Learning English is a popular educational area: there are a dozen methods, applications and ways to master English. Many people learn the language from childhood, some do it on their own, others do it in courses, but students are equally often visited by a feeling of powerlessness and the feeling that knowledge is accumulating, but does not begin to work.
The main reasons for difficulties in learning English
Lack of curriculum
You can choose a dozen methods, but in the absence of a clear curriculum, it is difficult to organize the educational process yourself correctly.
The solution is to turn to professional methodologists. The creators of the courses offer programs by studying and summarizing the experience of foreign and domestic language schools. The most effective courses are immersive, where interaction with the language occurs at all levels. Grammar - with the help of interactive exercises, increasing vocabulary and overcoming the language barrier most effectively occurs with personal contact with the teacher. Testing before the start of classes will help to determine the starting level of English proficiency, to start practicing taking into account the student's capabilities. For the initial level, the Elementary course is suitable, for those who are ready to support a conversation on everyday topics - Intermediate. Intermediate students can speak English at work, interact with peers, go to study abroad and adapt to their cultural environment. The PreIntermediate level is aimed at those who lack the knowledge and confidence for the Intermediate level.
No time for English lessons
Face-to-face training or with a tutor takes time. It often happens that a new student signs up, starts attending classes, feels an additional load and is ready to refuse.
Solution: choose online classes at a convenient time, which will save time on the road. Some schools offer flexible timetables, the ability to sign up with a teacher and start a lesson right away. Classes have different duration: a conversation lesson will last no longer than 15 minutes, and grammar lessons - 40 minutes. Course developers recommend that you engage in small portions daily or every other day, so that language progress goes at an optimal pace.
Learning English without language practice
Students near Intermediate level often feel helpless when faced with the need to speak. It is difficult to communicate in practice, having only book experience: in everyday speech, people use slang, stable colloquial expressions, abbreviations.
How to solve this problem: communicate in real life situations (in chats, online communities), get experience of language immersion, practice material in dialogues based on practical situations - traveling in transport, checking in at the airport, talking with technical support.
Language barrier when communicating with foreigners
Having studied grammar, replenished vocabulary, rehearsed the initial phrases for effective dialogue, the student still feels awkward when communicating with native speakers.
Solution : constant language practice - with a teacher, a neighbor on a desk in courses, in an educational video chat. Chatting in a relaxed atmosphere, discussing everyday topics or topics of interest to you can help you overcome your embarrassment.
Tutor is not suitable
The learning process can be slow or ineffective due to misunderstandings between teacher and student.
Solution: if you understand that the teacher is not suitable for you, change him. Some courses offer classes with different teachers to explore different aspects of the language.
Being overly serious about learning
Students who take their studies too seriously have difficulty remembering and overcoming shyness.
Solution: work with a psychotherapist, overcoming perfectionism and focus on the result. People make mistakes, students make mistakes — that's part of the learning curve. When choosing a teacher, choose those who are ready to support and add confidence, avoid teachers with an authoritarian approach. Some schools offer supportive chat with students, where teachers can answer questions of concern.
