<p>You really don't read Dan Brown for the language. He has some clever ideas, but his actual writing is mediocre at best.</p>
<p>TV news is the best for listenning skill. If you can follow the news you can follow regular conversation.</p>
<p>"If you can follow the news you can follow regular conversation."
Not necessarily, although it does help a lot. Regular conversation uses a lot of idiomatic english and there are always slangs and all that would never figure in the news.
i do however agree that TV news is good for listening skills. Also it improves your vocabulary and grammar while making you more knowledgeable(sp?) of world affairs simultaneously.</p>
<p>
[quote]
i'm sure u mean 'normal' as in 'native english speakers'!
[/quote]
I meant normal as in regular conversational talking people.. like: "hey how are you. i'm great. we played a great game!"</p>
<p>not: "hello. how art thee/thou? i am splendid and just jolly! We played a righteous game and gave the opposition team a jolly kick in the buttocks!" <--- people who talk like that 'irk' me</p>
<p>ever heard of "The Students Companion"? it helps a lot. my father keeps recommending it to people who crosses his path and needs help in the language.
since you have problems with writing, I also suggest you write a lot of thigs. write essays, articles in newspapers, e-mails, suggestions and any thing you can fathom.
i wish u well but you must also realize that nobody is a master of the language since it keeps evolving.</p>
<p>what is "THE STUDENTS COMPANION"?? Is it a book? I know what you mean by saying "write alot of things" and it helps, but the problem is that I never know what kind of mistakes I made after I finish writing because I don't have anyone to check it.</p>
<p>Dear kyro,</p>
<p>Quote</p>
<p>Read!</p>
<p>here are some great titles:</p>
<p>Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
Angels and Demons - Dan Brown
Deception Point - Dan Brown
Paycheck and other Short Stories by Philip K. Dick
War of the Worlds - H.G. Wells
A Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas, Adam (lota ppl like this one..not one of my favorites but is not too bad)</p>
<p>Brown is my favorite author by far</p>
<p>Is that good enough for international students to read?</p>
<p>What is asians-american novel?</p>
<p>what is that?</p>
<p>Can you recommond some novel to me?</p>
<p>I am an asian</p>
<p>Again, I wouldn't recommend Dan Brown to someone who is trying to improve his writing. Brown's plots may be riveting, but his style is awful.</p>
<p>thisyearsgirl </p>
<p>Can you reommend some novels to me?</p>
<p>i really have to improve my english, especially writing and reading.</p>
<p>As you know, english level of chinese is terrible.</p>
<p>I just finished my TOEFL test and i got 173 out of 300............
Only meet the basic requirnment for the community college.
I am so nervous.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>It's difficult to say without knowing what type of book you're interested in reading, but here are some books that I've enjoyed:</p>
<p>Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling</p>
<p>I'd also suggest getting a subscription to a magazine about a subject that you're interested in, like Writer's Digest or Scientific American. </p>
<p>I hope this helps!</p>
<p>i think animal farm as a start would be good and yeah i agree dan brown is an interesting book but not rich in language.
I think the books suggested by thisyearsgirl are all nice.
Also read the editorials of the english newspapers, they really help a lot!
watch shows like friends, seinfild etc. will let u have a command over slang english</p>
<p>adides -- Animal Farm is excellent. :) It's by George Orwell, by the way.</p>
<p>Definately subscribe to the economist, it's very useful to improve both vocab and critical reading at SAT</p>
<p>trying reading some novels by john grisham. the rain maker, the client, the partner etc etc....stories resemble tht of "indiun filums" and the english is pretty ok too</p>
<p>yeah, u rather than having an intense read, go for interesting books as u'll also have fun while improving ur english</p>
<p>
Yup, its a brilliant analogy between the current human world and the animal farm! Avon definitely read this!</p>
<p>Franz Kafka...i love his style</p>
<p>I will try to read "Animal Farm"</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Animal farm is great and easy to read.</p>