Do you think you English through myLot?
By cocooreo
@cocooreo (705)
Malaysia
July 21, 2010 1:53am CST
Yes! is my answer to the question posted. As a background information, neither English is my national language nor my mother tongue. It is considered as our second language in the country or is my third language if including my mother tongue.
Throughout the time I spent at myLot, by reading at other people's discussion, reply and sharing, unconconsciously, I have widen my English vocabulary. For example, I didn't know what is squash at first, all I know is only Orange Squash or the sports game, squash. Until I bump into one of the discussion on health, I read somebody asked about who likes to eat squash. Only then, I figured out another meaning of squash. It's amazing. :)
I am more daring to use some unfamiliar words here compare to real life. I believe practise makes perfect. By practising writing English in myLot, earns me lot of confidence to speak and write in English.
May I hear your story? How your English has improved through myLot? Thanks for sharing.
1 person likes this
13 responses
@allknowing (136525)
• India
21 Jul 10
To be proficient in any language what is required is to make use of it daily and if one has the exposure to mingle with those who are already proficient in the language that one is interested in grasping, there cannot be a better way than that. Although my native language is not English right from childhood I had the good fortune to have mingled with those who spoke and wrote it flawlessly. Internet is yet another medium where one can search for language improving courses.
@cocooreo (705)
• Malaysia
21 Jul 10
Friend, I like the way you writing very much. By just reading such a short paragraph of yours, I know you have very good command in English. Some words that you used that I usually read but seldom use, including "mingle", "grasping", "flawlessly" and "proficient". It is such an enjoyable thing to do by just reading what you wrote.
@allknowing (136525)
• India
21 Jul 10
I am happy you found some new words here. Believe me. The more exposure you have to reading good writings or listen to those who speak good English your English too will improve. My good wishes are with you.
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
21 Jul 10
I'm not too sure about my standard of English though it is supposed to be the official language used here. But I think definitely my English has improved through reading other people's posts and writing my own things. I read to see how people phrased their sentences and how I would try to make my writing more concise and clear to the point, and also interesting to read.
Good topic! 
P.s, I think you left out the word "improve" in the title? Please be careful next time. 
P.s, I think you left out the word "improve" in the title? Please be careful next time.
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
21 Jul 10
It is ok since everyone understands you just fine. Just a gentle reminder 
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
21 Jul 10
English is also my second language. I could understand, read and write them well as the medium of instruction in my country is English most of the time.When I am writing articles i write using MsWord and they could correct my grammar. My knowledge of the language help me a lot and I get used to reply even sometimes i get bored. i think of this place as a learning and earning site at the same time.
@cocooreo (705)
• Malaysia
22 Jul 10
You are right. Microsoft Word has also helped me a lot. Usually the errors I got is fragment revised. I guess I am too used to my own mother tongue and construct an English sentence in the way my mother tongue is. Therefore, usually, my verb and noun could have in reverse order.
@cahmadani (52)
• Indonesia
21 Jul 10
There are many interesting topics discussed in mylot. I spent few hours on mylot, but mostly reading and learning..
And yes me too, as english is not my mother tongue nor primary language, I've widen my vocabulary here, I found many new words which is unfamiliar with me before..
For example, one "new word" to me is "sibling"... Usually I just use word "brother" or "sister"... lol.. how poor my english... happy mylotting.
@cocooreo (705)
• Malaysia
26 Jul 10
Happy to hear that you have learned new vocabulary as I do here in Mylot. Me too does not have very good command in English but I truly believe that English is a very important language. Therefore, by hooks and crooks (learned from myLotter, and I should use this phrase more to make myself familiar of its usage), I have to find ways to be more eager to enhance this language.
@vijaisrirangan (103)
• India
21 Jul 10
see am using the simple english, when i start a discussion or responding to discussion or any tasks am carrying out in mylot... i never think that langauge is improving.. but i realised that the ability to discuss something or answering something is improved
@cocooreo (705)
• Malaysia
26 Jul 10
Glad to hear that you have improved other talent other than language. I guess my ability to start and reply to an discussion is pretty much depending on my mood. If I am in a good mood, my mind work very well and can reply tons of idea. Otherwise, I would be sitting in front of computer for hours without having any idea how start a discussion or even replying one. There are times that my brain have breakdown period. :)
@jaypeesol (218)
• Philippines
22 Jul 10
English is my 2nd language. I can say I am lucky to have been born in a country with its own language, and that also uses English widely, because it means I know 2 languages already. ^_^
I didn't learn English through myLot, but I practice my written English here by participating in discussions. I am also a member of several message boards, which also help me to practice my English. Now if there's only a way I can practice "speaking" in English...
