LEARNING ENGLISH Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
WHY LEARN ENGLISH?
Because 400 million first language speakers, 700 million second or foreign language speakers, over a billion people learning it right now! And over 80% of the information stored in the world's computers is in English, more than half the world's scientific journals are in English, it's the main language on the internet, and so on. The result is that more and more people expect you to know some English. Also, 80% of the English used in the world is used between non-native speakers. In short, it has become the main way you get around, the main way you get things done, the way you make friends, the way you do business with a foreign country, the way you get information.
Because 400 million first language speakers, 700 million second or foreign language speakers, over a billion people learning it right now! And over 80% of the information stored in the world's computers is in English, more than half the world's scientific journals are in English, it's the main language on the internet, and so on. The result is that more and more people expect you to know some English. Also, 80% of the English used in the world is used between non-native speakers. In short, it has become the main way you get around, the main way you get things done, the way you make friends, the way you do business with a foreign country, the way you get information.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO LEARN ENGLISH?
· You must be positive about learning English. It doesn't matter why you're positive - because you enjoy language, or because you hope to get a better job - but you must feel enthusiastic about it.
· You must feel relaxed, comfortable and secure - not only in the classroom, but outside it too
· You must accept that quantity matters as much as quality - in other words don’t worry about the best way to learn English or that you want to speak correct English. Just spend time reading, writing, talking or listening to English instead! Doing a lot of language is better than doing one little bit perfectly.
· Understand that people are different - different people learn better in different ways. So the really important factor is to find the best way for you to learn English.
SO HOW DO I FIND THE BEST WAY OF LEARNING ENGLISH FOR ME?
You need three things - all easy to say, but a little more difficult to do or get:-
You need three things - all easy to say, but a little more difficult to do or get:-
· You need good advice. The best advice is of course from your English teachers & the people who know you.
· You need to ask yourself what things you really like doing which use language - reading, using the web, writing to friends, listening to songs, etc. - then you need to find ways of doing as much as you possibly can of those activities in English.
· You need to ask yourself what ways of learning you find best for learning - not only languages, but math or history. Do you like to learn by heart? Do you like to learn rules? Or do you just like to 'pick things up' with no definite plan? Use the same method to learn English also.
DOES MY NATIVE (= FIRST) LANGUAGE MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?
Yes, it does. However, English may seem different language to you, but a lot of people have learned it, and some of those have learned it well. So don't worry too much if your progress seems slower than that of others - it may just be easier for them than it is for you, and that is not your fault.
Yes, it does. However, English may seem different language to you, but a lot of people have learned it, and some of those have learned it well. So don't worry too much if your progress seems slower than that of others - it may just be easier for them than it is for you, and that is not your fault.
· the level you start from the level you want to finish at
· how good a natural language learner you are
· how good and how motivated a student you are
WHICH IS BETTER - A BIG SCHOOL OR A SMALL ONE?
People’s needs are different. Some prefer big schools. The advantages of a big school are very obvious: you have more of many important things -more teachers, more students to choose friends from, more facilities &more equipment (computers, videos...), more books, cassettes and CD ROMs.
However, with a small school one advantage is very clear: there will not be so many students and it is easier for the school's teachers to put pressure on students to speak English all the time. Most of all, a small school can provide the relaxed and friendly atmosphere in which you feel more confident, and which is such a basic condition for good progress in language learning
People’s needs are different. Some prefer big schools. The advantages of a big school are very obvious: you have more of many important things -more teachers, more students to choose friends from, more facilities &more equipment (computers, videos...), more books, cassettes and CD ROMs.
However, with a small school one advantage is very clear: there will not be so many students and it is easier for the school's teachers to put pressure on students to speak English all the time. Most of all, a small school can provide the relaxed and friendly atmosphere in which you feel more confident, and which is such a basic condition for good progress in language learning
DO SMALL CLASSES MAKE A DIFFERENCE Yes, they make a big difference. The mathematics is clear: 6 students in a one-hour class give a maximum of 10 minutes per student for contributing. 10 students allow 6 minutes each. The teacher and the students are much more aware of what is happening - who understands and who does not, or who wants to speak and who wants to hear a little more first. In choosing your language school, therefore, the size of the classes is one of the most important factors in relation to the price
DO I NEED TO STUDY GRAMMAR?
The easy answer is 'Of course not'. You learned your first language, as all young children do, without the help of a grammar book. You could use verbs correctly for many years before you knew what they were. But, you are now an adult. Children spend more hours than you can, learning their first language, so it is a good idea to look for some more direct, quicker ways of learning. If you look at the answer to above, you'll see that grammar is just part of the bigger question. The important thing is to decide if you feel it helps you. Your state of mind is the most important factor. If you feel it helps you, it probably does, and if you feel it's a waste of time, it is
The easy answer is 'Of course not'. You learned your first language, as all young children do, without the help of a grammar book. You could use verbs correctly for many years before you knew what they were. But, you are now an adult. Children spend more hours than you can, learning their first language, so it is a good idea to look for some more direct, quicker ways of learning. If you look at the answer to above, you'll see that grammar is just part of the bigger question. The important thing is to decide if you feel it helps you. Your state of mind is the most important factor. If you feel it helps you, it probably does, and if you feel it's a waste of time, it is
HOW DO I LEARN ENOUGH ENGLISH WORDS?
