Why You Are Not Fluent In English
In my opinion, the biggest issue that English Learners face in becoming fluent. Are they continue to learn English, without trying to become completely fluent.
They need to speak first then study English.
- Let me explain why.
They make the same mistake. Listening to podcasts and youtube, taking every opportunity to type what they learned.
They think that learning English is only for job requirements. To get promoted or use English learning to pass a test will be enough.
It doesn't have the same conviction required for fluency.
Yet, they don't use English in real life, and own the outcome finish-to-start rather than start-to-finish.
Every time they put down a book or turn off Netflix and walk into a lesson. Saying "hey teacher - how do I speak like a native English speaker?".
Thousands of traditional classes and hundreds of videos and books consumed. They still struggle to express themselves.
They are landing themselves far away from what was ideal.
They keep on asking the same questions:
-Why am I failing to speak English?
-How can I learn to be fluent in English?
-Why is this language so hard?
The answer to these questions is an obvious one.
If someone motivated wants to become fluent in any language. This can happen under the following circumstances:
- They have to be using it every day in real-life communication.
- They must imitate the way native speakers use the language. Considering grammar, intonation, and phrases - in practice.
- The native speaker must attempt to correct them at all times. Not in an obnoxious way, but done right, this could avoid a significant number of issues down the track.
- They have to make it their focus the "one thing." Otherwise, it will be a long and arduous journey of low input = low output.
The distinction here is "Learning English" and "Using English."
You can, in any language, become fluent fast with the right focus and application. It has nothing to do with a secret language gene, ability, or the lack of the environment.
The priority is not "absorbing" a collage of "inputs" all the time.
-The priority is "using" the basic's of English and producing quality "outputs" in real life.
February 11, 2020
