Mary Beth's Top 10

GOODRICH'S TOP 10

1. FIND AN AMERICAN NAME:

Bridges the communication gap, fun way to ask people about your name, perhaps have a native English speaker help you with a great name?

* TIP: Ask people if your name is a good one.

* TIP: Ask native English speakers if they can help you find a good name.

2. ENGLISH CELL PHONE MESSAGE:

Believe it or not, leaving a good sounding English cell phone message will help you with your pronunciation skills!

3. THE NOTEBOOK:

English Practice Notebook / Journal / Networking

* TIP: Keep your notebook with you always!

* TIP: Make sure you write down new words, phrases, people you meet, good movies or show to watch, good events to go to, and then do things to learn about the American culture.

4. EMERSE YOURSELF:

* GOOD: Spend one full week speaking only English (just to know you can),

* BETTER: Do one week every month,

* BEST: Always speak in English!

5. CREATE YOUR ENVIRONMENT: Use your computer in English and search using www.google.com not www.baidu.com, Get on Facebook (not just Renren!) and post comments in English!

* TIP: Watch at least one American movie a week or watch 2-3 hours of

American TV.

6. GET ACTIVE:

* GOOD: Plan to do 2 volunteer activities each year;

* BETTER: Do events with the ISSO office weekly - iFriend, cultural events, watch TV at the multicultural center, participate in English Hour,

* BEST: Get in 3 organizations with at least one organization where most people do not speak your native language.

* TIP: You should be in at least 3 activities and in a leadership role in at least one of those activities! One that is related to your major, one related to your long term goals, and one related to another topic of interest!

7. PROFESSIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT:

Write your resume and a cover letter in your first semester, get at least 3 people to review it each semester. Schedule a mock interview in your first semester and do it as often as the Career Center recommends!!!

* TIP: Register with