How did you learn your first language? First you learned simple words to ask for things, then in school you learned a little grammar and then they had you learn to read and had you read simple books. Then discuss more difficult books. And, so on. If you are learning English, maybe the best way is to start slowly, even if you are an adult, think of your English as infant. Some people like to watch movies, and since the listening is difficult, they have the subtitles (the writing at the bottom of the screen) on. The problem is you end up reading rather than listening. If you want to turn the subtitle on, then watch the show 3 times, first time no subtitles, watch the action. Second time turn on the subtitles so you can understand what is being said, third time watch it without the subtitles, and you will be surprised at how much you understand. Remember you have to study listening just like you study reading, actually work at it and don’t think it will just happen. I used to manage a language school in San Jose, CA. All the students left early, so I wanted to make a change to the program. I got the first season of Smallville and downloaded all the scripts (what they say) and then made a book of the scripts. We had a class where the students would watch 5 minutes of the show, then read the script, then practice the script with their classmates, then watch the 5 minutes again. Next class we would watch that 5 minutes then work on the next 5 minutes. We did that through the whole show. They learned and had fun, you can’t learn if you don’t laugh! The best thing you can do is read books written for 3rd or 4th grade. The reason you want to read books for young children is because you will understand most of the vocabulary, the book is smaller, and the writing is bigger. It is best to be able to finish reading an entire book!! After finishing one or two books, try another. I used to have a friend from Taiwan, that was at a level 1 (beginning), she and I spent much time together, we spent evenings doing things like going to movies or going to libraries or just watching tv. On the weekends we would go on trips and go to cities near my city. After she spent so much time around me for 3 months she went to a different language school and they tested her for her level and she was a level 5 (advanced). She didn’t study English, she just used it. She didn’t study grammar, but her English improved 4 levels. Wouldn’t it be nice if every ESL student could spend all their time with me, or with anyone that is a native speaker, but it isn’t always practical. So, find something to do in English, not just sit and study. When I taught at night school I told my students they had homework, their homework was to go shopping! They didn’t understand until I told them to just sit on a bench in the mall and someone will come sit next to them. Americans are very open to others, someone would come sit next to them and talk, say hello and then tell them all of their problems. Maybe tell them about a fight they had with their girlfriend or their wife/husband. Maybe tell about the fight they had with had with their wife about their girlfriend. Then the person sitting next to them will get up and walk away. I think the most important thing about learning English is to do something, not just sit at a desk and study.
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