10 Things I Would Do Differently If I Had to Learn English Again

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares 10 things they would do differently if they had to learn English again. These include focusing on pronunciation from the start, limiting vocabulary to key topics, avoiding robotic textbook dialogues, using the house as an English-speaking zone, and listening to real people for authentic language use. Other tips include ditching translation, embracing mistakes, and using modern tools like apps and social media to practice. The speaker emphasizes learning through real-life interaction and regular self-recording to track progress, ultimately making English practice more engaging and effective.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on pronunciation from the beginning to ensure better understanding and increase your confidence in speaking.
• 😀 Avoid memorizing vocabulary words that you will never use. Focus on a few topics you like and learn phrases related to those topics.
• 😀 Do not rely on textbook dialogues, as they are unnatural and robotic. Real speech is emotional, messy, and filled with fillers.
• 😀 Make your house an 'English zone.' Narrate everything you do in English to practice words and phrases in real-life contexts.
• 😀 Listen to real people using real English on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Pay attention to slang, sarcasm, jokes, gestures, and facial expressions.
• 😀 Stop translating everything back into your native language. Focus on understanding the meaning and context of words and expressions in English.
• 😀 Utilize modern apps and technology to practice English, interact with others, and improve both grammar and conversational skills.
• 😀 Shift your mindset about making mistakes. Speaking mistakes don't matter as much in conversations; the goal is communication, not perfection.
• 😀 Don’t wait to feel 'ready' to speak. Start speaking as soon as possible, even if your English isn’t perfect. Mistakes are part of the learning process.
• 😀 Record yourself frequently—whether through voice memos or videos—to track your progress and stay motivated by seeing your improvement.

Q & A

Why is focusing on pronunciation important when learning English?

Focusing on pronunciation from the start helps ensure that people can understand you. It also makes you more confident when speaking because you'll like how you sound, which encourages further practice.

What is the problem with learning vocabulary that is not useful?

Learning words that are unlikely to be used in daily life can be inefficient. It’s better to focus on a few topics that interest you, such as travel, food, or work, and learn vocabulary relevant to those areas.

Why should you avoid learning conversations from textbooks?

Textbook dialogues are often unnatural and robotic. Real-life conversations are more emotional, messy, and contain a lot of filler words. Learning from real-life conversations will give you more authentic language skills.

What is meant by making your house your speaking partner?

This means immersing yourself in English while at home. By narrating everything you do in English—like opening the fridge or cooking—you constantly practice and reinforce your language skills in a practical context.

How can listening to real people improve your English?

Listening to real people, such as those on YouTube or TikTok, helps you hear natural speech, including slang, sarcasm, and emotions. This provides a more realistic understanding of how English is spoken in everyday situations.

Why is it important to stop translating everything when learning English?

Translating from your native language to English slows down your learning process. It's more effective to focus on understanding the meaning or context behind a word or expression, rather than looking for an exact translation.

What role do apps and technology play in modern language learning?

Modern apps and AI tools offer a great way to practice English. They allow for interactive learning, grammar practice, and real conversations with native speakers, making the process more engaging and accessible.

How should you approach making mistakes while learning English?

Mistakes should be seen as a natural part of learning, not something to fear. In conversations, people are more focused on understanding your message than on perfect grammar, so it's essential to keep speaking and learn from your errors.

Why is waiting until you're 'ready' to speak a problem in language learning?

Waiting for perfect readiness can paralyze progress. You're never truly 'ready' to speak fluently, so it's better to start speaking, make mistakes, and learn from them instead of waiting for ideal conditions.

How can recording yourself help in language learning?

Recording yourself helps track progress over time. It lets you review and compare your current speaking abilities to where you were a few months ago, providing motivation and showing improvement that you might not otherwise notice.