How I learn English - My Personal Journey
English is my second language.
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I was born and raised in Hong Kong. My mother tongue is Cantonese (Chinese Dialect). I read and write in Chinese.
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At a fairly young age, I have already understood the importance of languages, a channel to understand one’s culture, values, mindset, and history. It is how we connect to the world in another meaningful level.
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How to improve your English?
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My answer is simple – Immersion. Making this language as part of your life that include:
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1.?????Reading
2.?????Listening
3.?????Writing
4.?????Speaking
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I started my secondary school life around the age of 11 and I remembered switching the TV Channel to English ones (Ninja Turtles and Powerpuff Girls are still my favorites). I started chasing the Billboard Charts every week (Any Britney fans out there?) and sang my lungs out to the lyrics. I bought People, Allure, and W magazines (at premium prices) and I even started my own Xanga page (Oops…age revealed) sharing bits and bobs of my life as a teenager and of course, I would grab any chance to communicate in English, including joining the English Drama Club at school.
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Was that too much for me? No, I was having so much fun being exposed to the other side of the world that led to my decision to study abroad in Los Angeles when I turned 17.
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Languages, like any other subject-matter expertise or skillset, takes time, commitment, and dedications.?It is also an ongoing learning process, just like anything in life.
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Languages, like any other subject-matter expertise or skillset, takes time, commitment, and dedications.?It is also an ongoing learning process, just like anything in life.
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I have just recently started to learn Korean as a result of my newfound passion in K-pop and K-Dramas. Here is a clip of BTS’s leader, Rap Monster (Korean Native) sharing how he taught himself English.
This is the link to the interview:
RM (Rap Monsters) watched all 10 Seasons of “Friends”. First with the Korean Subtitle. Then with the English Subtitle. Lastly, he watched all the Friends’ Episodes WITHOUT any subtitles and repeat the lines to pick up the fluidity and accent.
Every individual has a different learning curve and methodology that works best for him/her.
Stay focused, committed, and have passion for what you are learning.
How to you learn a new Language? Let me know your thoughts!
German and ESL Teacher
2 年Angel, I love your points about watching TV, videos, etc. in the language that you are learning. I studied German for several years but did not really learn how to speak well until I lived in Hungary with a lady who was fluent in German.
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2 年Amazing story, Angel!
To stay young in one's mind, language is the elixir of youth.
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2 年Appreciate you sharing your personal journey with us, Angel Lam! Interesting that you love K-pop and K-dramas!! For me be open to making mistakes during the learning process, don't worry about making them and learn from them. Learn from listening to and reading the language you want to learn.
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2 年To recap: 1. How to improve your English? ? My answer is simple – Immersion. 2. Languages, like any other subject-matter expertise or skillset, takes time, commitment, and dedication. It is also an ongoing learning process, just like anything in life. 3. Every individual has a different learning curve and methodology that works best for him/her. Stay focused, committed, and have passion for what you are learning. Thank you, Angel!