Introduction

The American English Express Introduction

Introduction or "the story of this book"

I began teaching adults and immigrants to communicate better in standard, college level English in the early 1980’s and have been learning from my students how to teach better and better ever since. This book presents the basic strategies for learning and using freshman college level English (also called standard English or formal English) and for succeeding in college.

Students who have taken my classes have told me that they are interesting, useful and get the job done. Students have said, “If I had only taken this course before I took the college exams, I would have done much better.”

Students have learned in my classes: for example, one student in a reading class came in one day with an eye-opener (‘a revelation’ or ‘an insight’). She said to the class, “When you read, you really have to think!” I hope you find this book interesting and fun (you will surely find it hard work as well).

This book is designed to get you started. It is a beginning and not an end. Surely, the skills, tips, strategies, approaches and ways of thinking presented in this book are helpful, but they are not exhaustive: there is much more to learn about freshman college level English and American culture than is contained in this book. It is fully expected that the student of English will continue to study and learn beyond the scope of this book. Nevertheless, this book is designed to provide a jump-start for anyone who wants to learn freshman college level English and assimilate (‘adapt to’, ‘fit in to’) American culture.

The lessons contained here are the topics and skills that are delivered to remedial (below college-level) students in American colleges as they begin to lean to read, write and speak standard formal English. I have chosen the most common issues that students confront when they attempt to add freshman college level English skills to their informal skills.

In my writing classes, at least two thirds of the students pass and, many times three quarters of the students move on. In reading classes, even more pass. These students, of course, have the benefit of immediate feedback from me; what is more, I adjust what I am teaching to the specific needs of the students in the class. You, as a reader, must work a little harder because you are on your own.

Anyone reading this book will learn the basic fundamentals of freshman college level English and I expect that at least a third, and perhaps as many as half, of the students who read and heed this book could advance an entire semester in their studies.

Your expectations should be based on your skill level at the beginning of this book. This is hard work and you should expect to work hard. The only limitations on the benefits to you are the time and effort you put in.

So please, keep thinking while you are reading. Read slowly and re-read whenever you want to. Pay attention and take this book for what it is: an attempt to get you started on the right path, with the right tools and the right attitude.