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.
Recommended English language sites;
Anglik
- impressive site for anyone interested in the culture and history of English
speaking countries.
BBC
- Improve your English with the leading English language broadcaster
British
Council - the British Council site for students of English
Fonetiks
- the site for improving your
pronunciation
Longman
Dictionary - Free online
dictionary from Longman
World English
- large and comprehensive site for English
as a second or foreign language students
Other Language Sites:
Language Links
- links to some of the best language websites
| guest, this site is a member of the WebRing
View a complete list of WebRing memberships here |
Contact Webmaster
