Part 12
If you follow these five basic principles, you belong to the minority of successful English learners.
Learning to learn English
Now that we are clear about our reasons to learn English and the requirements to be successful, we should start thinking about how we can learn English. Maybe we will find the answer to this question if we take a closer look at the methods that don't work very well. Let's take the typical English learner. It is only logical and natural that they turn to an English language school if they want to learn English. They attend English classes with qualified and experienced English teachers and they think that they have made the right choice. After all, what is the purpose of an English school? To teach you English, isn't it? Well, let me ask you these two questions: Do so many people attend English classes because English classes are so effective? Or are English classes effective and useful because so many people attend them?
Maybe we should examine what exactly happens in a typical English class: Usually there are four or more learners in a group and one teacher. The teacher gives the learners photocopied exercises or maybe they are using a book. When they are doing those written exercises, they look down at their books or photocopies -- four or more people in A brown study -- everyone on their own. They are sitting next to each other and might look at the teacher from time to time. However, a lot of time they spend looking at written materials the teacher gives them. Why do you go to an English class where the teacher gives you exercises you can do on your own at home? Oh, yes in your English class you can practice speaking with your English teacher who corrects your mistakes. Is that really so?
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