My Journey Learning English from Zero To Advanced | Learn To Speak English Like A Native |My Secrets

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their personal journey of learning English after moving to the United States in 2008. Initially struggling with communication and pronunciation, they recount how they overcame these challenges through immersive experiences, such as attending English courses, interacting with locals, and watching English media. The speaker emphasizes the importance of practice, self-correction, and continuous learning, and encourages viewers to use English in daily life, regardless of their location. The video highlights the value of perseverance in language learning, with an inspiring message for anyone trying to master English.

Takeaways

• 😀 Learning English requires practice in real-world conversations, not just in tests or classrooms.
• 😀 Moving to an English-speaking country can accelerate language learning, but it's not necessary to live there to improve your skills.
• 😀 Watching English movies, listening to English music, and reading books in English are effective ways to immerse yourself in the language.
• 😀 It’s important to engage with native speakers, even if you have to practice speaking with strangers or through online platforms.
• 😀 Overcoming the fear of speaking English is key—fear of being misunderstood can be a big barrier to fluency.
• 😀 Using a dictionary to look up and understand frequently used words can help build vocabulary, but relying solely on translation is not ideal.
• 😀 The process of learning English is not only about memorizing words but understanding how they fit into context and sentences.
• 😀 Speaking English regularly, even to yourself, is essential for improving pronunciation and fluency.
• 😀 Constructive feedback from others, especially regarding pronunciation, is invaluable for language learners.
• 😀 Age is not a barrier to learning English; dedication and consistent effort can lead to success at any stage of life.
• 😀 Analyzing your own speech and actively correcting mistakes can drastically improve your language proficiency.

Q & A

Why did the speaker decide to film the video in English?

The speaker filmed the video in English because most of their videos are in Russian, and they wanted to show viewers their English-speaking skills, as many people had never heard them speak English.

What was the initial challenge the speaker faced upon arriving in the United States?

The speaker's initial challenge was that although they had studied English, they struggled with basic communication when they arrived in the United States. They were afraid of being misunderstood and couldn’t figure out how to navigate the airport.

What type of courses did the speaker take to improve their English, and how did they help?

The speaker took English language courses in the United States. These courses were helpful because they provided an immersive environment where the speaker had to hear and speak English regularly, helping them improve their listening and speaking skills.

How did the speaker overcome their fear of speaking English?

The speaker overcame their fear by practicing with people in the street, using a dictionary to learn new words, and actively using new vocabulary in conversations to lock in the knowledge.

How did the speaker suggest others can learn English without living in an English-speaking country?

The speaker recommended creating an English-speaking environment at home by watching English-language movies, listening to English music, and watching videos or TV shows in English to improve listening skills.

What role did the speaker’s roommate play in their language learning process?

The speaker’s roommate helped them practice English by encouraging them to go outside with a dictionary and talk to people in the neighborhood, which allowed the speaker to practice English in real-life situations.

What method did the speaker use to expand their vocabulary when learning English?

The speaker expanded their vocabulary by watching movies, identifying words used frequently, translating them to Russian, and using them in sentences immediately to retain the new vocabulary.

What advice did the speaker give about learning pronunciation?

The speaker emphasized the importance of receiving feedback and being open to correction. They shared an example of how a coworker helped them improve their American pronunciation by correcting mistakes on the spot.

How did the speaker continue learning English after they felt comfortable with basic communication?

After becoming comfortable with basic communication, the speaker focused on improving their American pronunciation and continued practicing English by analyzing their speech, receiving feedback, and correcting mistakes.

What are the key takeaways from the speaker’s language-learning journey?

The key takeaways are the importance of consistent practice, speaking out loud, creating an English-speaking environment, watching movies with English subtitles, reading books, and accepting corrections to improve pronunciation.