FLUENCY SECRETS

HOW TO LEARN ENGLISH QUICKLY AND EASILY

NICHOLAS CHARLES GEE

Copyright © 2015 by Nicholas Charles Gee.

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying,
recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior
written permission of the publisher, except in the case of very brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other
noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Mason Hill Press

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Why I Wrote This Book
Chapter 1. Daily Routine
Chapter 2. Learning Secrets
Chapter 3. Greetings and Farewells
Chapter 4. Confusing Words
Chapter 5. Explanatory Phrases
Chapter 6. Idioms
Chapter 7. Word Roots
Chapter 8. Collocations
Chapter 9. Conclusion
About The Author

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WHY I WROTE THIS BOOK
I wrote this book to inspire students to improve their English.

I’ve spent fifteen years teaching in Asia and I understand the struggles many learners face.

I too went through the same problems learning Japanese.

If you follow the secrets in this book, I’m confident that you will improve your English.

Indeed these same principles can be applied to learning any language.

I wish you the best in becoming fluent in English.

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CHAPTER 1. DAILY ROUTINE
I have lost count how many times students have said to me, "I don’t have time to study."

English learners say they have no time. Many things get in the way of studying. Work, family, sport, computer games, television,
Facebook, Youtube, reading, university, and other things get in the way of "studying."

There’s a different way.

I think we do have time to study. It doesn’t need to be textbooks and boring grammar. While this style of learning has its place
in the beginning, it won’t help you progress beyond the intermediate level.

I have used the steps in this book to improve my Japanese speaking ability.

For many years my ability didn’t improve even though I had received lessons. When I made the conscious change to alter my
routine, I saw amazing things happen.

We will look at some tips and secrets to becoming fluent in the next chapter.

First let’s make one small change.

SWITCH

Start by substituting your native language for English. Over the long-term it will make a big difference to your progress. The
more you immerse yourself in an English world, the easier it will become.

There is so much available to you in your new world.

Every day you spend so much time watching, reading and listening to things in your native language that you can use this time
for studying English just by doing things you already do. Watch a TV programme or movie in English. Listen to music or read
articles, blogs and news in English.

I’ve lived in Japan for seventeen years, and for the first five years I couldn’t speak Japanese. I realised I had to make a change.
The only way I was going to improve was to immerse myself in the language.

If you make the switch, you can do it too!

I recommend that you subscribe to blogs, podcasts and Youtube channels that you enjoy and are in English. Every day you will
open your inbox to English emails and news articles.

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Change the language of your cell phone or tablet into English.

Change your browser search engine to Google.co.uk or Google.com and search for things in English.

Watch English or American television.

Get an English-speaking friend.

If you do the above, you will automatically be doing things in English

If the activities are enjoyable, you will learn much quicker, and it won’t feel like studying.

It takes time to become fluent. In order to achieve your goal, it will be necessary to consume lots of information.

There is a wealth of information available these days via the Internet.

Use this to your advantage.

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CHAPTER 2. LEARNING SECRETS

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LEARNING SECRET 1
USE “SELF TALK”
Good learners talk to themselves in English.

“Self-Talk” is talking to yourself. We all do it.

We talk to ourselves in our mind. Nobody can hear us.

Try it in English! Self Talk is an excellent way to improve faster and enjoy learning. You can do it, too!

TRY THIS:

1. Look at someone. Say this sentence in your mind: “That person looks beautiful.”

2. Choose five phrases connected with friends, personality and love. Write them in your notebook.

3. Say each phrase in your mind and imagine a person you know.

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LEARNING SECRET 2
REPEAT
Great learners repeat what they want to learn.

You can remember something much greater if you say it a lot. For example, you can chat about your free time, your ideal
places, or your daily plan with various people. If you repeat the ideas to numerous people, you will remember better and have
fun using English.

TRY THIS:

1. Write your plan for part of your day in your journal. Use some expressions about Free Time, Favourite places and Daily
plans. Make your sentences funny or a little strange.

2. Tell your schedule to yourself whenever you are doing it. (This is “Self-Talk”.)

3. Tell your schedule to your friends and people you meet.

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LEARNING SECRET 3
ASK QUESTIONS
Good get other people to talk.

