How to Learn English (1): Balanced input and output (b)
If you’re not making good progress in learning English, maybe because you have not kept a balance between input and output. For some people, the problem is input. They don’t do enough reading. Some people rarely listen to English. They go to school, but do not read books after class. I asked my students of level 3 if they watch English TV programs regularly, most of them shook their heads. It’s terrible. Learning English should be an enjoyable thing to do, but many students struggle because of so many new words to remember and so many grammar rules to learn and exercises to do. This needs to be changed. Borrow some interesting, easy to read books from the library, some children’s books, I suggest. While learning English, try not to read anything in your native language. If you want to read news about your country, read it in English. For listening, watch your favorite English TV programs. You may want to order a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) from your cable company, and record the programs you want to watch and watch them at your convenient time. You also need an MP3 player, which is not expensive to buy these days, and download listening materials from ESL podcast sites (http://www.rong-chang.com/podcast.htm). The advantage of having an MP3 player is that you can listen to English anywhere, anytime, while walking, doing the housework, before going to sleep. All the time you spend listening to music should now be spent listening to English. Regarding output, you need to find opportunities to speak English. The most important learning principle is LEARNING BY DOING. Learning English is the same. You learn to speak English by speaking it. In a new country, try to make new friends. Learn how to start a conversation with a stranger. Go to parties on the weekend. When a salesman calls you, pick up the phone and talk to him, just make sure you don’t buy things from them. For writing practice, use your email often. Email your friends, your teachers. You can also find a pen pal to write to or chat with for English learning purposes (http://www.rong-chang.com/talk/talksign.htm).
I agree with you. When I accepted that I had problems with my learning englishs, I began to search some ways to improve my learning methods. So, I knew that it was necessary to work in different items. read, write, listen and speak. I began to get some articles to read, also, I get some podcasts for listen in my free time, now, I have a pen pal in the united States and one to another write us emails. My next search is a friend for speak in english. I think that my english is better now. Thank you for your help.
Comment by albeiro — December 20, 2007 @ 15:37