Friday, December 29, 2006
How To Learn English!
Here are some tips which may help you to master the English Language!
Speak without Fear
The biggest problem most people face in learning a new language is their own fear. They worry that they won’t say things correctly or that they will look stupid so they don’t talk at all. Don’t do this. The fastest way to learn anything is to do it – again and again until you get it right. Like anything, learning English requires practice. Don’t let a little fear stop you from getting what you want.
Use all of your Resources
Just because you study English at school doesn’t mean you can’t learn outside of class. Using as many different sources, methods and tools as possible, will allow you to learn faster. There are so many different ways you can improve your English don’t limit yourself to only one or two. Explore your opportunities.
Surround Yourself with English
The absolute best way to learn English is to surround yourself with it. Take notes in English, put English books around your room, watch English news, movies and television. Speak English with your friends whenever you can. The more English material that you have around you, the faster you will learn and the more likely you will be to begin “thinking in English.” .
Listen to Native Speakers as Much as Possible
There are some good English teachers that have had to learn English as a second language before they could teach it. However, there are several reasons why many of the best schools hire only native English speakers. One of the reasons is that native speakers have a natural flow to their speech that students of English should try to imitate. The closer ESL students can get to this rhythm or flow, the more convincing and comfortable they will become.
Watch English Films and Television
This is not only a fun way to learn but it is also very effective. By watching English films (especially those with subtitles) you can expand your vocabulary and hear the flow of speech from the actors. If you listen to the news you can also hear different accents.
Listen to English Music
Music can be a very effective method of learning English. In fact, it is often used as a way of improving comprehension. The best way to learn though, is to get the lyrics (words) to the songs you are listening to and try to read them as the artist sings. Their are several good internet sites where one can find the words for most songs. This way you can practice your listening and reading at the same time. And if you like to sing, go for it.
Do Your Homework!
Yes, often homework is boring and yes, English grammar is not fun. However, if you have followed Tip #1 and you are speaking as much as you can, you are probably making some mistakes. Only by proper studying and doing your exercises, can you fix these errors.
Take Tests
Tests are not fun. They make people nervous and they take a lot of time to prepare for. However, by taking tests you accomplish two things. First, you force yourself to study and prepare. Second, you give yourself a benchmark to compare your future tests with. Often, it is by comparing your score on a test you took yesterday with one you took six months ago that you realize just how much you have learned. If you never test yourself, you will never know how much you are progressing.
Record Yourself
Nobody likes to hear their own voice on tape but like tests, it is good to compare your tapes from time to time. You may be so impressed with the progress you are making that you may not mind the sound of your voice as much.
Listen to English
By this, I mean, speak on the phone or listen to audiobooks or CDs in English. This is different than watching the television or films because you can’t see the person that is speaking to you. Many new English speakers say that speaking on the phone is the most difficult thing that they do and the only way to improve is to practice.
Have Fun
Smile, laugh, have fun while you are learning. I can’t explain why but by having fun with something, you immediately understand it better and learn faster. Try it. You’ll be surprised.
Speak without Fear
The biggest problem most people face in learning a new language is their own fear. They worry that they won’t say things correctly or that they will look stupid so they don’t talk at all. Don’t do this. The fastest way to learn anything is to do it – again and again until you get it right. Like anything, learning English requires practice. Don’t let a little fear stop you from getting what you want.
Use all of your Resources
Just because you study English at school doesn’t mean you can’t learn outside of class. Using as many different sources, methods and tools as possible, will allow you to learn faster. There are so many different ways you can improve your English don’t limit yourself to only one or two. Explore your opportunities.
Surround Yourself with English
The absolute best way to learn English is to surround yourself with it. Take notes in English, put English books around your room, watch English news, movies and television. Speak English with your friends whenever you can. The more English material that you have around you, the faster you will learn and the more likely you will be to begin “thinking in English.” .
Listen to Native Speakers as Much as Possible
There are some good English teachers that have had to learn English as a second language before they could teach it. However, there are several reasons why many of the best schools hire only native English speakers. One of the reasons is that native speakers have a natural flow to their speech that students of English should try to imitate. The closer ESL students can get to this rhythm or flow, the more convincing and comfortable they will become.
Watch English Films and Television
This is not only a fun way to learn but it is also very effective. By watching English films (especially those with subtitles) you can expand your vocabulary and hear the flow of speech from the actors. If you listen to the news you can also hear different accents.
Listen to English Music
Music can be a very effective method of learning English. In fact, it is often used as a way of improving comprehension. The best way to learn though, is to get the lyrics (words) to the songs you are listening to and try to read them as the artist sings. Their are several good internet sites where one can find the words for most songs. This way you can practice your listening and reading at the same time. And if you like to sing, go for it.
Do Your Homework!
Yes, often homework is boring and yes, English grammar is not fun. However, if you have followed Tip #1 and you are speaking as much as you can, you are probably making some mistakes. Only by proper studying and doing your exercises, can you fix these errors.
Take Tests
Tests are not fun. They make people nervous and they take a lot of time to prepare for. However, by taking tests you accomplish two things. First, you force yourself to study and prepare. Second, you give yourself a benchmark to compare your future tests with. Often, it is by comparing your score on a test you took yesterday with one you took six months ago that you realize just how much you have learned. If you never test yourself, you will never know how much you are progressing.
Record Yourself
Nobody likes to hear their own voice on tape but like tests, it is good to compare your tapes from time to time. You may be so impressed with the progress you are making that you may not mind the sound of your voice as much.
Listen to English
By this, I mean, speak on the phone or listen to audiobooks or CDs in English. This is different than watching the television or films because you can’t see the person that is speaking to you. Many new English speakers say that speaking on the phone is the most difficult thing that they do and the only way to improve is to practice.
Have Fun
Smile, laugh, have fun while you are learning. I can’t explain why but by having fun with something, you immediately understand it better and learn faster. Try it. You’ll be surprised.
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