You can learn English when you ask a lot of questions and listen to the answers. You can ask, “What kind of restaurants do you
like to eat in?” or “What things do you like to cook?” Each time you ask the questions, you’ll hear more English

TRY THIS:

1. Choose five expressions about world food, cooking, and restaurants that you want to learn.

2. Write questions with these expressions in your notebook.

3. Imagine meeting your friends and asking them your questions.

4. Try asking everyone you meet the same questions for a few days. (When you don’t understand, ask, “Sorry, what does
_______ mean?”)

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LEARNING SECRET 4
TRY A NEW APPROACH
Good learners will try new ways of learning.

Sometimes it’s important to try new ways of learning. This helps us find new ways of thinking and gives us fresh energy for
learning. For example, we can try funny or amusing ways to think about English more often.

TRY THIS:

1. Take off your watch and put it on the other wrist upside down. (If you don’t have a watch, you can put a ring or bracelet on
the other hand, or put your wallet or keys in another pocket.) Because it feels strange, you will think about it more often. And
this will remind you to think in English more often

2. Now write in your notebook some expressions about weather, locations and transportation. For example, for weather try
these - It’s a gorgeous day, It’s like spring, It’s freezing. For locations try – It’s not far from here, It’s in the suburbs. For
transportation try these – I’m going to ride my bike, I’m going to grab a taxi, I’m going to catch the bus.

3. Look at your watch and say 5 of the expressions to yourself.

4. For the next few days, every time you look at your upside-down watch, say the new expressions.

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LEARNING SECRET 5

TRY TO SAY MORE

Good learners try to keep talking in English.

One way to learn vocabulary is to say a lot of things about one topic. You can tell short stories about your interests, such as
movies, sports, and music. For example, one student told this story to his friends. “I’m a real Giants fan. I went to a Giants
game last week. They beat the Tigers. I bet they’ll win the championships this year.”

TRY THIS:

1.Think of a movie, sports event, or music concert that you went to recently. Write three or four sentences about it in your
notebook. Use some expressions like: I really want to see it, or it’s out on DVD

2.Tell your story. Use Self-Talk (Secret 1). Imagine meeting three friends and telling them your story.

3.When you meet a friend, tell the story.

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LEARNING SECRET 6

START CONVERSATIONS
Good learners start conversations in English.

It’s good to find other people who want to learn English with you. You can find them by greeting them in English. When you
start out in English, you can often continue easily and get a lot of practice. It’s also nice to compliment people when you greet
them. “Hi Wow, that’s a gorgeous shirt!” “Good morning. Hey, you got a haircut. Cute!”

TRY THIS:

1. Think of some expressions about Beauty, Clothes and Personal Care. For example, She’s good looking, He’s well built, it’s
very dressy, and it’s in style. Think of some friends you will see soon and create a greeting and a compliment for each friend.
Write them in your notebook.

2. Imagine your friends. Greet them and compliment them in your mind

3. When you see your friends; just do it! And have fun.

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LEARNING SECRET 7

LABEL THINGS IN ENGLISH

Good learners use labels to help them think in English.

You have many chances to think in English. If you write down words and phrases in your home, you can see them often and
learn them easily. For example, you can put English labels in different places. On your door, you can put “ It’s messy, but it’s
cosy!” On your plant, you can put “ Water me quick! I’m dying of thirst!” or “Please tell me I’m beautiful.”

TRY THIS:

1. Think of some expressions about Neighborhoods, Your Place and Household Tasks. For example, it’s cosy. It needs some
fixing up. I feel at home here. It’s my job to take care of the garden. Choose some things to describe your home.

2. Make labels on small cards. Tape the labels in different places in your home.

3. Read the labels often. Enjoy them. Invite your friends over to read your room!

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LEARNING SECRET 8

VISUALISE
Good learners use visualisation to prepare.

Visualising is seeing in your mind. A lot of successful people visualise. They imagine themselves completing actions
successfully. When you see yourself using English successfully, your brain helps you prepare. Speaking English will become
easier and more enjoyable for you.

TRY THIS:

1. Think of some expressions of emotions, sympathy or nostalgia. For Example, I feel good about it, I know how you feel, and
it was a fantastic opportunity. Write some in your notebook

2. Imagine yourself – see yourself- speaking English and using these expressions. Hear yourself.

3. Imagine again. Make the picture bigger. Make your voice clearer. See the other people respond to you.

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LEARNING SECRET 9

USE YOUR WHOLE BODY

Good learners use body movements to help them remember.

