Here's what's MOST IMPORTANT in learning English
Dear friends,
Don't be discouraged! There are varying styles and levels of English. They are
used according to the company you're in.
Most important thing for you all to do is to learn how to put your words in the
smoothest order and to be easily understood by your listeners. This means learning grammar and pronouncing your words properly.
The English I write here on the forum is a slightly formal style of daily English. I take pains to use good grammar, punctuation and paragraphing so that you will have the example. These things are very important. They are more important
than big words. If you can speak and write as I do here you will have no trouble in daily life in an English speaking environment. If you use too many erudite words you will surprise many native English speakers who may not know their exact meaning and will feel uncomfortable.
There are millions and millions of English words. Nobody ever expects you to know them all. Some are out-dated, many are rarely used, some are specialized and
some are for various levels of academic use. The English language has taken in
words from every language it ever met. It is a very flexible languare. Words
come into use and go out of use every day. You don't need to worry about that if you speak "good standard English." Don't often use slang. It gets dated too
fast. Go easy using cliches as they have often have become stale from over-use.
Instead of most cliches, think of a way to say the same thing in your own good
words. Cliches are an easy and sloppy way to go and they won't do your writing
much good.
The English language is different from yours. It is compounded of many languages and is continually growing. There isn't any point in comparing them and finding one or the other better. They are both excellent and they are different.
It is a good thing to be able to say the same thing in a number of ways. That doesn't mean that you must use long and difficult words to do so. Remember, there are many styles of English, but the most important is to be able to say anything you want in simple words, using good grammar. --And to be able to write it in an acceptable way. That's why we stress the proper use of punctuation and grammar.
You should be able to read a newspaper article from an English speaking source quickly, and understand everything you read. If occasionally you need to look up
a word, what harm is there in that?
Don't despair. Simple words used skillfully will take most of you as far as you
need to go. If you need to write in a highly educated manner for some reason,
(such as in a thesis or dissertation) use the style of language your professors
do when they discuss the subject, and the style of the books you consult in the
process of
developing your theme. Use this same style to defend your thesis and your English will be fully acceptable. Then move back to simpler English for conversation
with the same people later, over coffee.
The thing to do is to be able to accommodate your style of language to the people you are with, so that they will feel comfortable with you. If you use too many big words they will probably think you are trying to impress them. That's called "showing off." Showing off is not appreciated.
All of you are understandable. Keep up the good work!!
Jeannie, your English is excellent although It could flow a little more fluently. A lot of reading, and reading aloud will help and the easy and correct flow
will begin to become automatic. People like you who know enough to be able to communicate easily, can move on to clear pronunciation.
I want to say to all of you, "Don't despair". Words can always be looked up.
Pronunciation is critical if you want to be easily understood. No matter how well you know English, if you don't pronounce words properly people will not understand you and will frequently need to ask you to repeat. You also need to put words together in the correct order so that you are easily and correctly understood. This is called using good grammar. You need to paragraph and punctuate your
written English correctly, so that you are not misunderstood, and so that those
who read what you write are comfortable with the experience.
This all adds up to one thing: your aim must always be ease of communication between you and your English speaking companions or readers.
I hope this will relieve your fears and help you all to aim in the best direction.
Warmly, Mary
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