Employment issues

Six Principles of English Learning

I am very lucky in learning English. In the process of working hard, I never felt the monotony and depression of English learning, nor did I feel how difficult it was to learn English. I have read some books in which famous English experts talk about their experiences, including Chinese translations and original English texts. These books gave me a lot of inspiration, which enabled me to sum up learning methods that are consistent with common sense based on my own methods and experiences in learning English, and to rise to principles that are consistent with the laws of English learning. If you can follow these principles step by step, study and experience them seriously, then you will definitely be able to learn English well.

English learning should follow the following six principles. These principles are all "common sense". As President Lincoln said: A person must decide problems and establish his own action plan based on language, logic and "simple common sense." In the process of learning English, if you follow common sense, you may succeed. If you go against common sense, you cannot succeed. Of course, success depends on your "efforts".

This time, if you follow common sense and work hard, you will succeed!

(1) Principle of simplicity

Learning English: Start simple

Using English: simple-better, simpler-better, simplest-most Okay

When we were in college, our English teacher asked us to read a lot of English. Some students borrowed the original work, and after reading the first page, there were more than 20 new words, and there were still more than 20 new words on the second page... By the fifth page, they no longer knew what the first page said; by the tenth page, they no longer knew the previous words. What the nine pages are about. Reading has become extremely difficult and monotonous, and I can’t realize any gains. Reading original English books has become a process of looking up English dictionaries and memorizing new words, which has become a chore. Therefore, few people can persist and give up. Some of them tried a second time, but gave up. Why? I think it goes against the common sense of "step by step".

The so-called "step by step" requires you to start with "simple". When learning and using English, you must abide by the principle of simplicity. Back then, I happened to start with simple English reading materials. Nowadays, there are many sets of "simple readers" in bookstores that are abbreviations of the original works. I first read books that were abbreviated from 500 to 800 words, then read books that were abbreviated from 800 to 1,500 words, and then read works that were abbreviated from 1,500 to 2,500 words... I could read them because I understood them. ; It feels very good to understand. When a person has a sense of accomplishment, his self-confidence is born and becomes stronger, which leads to greater interest. Foreign English literary works seemed to take me into a different country, a different culture, a different life, and I made some different friends. In the process of entering another culture, life, people, and customs, a strong fascination and a strong desire arise. I want to read it every time!

Only by starting simple can it be easy to get started, to generate "interest", and to carry on with things. English reading should abide by the "simple principle". Listening, speaking and writing should start with the simplest, because the simple principle has huge advantages:

1. Create a sense of achievement and cultivate self-confidence.

2. Increase interest.

3. The language is catchy.

4. Easy to learn and apply.

However, many Chinese students tend to dismiss simple language and only seek to understand without trying to use what they have learned. Chinese students most like to pursue one word when learning English - "difficulty". Even though I have learned a lot of difficult things, I can't "use" them. In fact, simple things are really important if they can be used flexibly and accurately. For example, in terms of spoken language, people do not look at how difficult a person can say words. The key lies in whether he can skillfully use the simplest words, sentence patterns, and grammar to express emotions and thoughts. People in English-speaking countries communicate in daily life through a limited number of words and simple sentence patterns.

Plain English has become a trend in English-speaking countries: that is, striving to be simple when speaking or writing English.

Although Chinese students have learned many difficult words and complex structures, they cannot even use simple words and structures to express their thoughts; sometimes they use very big words, which is not appropriate on the one hand, and it is difficult for others to understand them. . In fact, only when you thoroughly understand the "small words" and "simple expressions" in English can you communicate skillfully in simple English.

Of course, this does not mean that "difficult words" and "complex sentence patterns" cannot be used at all, or that they are useless. I just mean that they should be used less or as little as possible. But the current trend that "simple English" is "the best English" is absolutely true. In fact, when you communicate face-to-face with foreigners, you will be pleasantly surprised to find that the English they speak is so simple. You may even ask yourself what is the use of the complicated English that you have learned for many years?

Learning easy things and applying them comprehensively is the key to learning English.

(2) The principle of quantity

More - better, more - better, most - best

Chinese people learn English by reading and listening intensively , There is more than enough to speak carefully, but extensive reading and extensive listening are far from enough, let alone a lot of nonsense. Without quantitative changes, how can there be a qualitative leap? Therefore, when Chinese people learn English, they must pay more attention to "pan" while focusing on "fine". For example, if you learn to read English, if you don't read enough, you won't be able to read English proficiently. If you want to learn listening, listen to a lot of tapes, listen to English radio, watch English TV, and watch English movies. If you want to learn spoken English, speak as much English as possible. Don't be too eager for success when learning English, because only with "quantity" can you make a "qualitative" leap.

