Why isn't grammar enough?

We often get stuck on the idea that grammar is the most important facet of learning a language. While grammar is important, it's only one part of what makes a language a language. The other key components are equally important: reading, writing, speaking, listening, vocabulary and pronunciation. You need a balance of these skills in order to truly use a language. And being able to use a language is the only reason to study it!

Have you found yourself in this situation? Do you have this problem now?

You want to study in an English-speaking country, but don't think that you know enough English.

Here's me in college, learning French

Promises, promises... Here's what I can't promise you.

Write your awesome label here.

Beginner

Pre-intermediate

intermediate

Upper-intermediate

Advanced

proficient

I can't promise that you'll be accepted into an English-speaking university. Acceptance is not based on test scores alone.

Write your awesome label here.

#1 Personal Essay

#2 Extra-Curriculars

#3 High GPA

#4 Test Scores

Write your awesome label here.

I can't promise that you'll understand every word that you read or hear.

Active Reading

Outline a text

Make inferences

Determine Purpose

I can't promise that your pronunciation will be perfect. Mine isn't. Accents are beautiful.

Write your awesome label here.

I can't promise you that every essay you write will be perfect. That would be impossible.

Understand a prompt
Brainstorming
Purpose
Structure
Writing style

Write your awesome label here.

Sign up for your free consultation now!

Why isn't grammar enough?

Have you found yourself in this situation? Do you have this problem now?

You take some English classes...Great!

Then, you realise that you don't understand as you'd hoped.

Maybe you should give up?

Or, you could try a different approach.

"Learning another language is not only
learning different words for the
same things, but learning another way
to think about things."
-Flora Lewis

Here's me in college, learning French

I worked hard, got good grades and thought that I knew French.

Here is me the first time that I went to France...I could read and write, but I couldn't understand or be understood.

Luckily for me, I had a waiter who wouldn't let me order until I'd said it correctly. A waiter? Yep! It became a game. Fun. I was communicating with a français!

Promises, promises... Here's what I can't promise you.

You can't go from 0-university acceptance in one month. Most universities require a B2 level for acceptance.

Realistically-and depending on you-you can expect to improve by one CEFR level every 3-4 months.

I can't promise that you'll be accepted into an English-speaking university. Acceptance is not based on test scores alone.

I can promise that you'll be prepared for all aspects of the application process.

#1 Personal Essay

#2 Extra-Curriculars

#3 High GPA

#4 Test Scores

I can't promise that you'll understand every word that you read or hear.

I can provide you with strategies for reading and listening comprehension.

I can't promise that your pronunciation will be perfect. Mine isn't. Accents are beautiful.

I can promise that you'll be understood. I will teach you English pronunciation and strategies to study it.

"Do you know what a foreign accent is? It's a sign of bravery"

I can't promise you that every essay you write will be perfect. That would be impossible.

I can promise to teach you 'formulas' and essential grammar and rhetoric to help your essays stand out.

Leslie Stephenson

MA TESOL

Color Vowel Trained

Let's talk about how I can help you
achieve your goals.

Connect with me:

Featured links

Why isn't grammar enough?

Have you found yourself in this situation? Do you have this problem now?

You take some English classes...Great!

Then, you realise that you don't understand as you'd hoped.

Maybe you should give up?

Or, you could try a different approach.

"Learning another language is not only learning different words for thesame things, but learning another wayto think about things." -Flora Lewis

Here's me in college, learning French

I worked hard, got good grades and thought that I knew French.

Here is me the first time that I went to France...I could read and write, but I couldn't understand or be understood.

Luckily for me, I had a waiter who wouldn't let me order until I'd said it correctly. A waiter? Yep! It became a game. Fun. I was communicating with a français!

Promises, promises... Here's what I can't promise you.

You can't go from 0-university acceptance in one month. Most universities require a B2 level for acceptance.

Realistically-and depending on you-you can expect to improve by one CEFR level every 3-4 months.

I can't promise that you'll be accepted into an English-speaking university. Acceptance is not based on test scores alone.

I can promise that you'll be prepared for all aspects of the application process.

#1 Personal Essay

#2 Extra-Curriculars

#3 High GPA

#4 Test Scores

I can't promise that you'll understand every word that you read or hear.

I can provide you with strategies for reading and listening comprehension.

I can't promise that your pronunciation will be perfect. Mine isn't. Accents are beautiful.

I can promise that you'll be understood. I will teach you English pronunciation and strategies to study it.

"Do you know what a foreign accent is? It's a sign of bravery"

I can't promise you that every essay you write will be perfect. That would be impossible.

I can promise to teach you 'formulas' and essential grammar and rhetoric to help your essays stand out.

Leslie Stephenson

MA TESOL

Color Vowel Trained

Let's talk about how I can help you achieve your goals.

Connect with me:

Featured links

"Learning another language is not only
learning different words for the
same things, but learning another way
to think about things."
-Flora Lewis

Let's talk about how I can help you
achieve your goals.