iEnglish is a set of resources and videos to give learners the tools they need to learn independently and to approach learning outside of the classroom in an effective way.
There are twelve videos, and each video includes resource files for use with an instructor or for independent learning.
Click or touch a title below for more information:
Video 1: The World of English
In this video, a newcomer to Canada feels intimidated and overwhelmed by the English-speaking world around him. Over time, he gains confidence as he begins to see the opportunities – or “windows” – for learning English. He makes a wonderful discovery of a unique learning experience: iEnglish.
Resource Files:
- Notes (<1 MB PDF file)
- Video transcript (<1 MB PDF file)
- See It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Try It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Use It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
Video 2: The Shift
Seven people from various parts of the world talk about the shift to becoming independent language learners. These New Canadians learned to plan, monitor and take control of their learning. With the right strategies and tools – anyone can.
Resource Files:
- Notes (<1 MB PDF file)
- Video transcript (<1 MB PDF file)
- See It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Try It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Use It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
Video 3: The iLEAP Cycle, Part 1
This video introduces the iLEAP cycle — a simple language learning pattern where learners:
- identify their goal
- Locate language samples
- Explore language features
- Act on what they’ve learned
- Process their learning
The first step is to make good goals that are specific, relevant and realistic.
Resource Files:
- Notes (<1 MB PDF file)
- Video transcript (<1 MB PDF file)
- See It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Try It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Use It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
Video 4: The iLEAP Cycle, Part 2
This video features an engaging and animated presentation of the second step in the iLEAP cycle — locate language samples. Learn how to find authentic samples of language to read, view or listen to. Identify four main sources of samples — Internet, print, media and people.
A good sample has three characteristics:
- It fits the goal.
- It has the right language features.
- It’s within reach of your language ability
Resource Files:
- Notes (<1 MB PDF file)
- Video transcript (<1 MB PDF file)
- See It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Try It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Use It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
Video 5: The iLEAP Cycle, Part 3
This video presents the third step in the iLEAP cycle – explore language features. Learn how to plan reading, viewing or listening activities using the before-during-after approach. Explore these features in language samples: vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and culture.
Resource Files:
- Notes (<1 MB PDF file)
- Video transcript (<1 MB PDF file)
- See It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Try It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Use It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
Video 6: The iLEAP Cycle, Part 4
This video presents the fourth step in the iLEAP cycle – act on what I’ve learned. Learn how to plan speaking or writing activities using the prepare-practise-produce approach. Create a personal script that contains the new language to be used in the task.
Resource Files:
- Notes (<1 MB PDF file)
- Video transcript (<1 MB PDF file)
- See It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Try It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Use It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
Video 7: The iLEAP Cycle, Part 5
This video completes the iLEAP cycle by presenting the last step — process my learning.
Learn how to evaluate your tasks by noting other’s reactions, noticing successes and weaknesses, and accessing feedback.
Resource Files:
- Notes (<1 MB PDF file)
- Video transcript (<1 MB PDF file)
- See It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Try It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Use It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
Video 8: The iEnglish Notebook - Plan at a Glance
The iEnglish Notebook is a way for learners to organize and record their learning.
The Notebook contains three sections that can be organized physically with a binder and dividers or kept in folders electronically. The three divisions are: train, plan, and record. The “train” section can include activity worksheets and resources used in “check-in” sessions or activities that come with the online videos.
Also, there are a number of pages that can be inserted into the “plan” and “record” sections of their Notebook. Learners can lean on these pages as they train, but are fully expected to adapt and create a system that works for them. We’ve included sample pages that have been filled out by Veronika, to demonstrate how these pages may be used.
This video introduces a group of planning pages called the “plan at a glance.” These pages help you stay organized as you work through the iLEAP cycle.
Resource Files:
- Notes (<1 MB PDF file)
- Video transcript (<1 MB PDF file)
- See It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Try It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Use It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
Example Notebook:
Use this example notebook to help guide you as you complete your own notebook.
