9 Tips for Learning English as a Second Language

Writing this list makes me feel like some kind of English language expert, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m still learning Languages Tutor from how to improve my English, and hopefully you can learn from my tips as well! 1. Start off slow, but study regularly. Use material that is challenging, but not too difficult. Find out what works for you and stick with it, or experiment with other materials to see if they work better for you than your current method of study.

1)Find content written at your level

Content that is too easy is not a challenge, and content that’s too hard will turn you off. You want to find something that’s just right—but how? Look online for sites where people are asking questions about content you’re trying to learn. By using forums and other community-based sites, you can probably find enough information written at your level to get started. And remember, if all else fails, don’t be afraid to ask people questions in person—they might even have some tips of their own!

2) Study regularly

When you decide to learn English, make sure that you have some regular time set aside each day where you can study. Set yourself a schedule and stick to it. After studying, spend some time practicing what you’ve learned with your classmates or in front of the mirror. Practice is crucial for learning any language, but particularly when trying to learn a new alphabet or writing system such as Chinese characters or Korean hangul. Being able to read and write is important too—don’t forget how much grammar is involved in knowing how to speak! If you put in regular practice every day, your skills will soon be on their way up and it won’t take long before people are asking how long it took you to pick up these skills…

3) Read a lot of books

This tip is mostly about reading, but it’s not just fiction. Read books and articles on topics you want to study (such as grammar). Some of my favorite books are: Talk like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of The World’s Top Minds; What They Didn’t Teach You in School about How to Study and Remember Anything; and How to Win Friends & Influence People.

4) Practice speaking with native speakers

Practice speaking with native speakers, who will be more than happy to have you talk to them. Being able to speak with native speakers is one of your best assets when learning a new language. And, of course, always keep in mind that practice makes perfect. You may make mistakes at first, but over time you’ll improve and become better at communicating in English.

5) Pronunciation practice is essential

The Best Way to Learn Pronunciation is to practice, practice, practice! You might think that there is no way to get better at pronouncing words but it’s just not true. If you use your new language regularly with other people and are willing to make mistakes (and learn from them) you will improve quickly. Spending time studying flashcards can help you memorize common word pairs, but nothing beats speaking with native speakers when it comes to improving pronunciation.

6) Memorize common words and phrases

Many ESL students make an important mistake early on: they devote too much time to grammar and not enough to actually learning words and phrases. This is a problem because, like any language, English is about communicating ideas, not memorizing rules. The first step in learning how to learn english language is remembering that there’s no place for difficult textbooks and over-the-top drills—they don’t allow you to apply what you know in real situations.

7) Grammar rules are meant to be broken occasionally

Of course, grammar rules are meant to be broken occasionally, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have their purposes. They can help you structure your sentences in a logical way and help your message come across with more clarity. (And clarity is key.) If you tend to be creative when writing, make sure not to break too many rules at once!

8) Avoid translating while studying

Avoid translating while studying. That is, don’t try to read articles or books in your target language like Pashto Language, and then translate them into your native tongue. (e.g., If you’re trying to learn French, don’t read articles in English, then try to translate them into French). This will not only slow down your learning process significantly, but it can also lead to bad habits such as skipping over difficult words without understanding their meaning.

9) Get in-person help when possible

It’s never been easier to find resources online that can help you learn a language, but nothing beats talking with an actual person. Whether it’s an instructor at your local community college or an old friend from high school who speaks another language, these relationships are invaluable. And chances are they’ll be happy to meet up with you and help you study—all you have to do is ask!

By Michael Caine

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