One of the greatest memory tools you have is your body. When you move your body as you say something, you can remember it
more easily. For example, if you make motions as you say new expressions – “flip through a magazine”, “take care of a pet”,
you can remember them more easily

TRY THIS:

1. Think of some expressions about Computer Games, Magazines, and Pets. For example, “It has some good gossip”,” I’m no
good at those games”, “Pets keep you company”. Write some in your notebook

2. Think of ways to show the expressions of your body. Use gesture and mime. (Your gestures don’t need to be understandable
to others – only you!)

3. Now repeat the expressions several times as you do the movements.

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LEARNING SECRET 10

KEEP AN AUDIO JOURNAL

Successful learners keep a record of their learning.

Listening to yourself on tape is an important way to practise English. When you record your voice on tape, you can notice a lot
about yourself. And you can congratulate yourself on how much you have learned!

TRY THIS:

1. Choose five expressions about travel. For example, I’m so excited about my trip or I’m looking forward to it. Write some in
your notebook

2. Get a voice recorder/mp3 player/cell phone. Record a story about your travel plans. Try to speak for at least 30 seconds.
Use new expressions if you can.

3. The next day, record another story. DO this every day for five days.

4. Now listen to the whole recording. Notice your progress!

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LEARNING SECRET 11

MAKE PHONE CALLS IN ENGLISH

Successful learners try to have real communication.

Good learners try to have real communication with other learners. Telephoning other learners to talk in English will help you.
You can call two or three friends each evening and ask the same questions, practise the same questions, and have fun talking
about your life.

TRY THIS:

1.Ask a friend if you can telephone him or her in English and ask a few questions.

2.Write down expressions about your home life, your student life, or your personal experiences. Use your notebook.

3.Call your friend and speak in English. Start with a simple question, such as “ What did you do today?” Try to use English as
much as possible.

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LEARNING SECRET 12

MAKE LISTS

Successful learners organize their learning.

Lists can help you organize your life. Some examples of lists are: the products you want to buy (“I’d like to buy a CD player”),
or the habits you want to develop (“I want to be frugal”). It is helpful to put lists around your home where you can see them
often: by your bathroom mirror, near your door, above your desk, on the refrigerator!

TRY THIS:

1. Think of some expression about bargains or money. For example, ‘I couldn’t live without it’, I’m near my credit limit’, ‘It’s
a waste of money’. Write these expressions in lists or make lists of other words, expressions or ideas.

2. Put these lists in your home, in places you will see them often.

3. When you see a list, stop and say the items to yourself.

4. After one week, make new lists.

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LEARNING SECRET 13

EXAGGERATE

Successful learners make things easier to remember.

When you exaggerate, you make something bigger or more extreme. When you exaggerate new expressions, it’s easier to
remember them. For example, if you are overworked, you can say, “I’m so swamped with work, I won’t be home until next
year!”

TRY THIS:

1. Choose five expressions about work or business. For example, ‘I make a lousy salary’, or I put in a lot of overtime’. Write
them in your notebook.

2. Now think of sentences to exaggerate the expressions. You can make them funny. Write the sentences in your notebook.

3. Imagine telling your sentences to a friend. Use Self-Talk.

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LEARNING SECRET 14

SHADOW WHAT YOU HEAR

Good learners repeat new things they hear.

Shadowing is repeating what you hear – silently in your mind or out loud. You can repeat every word or only the new words
and expressions you want to learn. When you talk to someone, it’s better only to repeat a few of their words. When you shadow
the TV, radio, or DVD’s, you can try to shadow everything if you want. Shadowing is a great learning tool!

TRY THIS:

1. Turn on the TV or Radio to an English news programme. First practice shadowing completely. Then practice shadowing
partially. After you have shadowed one news story, write down a few expressions that you remember. Use your notebook.

2. Ask the people you meet about the topics in the news stories. When they answer you, shadow part of what they say.

3. As you shadow, notice if there are any expressions that you’ve learned recently.

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CHAPTER 3. GREETINGS AND FAREWELLS
FOR A NATURAL SOUNDING CONVERSATION:

One of the fastest ways to improve your English is to not use memorized phrases for your greetings and farewells.

Many students have memorized some basic greetings and overuse them. Some of the greetings that are taught to children are too
unnatural. For example, “Fine, thank you, and you?”

Native speakers will adjust their language based only on your initial greetings and responses.

If you greet them with an unnatural greeting, they may give you a very simple answer - they will assume that you have a low
level of English and that will make it difficult to communicate with you.

