A lot of people really want to speak English but they are scared. Is this you?
Are you shy? Or you don’t know what to say? Or are you worried about making mistakes? Or worried that people won’t understand you? I tried learning Polish when I was living in Poland so I do know that it isn’t easy to get past this fear. But if you really want to speak English, you have to work on it! Here are some ideas.
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How often do you (or your teacher) ask questions like this:
Is this correct English? Is this good grammar? What is the grammar rule? Let me ask you some different questions: Which came first - the language or the rules? And what is grammar anyway? Have you ever wondered which grammar topics are the most important to learn? Which ones are the most important to get right if you want people to understand you? That’s what I’m going to explore in today’s blog post.
Sometimes people talk about learning a language as if it’s a complicated and mysterious thing. There’s a lot of discussion about the best ways to teach and learn English. However, I think there are just three basic things you have to do if you want to speak better English. Keep reading to find out what they are.
"How can I speak English better?" It’s probably no surprise that this is the most common question I get from English learners. If you have the same question, keep reading to find out what I think the first step is. You can also get a free e-book to help you with your speaking.
My first job teaching English was in Warsaw, Poland. I was there for two and a half years from 2000 to 2002 and it was an amazing experience. It also taught me a great deal about learning and teaching languages.
Do you find it difficult to remember what you have learnt? Have you studied English but later you feel like you have forgotten it? Do you worry that it was a waste of time and money?
I just put this question into Google and the results were very interesting! The first article I read said we don’t need to study grammar at all. Then I found an article saying the opposite and listing all the reasons why grammar study is important. Let me tell you what I think.
Are there any mistakes which you keep making over and over? Does it drive you crazy?! If this is you, don’t worry! You are not alone! Most language learners have the same problem. Keep reading for some tips on what to do about it.
I often have students tell me they want to get rid of their accent and speak like a native speaker. Clear pronunciation is definitely important for effective communication but let’s think about whether it is realistic or even necessary to sound like a native.
Do you sometimes feel like you are not making progress with your English? Does this cause you to lose your motivation? I know a lot of learners do feel this way. Here’s a suggestion for you.
Try setting yourself some small and easy to achieve goals for your language learning. Keep reading for some examples. Do you sometimes find it difficult to motivate yourself to sit down and study English? If you’re anything like me, you probably have days when you don’t feel like it or you might even get out of the habit altogether. I know how you feel and you are not alone!
Why are you learning English? What are the advantages of knowing this language? Thinking about your reasons for learning English can be a big help when studying seems boring or difficult. If you are struggling with motivation, remember why you want to learn English and maybe you will find some energy and enthusiasm again! Keep reading to see if your reasons are mentioned here and maybe you will see other advantages that you hadn't thought of!
My first post on tips for improving speaking skills in English is my most visited post so I thought I would do another one with some extra ideas for you! Click here to see the first post.
Do you want to improve your pronunciation? In this post, I'll give you some tips and suggestions. You can also find advice about some useful apps and websites.
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