Learning a language is like learning a sport or how to play an instrument.  You can’t watch a basketball player spin the ball on his finger and expect to be able to do the same thing.  In the same way, you can’t learn a language by sitting in a room and listening to other people speaking English, or by listening to someone explain English grammar in your own language.  The only way you can improve your English reading, writing, speaking, or listening, is to practice.

1. Form goals

Because it is almost impossible to learn a language passively, you need to find something to motive yourself to be an active learner.  What do you want to do with your new language?  Don’t say, “I want to just speak better.” Say “I want to have a conversation with a native speaker about my country” or “I want to watch Pride and Prejudice without subtitles” or “I want to get a passing grade on the TOEFL or FCE.”  Having a concrete goal makes it easier to motivate yourself.

2. Read books you enjoy

When practicing English is fun it will be easier for you to improve.  If you make your practice too difficult, you might lose motivation and stop.  For example, read books that you have already enjoyed in your own language.  When you find a new word or phrase, don’t look it up or write it down.  You can underline new words or phrases to come back to later, but the most important thing is just to read.  Move forward through the book.  If there are so many unfamiliar words that you can’t understand the story, choose an easier book.  That way you can continue to enjoy reading in English.

3. Listen and read

Try listening and reading at the same time.  Watch an English movie with English subtitles.  The most useful movies (like the most useful books) are ones you already know, maybe movies you have watched before.  That way, you already know the story and you have some expectations about the words you will hear. Listen to an audio production of a novel and read the novel at the same time.  Another great way to practice listening is to listen to songs, which are easy to memorize and often contain useful phrases and vocabulary you can use in conversation.  As you listen, focus on what words are pronounced clearly and which words are swallowed.  Soon, you will be able to pick out which words are important.

4. Practice conversation skills

Speaking is the most difficult skill for most people to practice, because it is hard to find opportunities to speak, and many people are shy. Role-playing is a good way to prepare for basic conversations.  Reading out-loud or repeating after movies or songs will also help you get used to speaking English.  If you are nervous about speaking, write down what you want to say first. Learn the skills necessary to have a conversation.  If you forget a word, don’t panic.  Try to explain what you want to say in simpler words.  For example, if you can’t remember the word “car” say “the machine I use to go to different places.”  Learn basic conversational formulas like “that’s very interesting” “let me think” and “well, actually.”  These phrases will allow you to have normal conversations, and you will sound very fluent, even if your vocabulary isn’t very large.

5. Practice vocabulary over and over

It takes many exposures to learn a new word.  The first time you see a new word, you will not remember it.  You have to encounter that word again in writing, reading, listening, and speaking, before it will stay in your mind.  Write down new words on cards, with their translation on the reverse side.  Use these flash cards to test yourself when you are on the bus or waiting in line.  Use memory tricks (or “mnemonics”) to help yourself remember. For example, if you want to remember the meaning of the word “mnemonic” you can think of a memory in an electronic brain.  “Mem+onic”  A mnemonic will make your memory electronic.  Mnemonics always sound ridiculous, but they are a very good way of keeping new words in your memory.  Also, because one word may have many meanings depending on the context, it is not very useful to memorize words by themselves.  Instead, try to memorize the phrase around a new word.  For example: “It is very useful” is a phrase you might hear again.  If you memorize this phrase, you will be able to use the word “useful” without making mistakes as well as the phrase “it is…”

6. Use your teacher

Teachers can help you by giving you practice materials, resolving problems, explaining grammar, and most importantly, giving you the push you need to continue to practice.  Remember that your teacher is a resource, and use your teacher to improve your language.

Prepare questions to ask your teacher, and if your teacher says something you don’t understand, tell them, and make them explain again!  Remember the purpose of any exercise in an English class is to practice English, and be conscious of the skill you are supposed to be practicing and use it.  For example, if the teacher asks you, “do you like ice cream,” it is easier to say “yes,” but it is better practice to say, “yes, like ice cream.” If your teacher corrects you, make sure you repeat the corrected sentence.

7. Keep English a part of your day to day life

Put yourself in situations where you have to practice English.  Even when you are alone, try describing the things you see around you in English.  Try translating what you hear into English.  The most important factor in learning a new language is your personal motivation and enthusiasm. Find something you love about the English language, something fun that you can’t do in your native language.  Remember this motivation and keep trying!

Resources:

http://www.audible.com/ (Listen to books read out loud.  You can buy and download audiobooks here, then read and listen to the same book at the same time)

http://www.ted.com/ (great ideas and lectures.  Click the subtitles button to see subtitles in English.)

http://www.learnoutloud.com/ (educational podcasts)

http://www.livemocha.com/ and http://www.mangolanguages.com/ (find people to teach you English over the internet)

{ 0 comments }