- Example notebook (2 MB PDF file)
Video 9: The iEnglish Notebook - Pages to Record
This video demonstrates how to use four iEnglish Notebook pages to record and study new language – a page for vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and culture.
Resource Files:
- Notes (<1 MB PDF file)
- Video transcript (<1 MB PDF file)
- See It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Try It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Use It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
Notebook Pages:
Download and save these notebook pages – you can complete them electronically or print them out and complete them by hand as you build your own notebook.
- iEnglish Notebook – Plan at a Glance page template (<2 MB PDF file)
- iEnglish Notebook – Vocabulary page template (<1 MB PDF file)
- iEnglish Notebook – Grammar page template (<1 MB PDF file)
- iEnglish Notebook – Pronunciation page template (<1 MB PDF file)
- iEnglish Notebook – Culture page template (<1 MB PDF file)
Example Notebook:
Use this example notebook to help guide you as you complete your own notebook. This example includes the plan as well as all pages. (Note: This is the same example notebook as in Video 8)
- Example notebook (2 MB PDF file)
Video 10: iEnglish Strategies - Identifying Main Ideas
This is the first video that “spotlights” strategies that focus directly on language learning. In particular, you will learn how you can increase your comprehension when you are listening and reading (receptive skills) by using stress and structure.
Resource Files:
- Notes (<1 MB PDF file)
- Video transcript (<1 MB PDF file)
- See It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Try It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Use It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
Video 11: iEnglish Strategies - Guessing by Looking at Clues
This video spotlights strategies that will help you guess the meaning of words that you hear or you read. These strategies include listening for clues in the Setting, People, Outlook, and Topic. You can also look for clues to the meaning of words when you read. These strategies include identifying the parts of speech, examining the text surrounding the word, noticing the root words and affixes, and providing a synonym.
Resource Files:
- Notes (<1 MB PDF file)
- Video transcript (<1 MB PDF file)
- See It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Try It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Use It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
Video 12: iEnglish Strategies - Repeating
Repetition is a strategy that can be used with listening and speaking, but also when you are learning new vocabulary and new sounds. It is also very effective for helping you to improve your reading and writing skills!
Resource Files:
- Notes (<1 MB PDF file)
- Video transcript (<1 MB PDF file)
- See It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Try It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
- Use It worksheets (<1 MB PDF file)
Help with Broken Links
If a link featured in an activity doesn’t work, don’t worry. There are other ways that you can approach the activity!
If a link to a video is not working:
- Try to find another video with the same title, or a similar title. Substitute this video for the video with the dead link.
- If you are having difficulty finding another video that sounds similar, try searching a different video website, such as Vimeo.
- If the activity requires you to use a specific video, make your own activity using a different video that you find! If the activity asked you to summarize the main ideas of a video located at www.youtube.com/
deadlink, for example, just summarize the main ideas of the video you found instead (don’t forget to copy the URL for the video you found)! Then, ask someone to help you review your work. - If you can’t find another video that sounds similar, try interviewing a native or fluent English speaker about the topic of the video with a dead link. Ask that person if they would mind being recorded so you could practice your English using their speech – promise to delete the recording after you have mastered the skill!
- If none of the above options are possible, use a search engine to look for an online article or website with similar information. Then, practice the strategy or skill you learned in the iEnglish video using the print source instead of the video.
If a link to a website or document is dead:
- Search the Internet using a search engine to find something similar. Use “quotation marks” or a “+” sign to make your search more specific. Substitute the article or document that had a dead link with the one you find. If the activity required you to guess the meaning of new vocabulary in Document A, try to do it instead with Document B.
- You might want to plan a visit to any branch of your local public library and ask a staff member to help you locate resources on the same topic as the website or document that is unavailable. Use these resources as a rich substitute, and complete the activity.
Remember…
Don’t be afraid to make your own activities! Remember, iEnglish is intended to help you achieve your own unique goals. This may require you to create your own unique activities!