Learning to speak basic English is the first step to communicate in the many multi-ethnic environments around the world. With today's technology, you have a virtual world of resources at your fingertips. Get started today with these tips and you'll soon be well on your way to speaking the lingua franca of today's world.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Read
Step 1. Familiarize yourself with the alphabet
If your native language is Latin, it will be very easy. If it isn't, start with the basic sounds of each letter. There are 26 of them and there is a song to help you remember them.
Unlike many Germanic and Romance languages, English letters do not necessarily correlate to a specific sound: this is why English is considered one of the most difficult languages to learn. You need to know that vowels (and some consonants in certain situations) have two or three sounds, depending on the word. For example, "A" sounds different in father, path and say
Step 2. Get yourself a teacher
Your primary resource will be a person in attendance to whom you can ask your questions. He will be able to provide you with material and recommend activities to improve your skills. It will also ask you to speak, a skill that is quite difficult to develop on your own.
- Headway, Face2Face, and Cutting Edge are all popular and reputable series of books. But if you have a teacher, he or she will be able to direct you to (or even give you) a book that might suit your interest more. If you are looking for a simple business or conversational English text, you'd better focus on a more specific book.
- The best teacher is someone who is really teaching. Just because someone can speak the language doesn't mean they can be a good teacher. Try to find someone who has some experience mentoring or supervising others if they are not teaching. It is a skill and, if we want to be honest, the more “seasoned” teachers will probably have more resources to dedicate to you.
Step 3. Go online
The internet is chock full of resources to fill your time while improving your language skills. Any English site is fine, but you may be better off with those geared towards your skills. There are many basic English websites or sites with easy texts that are recommended to read.
- Simple Wikipedia is a great source of information on any topic, inserted into the speech in an easy-to-understand way. With this site, you can study the things that interest you and at the same time you can learn English. Breaking News English and BBC Learning English are also great sites for news articles.
- There are also sites that can offer you information on where to find good material. GoodReads has a section called Easy English Shelf with a list of books that are uniquely suited to your level.
Step 4. Go to the library
Sometimes the internet is not accessible or you no longer feel like staring at a screen. The books you can hold are just as good as the Internet for learning. You can read at your discretion and take marginal notes to pave the way for you to reach a broader vocabulary.
- Don't be afraid to start with children's books. The language is made up of simple and relevant sentences; in addition, the books are also short and designed for those with limited attention span. You can start as simple as you think and progress by age group.
- If there is a book you know by heart, get the English translation immediately. Because you know the book so well (assuming you can read English script), it will be quicker to translate it and follow the plot points.
Method 2 of 3: Write
Step 1. Find a correspondent known as a “pen pal”
Talking to someone from an English-speaking country can be an incredibly fun and exciting adventure to start with. He will be able to tell you about his culture, his customs and will offer you a real gateway to that world that speaks English. And then receiving mail is always a great pleasure!
Students of the World and PenPal World are both good online resources for finding a pen pal, with whom you can use regular mail or e-mail. Although the latter goes much faster, the classic one with paper and stamp can be much more personal and exciting
Step 2. Keep a journal
Even if you won't be able to correct your mistakes on your own, you will be able to build your own vocabulary and discover words you don't know (and therefore you will search for!). If you don't use certain words often, you'll probably forget them - journaling every day keeps words and phrases fresh in your head.
This diary can take many forms. It can be an English diary dedicated to the reflections of others, where you can write those songs, poems and quotes in English that you like or it can be your personal thoughts, outbursts, appreciation or simply dedicated to a specific topic
Step 3. Start labeling
This tactic is great for writing and memorizing. Take whatever you have around the house and label it with its English name. The goal is to start thinking in English; at home, you will be more inclined to think: "What’s on TV?" if the "TV" is right in front of you.
Don't stop at what's in front of you (bed, chair, TV, lamp, refrigerator). Go inside your closets and fridge. If you have a specific place to store the dishes, label it. If there is a place where you always keep milk, label it. And this will also help you keep everything in order
Method 3 of 3: Speak & Listen
Step 1. Join a group of people who come together to converse
If you have the availability of a college, university or language school in your area, there is a good chance that they will host associations that you can join. You will meet other people who, like you, are really looking to improve their language skills.
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Before you start a conversation, you'll be well on your way if you know the basics:
- Numbers (1 - 100)
- Hour (numbers 1 - 59 plus o 'clock, past and till)
- Days of the week (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
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Introductory sentences
- Hello! My name is …
- How are you?
- How old are you? I'm X years old.
- What do you like? I like …
- How is your family?
Learn Simple English Step 9 Step 2. Watch the videos
As always, YouTube is a great resource for knowledge and information. There are hundreds of videos dedicated to ESL students that are constantly updated and all serve to expand vocabulary and grammar.
You don't have to limit yourself to ESL videos. As long as it's in English, if it's a topic you like, it can be helpful. Try to find videos that have captions so you can read them at the same time as listening. Many music videos also display the lyrics, making it easier to follow the music and keep up with the song
Learn Simple English Step 10 Step 3. Listen to the programs in English
Turn on subtitles (if you have to) and tune in to a popular British show or the news. While you may not be able to grasp most of what they are saying, the more you study, the more you will understand and the more you will be able to notice your progress. Podcasts are also good resources.
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Keep in mind that when you are listening, each person speaking has an accent. Some speakers will be easier to understand than others. If you are interested in American English, listen to American speakers. For British English, stick to European programs. People speak English all over the world and there are hundreds of varying accents.
There is good news for you! Regardless of your accent (in general), most native speakers will be able to understand you. Because English comes in so many variations, native ears are used to the differences
Advice
- Buy a good English dictionary or use the WordReference site to look up words you don't know. If you are translating or just bumped into a word you don't know, you will be able to search for it in seconds. Or just download an app to chat in English. It may take some effort at first, but it will eventually become a habit, just like wearing an old hat, and it will be something you will both be looking forward to.
- Start with small steps. Don't worry: languages take years to work well. By practicing a little every day it is guaranteed that you will improve your skills.
