask questions

*listen carefully

*make short notes/write things down (if you can)

*look for visual clues as much as possible

 

Playing the "chess game" is to put all these things in the right position and time them well. Hopefully, your tactics and strategy will pay off and you will play a good game!

Lets go for a checkmate and win!

Bye for now

Alan