Well regarding improving your vocab - if you are a student of English - there is no magic spell I am afraid - you have

to put in the effort. However there are constructive things you can do. Firstly read as much as possible in English - even if comic books are all you can manage - watch TV or movies - again watch BBC children's TV if your English is at a basic level. For the difficulties in learning English - I think motivation is a big issue for teachers how can a teacher keep their pupils interested or encourage interest in an unmotivated class, and also the fact that classes are too big to teach language effectively. English is particularly difficult because pronunciation of words is not always following the same rules. That's because English is a hodge-podge of many very old languages. The result is an equally crazy mix of ways to say things. Vowels in English (a,e,i,o,u) take 2 forms - short and long. This is not done in most other languages except for Asian. Purely Latin based languages (French, Spanish, Italian and others) never do this and the vowel sounds are ALWAYS the same. But not in English. Also, English is loaded with homonyms - words that sound the same but mean something completely different. Lastly, I cannot stress enough that immersion is mandatory. No language can be truely learned without years of practice. And you must surround yourself with intelligent english speakers and ask a lot of questions from them. Let them help you get better. English speakers are particularly proud of their language and are equally proud to be a helper or teacher and definitely will explain what they're saying. If you don't get it the first time, ask again. 1 Lack of vocabularies 2 Listening abilities 3 Pronunciation 4 Tenses problem 5 Complex sentences

Problems in Learning English - Poor English Vocabulary Vocabulary is important when learning a language. Any language, of course including English, has thousands and thousands of words. In many cases, even those native speakers of the language do not know all the words of that language. there are just too many to learn. In fact, according to many sources I have come across, there are only 800 words that you must know to converse in English. That list is too long to display here, but a good start is to read through that list and see how many words you know. You may surprise yourself in the amount of words you are familiar with. I have posted the list on World English club, and you can go over it there. Another problem people face in learning English vocabulary is that they learn new words, but they tend to forget what they have learned quite soon after the just learned them. So what can you do? - How to Improve your English Vocabulary There are games to play and methods to learn to improve your English vocabulary. The best simple method I want to suggest is this; just make a list. Now there is more to it than just making a list, so keep reading. Once a week, make a list of twenty five words using the World English Club Vocab lists, or choose words from other popular websites. As you are compiling (or making) your list, make sure to write down the definitions if you are unsure of them at the time. Do your best to study and learn these new words. Now break the list down into five words a day. On your first day, study your first five words. On your second day, study your next five words. Now here's the trick; after your second day of your five vocab words, try to write down yesterday's words. On your third day, study day three's words, and then try to remember and write down day two's vocab words. Are you seeing a pattern yet? I hope so. Do this for five days, and on your sixth day of vocabulary learning, try to write all your vocab words for the last week. Take your time, and do your best. When you are done, review those words and see what you remember. If you use the method above, I guarantee you will improve your english vocabulary and not forget the words you have learned. - Poor English Speaking Skills One of the biggest complaints I hear about when one is learning a new language, is their inability to communicate succesfully. Whether it is an issue with reducing their accent, or not knowing the vocabulary or grammar to create a decent conversation,

many people struggle with poor speaking skills. People assume that learning grammar in a classroom or studying vocabulary words will help them speak a english as a language. But those factors only gain you knowledge of the English language and cannot translate into real conversational English skills. Are you having problems with English speaking skills? Here are ways to improve your English speaking skills. - How to improve your English Speaking Skills Have you tried to watch a movie in English? I'm sure you have. It is one of the easiest things to do while studying and learning english. But what is it about watching movies that is a good idea? I'll tell you; it's hearing the words spoken out loud. So there is one thing that I'm sure you haven't thought of to mirror this learning effect, but it will make a bigger and better improvement on learning English speaking skills. Read a book. Well, it doesn't have to be a book, but it needs to be in English. Now here's the trick; As you are reading this book, read it OUT LOUD. Yes, it is as simple as that. Reading out loud will let you hear your English and at the same time, help you gain more confidence in speaking English. It does not have to be for a very long time. But you should read out loud for at least five minutes a day. Do not give up on this. I think this is an important method to practice and not enough people practice in this manner. Make sure you are pronouncing your words, and if you have to read slowly, that's ok as well. The point is that you are speaking out loud and practicing speaking English. Since many English learners do not have the opportunity to interact with native English speakers, this is one of the best methods to help improve your english speaking skills. Which brings me to my final learning English problem. - Not enough interaction with English speakers Not being able to have interaction with native english speakers can be a great hindrance on one who is learning English. But there are many things you can do to help improve your interaction with native english speakers, or at least to simulate this experience. Which, let's face it, is probably the most important part of learning a new language. Interaction. So here are some things you can do. - As you all are aware, watching movies is a good idea. You can learn slang words and, if you are interested in learning to speak like an American, there are a lot of colloquialisms and Americanisms (as I like to call them) that are difficult to learn about simply by reading. to learn colloquialisms, a person must hear the words and

