How I Study English Language

In the Philippines, we were taught basic English when I was three or four years old. Like how to read in English, counting numbers in English and how to write in English. Every subject has been written in English even Mathematics and Science. Then in college everything is written in English except Filipino subjects. They said learning English will help our economy because English is a practical language and international language. This is also our official language aside Filipino.

Our teachers in high school taught us traditional ways. It only focuses on grammar than other macro skills in English. 

I took a Bachelor of Arts in English because I thought I was good in English. However, I faced many difficulties expressing myself in English during college days. Thankfully, I finished this course with good grades. So I will write how I study in English effectively. This is just based on my experience.

1. Learn the Macro-skills in English

 These macro skills are Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. In this division, it will determine what is your strength and weakness in English. 

Example is that, when you listen American music you can easily recognize the words of the song then you're good at listening. If you can't recognize the words in the lyrics means you're weak in listening. 

If you learn what's your weakness then you need to improve the weaknesses more than the other Macro-skills. However, don't disregard the strength Macro-skills because you need to practice it so your strength will gain in any level. 

2. Listen to American or English songs

It is to improve your listening skills and you will be aware how to pronounce the English words. However, don't expect good grammar in American or English songs so don't be confused with English grammar. 

3. Watch English movies, Series or vlogs 

It can help you to learn new vocabularies, like how they use that word and how they use their mouth to pronounce it. You can learn how they express their thoughts. You can mimic them sometimes. This one is a very effective way of learning English because it improves your listening skills and speaking skills. If you use English subtitles then it will improve your reading skills too. 

4. Do an impromptu speech in the mirror or in your camera

If you watch the Q and A portion of Miss Universe or Miss World then that's it! You will do Q and A alone. Take a video on with timer then you will express your answer of your invented question. You can search online of many questions that you will answer or just invent it. Use timer to check how much time you spend answering. Because impromptu speeches should be short answers. It takes 30 minutes or one minute. Then you can watch yourself in the video you recorded for yourself. So you will know your mistakes and improvements in answering. 

In impromptu speech the only rules are: 

 - Good introduction

 - Support the introduction

 - End with dramatic twist

Note: Don't worry if your answer is not that glamorous as Miss Universe because you aren't going to have a crown anyway. You just do it to express your thoughts/opinion in those questions.

Impromptu speech will help you to boost your confidence in speaking and expressing yourself in English. This will be your practice of how to speak in English alone. 

You can do it with your friends too if they want to learn English with you. It will be fun. You can ask questions to them then they will answer it then after that they will ask questions to you then you will answer it. Use a timer when you are answering.

5. Read English books

Some Filipino said that reading books doesn't improve your speaking skills because you can't hear the words. However, it improves your reading skills. Reading skills in English is also important too because you need to use your reading comprehension and fast reading. If you don't improve your reading skill then how can you understand what you are reading? But if you're not into books try to read articles or newspapers.

Reading books also helps you how to think in English. You will discover different vocabularies that you can use too. You will meet figures of speech and idioms used by the author. 

Fiction VS Nonfiction: Fiction is a story full of imagination of the author while Non-fiction is life story or experience of the author. If you read fiction books you will learn to use your imagination, creativity and empathy. While if you read Non-fiction, you will learn life lessons from the author and improve your analytical thinking. In writing style, you will learn how to write creatively in Fiction while you will learn persuasive writing in Non-fiction. 

6. Grammar Lesson

Try to meet parts of speech (Noun, Pronoun, Verb, Adjective, Adverb, Conjunction and Preposition). It helps you to identify the parts of speech if you know them. You can print an American songs lyrics so you can recognize the parts of speech. Like in the pink highlight it's a noun while the pronoun will be in a circle. 

Then after that try to learn parts of sentences and kinds of sentences then later on you will know how to construct sentences. Make it a habit to use new vocabulary in the sentences. Example you found a new vocabulary. Then make it a sentence. In that way you can easily memorize the vocabulary.

Recognize the Subject Verb Agreement, so you will know if your sentences are following the rules. It's important to learn grammar because you can use it in the formal events that need to use English. 

To practice this, write an essay. 500 words. Then you can check it by yourself. 

But then later on when you master it then you can break the rules. 

7. Use English language in your diary or in social media

It makes you confident in writing in English and fluent in English writing. It will improve your writing skills. You become more expressive and comfortable using English language.

8. Laugh at your mistake

Be open when people correct you in pronunciation and in grammar. Laugh at your mistake when you are corrected. It happens all the time in learning. But if they discriminate against you because of the mistake, ignore them. They're not helping you in your learning.  

Learning English language is not neglecting your mother tongue but an opportunity to learn a new language. I'm currently learning Spanish, Indonesian and Tausug. I’m not yet mastering the English language so I’m still learning it.