Learning English
In this Section PTLIA.com will provide information and simple tricks to help you learn basic English skills. Learning to use the English language will help you to meet new people, earn respect from others, allow you to help friends, build your confidence and help you get a better job.
Grammar, vocabulary and sentence structure are not the only things that make learning English difficult. Before you can concentrate on the actual English language, you must prepare yourself mentally, become ready to break old habits and get ready for success. No matter how intelligent you may be, nothing can overcome the desire to learn.
Lesson # 1
• Do not be afraid to make mistakes. If you do not make mistakes, it means you are not trying or practicing your English.
• People may become jealous. They may criticize you, laugh or try to make you feel like you are a traitor to your native language or culture. Learning English does not mean you no longer love your native culture. Being able to communicate in English helps you to spread your culture to other Americans. The more other people understand your culture, the quicker your community will prosper.
• Try to speak with people who know more English than you. This is the fastest way to learn. If possible, listen to speakers who were born in the United States if you want to improve the way you pronounce words. If you learn from a friend who does not speak English correctly, you will learn the same mistakes they make.
• Do not be concerned at first with grammar or pronunciation. The first thing you must learn to do is communicate your thoughts. Remember the point is not how you say something, but what you have to say.
• Make friends outside of your community. This will force you to practice and try to learn English. When you stay with other people at work who already speak your language, it is comfortable and easy.
• If you are speaking with others in your native language, remember to tell people around you who do not speak your language what you said. It is human nature that people who do not speak your language think you are talking about them or trying to hide something.
• Use newspapers and magazines to help you build your vocabulary. Find a story that you are interested in or are familiar with in your native language. For example, if you love soccer and know about the game, find stories in sports magazines about soccer. Since you already have knowledge you will begin to be able to understand pieces of the story. Take the pieces you understand and try to build the rest of the story around what you already know.
• Use radio and television to help you improve word pronunciation. Remember that this does not mean the words are being pronounced correctly, but it will get you close.
• Try to learn about American culture. If you understand why people are doing things, it will give you clues to what they may be saying.
• Be gentle with yourself. Many people who were born in the United States do not speak correctly, so do not demand perfection from yourself.
Now that your mind is in the right place to begin learning English and you have learned a few tricks, get ready for the lessons we are going to teach you.
Check back soon for your next lesson and get ready to start speaking English !!!
