Learn language and communication skills?

[bigvince]

Without a lot of details, my niece who's 22 and not a witness, wants to improve her language and communication skills. She's had a terrible life which has left her with little to no education. She is however, very intelligent. Can anyone recommend an app, book, or something else that would be helpful for her? Primarily, she needs to expand her vocabulary and communication skills. Thanks in advance for any help.

[Brandon]

Did a doctor tell her that she’s developmentally delayed?

[bohemian]

edited by me

Edited May 3, 2021 by bohemian

[bigvince]

Brandon, she is not developmentally delayed as far as I’m aware. I raised her the first 7 years. When she left, she could read, write, do math, manage money, cook, clean, basically survive on her own.

@bohemian English. 

[Brandon]

8 minutes ago, bigvince said:

could read, write, do math, manage money, cook, clean, basically survive on her own.

Can she read and write now? and other stuff etc 

[bigvince]

Just now, Brandon said:

Can she read and write now? and other stuff etc 

She can, not nearly as well as when she was 7, but overall her communication skills are poor.

[Brandon]

It sounds like she should be evaluated by a doctor. 

[bigvince]

@BrandonPossibly.

[Katty]

It might help her to simply read books, fiction and nonfiction that are a bit above her reading level and mark down sentences and words that she doesn't understand, and look up the meaning of those words. I find reading books from an early age, helped me a lot with widening my vocabulary. Classic literature is a wonderful resource for learning to understand more sophisticated sentence structures and words that we don't often use. It's nice that you're interested in helping your niece like that.

[boodles]

-audio books. They can be borrowed for free from a local library, the library's website or bought on Amazon and listened to on a phone or computer, some are on cd (audio can be more enjoyable and we hear the language patterns and pronunciation)

 

-podcasts - I don't listen to them but here's a site with some Podcasts : NPR

 

-online classes - they used to be free, some may still be depending if she wants a certificate, but it may be a good option depending what her local options are. 

 

Future Learn 

Exploring English: UK Culture and Language – Learn English – FutureLearn

Coursera

Top Writing Courses - Learn Writing Online | Coursera

Edx

Communication | edX

 

-keep a journal, possible using a computer with Microsoft Word and Grammarly that can help with corrections 

 

 

[daydream]

https://www.fluentin3months.com/learning-a-language-through-music/

Quote

 

Can you learn a language through music?

Of course you can! From slow, crooning love songs to the latest boy band hits, music is a really useful tool for language learning.

Pop music isn’t the whole story, though. Any style of music, by any artist, as long as it has lyrics, can be useful in language learning. You just need to approach it the right way, and make sure you choose music you enjoy.

 

It would be nice if she could learn to sing some kingdom songs. Kill 2 birds with one stone. 😆 Such an enjoyable way to learn a new language. As a adjunct to a more formal way of learning a language.

[bigvince]

@Mclove Thanks. I actually have her reading JW.org articles out loud. 

[daydream]

Quote

I actually have her reading JW.org articles out loud. 

When my son was young I would let him read the book 'My book of Bible stories' and play the cassettes for him to hear. Sorry that was in the early 80's. He would then start to recited the stories from the book word for word. I'm sure many Christian parents have the same experience.

A few years back, I had a bible study from Liberia who had only 1 year of education because of the war in that country. Her husband was studying here and she was doing work weaving hair pieces for her customers. So in order to help her to read English, I borrowed the 'Ladybird' series of books for her. She was so thrilled to finally be able to read some words. So much so she went and bought the books to send back to her home country. Her children were been looked after by their grandmother. 

 

I'm so glad you have been able to help your niece. I hope everything works out well. Praying for her.

Edited May 5, 2021 by Mclove