What is the best way to learn English…fast?
Not a single day goes by without hearing this question “What is the best way to learn English…fast?”. Since you’re in such a hurry, I’ll indulge you!
Listen to speak, read to write
That is my advice to learners of English as a second or foreign language. That is also my advice to English schools and ESL teachers responsible for creating ESL programs, curricula and textbooks. Just as it says in the title, to improve your speaking, you’ve got to start with listening, and to improve your writing, […]
Improving English: None for you without review
The title of this article says it all. So why is review such an important part of the learning process and improving English? Well, just look at the first two letters of the word “review”, what have you got? That’s right. “Re”. “Re” also happens to be the first two letters of the word “repetition”. […]
Who can master native English?
Out of a hundred thousand people reading this article, there could only be one who, 1/has the mind power to master the spoken English, and 2/has the talent and skills to master it without the help of a good teacher or coach. I am aware that the notion of mastering the spoken English is debatable […]
Learning English or learning about English?
Learning English, learning about English, “tomEYto” “tomAHto” you might think. Unfortunately, most English learners spend 70% of their time learning about English. They learn about grammar rules, vocabulary, how to write an essay or pass an exam etc. but hardly learning English as in fully immersing themselves in the language. Look, needless to say, learning […]
What grammar book is good to learn English?
None! It does not exist. You never learn a language by studying grammar. Grammar books should only be used as a reference, just like a dictionary. You use a dictionary to look up the meaning of a word, that is to improve your vocabulary, and you should use a grammar book to help you to […]
What is “another” good movie to watch for English learning?
In a previous post, I recommended Bill Murray’s “Groundhog day” as a good movie to watch to improve the learners’ English. There’s another movie that’s just as good for learning English especially for improving grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary. Did I make you curious? I certainly hope so. Do you wanna (want to) take a guess? […]
Blessed are the English learners who can master their emotions
To master your emotions is to decide how YOU WANT to be feeling now as opposed to how you ARE feeling now! Imagine how difficult that is. As a matter of fact, for most people, it is beyond reach. While it is most certainly not beyond reach (unfeasible), it can easily be if it is […]
3rd Largest Economy: behind North Korea in English Profiency
Something’s wrong there. According to a 2005/2006 TOEFL test of English as a foreign language, Japan has the worst score in Asia, even worse than North Korea. Although Japan scores much better in the EF English Proficiency Index, which attempts to rank countries by the average level of English skills amongst adults, Japan still falls […]
4 silly myths about learning English
Silly myth 1: “If you live in an English speaking country for just 3 months, you can speak English like a native speaker.” Can’t tell you how many dreams I’ve seen get shattered and hearts broken. Many seem to believe that it is almost a certain fact if you manage to live in an […]