Make Learning English A Priority

What is a priority?

A priority is something that is very important to you.

How do you decide what your priorities are? And how do you manage many priorities in one life?

I will tell you a story.

A young man had many things to do. Everything felt important! He needed money. He needed a wife. He needed a job and he needed to exercise and he needed to take out the trash and call his mother and go to Safeway and buy medicine for his sick sister and tie his shoes and go to college. He needed so many things and he didn't have enough time and his live was a mess and he felt frustrated, bad, sad, mad and discouiraged. He needed help.

He went to visit his grandfather. "What should I do?" he asked him.

The old man gave the young man a jar and a pile of rocks, gravel, and sand.

"Put these things in the jar," he told his grandson

The young man tried to do this. He put everything in and shook the jar and he moved things around but he could not get everything in the jar.

"Dump it out," the old man told him. "Now give it here."

The old man put the biggest rocks in the jar first. Then he put in the smaller rocks. Then the gravel. He shook the jar a little so the gravel fell into the spaces between the rocks. Then he scooped up the sand and poured it in. The sand filled in all the little empty places.

The jar was completely full. Nothing was empty. Nothing spilled out.

"There," said the old man. "That is how you should live your life. Decide what is most important. What is the beginning of everything? What things make the foundation for everything else? Those are your priorities. Take care of them first. Then take care of the smaller priorities. Last, do the little things - if you have time. If you don't, don't worry about it. Worry never fixes anything. Worry keeps you busy so you don't have to fix something or accept that it is broken and move on."

The young man thanked his grandfather. He tried to follow this way. His life was better.

Many students tell me they need a better job. They want to help their families. They want a better life. If you live in the U.S., then English is the way to all these things. English is the foundation. English is communication. And communication is how we make our way in the world.

Make learning English a priority. Make time for watching your DVD and doing your homework a priority. English lessons will help you get a better job. English lessons will help you help your family. Watching TV in your first language will not do this. It is fun and it is good. But it is not the foundation to a better life.

Put learning English in the jar first.

Your Friend: The Public Library

Do you need a place to relax? To learn about the world? To take your children so that they can have happy and successful lives?

For free?

If you answered "yes," then I have good news. We have a place like that. It's called your local public library.

At the library, you can borrow books for you and your children, magazines, books in other languages, movies, music, and more. You can use a computer. You can bring your child to storytime. You can listen to speakers and watch special movies and programs. You can meet with friends and use a study room or study area to practice English or study for your Driver's exam or other tests. And at the San Mateo Public Library, you can even go to the cafe and drink coffee and eat pastries!

Public Libraries also have Distance Learning programs that you can borrow, including Crossroads Cafe.

You can learn more about the Peninsula Library System here: http://www.plsinfo.org/

The library has many branches. Check the website for the locations and hours.


San Mateo Public Library http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/dept/library/
650 – 522 – 7800 -- 55 West 3rd Avenue, San Mateo, CA, 94402
Mon & Tues: 12 to 9 pm *** Wed & Thurs: 10 am – 6 p *** Fri: 10 am to 5 pm *** Sat: 10 am – 5 pm *** Sun: 1 – 5 pm

San Bruno Public Library
701 Angus Ave W, San Bruno, CA 94066 (650) 616-7078
Mon-Thurs – 10 am – 9 pm *** Fri: 10 – 6 pm *** Sat: 10 – 5 pm *** Sun: closed

Foster City Library (650) 574-4842
Monday – Thursday 10 am – 9 pm, Friday 10 am – 6 pm, Sat 10 – 5 pm, Sun 1 – 5 pm
1000 E Hillsdale Blvd, Foster City

Burlingame Public Library 650 – 558 - 7400
480 Primrose Road, Burlingame, 94010 (near Burlingame Ave, not far from Caltrain)
Mon – Thurs 10 am – 9 pm, Friday 10 am – 7 pm
Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm

How Can You Learn English Faster?

Many students who come to Distance Learning are very busy. They have jobs, families, and many responsibilities.

Are you busy? Is it difficult for you to learn English?

How can you learn English faster?

When we give time to something it gets bigger.

I know! You don't have time!

So how can you use your time in a good way to learn faster?


Here are some ideas that can help:

1. Use a notebook or binder

2. When you watch the DVD at home, write down new words or idioms that you learn. If you are confused about something, write down a question for your teacher.

3. When you meet with your teacher, write down what you learn. Corrections, new words, grammar information - write it down!

Why should you write everything down?

When we use our bodies we remember things better. We use our arms and hands to write. Using our arms and hands helps us remember.

4. Once a week, look at your notebook. Review the material.

Why should you review the material?

When we look at or use something again and again, we remember it better.

Do you remember tv commercials that you see over and over and over? Yes! You must study English like it is a tv commercial. Watch it over and over.

5. Think about how you learn. Do you learn by listening? By watching? By speaking? By reading? Everyone is different. Everyone has a best way. Talk to your teacher about how you learn. Ask your teacher for advice about learning English the best way for you.

Be smart. Use your time in a strong and good way to learn English faster.