English Podcast For Learning English | English Leap Podcast | Episode 2 | My Secret to Learn English

Summary

In this inspiring episode of 'Speak English with Class,' Maria, a dedicated learner from Barcelona, shares her journey of mastering English. From struggling with grammar to immersing herself in movies, music, and podcasts, Maria highlights the challenges of language learning and the importance of consistency, patience, and embracing mistakes. She discusses effective strategies like shadowing, using a vocabulary journal, and joining a book club to improve speaking and listening skills. Her story serves as a motivating reminder that learning English is a continuous journey, and with the right tools and mindset, success is achievable.

Takeaways

• 😀 English learning is more than memorizing grammar; it's about connecting with others and expressing yourself.
• 😀 Immersing yourself in the language, like watching movies or listening to music, helps with comprehension and pronunciation.
• 😀 Overcoming the fear of making mistakes is crucial; language learners should practice speaking even if they're afraid of errors.
• 😀 Using shadowing techniques—repeating native speakers' sentences—helps improve intonation, rhythm, and pronunciation.
• 😀 Building a vocabulary journal and practicing spaced repetition is an effective way to retain new words.
• 😀 Actively using new vocabulary in conversations, even with mistakes, strengthens language skills.
• 😀 Finding enjoyable methods, like music and podcasts, can make learning English more engaging and sustainable.
• 😀 Language exchange communities provide a supportive environment for practicing speaking with native speakers.
• 😀 Phrasal verbs and idioms are tricky, but learning them through context and examples makes them more understandable.
• 😀 Consistency in practice is key to language learning, and it’s important to make time for daily practice, even in small increments.
• 😀 Surround yourself with English as much as possible—whether through apps, books, social media, or conversations—to accelerate learning.

Q & A

What was Maria's initial attitude towards learning English?

Maria initially didn't prioritize learning English. In school, she saw it as just another subject she had to pass, rather than something she genuinely wanted to learn.

How did Maria's perspective on learning English change after her trip to London?

After her trip to London, where she struggled to communicate, Maria realized how important it was to learn English. She felt the need to take it more seriously.

What unconventional methods did Maria use to improve her English?

Maria immersed herself in English by watching movies and TV shows in English, starting with Spanish subtitles and gradually moving to English subtitles and no subtitles at all. She also listened to English songs and practiced pronunciation.

What was one of the biggest challenges Maria faced while immersing herself in English?

One of the biggest challenges Maria faced was feeling overwhelmed by the many nuances of English, such as idioms, phrasal verbs, and slang. She also struggled with understanding and using phrasal verbs correctly.

How did Maria overcome her fear of making mistakes while speaking English?

Maria overcame her fear by starting small, talking to herself in English, and practicing without the pressure of someone listening. She later joined an online language exchange community to practice speaking with native speakers.

Can you share a funny language mix-up Maria had while learning English?

Maria once tried to say 'I'm full' after a meal but accidentally said 'I'm fool,' causing her friends to laugh and call her 'fool' for the rest of the day.

What strategy did Maria use to improve her speaking and listening skills?

Maria used the shadowing technique, where she listened to short clips of native speakers and tried to repeat them exactly, mimicking their intonation, rhythm, and pronunciation.

How did Maria tackle the challenge of expanding her vocabulary in English?

Maria kept a vocabulary journal where she wrote down new words along with example sentences. She also used spaced repetition to review them and tried to incorporate new words into conversations.

What resources or tools did Maria find helpful in her English learning journey?

Maria found several resources helpful, such as an app called Anki for spaced repetition flashcards, YouTube channels focusing on everyday English, and English language newsletters and blogs.

What is Maria's current strategy for continuing to improve her English?

Maria continues to immerse herself in English by reading books, watching English news, listening to podcasts, and writing in English. She also joined a book club to practice speaking and expose herself to new vocabulary.