The age of globalization has given rise to a huge demand for English learning to speakers of other languages. As someone whose language isn't English as well, I understand that this is a daunting task especially if you learn later in your life than sooner. Luckily, I have been exposed to the English language since my younger years and I never run out of moments when I either hear or speak English in a day due to my job, the television and the Internet.
With the advent of technology, learning English has become easier compared to before. Through the Internet, we could download English songs, podcasts and lessons related to learning the target language. Teachers are even posting some grammar videos online for free. What's to fret about now? Technology has made everything easier and now all that's left for you to do is to be open and allot some time to listen, speak, read and write in English on a daily basis to speed up the learning process.
If you really want to learn English FAST, you are the most important part of the equation. The English books and teachers play minimal roles. Even with them, learning is impossible to take place if you do not practice. Many students depend on the teacher. That's the wrong way to go. The teachers are only there to guide you, and practice can be done on your own. It is important to hone your listening, speaking, writing and reading skills and with the easy access to the Internet and with the availability of other technological gadgets, there's no excuse anymore!
So, how should you do it? Here are some practical tips you can do on your own:
1. Watch Television (in English)
I am not a fan of subtitles. What that actually does is prohibit you to listen and enjoy the film or show you are watching because all your attention is now focused on reading. If you don't have much time, then English TV shows are great alternatives to movies. There are many interesting TV series out there. Choose one of your liking. As for me, I watch both TV series and movies in English day in, day out to make sure my skill does not perish. You should do the same.
2. Only Read Something Interesting
A misguided suggestion is to widely read to enormously improve one's English especially in terms of grammar, sentence structures and vocabulary. While there is some truth to it, this is a difficult task for non-readers and telling non-bookworms to do just that just pushes them away and make them hate reading all the more! I can relate because I am a non-reader, but recognizing that reading is a matter of consequence, then I knew that I had to really pick up a book, a magazine or a newspaper sometime or another. My suggestion to make things easier is to pick something interesting, so it wouldn't be too much weight. If you're a fan of fashion, then read fashion magazines. Even English comics can help you learn about grammatical and sentence structures. Eventually, it would come naturally and become one of your hobbies. I started with Fairy Tales books at the age of 12 to widen my vocabulary, then I moved on to magazines, comics and now I read longer articles online. For your information, I still don't like reading novels, and that's okay. Reading short articles is the next best alternative!
3. Write a Journal
Diaries are not necessarily girly or childish. Look at it as an opportunity to write down your plans, thoughts and great ideas about the future or anything. It really doesn't matter! All that is needed is for you to pick up that pen and commence writing. Spelling, new vocabulary learned and sentence structure knowledge is then applied and that's how grammar can be corrected and then improved. Remember that great writers aren't born. They are developed overtime. If you want to become a better writer, then you have to start somewhere.
Some people leave writing at the backseat because they think that this skill is not important. They couldn't be so wrong! Writing is quite important especially when you go to work since you will need to write a business memo or letter to your boss or your clients. By saying this, I then am telling you that you should never take writing for granted.
4. Speak.
Many English learners do not like to speak in English because they are conscious of their errors, yet how could these be corrected if they weren't said at all? How will you know you are wrong if you do not say anything at all? Man has come to the age of technology not through instant genius, but through trial and error. It pays to remember that!
5. Do less studying and more talking, reading, listening and writing!
Again, practice makes perfect. A child can be fluent in English even without learning grammar. It's all about mimicking what you heard and read. Writing and Speaking are ways to practise what you have learned, so don't be shy to start soon.
Also, learning is not only achieved in the classroom. As I've mentioned, you can learn from magazines, TV, comics, newspapers, the Internet and other people speaking English. Know which you find the easiest and do it every day. Do not rely on your teachers. They only point you to the right direction, but how fast you learn depends on how often YOU practice.
Students spend a lot of time studying the boring rudiments of grammar. While grammar rules are important, it is not everything you need to know to speak the language. Also, once you've developed the confidence and improved your ability, remember that it is a perishable skill and so you must keep yourself sharp and honed by watching TV and grabbing any opportunities to speak it.
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