10 myths about learning English
Forming / / December 19, 2019
Elena Britova
Academic manager of the company "Translink-Education"Methodist, teacher of foreign languages.
Myth 1. In English you can speak in one day
You can not. Even if the two. Get an idea of what kind of language, what its structure and how it works - yes. Get advice on how to study - yes. Learn - no. Whether it's the 25th frame, superunikalnaya technique or teacher wizard. And even if all together.
Learn - so to speak, and to speak and understand - it's a skill.
For the formation of skill needed as everybody knows, a regular exercise routine. Form a habit for a day or two is almost impossible, especially communicative. Engage in regular English!
Myth № 2. You can learn to think in English
This phrase - commercial move, advertising has nothing to do with the process.
Imagine, I say to you, the word "table". What do you have in mind? table image: a friend, a standard, what is now in front of you. But certainly not the word of four letters.
We think not in words. We have creative thinking.
If I change the word "table" on the table and if you know the word, then you are there all the same picture in my head. Whether it will change depending on the language? Unlikely. We think we are not in the language. And so no one we can not teach it.
But learn to formulate the thought in view of the structure of the English language is quite real. Tunable Russian proposal in the English style, and then translate.
Myth 3. English language can be learned
The notion of "learning" is quite extensive. We have a child use the native language. We learned it from the beginning to the end? Surely not: not all rules of spelling we know and sometimes make mistakes, and certainly there are words whose meaning we do not know.
And even more so to learn a foreign language from the beginning to the end it is impossible, simply because no one knows what is the very end. You need to determine what to teach, depending on the situations in which you will use the language. Learn English in stages, moving from level to level.
Myth 4. You can learn English alone
If English is the fifth in your piggy bank, or at least a second foreign language, then it's real. But if this is the first foreign language and you are just at the beginning, it is almost impossible.
That teacher will significantly speed up the process, because that is what he will pick up and the material and the method of work on the material adequate to your knowledge, skills, processes of perception and individual characteristics thinking. That teacher will correct the direction of education taking into account your strengths and weaknesses of the speech. This is particularly important at the beginning of training.
Myth 5. Language can be learned with the help of applications and programs
Now a lot of hardware to learn English: all kinds apps, Sites. Most of them are very well developed and significantly facilitate the process of learning by making it mobile, continuous and interesting. But this is not always enough.
Expand vocabulary - yes. To learn and to train grammar - yes. Spelling - yes. But train pronunciation, speaking and understanding - not. For this you need a teacher. It is he who hears the error, it was he who would create a situation in the classroom to practice speaking and understanding, support conversation and build it so that give you the possibility of different speech situation is an adequate voice exit.
The combination of hardware and lessons with a teacher - the best way. Use the benefits of the XXI century for additional training and practice.
Myth 6. Learning English is not given to all
No tendency for languages. Any teacher (professional, of course) will tell you that there is no unteachable people. It has chosen the wrong means, teaching methods, teacher and lack of motivation. As well as the natural human laziness.
Our brain is designed so that it can learn almost anything. It is a matter of time and desire, rather than lack of ability.
Put target SMART methodLooking for a good teacher, and forward to new knowledge!
Myth 7. It all depends on the teacher
The teacher depends on many things, but not everything. Properly selected teacher - 50% of success: it will be an additional motivation, he can individually choose to inspire you to form work, he is a role model, and he will have interest.
But, unfortunately, this is not a guarantee of results. The remaining 50% - your area of responsibility. Teacher choose as a husband or wife (primarily should be comfortable and interesting), and see the next paragraph.
Myth 8. It all depends on the student
From the preceding paragraph it is clear that the responsibility is divided between the student and the teacher equally. In the area of the student's responsibilities include: regular attendance, no interruptions in the process of self-employment, the implementation of the recommendations of the teacher and activity during classes.
If you get bored, if you have something annoying teacher, if you do not understand the way of presentation or you catch yourself thinking that is increasingly looking for reasons to shirk a lesson, do not be afraid to change teacher.
If you realize that you the lesson interesting and you are involved, but once again forget about homework or fail to comply with teacher recommendations, change your approach to the process. Use a method of self-promotion or self-punishment, determine for themselves "carrot" or prioritize. If they do not have the English, do not hurt themselves or the teacher.
Myth 9. Too late to learn English
It's never too late. One of my students was 82, when he started to learn English for the first time.
It's all about motivation. If you really need, then age is not a hindrance.
Even if there is no apparent reason (you are not going in the near future abroad, and friends of the foreigners you do not), but you really want, then go for it even more. Possible to learn English just for fun. In addition, the study of foreign languages - good Charging for the brain, Additional memory exercise, prevention of disease and dementia. Learn the language, train the brain!
Myth 10. It is too early to learn English
The main argument against: may suffer native speech. It is a very controversial issue. And how bilingual children? With the speech they have everything in order. child's brain is much more plastic and more perfect than any adult, he was actively studying the whole, this is his main task.
Learning foreign languages greatly expands their vocabulary in their native language and actively develops logical thinking. For one thing: a child comes to school and begin to learn first. He can become bored and lose interest in the subject.
If you decide to teach a child from an early age in English, then be prepared to give throughout studies at the School of additional knowledge that he developed his skills and actively moving forward. If in doubt, or fear of it, consult a speech therapist, whether the child contraindications. Approach to learning without fanaticism.
Down with stereotypes and myths! Think about the prospects, concentrate on the desire or the need to learn English, and go with the knowledge that will open up new opportunities.