How to learn English?

[aina@hana]

Hi,

In my opinion, the best way to improve English is to speak with someone who is using it as a main language. But here I can’t follow that method because when I communicate with my close friends, most of us tend to use our mother tongue compared to English. We seldom use English while speaking. For example, I, myself always use English when someone was asked me question in English and when I’m in the office only.
Secondly, I try to improve my English by watching English movies and reading (story books). But here most of the dvd/vcd comes with subtitles. So when there is a subtitle, of course I tend to see the subtitles only rather than listening to the English conversation. And when I read an English book, it’s compulsory to have a dictionary besides me due difficulties I’m facing while I came across the word that I do not even know the meaning.
I want to learn English because I feel I do not much confident while speaking English with others.

Please correct if i have made any grammar errors.
Thank you

[Krupa Patel]

hi how are you doing in japan? I am in USa but still I don't know english very well. Your english is good, so can you please tell me What should I do to improve my spesaking and writing? If you find any mistake in my english you can tell me without hesitate. Bye
I appereciate.

[Farzana]

If you don't mind, I would like to point out some typing error in your writing. Start with capital letters, U.S.A, Japan and English are also start with capital letters. You should focus on your typing and as well as writing like me. So lets start listen to Radio or TV in English and then write few sentences every day. If you like and have time you can write in the forum.

Thanks
Farzana

[Aung Than Win]

Dear friends,
Why are you doing difficult ways?You should watch movies and listen carefully, practice speaking with native speakers,etc.

[Muhammad Saber]

i am m saber hemat i am following your system i am realy thank you and now i get better then the past

thanks so
regard

hemat from kabul afghanistan

[Mikle]

When I’m talking I’m just sometimes forget grammar so the person with whom i talking don’t understand me.

[Mikle]

Which books can you recommend to my level - Upper Intermediate

[Embee]

Hiya all,

I did post some threads in other topic ''how to boost your writing skill and vocabulary'' When I came to Ireland, to be honest with everyone here, I couldn't even say a word in English not to talk about read and write. It was hard journey I have to say, but it worth. First of all what I did. I went to book store and bough a good English grammar book, which is called ''Basic grammar in use by Raymond Morphy'' Then I started to practicing every single day and it was 1-2 hours. Then, I started to visiting native English speaking forums. At a very, very beginning I was only reading their threads, but latter on I started to participating with conversation. It was really very confusing and hard, but I had to broke down all the barriers which was holding me from my progress.I still could remember how I was sitting for hours and was thinking what can I write? Gradually, I don't know how... I caught myself that it was much easier for me to participate with discussion, than just few month ago. Each day it was better and better. Today I'm not 100% language expert, but if I compare myself just few month ago and now, it is huge gap. So my advise to those who want to improve their English for a very short period. Get for yourself good grammar book, where you'll be able to see how to use past, present, future, etc. Then go to any English forum, and start reading the threads, read as much as you brain be able to takes it. Then don't be afraid to start up your own topic, participate with discussion. Don't worry if your spelling is isn't perfect yet, you'll get to the finish when time come. There is always wonderful people who will understand you, and will be always happy to help you. Read, read, and read loads of magazines, news, threads, it's greatest way t boost your vocabulary. You may want to ask why forum? I'll tall you why. In a forum basically people discussing about their life, events, and so on, they are normally using basic simple language, and for you it will be more easier way to understand and remember a new words, than just read a book. Forums are usually more interesting to read than just a book, which can be very bored.
Get for yourself daily diary, write down everything what had happened today, yesterday, week ago, etc. Latter you can compare how is your progress goes. Find someone to talk to everyday. Listen to radio, and watch movie everyday. And belief me, one day you'll realize that your English is flying.

Good luck

[Katembo]

Hi,

To be fast and to improve english very quickly is our learning-need ande goal, but I think we cannot be in hurry, we have to follow steps as a child who his mother tongue.

Katembo

[Javadshahimehr]

Dear Torsten
thanks a lot for e-mails. in my opinion, i read reading and listening are the best way to studying and learning new languages. because, in during reading i can find new vocabulary and learn how to use them in sentences. moreover, the best way for learning foreign language is translation. in this way i can memorize each words by their meaning in Persian and English.

[Jijinow]

Dear Torsten,
Hi, I'm doing well with my english. Thanks a lot for your help.
I think that's a good idea listening audio book and maybe it's better to listen audio short story and could stamp pdf to improve writing and reading. I hope you can understand me!Thanks.
Jijinow

[Rududu]

Hi Torsten!
Glad to meet you although it's just by mailing!
I come from Bulgaria and I really need to improve my speaking and listening abilities. How do I study and try to improve my English? The best way, in my opinion, seems to be by communicating with a native speaker in real-live situations. Unfortunately, I can't stop any English or American, who had had the bad luck to be in the same street with me and to ask her/him to talk to me for a little while. So, the only thing I really do is to read books in English, to listen to any discs for learners and to wait for the miracle to come true.
Thanks for the lessons.
Rossy

[Xusrew]

hi
I'm xusrew
doing well and some how busy
Iwish u could send me something for students of high level in english
i am waiting for something about TOEFL
best regardes

[Torsten]

Hello Xusrew,

Welcome to our forum. No need to wait, you can start preparing for the TOEFL with these materials today: http://www.english-test.net/toefl/listening/A_conversation_between_a_student_and_a_university_advisor.html

In addtion, you might want to start working on your writing skills: http://www.english-test.net/community/index.html#How_can_I_improve_my_writing_skills
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Sosilija]

Hi Torsten,

thanks for all e-mail. My opinion is: the best way for studying language is learning, listening and writing. I read a book whose name is Florence (English edition) and I don't understand everything, but I use vocabulary for help. And I speak with my friend on english sometimes, and I listen CD on english, and I look movie...
sorry for my mistakes and please for repair.

best regardes,
sanja