The accumulation of quantity is necessary. When many people learn English, they often have a misunderstanding that a book represents a level. For example, when you finish reading an elementary reading book, you will say "My reading level has reached the elementary level"; after finishing an advanced reading book, you will say "I have reached the advanced reading level". I just read an elementary speaking book, and I thought I already had an elementary speaking level. After reading an advanced speaking book, you think you have advanced speaking skills. In fact, English learning has a "point-line-surface" relationship. A book is just a point, countless books are connected into a line, and more lines form a surface. The so-called "level" is a matter of surface. Take reading as an example. First of all, you need to read a lot of elementary books. After you have read 30 primers, when you read the 31st primer and you have few new words and can easily understand it and enter the world described by the author, then you can read intermediate-level readers. . If you have only read a primary-level reading material and have not laid a good foundation at all, and you are eager to read a higher-level reading material, you will inevitably "have haste, make waste", and naturally you will not be able to learn well. In other words, no matter what level of English you are in, the accumulation of quantity at the corresponding level is necessary. The study of English listening, speaking, and writing should also follow this principle.

Language learning is about cultivating a feeling, and feeling must be cultivated through the accumulation of quantity. As the saying goes, everything comes naturally. In the same way, when a certain amount is reached, a "sense of language" is produced. At this time, you should elevate your feelings to concepts and integrate the concepts into your own thinking, so that you can use English freely. Please note that volume accumulation is most important in the basic stage. The charm of the pyramid lies in its perfect architectural structure. Only with a broad and deep foundation can we create the brilliance of the spire. The same principle applies to learning English well. The foundation must be laid firmly, and only on the premise of laying a solid foundation can one learn English well.

In the accumulation stage of quantity, correct learning methods should also be followed. Take reading as an example. A set of simple reading materials is divided into six levels. Each level has five or six books. Each book only has about 100 pages. It takes no more than a week to finish reading a level of reading materials. When you are reading, don't be too rigid about grammar. You can occasionally experience the role of grammar, but the main focus is on understanding the theme of the novel. It should be noted that we are obtaining information, understanding culture, life, and absorbing new ideas through English. You have to read in to read quickly. Don't study the language, establish the concept of quantity first, and read as quickly as possible. In this way, if you persist in reading for three or four months, your English reading level will improve rapidly.

People always ask how long it takes to learn English well.

This question is difficult to answer because there is no standard for measuring how well you learn English, and the speed at which you learn English varies from person to person. But one thing is for sure, that is, you must have the right way to learn English. In fact, if you follow the correct method when learning English, you will get started in no time. It only takes one or two years from getting started to being able to communicate in English. Therefore, if you always follow the correct method, you can learn English well in no time.

(3) The principle of repetition

There is a proverb in English "Repetition is the mother of skills (repetition is the mother of skills)". You can recall the process of learning any skill. Whether swimming or riding a bicycle, it is a process of repeating the same type of movements. The acquisition of any skill, certainly including the language skill of English, comes from repetition. When something is repeated too often, feelings and deep grasps arise. Therefore, the principle of repetition should also be followed when developing English skills. For example, when reading, after you have read 20 primary books, you must find the one that interests you most among the 20 and read it 10 or even 20 times. Similarly, after you have read 20 intermediate-level English books, you should find one of the 20 that interests you the most and read it 10 or even 20 times. Learning listening and speaking should also abide by the principle of repetition. For example, after listening to 20 elementary English listening tapes, you need to select one of the 20 tapes you have listened to and listen to this tape 20 times. When you first start learning spoken English, the principle of repetition is even more important. Because when you first learn spoken English and recite some English, you find a partner to practice and repeat what you have learned over and over again. The "repetition principle" and the "quantity principle" are indispensable, and the two must be organically unified. Learning any skill in English: reading, listening, speaking, and writing must be based on the principle of quantity and repetition. There must be some words or sentence patterns in English that you understand thoroughly and have mastered. You can use them flexibly to communicate. Please note that these proficient words and sentence patterns must have been repeated countless times by you. These repeated things have become a part of you, so you can use them freely. Repetition is the most important way for people to remember. Repetition enables people to accurately and deeply understand the nature and inner laws of things. The principle of quantity requires you to read more, listen more, speak more and write more, emphasizing the word "pan". The repetition principle requires you to do the same thing many times, which means emphasizing the word "fine". It seems that the two contradict each other. But contradictions are bound to exist. I think the best things in the world must be contradictory. Because only two contradictory bodies can generate the greatest power to move the subject forward. A good English learning method should also strive for the unity of contradictions. It is necessary to accumulate quantity and spread the knowledge, and at the same time, it is necessary to thoroughly study a reading book, a speaking book, a tape, and a movie. It is very important to learn part of the content "finely" on the basis of quantity.

