Learning to speak basic English is the first step in communicating in many global circles around the world. With today's technology, you have a virtual world of resources at your fingertips. Start today with these tips and you will soon be on your way to speaking the language of the world.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Reading
Step 1. Get familiar with the alphabet
If your language is Latin, this will be very simple. If it isn't, start with the basic sounds for each letter. There are 26 and there is a song to help you remember them.
Unlike many Germanic and Romance languages, English letters do not necessarily correlate with a specific sound (this is why English is considered one of the most difficult languages to learn). You should know that vowels (and certain consonants in certain environments) have two or three sounds, depending on the word. For example, "A" sounds different in father, path, and say
Step 2. Get a teacher
Your number one source will be a real person that you can ask questions of. He or she will be able to provide material and assignments to improve your skills. It will also require you to speak - a skill that is very difficult to learn on your own.
- Headway, Face2Face, and Cutting Edge are popular and reputable book lines. But if you have a teacher, he will be able to point you to (or even give you) a book that can better serve your needs. If you are looking for basic business English or just conversational English, you may be better off with a book with a more limited focus.
- The best teacher is someone who really is a teacher. Just because someone can speak the language does not mean that they will be a good teacher. Try to find someone who has some experience mentoring or supervising others, if not teaching. It's a skill, and if that wasn't enough, teachers with more time will likely have more resources for you.
Step 3. Go online
The internet is full of resources to fill your time, improve your language skills. Any English site is good, but you may find that you are happier with those geared to your skills. There are many basic English sites or websites for recommended easy reading.
- Simple Wikipedia is a great source of information on anything put into language that is easy to understand. With this site, you can study the things that interest you while simultaneously learning English. Breaking News English and BBC Learning English are also good sites for new stories,
- There are also sites that can give you information on good materials. GoodReads has a Basic English shelf that has lists of books that are made just for your level.
Step 4. Go to the library
Sometimes the internet is not portable (or you just don't want to see the screen anymore). The books that you can hold in your hands are as good to learn as the Internet. You can read at your discretion and make notes in the margins to ease the path to a larger vocabulary.
- Don't be afraid to start with children's books. The language is short and to the point; what's more, the books are short, too, and good for a squirrel-like attention span. You can start as simple as you want and work your way through the age groups.
- If you have a book that you know by heart, take the English version. Since you know the book so well (as long as you know how to read in English), it will be faster to translate and follow the plot points.
Method 2 of 3: Writing
Step 1. Get a pen pal
Talking to a person in an English-speaking country can be an incredibly fun and exciting adventure to start with. They will be able to tell you about their culture, their customs and give you a royal path to the English-speaking world. And receiving mail is always a stimulation!
Students of the World and PenPal World are both good online sources for finding a pen pal. You can use snailmail or email with your new writing friend. Although email goes much faster, snailmail can be much more personal and exciting
Step 2. Keep a journal
Although you won't be able to correct your own mistakes, you will be able to maintain your vocabulary and figure out the words you don't know (and look them up later!). If you don't use words, you are likely to lose them; Keeping a journal every day keeps words and phrases fresh in your head.
This journal can take a large number of forms. It can be an English journal dedicated to the reflections of others where you write song lyrics, poems and phrases that you like in English, or it can be writing about yourself: thoughts, ventilation, gratitude, or just dedicating yourself to a specific topic
Step 3. Start labeling
This tactic is good for writing and memory. Take everything in your house and label it in its name in English. The goal is to start thinking in English; at home, you are more likely to think, "What's on TV?" if the "television" is right in front of you.
Do not stop with what is in front of you (bed, chair, TV, lamp, refrigerator) look inside your cabinets and refrigerator. If there's a place where you keep your dishes, label it. If there's a place where you always keep milk, label it. It will also help you stay organized
Method 3 of 3: Talk and Listen
Step 1. Join a group conversation
If you have a university or language school in your area, they most likely have organizations that you are likely to get involved with. You will meet other people like you who are looking to have better knowledge.
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Before you start talking, you'll be better off knowing the basics:
- Numbers (1-100)
- Time (numbers 1-59 plus o'clock, past, and till)
- Days of the week (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
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Introductory phrases
- Hello! My name is…
- How are you?
- How old are you? I'm X years old.
- What do you like? I like…
- How is your family?
Step 2. Watch videos
As always, YouTube is a great resource for knowledge and information. There are hundreds of videos dedicated to ESL students that maintain a steady pace and all are about expanding vocabulary and grammar.
You don't have to limit yourself to ESL videos. As long as it is in English, if it is a topic that you like, you may find it useful. Try to find videos that have subtitles so that you can read well. Many music videos have the lyrics in them, making it easier to follow and keep up
Step 3. Listen to programs in English
Put on the subtitles (if you have to) and tune in to a popular English show or the news. Although you may not be able to grasp most of what they are saying, the more you study, the more you will understand and the more able you will be to notice your progress. Podcasts are also good resources.
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Keep in mind that when you are listening, each speaker has an accent. Some speakers will be easier to understand than others. If you are interested in American English, listen to American speakers. For British English, stick to the European programs. People speak English around the world and there are hundreds of varying accents.
This is good news for you! Regardless of your accent (in general), most native speakers will be able to understand you. Since English comes in many variations, the ears of native speakers are used to the differences
Advice
- Ask your friends if they are also learning English. If they are, spend 20 minutes each day just chatting in English. It may take an effort at first, but it will eventually get old and something that the two of you are looking to do.
- Buy a good English dictionary. If you are translating or just looking for a word you don't know, you will be able to search for it in seconds. Or just download the app.
- Start small. Don't stress, languages take years for you to be good. Trying a little bit each day ensures that you improve your skills.