Improving my English; where to start?

@diamania (7011)
Netherlands
June 5, 2009 3:00pm CST
At times I am so jealous not to be a native English speaker, it makes life so easier I think. It's my motivation to improve my English but I don't know where to start. The English lessons on school are too easy for me and looking on the internet mostly makes me give up due to most sites being aimed at complete newbies in English. Does somebody know a good, free site where I can improve my English even further.
4 people like this
20 responses
@whywiki (6066)
• Canada
5 Jun 09
I think this site is a great place to improve your english. The more you read and write it the more natural it will come to you. I think your English is pretty good already. I always wished I could speak an other language than English because most languages seem harder than English to me. Goof luck.
2 people like this
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
You're absolutely right. I have already learned a lot through discussing on-line but mainly through mylot whilst I am pretty new here. May I ask, what is the reason you aren't bilingual?
1 person likes this
5 Jun 09
It's better to read and write than to joining a website and learning from the internet. You sound like you can write english ok and if you want to learn more english you should get a mentor which will be able to do one on one lessons these allow you to learn quicker than any other method because they know what level you are on and how you learn so if you are a slow learner then your mentor will teach you slowly. Thats the best tip that I can give you!
1 person likes this
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
Besides your tip being the best one you can give it's one of the better ones here. I am planning on asking some people to skype with me in order for me to get even more familiarized with English. :) Are you interested?
2 people like this
6 Jun 09
Sorry but I don't use skype or any other messaging software, I think you should make a post and see if anyone else would be interested in helping you. Also if you can you should offer them an incentive like pay them some money or say that you will be on of their referrals and you will be active. If you do that then you will get more people interested in helping you but for me I can't because i don't use those software and I don't think I am a good teacher/mentor.
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
6 Jun 09
I see your point but how sad that people are more likely to do something to help you if you offer them an incentive Times are changing in the wrong direction.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Jun 09
Last I checked, Skype was free, one can talk to anyone else anywhere that also has skype.
1 person likes this
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
I've already tried it but mostly I can't hear the person I am talking to mostly. I am willing to give it another try though. Should someone have skype and speak English on a native or close to native level contact me please. Thanks steve!
@mye_drew (182)
• Israel
5 Jun 09
How To Speak Like A Native Speaker....are you interested to learn real english??then come and visit this site, www.learnrealenglish.com .....i hope this site will teach you to improve your english...after you sign up thre they will send you email in 7 days...it is the 7 rules 4 excellent english,.good luck
1 person likes this
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
5 Jun 09
I will check it out, thanks mye. [b] Should anyone know other good sites, don't hesitate please speak up.[/b] :)
@mye_drew (182)
• Israel
6 Jun 09
your welcome,.thats the better one site i think,.coz they will give you the secret on how to speak like a native speaker
1 person likes this
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
I have even found a way of getting the whole course ( I don't mean the email only course) for free. Maybe I could start a new discussion based on this one telling you guys how it was you who recommended me a course which made me write and speak like a native speaker. Thanks once again mye.
@parv123 (18)
• India
6 Jun 09
Dear One if u want to really improve your English then u must visit the site www.fluentzy.com.this site provides u the exact and real english speaking course. The writer of these book is known father of fluent English.
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
I'll take a look, thanks mate. :)
@lizshab (44)
• United States
5 Jun 09
I would suggest reading books and magazines, go to your local library and just start reading. Watching TV can also be a good tool, hearing the language and also practice saying what you hear.
1 person likes this
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
I believe getting familiarized with a language is important indeed. I already read lots and lots of articles and discussions on the internet and besides surfing I also watch TV, so I bet your tip is good since lots of people rate my English as decent. Thanks lizshab
@cyberfluf (4996)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
I have to agree that mylot is a good way of improving your English.You can also try the games and courses that are for sale on cd-rom. They have courses for intermediate and high levels of expertise aswell. They aren't that expensive at all and you can get them practically anywhere. The LOI and NTI also offer language courses on different levels which might also get you a certificate aswell if you do your homework well.