phrases in context. So by watching movies, there can be no way in which you, as a learner, can mistake or misuderstand the meaning of the words or phrases. - One way (and I think this is the best way) that many English learners do not think of, is finding an native English speaker in a chat room or English learning website and chat with them via Skype or other internet voice service. There are plenty of people who would love to just talk with you over the phone or internet to help you learn. Or maybe you can offer to teach them a little of your language in return. That way everybody gains something from the experience. If you are in a country or city where you do not have the opportunity to find a native english speaking friend, chatting on the phone or internet is the next best thing. - If you are lucky enough to know an english speaker that you can meet with (and it should be someone you are comfortable with so as you are trying to speak, you will not be shy), try to meet them in a comfortable place that you can hear each other speak and just spend about an hour talking about any topic that comes to mind. You can also plan some topics to talk about so you don't waste your time thinking of things to say. maybe write down questions you have or have them ask YOU questions so you can practice answering them. There are plenty of other problems in Learning English but I think these are the three main reasons. I guarantee that if you know these pitfalls and know how to avoid them, every aspect of your English learning will be improved. And you will be a native English speaker in no time

Liberal Studies is an educational program of study that gives students a well rounded education that is not specific to any given field. It gives students the opportunity to explore the arts and sciences to include subject matter particular to: 2.5.1 Module 1: Personal Development and Interpersonal Relationships - How is an individual's self esteem related to his or her sense of belonging to a family, a school, a place of work, a profession, an organisation or club, and to society? - What is the nature of the relationship between individuals and society? - What fundamental rights do we enjoy as members of a society? - What responsibilities do we have towards society? - How do these rights and responsibilities change as we grow into adulthood? 2.6 Area of Study: Society and Culture 2.6.1 Module 2: Hong Kong Today - What factors affect the quality of life in Hong Kong? - What is the relationship between economic prosperity and quality of life? - How important are family, health, money, career opportunities, education, a clean environment, opportunities for leisure and cultural experiences for quality of life? - To what extent should the government be responsible for quality of life? To what extent is it the responsibility of businesses and of individuals as citizens, producers and consumers? - What rights do Hong Kong residents enjoy? - How are these rights safeguarded? - Which form of government would be best for Hong Kong? - How should the government strike a balance between aspirations for democracy and concerns about maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability? - In what ways can people express their opinions about how Hong Kong is governed? - What forms of protest are acceptable? What forms of protest are unacceptable? 2.6.2 Module 3: Modern China 2008 Beijing Olympics Shanghai world expo 2010 Chinese culture 2.6.3 Module 4: Globalization - What challenges and opportunities are created by globalization? - How does globalization affect the economy, culture, society and political aspirations of different countries?

- Is globalization the same thing as westernization? - Is the western model of economically developed liberal democracy one that all countries should aspire to? Is such a social/ economic model compatible with non-western cultures? - What are the advantages and disadvantages of global free trade from the point of view of developed and developing countries? - Is free trade the same thing as fair trade? 2.7 Area of Study: Science, Technology and the Environment 43 2.7.1 Module 5: Public Health - What is good health and what measures can people take in order to remain fit, healthy and free from disease? - To what extent is public health the responsibility of governments or of individuals? - What are the potential threats to public health at present and what can be done to minimize the risk of these developing into pandemics? - Is it acceptable for individual freedoms to be limited in order to protect public health? To what extent? For example, should smoking in public places be banned? - What are the potential health benefits and risks of recent developments in biotechnology? - What are the ethical implications of these developments? 2.7.2 Module 6: Energy Technology and the Environment Global warming Sustainable development Pollution Fossil fuel Other energy topics Biodiversity Endangered species 2.8 Independent Enquiry Study (IES) 57

The 334 Scheme is the new academic structure for senior secondary education and higher education in Hong Kong. This scheme begins starting from the 2009 school year. By 2012, HKDSE will replace HKCEE and HKALE. Its core subjects are Chinese language, English language, Mathematics and Liberal studies, with three elective subjects. Also, it is different from the old curriculum because students under this new academic structure only receive three years of senior secondary education and four years of university education. Besides, to move on to university education, students must get a pass on those four core subjects in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, (HKDSE). Advantages: - It fits the educational system of China, United States and Australia. - Instead of having two external examinations, HKCEE and HKALE, students under "334" will only sit for one external examination, HKDSE. Disadvantages: - The change in format of external examination causes burden on teachers and students. - Liberal studies is a new subject, which requires extra training for teachers - Since the two public exams are combined into one, the exam papers are more difficult and time-consuming to be designed because of the wide range of students' level.