This is a common question often asked by learners of English. Students are always searching for ways to improve their English fast and effectively. At times English studiers wish that they could simply go to bed one night and wake up the next morning and “presto”, they have learned how to speak English like a native speaker.
Well, learning how to speak English or any other language doesn’t work that way, at least not in real life. Although sometimes it’s depicted this way in movies, which, as we all know, is just a fantasy.
In real life, studying English is a long and ongoing process. Sometimes it takes years to be able to speak English fluently (or other languages). There are no “quick fixes”. It’s a slow and steady process. Steady is the key.
The best advice that I know for learning English conversation or English writing, or anything really, is “practice, practice, practice”. This is age-old advice. Have you ever heard of this English expression (proverb)? How about this timeless one, “practice makes perfect”? I believe both are true and I try to incorporate both in my own personal life. Every time I want to learn something new, I have to keep telling myself these expressions. It’s a way of motivating myself.
One good starting point is to join a good English conversation course. Be sure to try to choose a reputable English language school for this. This would be my first advice to anyone who wants to learn English. Joining an English writing course or English grammar course would also be beneficial. There are many ways of learning English, but, this would be a good start.
In the end, anything you do to learn English will be helpful. As long as you are actively trying, you will succeed. You just have to take that first step. People always say it’s the hardest. One last famous modern expression, made famous by Nike, is “Just do it!”
Written by: Alan Bruhn
English Teacher at Canadian Education College, Singapore
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