Learning English (my personal tips/technique). Share you tips and advices
Hello, wonderful community!
My native language is Russian/Ukrainian. English is my second language. I'm automatically become a non-native speaker.
How do I learn English?
Wonderful community, let me present for you a couple of tips I use myself:
THE MOST IMPORTANT - JUST ENJOY LEARNING ENGLISH
#1 READ VARIOUS TOPICS
I try to read a lot in English. If I detect an unfamiliar word I immediately underlie/highlight it and write it down on a card. I try to read various thematic and academic topics such as biology, biodiversity, psychology, history, philosophy, astronomy, cosmology, astrophysics (say hello to Stephen Hawking for popularizing it.) I do enjoy to read fiction sometimes, however I prefer non-fiction more, some real discoveries and memoirs of thinkers, writers, pioneers. I would like to know what do they think, why do they think so. For example I started to read "The life and discoveries of Michael Faraday".
#2 INTERNET
I visit specific forums dedicated for English learners, non-native speakers. I post questions bother me and receive responses.
If you love cinematography as I do, please visit this link. They have outstanding essays. You can learn a lot of new words.
The Criterion Collection
Visit this link.
Midnight Eye - Visions of Japanese cinema - interviews, features, film reviews, book reviews, calendar of events and DVD releases, links and more... Site is dedicated to japanese cinema. They have interesting essays, informative reviews.
#3 WRITE DOWN
Each day I write down at least 50 new/unfamiliar words on my cards. When I walk outside, ride on a bus, buy groceries or I sit in cafe and drink tea I review my cards with words. It works for me. It's very simple and funny. Each card consists of 8 words, 4 words on each side with definition and synonyms.
#4 WATCH & LISTEN
I watch american sitcoms to hear and imitate pronunciation. (Friends, Sex and the City, Futurama, Simpsons, X-files, old good Scully and Mulder
).
Why do I choose sitcoms, the answer is obvious, you are hear people chatting and talking. Very interesting process, hear how native speakers talk and try to imitate them. I'm fond of performance of Jim Carrey, he has an outstanding pronunciation (Mask, Ace Ventura, Dumb & Dumber.)
I'm gratefully waiting for your responses.