Corrections · 8
thinking about learning English
I have to say the truth; it is difficult for me to start speaking English. Maybe because I never spoke much English with someone else until now, or maybe I haven't found the right occasion yet. And regarding learning English, I'll ask you what is the right way to study English from movies? I should choose a movie I like and that I saw many times. I should watch it in its original language (English) without subtitle (maybe first thing?) and then with subtitles.I should make pause when I don't understand a word or a verb, and look it up in the dictionary. But this work could be too long and so boring that maybe I could stop and give up. What is your opinion, and some tips or advice?
Hi and thanks :)
Thinking about Learning English (title case, but never capitalize articles or prepositions)
I have to say the truth; it is difficult for me to start speaking English. Maybe this is hard for me, because I have not spokenShould I
Hi and thanks :)
Awesome question. I would suggest children's movies or movies with pretty simple plots (action, romance, or comedy). The only issue with comedy is a high potential for lots of slang. Soap operas might work, too, if you like them. I think your idea of watching it once without subtitles and again with subtitles is really good. And, one more time without? I'd skip the dictionary approach; who cares if you don't understand a word or two? By the way (BTW), your proper use of the past perfect (haven't found) means you're doing really well -- better than many native speakers! Since the past perfect is the second part of that sentence and the talk/speak concept occurs over the same time period, the verb "to speak" also needs to be in the past perfect tense.
Thinking About Learning English Titles should be capitalised.
And With regard to learning English, I'll I would like to ask you something; what is the right way to study English from movies? I should Should I choose a movie I like and that I saw have seen many times? I should Should I watch it in its original language (English) without subtitles (maybe the first time thing?), and then with subtitles?
I should make Should I pause when I don't understand a word or a verb, and check it on in the dictionary? But this work could be too long and so boring, and it may cause me to that maybe I could stop and give up. What is your opinion, and some tips or advice?
Hi and thanks :)
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1/ "I have to say the truth" is not completely wrong, but it's not an expression you would ever hear a native speaker say. ("I have to SPEAK the truth" is more common, but in this case you are using it more as an idiom than a literal expression and "to be honest" fills that role.
2/ "Someone Else" implies one person. You haven't spoken it with "other people" in general.
3/ "And" normally joins two parts of a sentence. This is really a completely separate sentence.
4/ "I'll" is a contraction of "I will"; something that you will do in the future. However the question is in the present. The semicolon provides a pause to introduce the actual question.
5/ The next sentence jumbles statements and questions. "I should" is a statement, but you seem to be asking whether this is the right approach so it should be expressed as a question; "Should I...?"
6/ I know that in Italian you need to use "fare" to describe doing a lot of things, but it doesn't translate directly to English. Therefore you don't need to make (fa) a pause, you just "pause".
7/ You look up things IN a book, bit ON a computer. Confusing, I know.
With regard to the question I find that movies and TV shows are better for practice than learning. Often the subtitle translations are VERY imprecise because they need to be a lot shorter than the dialog can be. The subtitlers therefore paraphrase. I have seen things in Italian where I have looked at the English subtitles and thought "Now, I KNOW he did not say that!" Good language course videos are far better in my opinion.
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