Ways to Learn or Improve Your English
@pgiblett (6524)
Canada
March 21, 2016 8:35am CST
One of the features of MyLot is the fact that we have members from across the globe all with differing levels of knowledge of the English language. I consider myself quite an expert with this language, yet I know I do make mistakes from time to time, I have off days. The essence of English is that it may have started out as a language of a small nation, confined to a part of a small island, but is has developed into one of the most powerful communications tools used across the globe.
So how do you improve your English? Here are a few ideas, I am sure others will add some as well, but the point is we are here a community which has language experts as well as those who are learning.
My suggestions are:
1 - Read, spend time reading each day.
2 - Adopt a hobby where you can listen to people talk and make conversation.
3 - Open a dictionary at a random page, select a word at random and read the whole definition, then write a sentence for each part of the definition.
4 - Write and have other people evaluate what you have written.
5 - Read something (privately) then lookup, in a dictionary or on the web, any words you don't understand.
Toastmasters (which is designed to help with public speaking) can be a way to have the way you talk evaluated, most of their members are happy to help people grow their command of the language.
43 people like this
41 responses
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
21 Mar 16
@LadyDuck At school we used to have a very young and pretty French teacher from Marseilles, who lived close to me, we would often arrive and leave on the same bus and I was friendly with her, it didn't make my French any better, but the other boys in my class were jealous. I leaned German as a child and spoke it better than French, I even lived in Germany for a while.
With all of that I cannot claim to have anything but passing knowledge of any other language.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154131)
• Canada
11 Apr 16
@enlightenedpsych2 I have been in love with dictionaries since I was a tiny little girl.
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@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
21 Mar 16
It is reading that taught me proper use of English as well. When I left school my English was poor, the education system in England was going through a bad period when I went to school, so when I had my first job I decided to teach myself how to use English properly and have been learning ever since.
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15505)
• United Kingdom
22 Mar 16
I'd say the biggest bit of advice I'd give is let people know you're here to increase your ability with English.
The rules state we can't criticise people for bad or broken English.
If, in your post, you mention the fact that any help or corrections with regard to English is welcome you'd be more likely to get help.
I'd suggest adding a line about that somewhere in a started discussion.
4 people like this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
22 Mar 16
I agree many people here on MyLot do wish to help those that want to improve their linguistic skills. Yet there are two other categories of people we see around (not just on MyLot), those who think they are perfect and are not prepared to communicate with whose English is in their view substandard. The second category are those who demonstrate poor command of the language and have little willingness to improve.
2 people like this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
22 Mar 16
@Mike197602 I am also English. My biggest concern are the people who have no intention of improving and won't take criticism.
2 people like this
@Mike197602 (15505)
• United Kingdom
22 Mar 16
@pgiblett I'll communicate with anyone
and if they state that they want help with English I'd help up to the point where my ability to help ends.
I obviously am English and have English as a first language but often find that people want really technical help with the language that I'm just not able to give.
and if they state that they want help with English I'd help up to the point where my ability to help ends.
I obviously am English and have English as a first language but often find that people want really technical help with the language that I'm just not able to give.2 people like this
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
22 Mar 16
You have listed out some very good tips for those who want to improve their English
. If they adopt your tips in the right earnest, they could improve their language. I have been a member of this site since 2007. Participating in the discussions, readings comments of others and coming across new terms/phrases/words has taught me a lot and I am thankful to mylot. I still commit mistakes but I feel I learn from my mistakes. I more or less follow all the tips listed by you to better my language.
. If they adopt your tips in the right earnest, they could improve their language. I have been a member of this site since 2007. Participating in the discussions, readings comments of others and coming across new terms/phrases/words has taught me a lot and I am thankful to mylot. I still commit mistakes but I feel I learn from my mistakes. I more or less follow all the tips listed by you to better my language.1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
23 Mar 16
@pgiblett - You may be right that even those whose mother tongue is English keep making mistakes.
I agree with you that we must learn from our mistakes.
I think if any user uses a colloquial phrase in comments, s/he should explain it alongside so that others could also understand.
1 person likes this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
22 Mar 16
Even those whose first language is English still commit errors almost daily in things like emails, those that enjoy writing normally catch the errors before sending. Learning from your mistakes is of vital importance, and here on MyLot you will see colloquial phrases from various parts of the world, which can, I am sure, be puzzling at times.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (100296)
• India
21 Mar 16
When will you start helping me Peter "darlin"? 
Seriously, I can do with help. DE used to help me some before he went into hibernation. mommaj helps me too. It would be very difficult for me without help out here. I remember initially when I used to comment on JJ's posts, I wrote something entirely opposite to what I wanted to say...but he took it in the right way because other comments were inconsistent with that comment. I can make blunders when I don't want to. lol
Seriously, I can do with help. DE used to help me some before he went into hibernation. mommaj helps me too. It would be very difficult for me without help out here. I remember initially when I used to comment on JJ's posts, I wrote something entirely opposite to what I wanted to say...but he took it in the right way because other comments were inconsistent with that comment. I can make blunders when I don't want to. lol2 people like this
But there is always scope for improvement, isn't it? So you being my friend and bro in law across Pacific and Atlantic, surely I can expect some help? 