Words are the very first thing you have to have in a language (pronunciation is the second) Systematic learning is specially good for learning words - making lists of words related to each other, putting labels on things, writing words on cards, making your own dictionary, and so on. In other words, you learn words best by hard work; you remember or reinforce them by use. It's important to remember that speaking is not the only form of use. Reading and studying are also use. For everyday words, you will probably meet a lot of new ones while doing your English course. The best way to learn them is to write them down when you first hear them, then in the evening do some systematic work on them - rewriting, reorganizing, them. And all the time, whenever you have a spare moment, keep reading in English - read anything that interests you. That way you will have a good chance of meeting again the words you have learned.
Words are the very first thing you have to have in a language (pronunciation is the second) Systematic learning is specially good for learning words - making lists of words related to each other, putting labels on things, writing words on cards, making your own dictionary, and so on. In other words, you learn words best by hard work; you remember or reinforce them by use. It's important to remember that speaking is not the only form of use. Reading and studying are also use. For everyday words, you will probably meet a lot of new ones while doing your English course. The best way to learn them is to write them down when you first hear them, then in the evening do some systematic work on them - rewriting, reorganizing, them. And all the time, whenever you have a spare moment, keep reading in English - read anything that interests you. That way you will have a good chance of meeting again the words you have learned.
HOW IMPORTANT IS PRONUNCIATION?
It's the next most important after vocabulary. You need words first, but then you need pronunciation, because it's no use having words if people can't understand the words when you say them! But people often get too worried about pronunciation and want to pronounce English 'correctly'. But there is no such thing as 'correct pronunciation'. It doesn't exist. The best answer to correctness is that if you are a Japanese using English; there is nothing wrong with sounding like Japanese using English - it's much better than sounding like a Japanese trying to sound like an American but just can't quite do it! But there is another side to pronunciation, that you want people to understand you. Don't by the way always think it's your fault if people don't understand you. Your English may be better than theirs, and anyway even native speakers fail to understand each other quite often.
It's the next most important after vocabulary. You need words first, but then you need pronunciation, because it's no use having words if people can't understand the words when you say them! But people often get too worried about pronunciation and want to pronounce English 'correctly'. But there is no such thing as 'correct pronunciation'. It doesn't exist. The best answer to correctness is that if you are a Japanese using English; there is nothing wrong with sounding like Japanese using English - it's much better than sounding like a Japanese trying to sound like an American but just can't quite do it! But there is another side to pronunciation, that you want people to understand you. Don't by the way always think it's your fault if people don't understand you. Your English may be better than theirs, and anyway even native speakers fail to understand each other quite often.
So what you need if you want people to understand you is really the most 'neutral' kind of accent. Most countries have a more neutral form of their different accents or dialects - one that everyone can understand - often the form used on national television or radio - and usually it's the form that people from other countries can understand too.
DO I NEED TO TAKE AN ENGLISH EXAM?
You only need to do an exam if it is must. But there can also be good reasons for doing one: If you're doing an English course, why not take an exam at the end of it? There will be no better time
You only need to do an exam if it is must. But there can also be good reasons for doing one: If you're doing an English course, why not take an exam at the end of it? There will be no better time
· A certificate can always be useful. You never know what's going to happen in your career. It may be required if you want to migrate to a country in which first language is English.
· Motivation. Many people find that the feeling that they have to pass a test gives them greater motivation. If you think this is true for you, don't hesitate: the money you spend on entering and doing the exam will be money very well spent, even if you don't pass it. Just think that you have bought motivation!
DO I NEED TO FOLLOW AN EXAM COURSE?
Yes, it's a good idea, but be careful! Some exam courses have a very narrow focus - getting you through the exam. Problem is that a continuous diet of test exercises is comforting, because you concentrate, so you feel you are working hard. But the ease and comfort are - unfortunately - not really helping you to develop your language in the interesting but complex, demanding ways you need.
Yes, it's a good idea, but be careful! Some exam courses have a very narrow focus - getting you through the exam. Problem is that a continuous diet of test exercises is comforting, because you concentrate, so you feel you are working hard. But the ease and comfort are - unfortunately - not really helping you to develop your language in the interesting but complex, demanding ways you need.
In any preparation for an exam, never lose sight of the basic truth: Good English + a little Exam Technique has far more chance of success than Poor English + a lot of Exam Technique!
No comments:
Post a Comment