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A COMMON GREETING PATTERN:

A: Good morning, how are you?

B: I’m fine thank you, and you?

Try these greetings instead:

John: Good morning, how are you today?

Steve: Good afternoon, how are you doing today?

Phil: Good evening, how are you doing?

James: How do you do?

Your response can be even more flexible and show warmth and friendliness.

John: I’m doing very well, how about you?

Steve: Great! How are you doing today? B: Just fine, and you?

James: I’m good, how about you?

I am sure you have heard of many other popular greetings on TV and in movies. These greetings should be avoided unless you
are talking with close friends.

Examples:

A: Yo!

A: Howdy!

A: What’s up?

A: How’s it going?

A: What’s happening?

APPROPRIATE FAREWELLS:

These farewells are suitable in a business setting or when leaving people other than close friends.

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John: Goodbye.

Phil: It was great to see you again.

Steve: Good evening/night.

James: Have a good evening day night.

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Friendly Goodbye:

Use these farewells only when leaving friends.

Phil: See you later.

James: Take it easy

Steve: Bye-bye.

“See you again” is popular in Asia, is not commonly used among native speakers.

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CHAPTER 4. CONFUSING WORDS
Some of the most common errors are the misuse of certain sets of words. Learn these groups and you will be well on the way
to improving your English!

BORED/BORING, INTERESTED/INTERESTING, AND EXCITED/EXCITING

The–ed form represents the feeling one has, and the –ing form represents what has caused the feeling.

Wrong: I am so boring.

Correct: The movie was boring. I am bored.

Wrong: I am so exciting!

Correct: Skydiving is so exciting!

I'm going to Hawaii next week I'm so excited!

Wrong: I am so interesting.

Correct: London Zoo is very interesting.

I am very interested in it.

LEND/LOAN/BORROW

These three words often confuse students.

Loan can be a noun. It is the name of a transaction when someone borrows something from someone who lends it to them.

Loan can also be a verb with a similar meaning to that of lend.

Borrow and lend are both verbs.

When I lend something to you (money?), I give it to you temporarily—expecting that you will return it to me.

When I borrow something from you, I take it from you temporarily, knowing that you expect me to return it to you. I get or
receive something from you.

Wrong: Tony, will you borrow me 20 dollars?

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Correct: Tony, will you lend (or loan) me 20 dollars so I can buy lunch today?

He might say: Sure, I will be glad to lend (or loan) you 20 dollars!

Wrong: Megumi, may I lend 5000 yen from you?

Correct: Megumi, may I borrow 5000 yen from you so I can buy some food today?

She might say: Sure, I will be glad to lend (or loan) you 5000 yen!

Also used:

Correct: Can I borrow your cell phone for a moment? I need to call my family.

Correct: Would you lend (or loan) me your cell phone for a moment? I need to call my family.

Note that I can borrow something from you, but you lend something to me. Or, I may lend something to you, but you borrow
something from me. Remember: lend to, borrow from

MOST/MOST OF

Students often get confused with the use of most and most of.

Most - Used when the following word is a noun or adjective.

Most of - Used when the following word is a pronoun, a proper noun used as a possessive, or an article.

Wrong: Most of Japanese eat sushi.

Correct: Most Japanese eat Sushi.

Wrong: Most my friends like to dance.

Correct: Most of my friends like to dance.

LAY/LIE

Even some native speakers have trouble with these two words—

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Lie is an intransitive verb. It means to stay in a horizontal position.

Wrong: I am going to lay down for while.

Correct: I am going to lie down for a while.

Lay is a transitive verb. It means to put something down.

Wrong: Please lie this book on the desk.

Correct: Please lay this book on the desk.

Lay is more active than lie.

LEARN/STUDY

Students often reverse the meanings of these two words.

Learn means to gain knowledge by studying or by experience. Study can be a noun, when you use your mental power to learn
about (to understand) something, or a verb when it means the act of studying. Study is the activity or process of learning about
something by reading, memorizing facts or attending school

Wrong: I learn English every day.

Correct: I study English every day.

Wrong: I hope to study English well.

Correct: I hope to learn English well.

SEE/LOOK AT/WATCH

These words are often used incorrectly.

Use see when you mean to perceive something with your eyes.

Use look at when you use your eyes to see something. Often the object you are looking at isn’t moving.

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Use watch when the thing you are viewing is moving or changes (such as television or a show).

