Masami and I help English learners in different ways depending on their needs; learning for a test, travelling or moving overseas, for work, for brain exercise, or for fun. The people that stay with us understand they play an active role in their learning, below are a few misconceptions people have before learning a second language.
1. You can’t learn English from a Non-native English speaker
Not only is this untrue but highly offensive to non-native English speakers! There are many different teachers out there with differing skills and experience. As for Masami, she has spent over six years in an English-speaking country, worked there, lived its culture, studied how to teach English, and has worked at a major language school in Japan. And, she is immersed in English by being married to me! If you have had a bad experience with a Japanese English teacher, they are not all like that.
2. You can absorb language from a Native English speaker
It is wrong to think that if you go to an English class with a Native English teacher, just by hearing the language you will learn it. It will help your listening skills and probably speaking skills too, although you will still need to study, practise, and use what has been taught.
3. You will be able to speak English within one month
People start learning English at different levels and learn at different speeds. It is possible to speak English after one lesson but having a conversation is a different thing. Unless you have had an assessment of what level you are at and a realistic goal set, it is difficult to say what you can achieve in one month.
4. You can learn English only by taking a class once or twice a month
If you only practise and study English in a class and do nothing between classes, your improvement will be slow and may stop progressing after a while. It is quite easy for time to be wasted in a class reviewing what you have forgotten as it hasn’t been practised outside of your class. Self-study is essential for improvement.
5. If you study for an English proficiency test, you can communicate in English
English proficiency tests are good to help your grammar and for increasing your vocabulary, although the focus is passing a test. They can give you some tools to help you acquire English, however having a conversation in English is random and free-flowing, and Native English speakers don’t always sound like a textbook! It’s the same as Japanese language tests, they don’t always sound like a natural Japanese conversation.
Before even thinking about learning English please consider, you will need time, energy, and focus to achieve your goals.
Write a comment