Once you’ve decided to enrol in an intensive English program in the United States, take some time to consider ways to maximise the experience. Examining the skills and attitudes of successful language learners will give you insight into strategies for successful English language learning.
Research in the field of language indicates that there are many things you can do to become a successful learner. Some people may have special abilities linguistically, but most of us can "learn to learn" language effectively. Curiosity about language and culture, daily study, and the commitment to use English in every possible situation while in an English-speaking environment, are very important conditions for success.
Motivation and attitude play a significant role in successful language learning. Listed here are some useful hints to encourage success in your new experiences. Combined with the expert assistance of knowledgeable instructors and reliable intensive English programs, attention to these ideas will help you gain focus in your studies so that you can learn English more effectively.
Be clear and realistic about your goals. Your sense of success will depend on your needs for English and whether or not you meet your needs. It is not just a question of measured progress. If you need conversational fluency, note-taking skills will not meet your needs. If you must learn to write effective business letters, informal conversation with current slang will not help you achieve your goal. Know what your goals are. Do you need English for occasional speaking situations, for travel or entertaining English-speaking visitors? Do you want to improve comprehension in both written and spoken English? Do your need to write English for professional purposed? Are you preparing for a university career in English? If so, your goals must include proficiency in all skill areas.
Learning a foreign language is an inexact process. Very few people learn to use a foreign language as well as a native speaker does. Fortunately, very few people need to learn English like a native English speaker in every skill area. Be realistic and aware of your goals.. There are many reasons to learn English, and your reasons are your own goals. Administrators and instructors in intensive English programs are aware of the wide range of approaches and curricula available. Be sure to select an intensive English program which accommodates your language goals.
Be realistic about the length of time it takes to learn a language. Programs which promise overnight success are simply not being honest. Language learning is a cumulative process. You will experience bursts of accomplishment as well blocks and delays in progress. You will notice improvement at different speeds in each skill area. Many students progress more quickly in passive skill areas (reading and grammar analysis) than in active and complex skill areas (speaking, notetaking during a lecture). If you are beginning level student whose goal is proficiency, a typical program may include at least nine months of intensive English study. If your study program is short-term and your goals include improvement and review rather than proficiency, you may realise some progress in two or more weeks.
Be aware of your learning style. If you know that you learn more quickly when you listen to an English statement a few times before writing it, or if you know that seeing a picture or graphic representation of a word or expression helps you to remember the word, the develop study habits which use the most effective techniques for you. Excellent instructors who know that students must be involved in active learning will created active learning experiences to connect you with the language.
When you have determined your best learning style. Talk with your English instructor(s) about additional opportunities to practice English and to make progress. Instructors will design class activities and assignments to match the preferred learning styles of students.
Learn something about ‘language learning’. Remember that language is a complex system of meaningful sounds organised with a series of rules (grammar). Every student has studies enough pronunciation, grammar and sentence structure to understand this! It is also true that language is a form of behaviour involving the human need to communicate and to be understood. Language learning involves motivation, emotion, a sense of self, and a set of cultural beliefs. Language is much more than sound and words and grammar. As you learn a new language, you will produce a ‘series of successive approximations’, meaning that each attempt at a new language will bring closer to effective communication. Language learning requires that you make mistakes. Do not be afraid of a language or afraid of making errors. Develop an ability to relax; ‘playing’ with a new language is an important part of learning.
There is a significant research on the nature of language acquisition. It is important to know about the process you are involved in, so that you will understand the challenges of your study, your feelings and responses, and your progress.
Take responsibility for your own learning. A good instructor is half the equation for successful language learning. Take charge of your learning. Take charge of your learning; participate actively in your program. Look for opportunities to use your new language in any of many new environments. Be willing to make mistakes and learn from these mistakes. Focus on your goals, your study habits, and your willingness to ‘learn to learn’. Enjoy the process! Find inside yourself the reasons you want to learn, and determine ways to evaluate your success for yourself.
Your instructors and program administrators will appreciated that you have clear and realistic goals. They will respect your commitment to learning. They will respond to your efforts and encourage an open and positive student-instructor relationship. And they will applaud your progress. Your success is your reward!
Biographical Information: Cindy Barnes Ochoa is Director of Executive English Program for the Intensive English Institute, a Portland, Oregon based organisation which offers intensive English for students and business people at 10 locations throughout the United States. She is president of the American Association of Intensive English Programs.
