Developing a study plan to achieve conversational skills.

[Rodrigo Mário]

I really want to learn English, especially conversational English. I live in Canada, but I feel lost in some areas; I feel like I understand more than I can speak. I'm a bit lost without a coherent and effective study plan that will allow me to feel like I'm making progress. Can any teacher help me?

 

[teechar]

Hello Rodrigo, and welcome to the forum.

I really want to learn English, especially conversational English.

That's great!

I live in Canada,

That's also great, because it means you have a wonderful opportunity to practice speaking English with native speakers.

but I feel lost in some areas;

Which areas, can you elaborate?

I feel like I understand more than I can speak.

That's very natural, and most people learning a new language experience this. Note also that the active skills (writing and speaking) are harder than the passive skills (reading and listening).

I'm a bit lost without a coherent and effective study plan that will allow me to feel like I'm making progress. Can any teacher help me?

Do you have any kind of plan or strategy at the moment, and if you do, what do you like and not like about it?

 

[Rodrigo Mário]

Thank you for the welcome (I'm new here). I'm referring to the areas related to study strategy; I feel lost in that area, where do I start again? I understand the importance and impact of grammar, but I believe it shouldn't be the main focus of learning. I believe I should focus on listening and speaking. I feel less frustrated knowing that this experience happens to everyone who is learning a new language. At the moment, I don't have any plan; I'm studying randomly, through Instagram, YouTube, and I'm writing down everything I see. I love the English language, and it would be a personal dream come true to feel confident speaking and solving my daily problems. I tried taking an online course with Professor Kenny (very famous, but his method didn't work for me; too much grammar and little or almost no conversation).

 

[teechar]

I'm referring to the areas related to study strategy; I feel lost in that area, where do I start again?

That's all about individual preferences, needs, and goals/targets. One piece of advice I can give you is to set a certain number of hours per day for studying English.

I understand the importance and impact of grammar, but I believe it shouldn't be the main focus of learning.

It depends on what you're trying to achieve.

I believe I should focus on listening and speaking.

Living in Canada means you have plenty of opportunities for that. Join a local group to pursue a hobby/interest. That would give you the chance to listen to native pronunciation and to practice speaking with real people in real-life contexts.

I'm studying randomly, through Instagram, YouTube,

I have my reservations about those..

and I'm writing down everything I see.

It's important to document new words/phrases, but you don't need to write down everything. Focus on the important/interesting stuff.

 

[Rodrigo Mário]

My goal is to converse about normal, everyday topics. But anyway, thank you for your tips, I will follow your advice and improve the consistency of my exposure to English.