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
Yeah, I might have a look into that. But I'd better do that later on because more studies besides school is definitely impossible. Thanks for the tip.
• India
6 Jun 09
English is a global language and I am glad that I went to a good English-medium school so I think my English is OK..however,practise makes a man perfect so you should read English, practise writing and speak it as often as possible. My speaking powers have become a tad rusty due to non-use as most people in their daily lives tend to speak in their mother tongue but even then I am comfortable with it.
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
I am definitely eager to do so! Luck is on my side as I live in Amsterdam which is one of the tourist capitals of Europe meaning that I already get exposed to tourists speaking English and asking me questions in said language.
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
6 Jun 09
Hi diamania! You are already on the best free site that there is to improve your English - and get paid while you do so too If English is your second language you are doing absolutely fine! I can only think you want to practice and not to learn it because what you have said here does not give the impression that it is your second language. If you spend time here reading the discussions and the responses and joining in that will be great practive for you. You will earn both new friends, knowledge and cents while doing so too Had you not realised that you can learn here on myLot while you are having fun?
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
6 Jun 09
There is no limit to how high you can build those houses too - the sky is the limit! I am a transplant here in Italy. I am English born and raised and then I moved here later. Here on myLot I can keep up with my English too as I don't get many chances to speak it here except if an English speaking guest arrives in the hotel where I work
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
Hehe, sharp one... very sharp. Is the declination in your English bad if you wouldn't get exposed to English anymore?
1 person likes this
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
Hi mysdianait, I can't agree more, mylot is indeed the best site around the web for learning English without even having to attend lessons. Thanks for your compliment on my English level. I believe you are right I want to practice English rather than 'learn' it. After all I've already built the foundation and some houses but the skyline will be build if I have patience. I absolutely do have fun here and learn things at the same time whilst even earning money. Mylot can't be made better, well it can but... it's already innovative. :) How come your English is so good but live in Italy?
1 person likes this
• India
6 Jun 09
This site helps you in improving English and the way we speak. You can check esllab, You see many short exercises, pronunciations and many more articles related to improving your English language skills. Of course I am also not a native English speaker, but then, I always try to improve my learning skills by discussing topics, writing articles and so on. You can also do the same and trust me you will find difference yourself after few days.
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
I'm agree. I am learning everyday thanks to sites like MyLot. The interesting thing about MyLot is that what you learn isn't only limited to English but also learning about general topics. Thanks for the site recommendation I bet i'll learn quite a lot from it.
@angelajoy (1825)
• Philippines
6 Jun 09
Hi diamania, I'm also not a native English speaker, so I know how you feel. I always try to make posts here with perfect English, but sometimes I still make mistakes with my tenses. I once took online English lessons at Publishing Training Centre. The online course doesn't cost that much and the quality of the lessons is really great. I hope this helps.
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
Hi angela, Thanks a lot for your tip. I will check their site and will keep you updated on my findings.
@pickoy (733)
• Philippines
6 Jun 09
You're doing fine, all your subject and verb agreement are in good shape. If you can write good English already, speech will follow naturally. All you need to do is to watch english movies as often as you can, when you're sending message to someone, see to it that you also use the english language. Chatrooms can be a great help too. Everytime you're all alone or traveling while day dreaming, use english as if its a part of you until it becomes a part of your subconsciousness and you'll speak english even in your dreams. This is how we practiced it during high school. We converse naturally with our friends. Some of my classmates have enrolled in speech power programs to improve their confidence in speaking the language so the will also adapt the accent. I think the main key to this is constant practice until you're more comfortable in speaking it.
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
Thanks for the compliment. I indeed feel I need to practice more with speaking but I bet that if my writing is decent speaking will follow as well as you said. I've been thinking in English as much as possible for a few years now and I don't really translate my texts while writing in English so perhaps I am further in English than I realize. Cheers mate.
• United States
6 Jun 09
Hello, You should not feel jea;ous because , because you are not a native english speaker, because some of us that are native english speakers can't even speak english that well properly, well at least I can speak for myself, I still have ways to go with speaking proper english, some words I have used around other native english speakers were just horrible, and it always leave them to ask what did you say, or can you repeat what you said again lol, so don't feel bad at all. I'm hoping the responce, I typed to your disscussion is understood correctly lol. Happy My Lotting!