@cocooreo (705)
• Malaysia
26 Jul 10
We both come from a country that speak multiple languages and I agree to you that we are consider lucky to have the extra advantage on knowing extra language than others. So far, the English I am using is still all from my old self limited vocabulary, some mistake in tenses and also some hanging sentences. How I wish, in an overnight, my English can be turned into another new style, to be seen as a purely good English writer and speaker.
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
21 Jul 10
Practice makes perfect, and writing on myLot and other sites does help me to brush up my skills. Without joining an English website my writing skills would have definitely slide downwards.
In my opinion the improvement is not much, but it is better than to let the skills rot. I am fairly set with the way I write, but being here gives me the chance to read how other writers use the language to express them.
There have been disagreements over how the language should be used. Since I was educated in British English, that is the system I try to use most of the time.
@cocooreo (705)
• Malaysia
21 Jul 10
I am the same as you. I am educated with British English as well but I do not see any big difference from US English. Therefore, I think we are able to survive in both countries. :)
My biggest problem is the limitation of my vocabulary. Even if I have read the word before, know what it means, but very seldom I will remember to use it in my own article. That's a pity. Therefore, I enjoy reading people's writing with vast of vocabulary of description.
@de_toya (2429)
• Indonesia
21 Jul 10
I think my English is better than before I joined mylot. I can express my thought in written fluently. Around six month ago, when the first time I joined mylot, it was very hard what had to wrote here. It was very hard even for made two lines sentences response. My English vocabulary improved as well even though my grammar is still mesh. I am able to understand English text much better. If I found unknown vocabulary, I will see it in dictionary. Mylot is a place to earn and learn. Or learn to earn?
@CTHanum (8234)
• Malaysia
21 Jul 10
yes!in terms of vocabulary i guess.there are still many errors and grammar mistakes in my sentences.here in mylot,every mylotters need to write in english so by hook or by crook we need to learn and sharpen the skills here.so if not much it is still help my english improved and i am glad with it.
@cocooreo (705)
• Malaysia
21 Jul 10
Interesting word to be noted: "by hook or by crook"
Actually, I can't care much about my grammar here. I just write what I think, which that I enjoy most at myLot. Different from lesson in school, we need to be extremely careful in writing so that won't get scolded by our language teacher. It is really such a pleasure to express ourselves so carefree here.
@raviteja_ravi84 (2620)
• India
21 Jul 10
Yes even my English has turned better a lot here on Mylot. I have spent time taking looks and responding to other people's discussion and i have seen the way in which they use their English to respond to others. I have learnt a lot just by responding, the way of typing and speaking. It was indeed a great blessing to me. I wish i could also improve my grammar in a better manner.
@kolsti87 (521)
• United States
21 Jul 10
Well English is my native tongue and it is my best language as I was born in America (an English speaking country). I know Spanish and Portuguese but only on a conversational level. I have gotten a better understanding of language altogether though. As I look at where a person is from and finding out what their first language is, and then seeing the errors or oddities in their English, I get to know a lot about the syntax of their language.
@cocooreo (705)
• Malaysia
21 Jul 10
I envy those have English as their first language. As English can be considered as the International Language, master this language helps a lot in many areas, especially when presenting to the professionals. Also, I enjoy listen to the accent that speak by different nation of people. Everyone speaks English in their own way.
@mmebautista28 (113)
• Philippines
21 Jul 10
hmmm, i don't think my english has totally improved but i like this site because i get to practice communicating in english. it also helps me as a communication major.
@shockrayz (199)
•
21 Jul 10
i myself have a hard time sometimes in constructing word here in myLot,. Im just looking forward on having my english speaking skills widen and improved so i tried. im just new here by the way. =)
