[Tips] Ten Tips for Learning English as a Second Language

1. Want to learn.

First of all, you must want to learn. If you are not interested in learning English, no class will help you, no book will help you, and no hints will make it easier. Ask yourself, "Do I really want to learn English?" If you can't answer "yes" to this question, it is better for you to set English aside until you're ready and willing to learn.

2. Identify your motivation.

Next, you need to identify your motivation. Ask yourself, "Why do I want to learn English? Why do I want to improve my English?". If you have identified your motivation, it will be easier for you to learn English, because it will help to encourage you as you learn English.

3. Set goals.

Having goals will help you to remember what areas you want to work on, and it will help you to see your progress. Ask yourself, "What are my goals? What areas would I like to improve?" Pronunciation? Listening comprehension? Would you like to increase your vocabulary?

4. Practice, practice, practice!

After you have set your goals, you have a better idea of what you need to practice. We say, "Practice makes perfect." This means the more you practice something, the better you become at it, and the fewer mistakes you will make. Specific ways to practice:

    * Speak to Americans as much as possible.

    * Write, write, write – letters, email, notes, etc.

    * Make phone calls to practice your English

5. Expose yourself to English as much as possible.

The more you expose yourself to English, the more you get used to it and the more familiar it becomes to you. You will start to recognize what sounds right and what sounds wrong.

    * Watch TV and movies.

    * Listen to the radio.

    * Read as much as possible.

6. Enlarge your vocabulary.

Having a large vocabulary is basic to learning any language, and it is especially true in English. Reading is a very good way to learn new words. So is doing puzzles or playing different kinds of word games.

7. Have fun.

Having fun increases your ability to remember, so the more you enjoy yourself as you learn English, the easier it will be to remember. Play games and puzzles. Comic books and newspaper comic strips are also a good way to have fun.

8. Cultivate friendships with people from English speaking countries.

If you make friends with some Americans or English for example, you will find that they can be a very valuable help in your learning English. Having American friends means that you will find yourself in situations where you have no choice but to speak English.

9. Make regular study a habit.

Regular study is a key to success in learning a language. It is easier to study a little each day instead of trying to study several hours only one day a week. 

10. Acknowledge the progress you've made.

Finally, it is important to recognize that you will improve as you study English. Sometimes when you set your goals, they seem very difficult. Progress comes little by little, so it's hard to see if you have grown in your language skills. Think about where you are at today, and where you were last week or last month. Maybe it doesn't seem like you have come very far. But if you stop and think about where you were six months ago, or even a year ago, then you see that you have made progress.

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Source: www.summit-esl.com

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