Wrong: Did you watch that house?

Correct: Did you see that house?

Wrong: Did you look at what just happened?

Correct: Did you see what just happened?

Wrong: I looked at TV last night.

Correct: I watched TV last night.

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CHAPTER 5. EXPLANATORY PHRASES
HOW TO CONVERSE EVEN WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW THE RIGHT WORD

Increase your powers of expression by substituting phrases in place of words you have forgotten or never knew.

In English, it is common now and then to find yourself at a loss for words. If you were at home, you could solve the problem by
using a dictionary. In real life, however, this is impractical. Nothing stops a conversation faster than a thick dictionary. Nor is it
possible to memorise the entire English dictionary.

The best solution is to make a shift in your thinking. You have to give up your vocabulary-accumulation, and change from a
fearful speaker always searching for the exact word to a more creative speaker.

First we must acknowledge that we all suffer from mental-blocks that prevent us from producing the right word. Change how
you react to those circumstances. Without hesitation, you substitute an explanatory phrase for the word you have forgotten.

If the word butcher escaped you, you might say something like “ a person who cuts meat and sells it in a shop.

Communication has been achieved.

The secret to speaking natural and flowing English is not to memorise the entire English dictionary, but to learn to manipulate a
minimum number of basic words with maximum flexibility. Think like a dictionary yourself. Define concepts using simple
words (such as thing, action, place and person), and you can say almost anything.

Here are some examples below.

Unknown word: Corkscrew

Substitute phrase: a thing for opening wine

Unknown word: Aqualung

Substitute phrase: a thing for breathing in the sea

Unknown word: Toothbrush

Substitute phrase: a thing for cleaning teeth

Unknown word: Cookery

Substitute phrase: making dinner

Unknown word: Dreaming

Substitute phrase: seeing things while sleeping

Unknown word: Astronomer

Substitute phrase: a person who studies the stars

Unknown word: Atlas

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Substitute phrase: a book that contains only maps

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CHAPTER 6. IDIOMS
Idiomatic expressions are a part of normal speech.

Understanding idioms enhances your listening comprehension.

When students try to translate idioms into their own language literally, it leads to confusion.

While students will acquire a good working knowledge of grammar and vocabulary over time, without knowledge of idioms,
their speech will remain awkward.

Listed below are some basic idioms.

to take off (to remove)

I took off my hat and scarf when I arrived home.

to turn on (to start, begin)

I turned on the light because it was dark.

to turn off (to stop or terminate)

Please turn off the TV before you go to bed.

to get on (to enter, board)

I got on the train at Ueno station.

to get off ( to leave or descend from)

I got off the train at Hibiya station.

to put on (place on oneself)

It was a cold day, so I put on my hat and scarf.

at once (immediately, very soon, right away)

I’ve crashed the car; I need you to come home at once.

to get up (to arise or move from a lying position)

I always get up before sunrise. I like an early start to the day.

to wait for ( to expect, await)

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I’ll wait for you by the clock tower at three o’ clock.

right away (immediately)

Come here right away!

to pick up (to take)

Please pick up you clothes and put then in the laundry.

to look at (to direct your eyes toward)

Look at that! Is it a UFO?

to look for (to search or try to find)

Can you look for my blue tie; I want to wear it tomorrow.

all right (correct or Yes)

Would you like to watch a movie on Saturday? All right.

right here, right now, right there (exactly here, there or immediately here, there)

What time would you like me to come home? Right now.

little by little (gradually, slowly)

I practice the piano every day and little by little I’m getting better.

tired out ( very weary, very tired, to have no energy)

I’ve been so busy today; I’m tired out!

never mind (don’t worry about it)

I’m sorry I broke your plate. Never mind, I have many like that.

to take part in (participate or join)

I’m going to take part in the London marathon this weekend. Why don’t you join me next year.

at all ( in the least- used in the negative sense)

I don’t like the weather in Barbados at all. It’s too hot!

at last (finally)

You’re here at last! We’ve been waiting for one hour!

