Are you from a non-English speaking country and are currently trying to learn how to speak the universal language? Have you been wondering how you can learn it faster as your second or third language? Well, you have come to the right place. We will be sharing with you some basics on how you can pick up the English language and actually have the potential to speak it as if you are a native speaker.
Learning English as a secondary language
It is common knowledge that English is the world’s universal or global language. One reason for this is because it is one of the most spoken languages and has the second most native speakers. Furthermore, English holds more power than any other language, maybe because it is the native language of western countries, including most parts of America and Europe. We all know how these countries are looked up to by the rest of the world and how they set the global standard.
The challenges in learning English as your secondary language may depend on your age. Studies said that children less than 13 years old could learn another language better than adults, and they have more potential to speak it as if they are native speakers. But, this does not mean that learning a new language is impossible for adults. Yes, it may require more time and effort, but you will be able to achieve it — no doubt.
Tips for non-natives when learning English
To help you, non-natives, to learn English faster, more effectively, and efficiently, here are some tips you can consider:
Set your motivations.
Before starting with your lessons, write down the reasons why you are learning English. Is it for your work or studies? Or is it just for personal achievement? Whatever your reasons are, try to use them as your motivations along the way. You can list them down on a notepad and stick them anywhere in your study area so you will be reminded every day.
Set a realistic timeline.
It will help you keep track of your progress if you set a timeline. This should include the different lessons that you aim to learn week by week. Remember the keyword “realistic”. No matter how smart you are, learning English can take time, and there is no good reason for you to rush it, for it might just slow down your progress.
Start with the basics.
As we said, do not rush into learning the complicated aspects of the English language. Just like with everything, it is best to start from the beginning and with the basics. Start by learning everyday words and mastering them. Once you have enough English words in your vocabulary, then you can proceed with phrases, sentences, and learning proper grammar.
Take notes.
Depending on one’s preferred learning process, writing down English words or sentences that they want to learn seems effective and can help memorize what you know. Designate a notebook you exclusively use when you are studying English.
Expose yourself to as much English as possible.
A step-up from the basics is reading English articles or books. Watching English movies or listening to English songs is also a more enjoyable way to familiarise yourself with the words and statements. You can easily find materials like these on the internet that help one learn English.
Find a study buddy.
The best way to become more proficient in speaking in English is practicing through actually speaking it with another person. Find a friend that is a native English speaker and ask them if they can be your study partner. Spend some time with them weekly so you can practice having conversations in English and have them correct you immediately if you commit mistakes.
Do not stop practicing.
If you are eager to learn English that fast, make sure to use all your downtime practicing — even just in your head. You can use your commute time to listen to English audios or maybe have a conversation in your head. At home, try speaking English out loud to practice your pronunciations and gain more confidence.
Consider hiring a tutor.
Lastly, and probably our most recommended tip, hire an English tutor. With the power of the world wide web, you can now find several online language tutors with just one click. They usually charge by sessions, and rates depend on the tutor. Although this may cost you, you should know that you can definitely find a tutor that fits right into your budget. The best thing about hiring a tutor is getting a more structured and appropriate lesson plan that you can tackle a couple of times a week. Your English tutor can also correct you in real-time, not only your grammar but also your pronunciations. It is like having a study buddy that you pay and is obligated to teach you more in-depth lessons about the English language.
Finding the best online English tutoring platforms for non-natives
With hundreds of online tutoring platforms that offer English lessons, non-native speakers can easily find a tutor that suits their needs. However, it is vital to assess the platform and the tutor first before settling down. Make sure that you do a background check if the company is credible and has a good reputation. You can check this by looking into the testimonials left by their current and past students. You can also contact them directly and ask about their teaching methods. This way, you can gauge if they offer good customer support along with their reliable English lessons.
Learn English on Preply
If you are looking for online tutors but do not know where to start, we might have something to help you out. Online English tutors on Preply are extensively trained to qualify as an online English tutor to foreigners like you. You can ensure that all English tutors are native speakers, meaning they are highly proficient in teaching any type of classes — beginners, conversational, business, etc. They offer trial classes to assess if they like the tutor before they settle down with them.
Final Words
Again, always remember your motivations — the reasons why you started learning English in the first place. These alone will get you through the entire class. However, if you can find a more engaging way to learn the language, that is better — hiring a tutor to click with and having teaching methods that suit your style, for example. Do not let discouragements stop you from achieving this goal. Work hard consistently, and the next thing you know, you can already hold a conversation in English without any problem.
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