How to Learn ESL English

Approach your English studies from a variety of angles.

Speaking English can help you when traveling abroad or help you to go further in your career. Becoming fluent in English as a second language (ESL), however, takes years of study and practice. You have to find the methods that work best for you and your situation. Structure your studies so that you hit on all of the most important aspects of learning English--speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Instructions

1. Find an ESL course that is right for you. For example, you may want to focus on business English or focus on passing the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC). You may want a native English speaker to help with your pronunciation or you may want an English teacher from your home country to help you understand grammar. You may do well in a class or you may work better one-on-one. Every student is different, so find the class that most appeals to you.

2. Learn English grammar through textbooks or online courses. When studying English grammar, it can be helpful to progress through the grammar rules in a natural way, building upon skills that you've already learned. Textbooks and online courses help you to do this.

3. Beef up your listening skills. Listening skills can be difficult to learn. Native English speakers may speak with different accents; they may speak fast or slow; and they may use words that you don't understand. Podcasts made for ESL learners will allow you to listen to English conversations that intentionally use basic language and a slow pace to help you understand. To get a more natural feel for the English language, watch movies or television shows that are in English.

4. Speak out in class and around town. To most improve your conversational abilities, you need to use the language that you learn. This means speaking--a difficult task when you're learning a language. The classroom should be a safe space for you to practice your language. If you're studying on your own, you can look for English-speaking friends in your town or online.

5. Set aside daily practice time. You should study a little bit every day if you want to improve your English. While some of it should be formal study time--reviewing your textbook--many ways of studying English are fun. For example, you can go out for a drink with an English-speaking friend and call that studying.

References

• Gregorio Billikopf Encina, University of California: Learning Another Language

Resources

• ESL Desk: Resources for Learning English