"Top 5 Mistakes English Learners Make" What are the most common mistakes that English learners make? Which mistakes do most English learners need to correct, in order to learn English much faster? Here are the top 5 English Learning Mistakes: 1. Focusing On Grammar This is the biggest, most common, and worst mistake. Research shows that grammar study, in fact, actually hurts English speaking ability. Why? Because English grammar is simply too complex to memorize and use logically.... and real conversation is much too fast. You don't have enough time to think, remember hundreds or thousands of grammar rules, choose the correct one, then use it. Your logical left-brain cannot do it. You must learn grammar intuitively and unconsciously, like a child. You do this by hearing a lot of correct English grammar- and your brain gradually and automatically learns to use English grammar correctly. http://learnrealenglish.com/ACC-Site/ 2. Forcing Speech Both English students and teachers try to force speech before the learner is ready. The result is that most students speak English very slowly- with no confidence and no fluency. Forcing speech is a huge mistake. Don't force speech. Focus on listening and be patient. Speak only when you are ready to speak- when it happens easily and naturally. Until then, never force it. http://learnrealenglish.com/ACC-Site/ 3. Learning Only Formal Textbook English Unfortunately, most English students learn only the formal English found in textbooks and schools. The problem is- native speakers don't use that kind of English in most situations. When speaking to friends, family, or co-workers, native speakers use casual English that is full of idioms, phrasal verbs, and slang. To communicate with native speakers, you must not rely only on textbooks.. you must learn casual English.