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as usual (as always)

Late as usual, you can’t rely on the buses here.

to find out ( to get information)

Did you find out when Celine Dion is coming to town?

to think of (have an opinion about)

What do you think of the new DiCaprio movie?

to get back ( to return)

When do you get back form Japan?

to make up (one’s) mind (to decide)

I like the blue one and the red one. Hurry up and make up your mind!

to change (one’s) mind (alter your decision or opinion)

Are you coming to dinner later or did you change your mind?

for the time being ( for the present, temporarily)

I’m happy doing part-time work for the time being.

in a hurry (hurried, in a rush)

Can I talk to you later about that, I’m in a bit of a hurry.

to hang up ( to place on a hook or a hanger)

Sales people phone me day and night. Now I just hang up straight away.

to look up (to search for, especially in a book or dictionary)

Now children, please look up the word ‘discombobulated.’

to look out ( be careful or cautious)

Johnny! Look out! There’s a car coming.

to shake hands (exchange greetings with clasped hands)

A huge amount of people attended the conference; I shook hands with about one hundred people.

to count on (to rely on, depend on)

I need another player for the football game on Sunday. Can I count on you to be there.

to make friends (to win or gain friends)

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I wish I could make friends as easily as my brother does.

out of order (not in working condition)

Every time I go to the shopping centre the toilets are always out of order

to get over ( to recover from)

I’m sorry I forgot your birthday last week. It’s ok I got over it.

to call off ( to cancel)

We had to call off the cricket game due to heavy rain

for good (permanently, forever)

This is the last time you’ll cheat on me. We are broken up for good!

to get sick, well, tired, busy, etc. ( to become sick, well etc.)

If you stay up too late, you’ll get tired, and you might get sick.

Had better ( usually used in the contracted form such as I’d better, you’d better he’d better, she’d better. Always followed by
the base form of the verb in a sentence.

You look so tired; I think you’d better go to bed.

at times (sometimes, occasionally)

At times, I don’t know whether you are joking or not.

to look over (to examine)

Could you look over this contract, I don’t understand a word of it.

on time (not late, not early)

Are we late to the party? No, don’t worry you’re on time. That clock is fast.

in time (before the appointed time or deadline)

Phew! We made it in time. If we had to wait for the next train, we’d be late for work.

to get better, worse ( to become better, worse)

Hi Mary. How’s your cold? Are you feeling better? No, I think I got worse.

The English language is loaded with idioms, and although it is possible to speak correctly in English without idioms, you will
be at a serious disadvantage in your reading, and even more so when you take part in discussions. Many native English
speakers, especially when they speak among themselves use idioms, colloquial expressions and slang.

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CHAPTER 7. WORD ROOTS
Learning word roots will teach us the meanings of words from their Latin and Greek origins. Learning word elements
dramatically improves spelling and the ability to understand unfamiliar words. Understanding word Roots will add hundreds
of words to your vocabulary and will greatly improve your thinking and writing.

The root of a word contains the basic meaning. We can add a Prefix or a suffix to a root. The root cred means, “believe,” so the
English word “credible” means “believable.”

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Since there are a great number of roots from which words stem in English, the most common ones are listed below.

ROOT AREA OF MEANING

cide kill

civ citizen

chrome colour

chron time

corp body

cosm world, order

cred believe

cycl wheel, circle

demo people

dic, dict say, speak

domin master

duc, duct lead

dynam power

fac, fact do, make

flex bend

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form shape

fort strong

gamy marriage

gen birth

geo earth

graph, gram write

hetero other, different

homo same

hydro water

leg law

loc place

log, logy speech, study, word

man, manu hand

mar sea

mater, matri mother

medi middle

mob move

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nom name

omni all

pater, parti father

pathy feeling

phon sound

port carry

rupt break

scope watch

scrib, script write

spect look, watch

tax, tact arrange, order

temper time

term end, limit

theo god

tract draw, pull

urb city

vene, vent come, go

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vid, vis see

voc, vok call

volu, volv turn

STRATEGIES
Most word roots usually have prefixes and suffixes attached to them.

Example

The root dict meaning “to speak or say” is not used by itself. Prefixes like pre, contra (predict, contradict) or suffixes like –
ation, -ator (dictation, dictator) are added to it.

At first it is not obvious how the word developed from the word root. When you begin to examine the word, you will see the
relationship.

Once you recognize word roots, you will find relationships among many words. This will make it easier for you to understand
and remember their meanings.

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CHAPTER 8. COLLOCATIONS
Many learners believe that studying vocabulary is just about learning more new words. Just to know the word and understand
the meaning is not enough.

It is necessary to know what words can be combined with it.

Keywords are the most common words in English

These groups of words combine to form natural phrases called collocations.

Nouns are the most important keywords because they tell us WHAT we are talking about.

If we are at the dinner table and we would like the ketchup.