Honestly, I won't mind any corrections. @pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
21 Mar 16
Generally speaking I would say your English is good. We learn much by using and it is easy to forget to put a "not" or other negating word into a phrase, even English experts do that (albeit most catch the error when proof reading their response).
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
23 Mar 16
listening to recordings of people talking / acting in English might be another handy tip
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
23 Mar 16
@pgiblett absolutely so those learning can find something they are interested in
2 people like this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
24 Mar 16
@arthurchappell Interests can drive the passion to learn.
2 people like this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
23 Mar 16
@DianneN That is precisely what I thought, he may know film lines and who said them and is probably better than the average film buff, but cannot turn them into normal sentences spoken by normal people. Glad he got you on the right train though.
1 person likes this
@rina110383 (24492)
•
21 Mar 16
Those are helpful suggestions, thank you. I need it since English is not my first language.
2 people like this
@rina110383 (24492)
•
21 Mar 16
@pgiblett Thank you for the advice. I'll keep that in mind.
1 person likes this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
21 Mar 16
@rina110383 The dictionary was my favourite tool to learn and I still use it today.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
12 Apr 16
Great suggestions! Is Toastmaster free or are there fees involved in the participation?
1 person likes this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
15 Apr 16
@1hopefulman What city do you live in? Perhaps I know of a club there.
1 person likes this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
13 Apr 16
Toastmasters isn't free, but the fee will depend on your local club. Mine is $140 per year. I suggest you seek out some local community clubs in your area they will be happy to have people attend as visitors for several weeks, try 2 or three, as each is organised slightly differently and the personality of the club can matter so much.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136481)
• India
22 Mar 16
Enough is not enough when it comes to learning any language. There is one thing that can help is to read out loud what is written and believe it or not one can easily notice grammatical errors.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136481)
• India
22 Mar 16
@pgiblett Not that way. Reading loud for one's own self. When you hear what you have written mistakes stand out Nothing to do with native speakers. I have no confidence in them atleast not those I come across here. They commit many mistakes.
1 person likes this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
22 Mar 16
@allknowing The point is we all commit mistakes, the reason I used "Improve" in the title, truth is we can all improve.
I have been a member of Toastmasters who teach public speaking and have to say there have been many members from around the world whose first language is not English that credit Toastmasters for helping them understand the language better.
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
22 Mar 16
Actually reading out loud is a good idea, especially if you are reading to people whose first language is English. Since my eye troubles I have used software to read things for me, that reading aloud has become a part of my routine when publishing anything these days.
@sardonyx777 (450)
• Philippines
17 Jun 16
English is not my first language but i learned it from school. Our government thru the department of education ensures that all students must learn and excell in the so called international language which is English. But i myself still poor on this language. I always got wrong grammar. I dont know the rules even if i know we tackled it in school. Anyway, thanks you for your tips. I know it can help me if i do it. This is one of my reasons why i do mylotting. I wanted to express myself in english but most of the time i just read comments because i am hesitate to write topics and responds. I would be glad if you could help me too. I intentionaly wrote this longer for this reason.
Sorry for this. I gave tou burden.
1 person likes this
@sardonyx777 (450)
• Philippines
18 Jun 16
@pgiblett it is much easier to learn particular language when you live with it, use it daily, make it a part in your daily living that i think is the most effective way of learning correct usage of english language ans other language as well.
But for me as long as we can understand each other thats fine and good.
In my country we use our native dialect in our daily living but in school all commands are in english aside from learning our national language but it feels good having three or more medium in communication.
1 person likes this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
18 Jun 16
My wife knew no English the day she first went to school in Kenya, today she is known as "the English lady" because of her command of the language and her distinctly English accent. She learnt this language primarily by reading, as it is by reading that you get to understand the rules of grammar and the rules of the language become much simpler. One challenge of writing (even for a person who knows English) is making sure that you are applying the rules of the language in all circumstances, not simply checking for spelling errors.
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
18 Jun 16
@sardonyx777 Yes it is easiest to learn by using it every day. A man I know had some advice about getting accustomed to the language, he advised immigrants to listen to English at least 6 hours per day, by placing themselves in a situation where they can hear the language being used, for example by hearing English TV programmes.
@quantum2020 (12041)
• Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico
15 Apr 16
Grat advice for larners of English! Even though, I have practiced English for many years, I still need to have some resources available while online to write correctly in the English language!
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
28 Jun 16
Thank you. Those are helpful tips.
As kids we had to look up words we didn't know, it became a habit.
And doing while 'crosswords' I use Roget's Thesaurus
1 person likes this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
29 Jun 16
@responsiveme Vocabulary building requires constant effort.
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@responsiveme (22926)
• India
28 Jun 16
@pgiblett thank you. I should build up my vocabulary too. But am outdated on 'net lingo.'
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