Some Proven English Learning Tips
These are a few tips that teach you to become a successful English language learner. Some of it sounds quirky but it does really work. So it’s worth a shot!
1.1 Set Goals
It’s often much easier to motivate yourself to work if you have something to aim for. Goals can be short or long term. A short term goal in learning English might be to learn enough to be able to book a hotel room. A longer term aim could be to attend a University in a foreign country, or get a 6.5 on the IELTS exam.
1.2 Be Prepared to Work Hard
Learning a language is generally not easy. Most people have other things to do in their lives apart from learning English. You need to realize this and be patient with regard to your progress. But you won’t achieve much if you don’t put in the effort. Your progress depends a lot on you.
1.3 Make Time
Many of us lead busy lives and find it hard to fit new things into an already established routine. Learning English can be requires discipline. You need to set aside time for your learning and be prepared to study during that time. Putting things off because you’re too tired is ok every now and then, but it shouldn’t become a habit. Make English an indispensable part of your schedule.
1.4 Ask Questions
YOU ARE NOT SPONGES! You can’t expect yourself to absorb everything and not have any questions to ask. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to your teachers and/or friends.
1.5 Do Some Extra-curricular Work
Having a teacher to instruct and guide you is vital. However, you can also study independently in fact; this will be more likely to make you a successful language learner. Don’t wait until it’s time for class to pull out your English books.
1.6 Watch English Movies
This is a great way to pick up colloquial English and practise listening. You don’t need to be able to understand every word to understand what is happening in a movie. Turn on the English Subtitles to help with understanding – this is a great way to practice reading also. Choose movies that you are more likely to be able to follow. Movies with short dialogue, separated by long sequences of no dialogue are ideal, as they allow time to absorb the language. Romantic movies tend to fall into this category.
1.7 Listen to English Music
Music can be a fun way to learn English. The next time you’re at a karaoke bar or maybe at home singing in front of your TV, try singing an English song. This is a great way to practice putting some emotion into your English and will really improve the way other people perceive your meaning when you’re speaking English to them.
1.8 Reading
Reading is a fantastic way to learn new vocabulary. Try reading short stories rather than long novels. These are often broken down into short chapters which can be read and then analyzed for language. Don’t feel that you have to understand every word. Try to get the general meaning. Underline unknown words and try to guess their meaning from context. You can use your dictionary later to look them up and check if you were right. Use graded readers. These tend to have questions designed to test comprehension of what you have just read.
1.9 Go to English Corners
Public places such as bookstores often tend to have free English corners. Don’t be shy. Go along and take part. Ask questions. Meet people just like you who are interested in learning English.
1.10 Use the Internet
The internet is a fantastic invention, which has changed the way we live our lives. While it is fantastic to be able to read the People’s daily or chat with friends online, it is a waste if we don’t use the medium to learn English. Many English schools offer a full suite of blended online learning applications – but, in addition to that, there’s plenty you can do on your own.
1.11 Read English Newspapers
There are numerous newspapers which provide a rich source of interesting and varied reading materials. This is a really good way to improve your reading.
1.12 Listen to Radio
Virtually every radio station in the world is up for grabs with the Internet. Don’t just be content with the VOA or BBC world service. There are many other interesting alternatives. Try listening to radio from around the English speaking world.
1.13 Chat
You can use MSN, Yahoo! and other chat programs to chat in English. Try finding some of your English speaking friends. If you have Skype, encourage your friends to get it too and call them for free using your computer.
1.14 Don’t be Self-conscious
There are a few old-fashioned methods which might sound quirky but can work:
Improve your pronunciation: Use a mirror to practice making difficult English sounds; record yourself speaking English and listen afterward, paying attention to stress, intonation and problem phonemes.
Think in English: Have an imaginary conversation in English. Think through what you’re going to say.
Speak to your friends in English: Encourage yourself to practice by speaking with each other. This doesn’t have to be confined to the classroom. Try speaking to your classmates or friends in English. Don’t worry about picking up bad pronunciation habits-speaking more regularly will give you a much greater level of confidence and you will definitely improve faster.
1.15 For Parents
Kid’s whose parents take an active interest in their child’s education will probably be much more likely to become successful language learners. Let them know you care by communicating with them regularly about what they are learning:
• Check their homework and help them with it as much as you can.
• If they join an English course, make sure they are actually using those tapes that you paid for at the start of the course. Too many kids never even take off the cellophane wrapping on their cassettes. Your child can learn a lot from reviewing material from each unit on the tapes.
• If you can speak even a little English, don’t be afraid to use it with your child. Don’t be afraid that your child will learn bad pronunciation – that’s one of the reasons you want your child to learn English! But the more exposure they have to the language, the better they will become at English.
• Encourage your child to read as much as possible in English. It’s important to choose material appropriate to your child. However, there is a wide range of material available at local bookstores which will be suitable for your child.
• Let them watch cartoons and movies in English. Children love cartoons, and seeing them in English will only increase their desire to learn.
One of the best ways you can help with your child’s education is to take part yourself. Why not sign up for an English course yourself. Come to any English school with your child and learn English together.
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