We could just say ketchup. Everybody would understand.

You also say: the ketchup, the ketchup please, could you pass the ketchup, please.

The last sentence is the best way to ask for it.

If we had said: Could you pass the X, please?

Nobody would understand what we wanted.

The word ‘ketchup’ has 99% of our meaning.

Why is it important to know the collocations of the most used nouns?

If we learnt one hundred of the most useful nouns, and we learnt ten verbs or adjectives to go with them, we will know one
thousand expressions.

Why are collocations included in this fluency book.

Quite simply, the more collocations you know and can use the more fluently you will be able to speak.

The more collocations you know, the easier it will be to understand native speakers.

It will improve your reading, as you won’t have to read every word.

The more collocations you know and can use, the more fluently you will be able to speak.

It means you won't have to make up everything new all the time - you can just remember whole expressions.

The more collocations you know, the easier it will be to understand people who speak quickly - particularly native speakers.

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The more collocations you know, the easier it will be to read because you won't have to read every word.

Let’s look at one of the useful keywords and its collocations.

Keyword car

Verb + car Adjective + car Car + noun

drive a car a luxury car a car alarm

hire a car a reliable car a car accident

park a car an economical car a car park

get into a car a spacious car your car keys

get out of a car

cars start a sports car

cars skid

cars break down

cars crash

Many people spend numerous hours learning thousands of words. They understand the meaning of the word from a dictionary,
but in the end, they can’t use the word in a sentence.

The best way to learn vocabulary is to learn what words are commonly used with the word.

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CHAPTER 9. CONCLUSION
Try not to use as many English textbooks. Try to focus on natural English.

If you find natural English difficult, listen to it again and again. Repetition is the key.

Star with easier forms of natural English like children’s materials. Then work your way up to English speaking movies. Older
black and white movies are the best initially. The story and the language are easier to follow.

Authentic materials are so important because they provide a rich context. You learn about the grammar and many new words.
You also learn how these words are used in a conversation. Something you really can’t get from a textbook.

This rich context is needed to learn new words and phrases correctly.

Have conversations with native/advanced speakers as much as you can. The best way to improve is to practice speaking
whenever you can.

Access to a teacher that can correct you (constructive criticism) is important too.

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ANYONE CAN DO IT

Many of my students have reached an advanced level of English. Many of them started in elementary school and are now
adults. If you do the right tings and keep a good and positive attitude. You can achieve your goal.

Always remember: Anyone can reach fluency as long as you use the right learning methods and keep going.

CONCLUSION

Anyone can reach an advanced level; you just need to make the changes that I’ve mentioned in this book.

After you have read this book, take the time to set up these changes and systems to achieve your goals.

Learning is a journey, and you are constantly improving your English.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nicholas Charles Gee is an entrepreneur, broadcaster, author and teacher. He started his first business at age 30, teaching
English at his own private school in Japan. He taught in Japan for 16 years. Nicholas then decided to share his knowledge and
experience of teaching he learned along his journey to becoming a financially independent entrepreneur. Today, he makes books
and video courses. Nicholas is the founder of nicks-online-english-school.com, an online English school. Nicholas is also the
founder of Mason Hill Press, an independent publisher. Mason Hill Press specializes in marketing non-fiction authors to help
get their message and stories out to millions of readers all over the world.

Nicholas lives in Dorset England with his wife and son.

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WANT MORE?
Hi! If you enjoyed this book, I’m guessing you’ll probably love my other books. Sign up for the free newsletter to get
special deals and hear about all my newest books before anyone else. You can get on the list here:
www.masonhillpress.com/newsletter

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OTHER BOOKS BY NICHOLAS C. GEE
Key Idioms and Slang: Learn Quickly and Easily

47
ONE LAST THING...
If you enjoyed this book or found it useful I’d be very grateful if you’d post a short review on Amazon. Your support really
does make a difference and I read all the reviews personally so I can get your feedback and make this book even better.

Thanks again for your support!

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Table of Contents
Why I Wrote This Book 4
Chapter 1. Daily Routine 4
Chapter 2. Learning Secrets 7
Chapter 3. Greetings and Farewells 22
Chapter 4. Confusing Words 26
Chapter 5. Explanatory Phrases 30
Chapter 6. Idioms 32
Chapter 7. Word Roots 36
Chapter 8. Collocations 41
Chapter 9. Conclusion 43
About The Author 45

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