Chapter 20. A plan for learning English.
Hello there.
Today I've decided to devote my blog to the problem arised by koorosh from IRAN - a way of learning foreign language. I believe this is the problem which is interesting for all those who study English, e.i. for all the current audience. The question of a plan for learning English is difficult enough. I must confess I'm not a newbie in English, in fact, I've been studying it for a quarter of a century. But it's a far cry to what it's meant to be. I started learning English at school and continued it at university. It was just a subject in a raw and I found it boring and useless likewise the majority of other subjects. So, when I left university I forgot English for a while. I got back to it several years ago, when I came to conclusion that English is absolutely necessary for participation in the modern world and especially in software design. Widespreading of the Internet helped it a lot. I pulled English out of the bottom of my mind and found it obsolete or even failed. At the moment I've got an idea that it was done on purpose. As soon as I learned English in the period of the iron curtain there was an intention to make us able to read texts and unable to communicate. But it's only my suspicion. Anyway I started to learn English again and now I'm on my way. Previous knowledge sometimes helps me, especially in grammar, but simetimes hinders, first af all by wrong patterns.
Despite the fact that my process of learning English was mostly occasional and erratic, I think that by the present moment I've realized the best way of learning. The idea is as simple as it could be - you must have a goal. But attention! There is a trap! The goal like 'I want to know English' is wrong. Process of learning is infinite and you are at risk to never succeed it. The goal must be sensible and achievable. To pass an exam - is a good goal. Thanks goodness, several exams for different levels are available. For instance, you can choose FCE -> CAE -> CPE line, or step by step increase overall band score in IELTS. It's up to you what will you choose, taking into account what your English is for.
Speaking for myself, similar to koorosh, I've chosen IELTS. It seemed to me more practical because it tests ability rather than knowledge. And this is ability that I need and that I'm weak. For instance fast seizing the mean is critical for reading. By the way, Tricia, following Your advice to read through unknown words I face with difficulty in understanding the mean of the whole sentence. Not knowing a word I often can't recignize where a subject ends and a predicate starts. Is there any key to cope with the problem?
I'm afraid I can't give a lot of advise for exam preparing strategy, beside you should have as much practice as you can. Different levels of English require different approaches. And it's might be better to ask available english teacher for recomendations. But if someone find it possible to share his or her tips and tricks here it would be terrific and usefull for all of us.
Wish you nice weekend.
Alex.
Comments
Hi! You are absolutely right about having a goal.It can motivate you.Small steps in everything give more confidence because you can see the result.It sounds to me ridiculous to think : 'I want to learn English.'The more you learn the more you understand that it is imposible to learn the language as a native speaker. That is why small acheavable goals are more useful than a big one but impossible.So your strategy works perfectly for me too.I have tried it. Have a nice weekend too all readers!
Hello my friend Alex Thank you very much for your useful advice. In fact, I started to pick up in English, when I decide to study for IELTS. I used to study English when I was at school, and also at university, but unfortunately, I was not able to write even, one simple sentence in English. As this examination focus on all four skills in English, reading, writing, listening, and speaking. My skills were being progressed. Could you tell me more about all strategy that you used for improving your writing skill? I think this is a common question about all members here and it will be useful for all of us.
hi,Alex.while reading your blog i am falling into a deep thinking,"why do i want to learn English?"or "is it the only goal for me to learn English is to understand the meaning of the English news?" i don't know.but actually i am addicted to learning it on bbc for a few months is true. but maybe as you say i should have a purpose.
I have been learing english since 11 years ago, but my level is not very high, I'm from China, and currently, I'm studying in France, the cours language is French, I have the intention to burnish my english, however, i have not enough time, so I want to ask sommebboy who can give me somme suggestion corresponding my situation, thank you by advance!
Hello, I absolutely agree with you, that schools prepare pupils to write comments or something like that, but in contrast we never talked about English small talk. And what would you need more? - Small talk or writing a comment? For example I will be on holidays in a country where I must communicate in English - I feel absolutely not prepared and I do not know what to do.
i agree with u ,it is important to have a goal. I have much similiar feeling with u about learning English. i have learned for more than 15 years,but i could not communicate with others in English. last, i wannt say i think ur English is good.
It's very helpful to get your advices of how to learn English. I've studied English for 5 years now but I'm not very confident on my speaking and writing cause I'm lacking of new words especially daily words describing things and people.
It's just fantastic...I´ve finnished my strategy to achieve my goal just now and my goals are exactly that one you have described Alex: FCE-> CAE -> CPE. I´ve put dates to determinate when I want to reach each niveau. bye Cassio
Hi,Ihave studied English for twenty years;quite long time.unfortunately, I cann't speak or write English well.It is so frustrating. I reflacted my learning style and found some cause hindering my progress.I learn English every day but I don't use it.I read or try to memorize vocabularies but don't practice English.It is said ,"use it or lose it." The words inspire me to use English.Today is my birthday and I want to make a different by writing the blog.
I have tried to improve my speaking skill in english in india as well as in theUK.But,It will be take long time because there lots of words are coming from another language and the dictionary has been aging so i have to learn more from it.
I think having a good strategic plan is the for success. We should have our visions and think about our mission. It is never late to start struggling. As a femous Chinese proveb says: A journey of thousands mile begin with a single step. the best thing is to manage your time correctly. you should have daily, weekly and monthly plan and include your English study in your plans. Best wishes for all of you NB: due to the luck of time I could not wrote much but I hope I could write more sometime later.
HELLO,IN MY OPINION I THINK THAT ENGLISH IS EASY FOR POEPLE WHO WANTS TO LEARN ENGLISH AT ANY AGE AND PLACE AND IT WILL HELPS THEM TO LEARN MORE AND MORE FROM OTHERS POEPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD .GOOD LUCK.
Hi Ajmal Saleem. Aren't you Ajmal who was teaching in AELC Peshawar? if so contact me at romin4u2002@yahoo.com or mustafayaqubi@hotmail.com
I believe that the best way of learninig a foreign language is to teach it.When you teach you get a wonderful opportunity to know the subject deeply.
iwould like learn english but ido not know how can start study english
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