Learning English as a second language - the myths, facts and realities

Realistic approach - Part 2

Learning English Facts, Myths & Reality

by Nalaka Gamage

I want to learn English, but…..

2Myths

3Reality

1Facts

Facts, Myths & Reality There are lots of myths preventing

people from learning and using English language effectively.

Once you know the facts, you will identify those myths that prevent you from being a confident English user.

The reality is much simpler and easier than what you think.

The Myths

English is difficult to learn “English is difficult” is the biggest myth among students.

This has been spread by those who have acquired only English speaking skill and feared of loosing their undue social status if talented others learn it.

Learn spoken English first ? There is hardly any difference between spoken & written English !

In fact easier and natural sequence is to begin quietly with reading and writing and then start speaking in English.

It is a myth spread by people having colonial underdog mindset. They are slaves of English culture than using English as a communication tool.

They use this myth to discourage others from learning English.

Speak English with British accent

Speaking English will solve all of my problems English is no longer an ornament. It is just another important tool in your competency tool box.

If one is just a fool who only knows of using English language, now he has wider audience to show off his idiocy. i.e. Using his mother tongue

& English

The Facts

Simple alphabet English alphabet is much simpler than the alphabet of most of the Eastern languages. Only 26 letters used in English.

All letters are used only in simple form only. No combined letters or variations

Simpler grammar rules English grammar is extremely simple.

Only few rules that you need to learn.

Rules are clear and unambiguous than most of other languages.

What you speak and write is the same

There is hardly any difference between spoken and written English.

Therefore, effort for learning English is less than learning a languages that has big variations in spoken and written form.

People use English in simple form Majority use English as their second

language.There are more English speaking people

in China or India alone than in UK or USA. Understanding English books and

other contents like web pages are much easier than you think. Content publishers are aware of

the nature of target audience.

Natural accent is the best English is now dominantly used as

an international language. English speaking international

community accept, acknowledge and even appreciate accents of different geographical and cultural communities.

Knowing only essential words matters

Yes, English language has thousands or words.

But commonly used word are only a small portion of it.

Do not get afraid by seeing big dictionaries.

Dictionary (Just like a directory) is for references and not to learn all the words.

The Reality

It is easy

English is easy to learn. When you speak or use English as a second language, no one expect you to be perfect. Unless you are talking to an idiot !

There are plenty of resources available to learn English.

Speak confidently in natural way You speak English according to your natural

accent, Unless one of your ancestor has crossed

with an Englishman!! Or you are talking to an arrogant

Englishman. Billions of English speaking people all over

the world from German to India and Brazil to China happily speak with their own accent in self confident manner.

The word game First learn common and frequently

used words. Then get familiar with the words in

the domain that you are going to use the language (eg: Engineering, Accounting, etc.).

The word game (cont.)

As long as you can comprehend the context, be brave to start reading content published in English despite you find few unknown words.

Use common sense for guessing. If the word is frequently appearing

get the dictionary and learn it and add it to your vocabulary.

The word game (cont.)

When you talk, you can confidently use what ever simple words you know.Because listener has no way of knowing

the words that you do not know. Just make sure your grammar is fairly

sound. Here you are speaking in English now.

The simple plan of learning English Get out of common myths. Put up initial learning effort.

Learn the grammar well. Learn the words necessary for your common

use. Proud of your own native accent or use neutral

accent. Never mimic western accent which is natural

only for those live in cold climate. Use common sense and guessing to be

effective.

Final words of wisdom

“Use English as a useful tool and not as a petty weapon or ornament.”

Learning English -Facts, Myths & Reality