Learning English for the first time

Learning English for the first time

Agreed, it’s a language that’s more confusing than most, simply because some aspects seem to follow no standard rules at all, like the singular and plural of nouns. Native speakers and academics of English have all at one time or the other been bombarded with questions that leave them stumped – for example, “If the plural of mouse is mice, why is the plural of house not hice?”

But learning English, especially the spoken version, is an easier task than learning any other language, mainly because it is one language that’s spoken in almost all parts of the world. You have access to a plethora of options, and if you’re in a country where English is the predominant tongue, you’re in luck cause you’re bound to pick up the language in record time and impress your friends back home when you go to visit. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as we all know, so if you’re interested in trying your hand (or shall we say tongue) at this versatile and ever-growing language, here are a few tips that will help you along the way:

• Pronunciation is the key when you’re learning to speak in English, so gain access to podcasts that are available online and play them over and over again until you get the right diction. Record your voice on tape and check out how you sound before working on your phonetic skills.

• Read, read and read some more - books, newspapers and any other written material in English that you can lay your hands on help in improving your vocabulary.

• Watch television shows and movies, listen to native speakers of the language and listen to music in English to pick up common phrases and terms. While you may be confused initially with the slang that’s prevalent in one part of the world and the different versions of the language, you’ll learn the difference if you stick to the exercise long enough.

• Enlist the help of a dictionary in your efforts or ask a friend who’s well-versed in the tongue. Don’t be shy to ask for the meanings of words or phrases that you’re not certain about – it beats using them in the wrong situations.

• Get online and check out websites that offer exercises and tests in English to help you grasp the finer aspects of grammar and usage.

• Practice what you learn when you go shopping or at the office, and take it in your stride when corrected (or laughed at).

• The time and effort you spend on learning the language count towards how good a speaker (and/or writer) you become. Once you overcome the initial inertia and start reading more and more books, you’re well on the roller coaster to a mastery over the English language.

• You’re not an expert till you’ve started thinking in the language, so don’t stop till your thoughts unfold in English.