How to learn English: a few esl tips

English as a Second Language (esl)

How to learn English?

As with any second language, it will be a long time before you learn to speak English fluently - if you even get that far.
But don't despair!

You don't need to be fluent to be adequate.

And you can also be close to fluency in a specialized field that you have concentrated on.

How to speak English fluently?

USE IT, or LOSE IT!

Learning English

English learning involves a certain amount of basic grammar which simply has to be understood thoroughly.

How to learn English words?

Words are best learnt in context.

Rather than simply memorizing strings of words, approach new vocabulary through reading and listening.
Words have various shade of associated meanings. These meanings are easier to understand and remember in appropriate sentences.
Before you try to memorize a word, find out the correct pronunciation

HAVING TO USE WORDS IN CONTEXT IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO REMEMBER THEM.

Here are a few memorizing tips.

Reading Comprehension skills

There are many levels of difficulty in written English.

Don't try to run before you can walk. Choose simpler texts to start with. Then gradually raise the bar.
Whole series of reading materials have been prepared for different levels, beginners, intermediate, etc.

Improve your Listening skills

Start by listening to a text which you can read at the same time, exactly as it is spoken. When you have listened several times with the text, try listening without the text.
Focus on words in groups rather than singly. Pronunciation often changes with context.
Don't try to go too fast to start with.
Film and television dialogue is by far the most difficult to understand because it tends to be spoken faster than normal. There are special reasons for this... DVDs with subtitles are an excellent way to go provided the subtitles are the same as the spoken dialogue, so that you can read the exact words spoken - give or take a few small changes.

But, while listening, don't:

focus on words you don't understand
try to translate back to your own language

during the flow of the dialogue.
If you do either of these you'll lose the rest of what is being said.

Instead, go back and isolate small sections which you did not understand and repeat them until you do.

Often you will find that a contraction or liaison is the cause of your problem.

Improve your Conversation skills

Use simple and easy words and collocations which you feel confident about.
At first practice short sentences to build confidence.
Use Language functions.
Don't use English idioms and common expressions unless you are sure you can use them correctly.

Other specific skills in the medical field

Writing skills won't be a priority unless you want to publish, write an abstract or an article.

You may need the ability to update patients’ records, write reports and letters of referral, or take notes during international conferences.

But working with numbers or writing a letter are basic skills you have to master.

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