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
Did you see you liked me? --- I hear the story of English people not being understood by other English speakers more often. I am confused on how that's possible?
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
say* not see. I blame you for liking me.
@bearound (132)
• China
6 Jun 09
You English is not too bad!You do not have to be a English native speaker.If you really want to improve your English,talk to native speaker can be a good choice. I am not a native speaker either.Howerver,I have to communicate with foreign customers in English every day because I am working in a international trading company.That help me a lot to improve my English.If you can go to some Eeglish-speaking country for further education,it will be great.
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
My goal isn't to sound like a real native speaker. My goal is to be able to speak and write English more fluently which includes using English idioms and slang as well as understanding the difficult but amusing English jokes. I am planning on going to England when I have enough money. One of my English teachers once said that one week in an English country being exposed to English equals one year of English lessons and I believe him. May I ask what your job is and in case the company is well know, which company it is?
• Philippines
6 Jun 09
I suggest you read books or listen to audiobooks as this will really improve your writing and speaking English try also practicing speaking English with your friends so you'll hone your fluency in the language.
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
Most of my friends don't speak English too well, so that might be a bit of a problem, but it might be a good way for me to gain confidence as people will compliment me for my English level I think. But in general I find your tip to be very helpful. :) If I am right you are no native English speaker either, how did you learn English? Also through reading and listening to -audio- books and talking with friends or at school?
1 person likes this
@nancyc5 (26)
• United States
6 Jun 09
I have another idea besides an internet site. It might work better. Have you thought about mentioning that the English lessons are too easy? Maybe the school can get you an English tutor who can work with you on a one-to-one basis at your level. (Are there any other students who feel the same way? Maybe the class needs to be divided into levels.) As a tutor, I believe you learn better when you study ESL with at least one other person. Good luck!
@jovz07 (648)
• Philippines
6 Jun 09
try to read dictionary atleast one hour a day!! you can get the words familiar easily!! and always read engish novel, also watch english movies!!
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
It is probably not bad for my vocabulaire but learning via this method does not get me familiar with the usage of words in sentences and thus it is rather needless. Thanks for your reply.
1 person likes this
@xyzxgt (89)
• China
7 Jun 09
I think your English level is good and better than me.There are many ways to improve your English.If you want to improve your spoken English,you must talk as possible as you can.Talking to a native English speaker will be the best method and seeing the English movies will be another way.The Old Friends can be a good one.If you want to be good at writing or reading,the best way is to read many materials like The Economists,Times and so on.As an old saying that goes parctice makes perfect.I am sure you must have a good command of English due to your hard work.
@zackn87 (345)
• United States
6 Jun 09
i think u should hangout with some english people and ur experiences with them can improve ur english.
@MrEvil (42)
• United States
6 Jun 09
Speak. I know someone that speaks English as a second language, they learned English as a kid, but rarely used it verbally aside from simple things like ordering at restaurants, so he never really developed the words very well, and thus got kindof a phobia of speaking it out of fear that he's saying it wrong. My step-dad, on the other hand, also speaks English as a second language, but since he used it verbally since he learned it, and didn't treat it as something to know 'just in case', he doesn't even have a noticeable accent now. And he's probably more articulate than most native English speakers I know. The more you speak it, the more you'll get used to pronunciation, context, and all that good stuff.
@diamania (7011)
• Netherlands
6 Jun 09
The problem is that they don't emphasize speaking English in the Netherlands. Sometimes you're told to talk with your neighbour in the class in English but that happens seldom and if it happens you get to talk with someone who doesn't understand the slightest bit of English. Sometimes it also happens they pronounce words in a way, and they are even sure they are pronunciation it correctly, that it's just wrong and inaudible, as a result of that they laugh at you for not understanding what they murmur. I think I'd better practice it using skype rather than listening to murmuring classmates laughing at me whilst it is anything but my fault. Your contribution is very appreciated.