Secrets to Learning English
- Speaking is preferred to writing practice because of how frequently people speak in daily life.learning language image by bright from Fotolia.com
All language-study methods require time, energy and commitment. Learning how to maximize these three things can make the difference between an unfulfilled dream and English fluency. While some steps for learning English are obvious, others may not be readily apparent; these hidden strategies are the secrets to success. - Practice every day in small increments. Neurological pathways in the brain are formed through repetition. This does not mean repeating the same word over and over, it means forming connections between grammar, pronunciation, thought and ideas. Just like an athlete creates muscle-memory through practice, someone studying English learns more quickly and efficiently through daily review and practice. No one trains for the Olympics one day a week, they go every day.
- Make English speaking friends. International students often feel isolated because of their lack of English abilities, and their alienation from American culture. One solution to this problem is for the student to go out of her way to make an American friend. An English-speaking friend can correct your mistakes, and help you negotiate complicated cultural issues. If you do not live in an English speaking country you can make friends via the Internet through chat rooms or international pen pal sites.
- Put yourself in uncomfortable situations. Once you obtain a firm grasp on the basics of English grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, throw caution to the wind and launch into English-speaking situations. While communicating feels uncomfortable at first, with time and practice this feeling will lessen. Apply for a job at an English-speaking company, go to English art and entertainment events, or attend English lectures at a local church or school. Put yourself into situations where you will be forced to speak English, instead of your native language.
