You need to learn English? If you don't know, learning a few common phrases can be quite helpful as English is the main language in the Western world and one of the most widely spoken languages internationally. It is also considered the main language for business. It is not a difficult language to learn especially if your first language is Spanish, as it has many words derived from Latin. Note that accents are not used in this language. This article contains some steps that you can follow to learn phrases that will help you in international travel, vacations, business and in the communication that you may have with people whose first language is English. Here are some common phrases to help you:
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part One: Develop Study Habits
Step 1. Don't lose sight of your goal
You have already taken the most important step, you have decided to learn English. Now all you have to do is keep your target in your sights. Today, with so many distractions at hand (Internet, video games, TV, iPod, etc.), it is very easy to lose concentration. You must dedicate between one or two hours at least five days a week if you want to see results, any time less than this will take you much longer to learn. This is first and foremost of all: you must have the dedication it takes to learn a new language.
Step 2. Find a teacher
Whether you can take the class at your school (if it's not required) or as an elective course, having a teacher is an invaluable help when learning English.
- If you do not have access to a class at your school or university, find a private teacher or a school that you can attend in your spare time.
- If you don't have money to pay for a teacher, find a friend or family member who knows English and can be your teacher. Maybe you can help him with something he needs, like mowing his lawn or helping him create a website. Lack of money cannot be an excuse! There are always alternative paths, you just have to be.
Step 3. Make flash cards
Flash cards, known in Spanish as flashcards, are cards in which you write a clue or symbol on one side and the answer or indicated word on the other. You can make flashcards with pictures of objects and the word on the other side, or incomplete sentences with the word you must guess that completes the sentence on the other side. The possibilities are practically unlimited.
Step 4. Download apps to learn English
Today there are apps for everything and yes, there are also apps for learning English. If you have an iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch or a tablet or smartphone with Android operating system, you can download them. The ones that are considered the best (and also free) are Duolingo, Lingua.ly, Busuu, Memrise and Voxy.
Step 5. Buy a program for your computer to learn English
There are many programs that you can buy and install on your computer to learn English. One of the most recognized is that of Rosetta Stone, one of the main companies in the market. It is available for around $ 180 and you can buy it online.
Method 2 of 3: Part Two: Memorize Some Basic Phrases
Step 1. Learn the following phrases and words
These are some of the most used phrases and words in English:
- Hello = Hello
- Goodbye = Goodbye
- How are you? = How are you?
- Very well and you? = I am fine, and you?
- Do you speak Spanish? = Do you speak Spanish?
- Yes = Yes
- No = No
- Where is the bathroom? = Where is the bathroom?
- I don't understand = I do not understand / I don't understand
- Where is the best restaurant? = Where is the best restaurant?
- I don't speak English = I don't speak English / I do not speak English
- Forgive me = Pardon me (Excuse me)
- What time is it? = What time is it?
- Help me, please = Help me, please
- You can help me? = Can you help me?
- I love you = I love you
- What's your name? = What's your name? / What is your name?
- Where are the bathrooms? = Where are the bathrooms?
- Gracias = Thanks / Thank you
- You're welcome = You're welcome
- I am from (somewhere) = I'm from (somewhere) (I am from [somewhere])
- Where are you / are they from? = where are you from?
- Where are they from)? = Where are they from?
- Mr. = Mr. (Mister)
- Mrs. = Mrs. (Misses)
- Miss = Miss
- Boy / boys = boy / boys
- Girl / girls = girl / girls
- What does it mean ____? = What does ____ mean?
- I can = I can
- How much is this? = How much is it?
- How can I help you? = How can I help you?
- What day is today? = What day is it today?
- I would like to talk with you more = I'd like to talk with you more
- Teacher, can I go to the bathroom? = Teacher, can I go to the bathroom?
- Where you would like to live? = Where do you want to live?
- When do you usually take a vacation? = When do you usually take a vacation?
- What makes you have fun? = What do you do for fun?
- How often do you have classes? = How often do you have class?
- What's the weather like? = How is the weather?
- Excuse me where is the bathroom? = Excuse me, where's the bathroom?
- I know = I know
- I don't know = I don't know
- Please speak more slowly = Please speak more slowly
- See you later = See you later
- What is that / this? = what is this? What is that?
- Where can I find a cashier? = where can I find an ATM?
- How can I get to… (place)? = how can I go to…?
- Can you pass me… please? = Could you please pass me the…?
- Can I pay with cash? = Can I pay in cash?
- Do you accept credit cards? = Do you accept credit cards?
Method 3 of 3: Part Three: Practice
Step 1. Find an "international" friend
Maybe in your school or in your university, or suddenly that new family in the neighborhood is not from your country. Today many people leave their country of origin and go to live elsewhere. If you know where to look, you can surely find someone whose mother tongue is English. Research expat communities in your city and try to establish contact with one of its members. Many people who move to another country want to integrate into their new community and you could be the way, while you can take advantage of your friendship by practicing your English with your new friend.
What can be better than having a friend or friend who speaks English? A boyfriend or girlfriend! For someone who wants to learn English this is like winning the lottery. Sure, make sure that you are not going to establish a romantic relationship with the person just because they speak English because otherwise your relationship will be doomed
Step 2. Watch TV shows and movies in English
If you are just starting to learn English, watch movies and TV shows with Spanish subtitles. You will be impressed with how much this can help you in the process of learning English.
When you've been watching series and movies in English for some time with Spanish subtitles, take a chance and change them to English. Some specific televisions, channels and series give you the option to choose the language of your subtitles, just as if you watch the series or the movie on DVD or Blu-Ray. Take advantage of this possibility and make an effort
Step 3. Look for books in English
You can start by reading books and stories for children, where the language is basic and the readings are not so complex. Later you can move on to books for teenagers and novels for adults.
If you have a tablet or Kindle, you can download books on it and when you don't understand a word, you just move the cursor to the beginning of it and the tablet / Kindle gives you the definition. They are great devices for learning English
Step 4. Travel
Plan your next vacation to an English-speaking country. English is the 'de facto' language in the US, Australia and the UK, while it is the official language in around 60 countries. As you can see, your options are numerous. Spending at least a month on vacation in an English-speaking country will give you an invaluable knowledge of the language.
- If you plan ahead, you can look for a summer job in one of these countries. Some companies offer jobs during the summer without asking for a legal permit to work. In this way, you spend more time traveling, you manage to pay for your trip and suddenly, return with some money!
- If you decide to go to the US, we recommend that you not travel to Florida. You may be tempted to visit Miami's beaches and Orlando's amusement parks, but the number of Latin Americans who live there make speaking English practically unnecessary. Any other city that you decide to choose will be a better option if what you want is to practice English.