Note Taking Skills Tips for ESL Students Introductory

Note Taking Skills Tips for ESL Students

Introductory Questions • What is note taking? – Writing down ideas from lectures and readings in our own words

Introductory Questions • What materials do we need? – Loose-leaf paper – Binder – Folders with pockets – Pens, Pencils and Erasers

Introductory Questions • Why do we take notes? – Helps us pay attention in class – Helps us study for tests – Helps us improve our memory – Helps us take ownership of ideas – Helps us engage our senses

How do we take notes? • • • True/False - write down every word? True/False – write complete sentences? True/False – write down key words? True/False – write what is on the board? True/False – use abbreviations?

How do we take notes? • True/False – write down long examples word for word? • True/False – write down ideas we don’t understand? • True/False – stop writing and start crying when we get lost?

How do we take notes? • • • Date and label notes Give ourselves space to write Use abbreviations and symbols – What are some examples of symbols and abbreviations? • Use an outline to show: – Main ideas – Supports – Examples • Use our own language

Useful Abbreviations !! - important ? ? - not clear - on test T - cause/link + or & - and = - equal @ - at - look up N - noun S - subject O - object V - verb Adj - adjective Adv - adverb Ex - example pg - page

How do we prepare for class? • • Do pre-reading and homework Review syllabus Preview previous notes Look up key words prior to class

How do we review after a class? • • • Review notes along with the book Create our own examples Discuss and compare notes with others Re-write notes Ask professor for clarification

How do we create our own examples? • Follow patterns provided – example: Compound Sentences • The teacher explains writes on the board: – Independent Clause [CON] Independent Clause » CON = , FANBOYS or ; transitional word, • Now create an example: – The man walked around the lake, and his daughter sat on the bench. IC= the man walked CON = , and IC= his daughter sat

Thank you for joining us today for our Note Taking Skills workshop. Questions? Comments?