NOTE 1: I'm still learning so you might found mistakes in this reading. Feel free to correct whatever you think it's wrong or can be rephrased to make it sound more like a writing from a english native speaker. It's long so I had to copy it here. I just wanted to share it.
NOTE 2: It might seems a monologue to you in some parts (because it is)
This is what I said to a friend of mine who is currently learning spanish. After reading it, please let me know if something similar has happened to you.
BEGINNING OF THE STORY
English always has been a pain in the neck for/to me. To tell you the truth, I have never really liked it. However, since I noticed that english would be a strong requirement in my life because chances of getting a good job might increase with it, I had to throw away those bad thoughts about learning such a particular language and start thinking a way of learning that fits(adjusts) my tastes.
Let's just say that my chances of improvement began here where I currently live (almost 2 years living here). Internet was at the reach of my hand and I always have been a person who likes to study by itself. So, I started a not very well refined schedule which I called "<em>Forget about grammar and studies, just enjoy it</em>".
How? You may ask.
- Do I like Japanese animation (anime)? Yes. Then, just watch anime with english subs only.
- Do I like to read/reading manga? Of course. Then, read manga translated in english only.
- Ok, I'll try it but I don't feel like I can improve faster just by doing that. Ok, then start translating from english to spanish. That's when I joined to a spanish group that translated to Spanish from english subtitles. Obviously aimed to spanish speakers (what did they translate? Anime episodes).
I did that until I got tired from boredom. It was a lot of work to translate so many lines but at the end I think it worked a bit. So, what is next? I have just read and translated from texts so far with no listening improvement at all. Anime is not good here and I almost do not listen music in english.
Then, watch something on Youtube that you really like. I started watching videos on Youtube that are funny to me and are spoken in English only. They called these people "youtubers" (I started and still not finish it...It's so funny and addicting to watch something you really enjoy that I cannot stop it)
Ok, no practice grammar at all (well, just a bit, but not enough), just reading, reading, more reading, listening people on Youtube. What about writing?
Ok, I have no one who I can practice with. Let's make friends... Online games appeared and of course, some stuff in my job required english emails writing skills often (of course, in english).
<em>NEVERTHELESS, WHERE IS THE SPEAKING PART? I HAVE MANAGED TO GET THIS POINT SO FAR AND STILL CANNOT SPEAK PROPERLY!</em>
I stuck at a point where I still don’t know how to get out. Somehow, It’s kind of frustrating so I need to force myself to speak English no matter what.
And this is me, right now :)
Somehow, could this be helpful to you in your language learning path? It worked to me but just until a certain point. The point where you can see me right now. Mistakes are a parth of the learning. Just look at me, I think I can mantain a conversation at least.
<em>Suggestion:</em> Try to learn by doing something you really like/enjoy. It may you help to improve at least a bit. All my knowledge has been adquired through my own efforts with no teacher/sensei who guided me during the process. Look at this this testament and listen how I usually got lack attacks inside my brain when I talking to you :)
END OF THE COMMENT
My questions to you (the readers):
1. What do you think about my story?
2. Is there a language you already learnt (or still learning) that you did/do not want to learnt but must do it.
3. Have your learning language methods included activities that you really enjoy it?
Sorry for the long comment and thank your for taking your time in reading this.
