Hello everyone.
When you are learning a language, not only English; there is a point when you feel that you are no learning anything new or that your level of English can go any farther. Sometimes, you study but you seem being learning nothing new. You think you are speaking at a natural pace and you believe you understand English not only with survival purposes but also with specific goals. Then, we question ourselves, what can I do if I am not improving?.
Well, I think many people has been in this stage and there are plenty of things you can do in order to overcome it and successfuly keep your process of learning English. First at all, you need not to panic, it is normal, chill out...listen to some music or read something you like in English you are doing something you like and your practicing as well. At this moment, you can also going to a movie or watch some television in English good relaxing and entrataining way for learning English.
Second, review those areas and topics you find hard to understand in English. For example even though I have studied the subjunctive in English, some conditionals and phrasal verbs they are still difficult topics for me so...once a while I study those topics that have given me a hard time. It could be related to grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, or strategies for improving your communicative skills.
Third, you can find a partner for learning. You can set days and topics for practice. As well, you can share activities that both enjoy and speak in English. This give you the opportunity to practice, correct each other's mistakes and have fun while learning.
The idea is to keep practicing and keep your process. I hope you like this blog and I am looking forward to receive your comments and suggestions. Thank you
Comments
Hello.
Harry Jones. You make me remember those classes at collegue when I was studying linguistics and one of my teacher came out with the topic of "The Ideal Speaker/The Ideal Listener" proposed by Noan Chomsky. I bring this to the topic because there is not that in factual life. No body is a truly speaker of any language...nor accent is better than other and the purpose on the communication process is that to communicate an idea, to transmit information, to convince, or to persuade.
Besides, When I was at the university I recall another teacher who told me "English is one, but accents and dialectic variants are several; hence, it doesn't matter if you try to imitate to an American Person or a British person...you will be understood because English is one".
Here I say that we imitate, because that's what I do. When I speak English I have to imitate some sounds because they don't exist in Spanish sooo....English is one and that's why if I speak with a korean person in English I will understand because accent is just a matter of sociological aspects but it doesn't affect the communication.
If American speakers don't speak English...what do they speak? If you go to UK, there are also lots of variants. The English that someone speaks in London is not the same that someone in Leeds would speak; a Scottish never speaks the same as a Welsh and of course someone from Oxford never speaks the same to someone from Liverpool; so, I know that there is something like an Standard English but every region has its own accent and its own way to use the language. Then, I think that saying that Americans don't speak English, would be the same that saying that here in Colombia we don't speak Spanish because we are not Spaniards...
Hello everyone.
I would like to make clear something that maybe was understood wrong. First, I know that if you want to boost your English level 15-20 minutes will not be enough. What I want to suggest is that you need a day where you can have a full toutorial sesson, maybe with a teacher, perhaps on the internet. This must be at least a 2 hour sesson. Then, the other days you can set a little time for reviewing what you have learnt or practicing.
Second, making mistakes is part of the process you don't have to worry about them. I mean, you have to be concern of them and analyze them and be aware of them. But, the most you worry about them, the most you will make them. So I hope making this clear for you and don't worry... I love to see how many replies I have recived, this encorage me to write more.
I really appreciate.
Well, some people say that they can improve their English because they have no time. My piece of advice for this issue is: no matters the amount of time, what it is really important is the quality of time. You can set fifteen minutes a day and you can make significant changes in your English proficiency. You can read some news in English and write down some new vocabulary. You can listen to some podcasts (there are some that only take six minutes) and you can check the vocabulary or the pronunciation. In fifteen minutes you can write a sentence with a special grammar and try to figure out how it works.
The idea is to practice everyday no matter how long but how good.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience and idea with us. You have mentioned how we can improve our skill in English. It will be really helpful for everybody. Wish you all the best.
I think that is your need or purpose you enjoy doing it...what a great purpose: having fun while you are learning something interesting and useful for your life. I mean, whatever reason you're learning a language...there should be a motivation don't you think.
I agree, you need to love something if you wanna learn it. However, when you are learning a language I have learnt that you need to have a purpose for it. You will need it for your job, for a study, for communitcating, among others soo, what do you need English for.
I agree the best way to learn English is to find a partner who is a native English speaker.
Essays and penpals? That's new for me and I would try it!
Thanks a lot for the advice, I really appreciate it!
@Camelia. I know that when we write it is because you want to be read. However, we didn't receive the feedback we would like to. So, my advice for you is not only write blogs but also write reviews and essays and you can show them to a friend who is also learning and ask him for comments and suggestions. Another piece of advice is that you can find a pen pal for writing mails. It is a good way to practice. You can google penpals and you will find lots of pages where you can make friends and have fun. If you want, you can send me your writing and I will give you some advice, telling you that I am not a expert but I can help. Thank you for your comments.
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