(4) The principle of imitation

Language is an identity symbol formed by people over a long period of practice, and its application can be followed by "rules". Children's language learning is a process of imitation. They imitate their parents, people around them, TV and other things that can be imitated every day, and imitate more and more like them. Suddenly one day, they stop imitating, and gradually form a fusion of their own personality characteristics. language manner.

As an English learner, you must imitate what you already have. "Innovation" without experienced imitation means mistakes. Innovation comes from imitation, imitation is the basis for learning English, and imitation is the basis for innovation. Only after you truly master the soul and essence of English through imitation can you talk about your own language style.

When learning English, the principle of imitation is essential. For example, when learning pronunciation, you need to practice phonetic symbols, word pronunciation, and read sentences and articles aloud a lot. During the practice process, try to imitate the pronunciation of phonetic symbols and words, and at the same time imitate the tone and rhythm of the sentence. Imitation is crucial to learning pronunciation well. If you want to learn spoken English? Imitation is also very important. When learning spoken English, try to imitate as much as possible Things you've read and things you've heard.

Of course, if you imitate what you have read and heard using the "repetition principle", the effect will be better. If you want to learn English writing, the importance of imitation is even more obvious. You have to read various types of articles and articles by famous writers. After reading them many times and truly understanding them, you should imitate them meticulously. The more similar the imitation, the better. This is the most basic common sense in English learning.

A friend of mine speaks English very well. When he talks about the secret of learning spoken English, he always says, "I just say what foreigners say; I just write how foreigners write." Write. "What a revelation!

(5) Principle of Assault

If you want to learn English well, you need to adopt a "quick fix" strategy one by one to find the feeling of "quickly entering the role". Only in this way can we have enough motivation and interest to persist in learning to the end. Do you remember how you learned to ride a bike, swim, or drive a car? Did you master these skills through a short period of "massive assault" practice? The element of learning a skill is the same, which is to go to numerous assault training sessions. Of course, learning English may not be as simple as learning to ride a bicycle or swim, but mastering and using the English language is indeed a skill to master and develop. When learning a skill, the principle of assault is the most important.

I used this method of surprise reinforcement when I was learning English. I first started learning English by reading English for three months. Start with simple reading and insist on reading as much as possible every day. Through unexpected English reading, I not only learned vocabulary, but also became familiar with various grammatical phenomena, and also learned about some Western life, culture and thoughts. Immediately afterwards, I went to strengthen my listening. After three months of listening assault, I went back to strengthen my English reading. After strengthening reading, strengthen listening. After strengthening listening, then strengthen speaking English. According to this principle, carry out sudden strengthening of reading-listening-speaking-writing. If you follow this method to learn English, your progress will be rapid. In a sense, English learning is a process of strengthening correct ideas: strengthening the idea of ??pronunciation of words, strengthening the idea of ??word usage, strengthening the idea of ??sentence patterns, and strengthening the idea of ??organizing thoughts. For example, if you want to break through in voice, you should schedule a period of time (for example, 15 days). During these 15 days, learn pronunciation, listen to pronunciation, imitate pronunciation, and learn to "live and die" every day. After 15 days, I feel that my pronunciation has improved greatly, and I can stop when I have almost mastered it. Please note that while imitating, you should also record your own pronunciation and carefully identify problems with your pronunciation and correct them. After a while, follow the same method to attack the voice. If you repeat this attack five to six times, your voice will become the best. Sentence patterns, reading, grammar, listening, and speaking also all need to undergo such a process of repeated surprise strengthening.

A person's energy cannot always be abundant. Doing the same thing repeatedly will become monotonous, so it is necessary to adopt the method of interval assault reinforcement. The process of English learning should be composed of intensive and sudden stages.

(6) Interest Principle

"Interest is the best teacher". To learn English, you must first be interested and work hard to develop this interest. If you are not interested in English, you will not have sustained energy and motivation, and it will be difficult to persist in learning English. On the contrary, once you are interested in English and work hard to develop this interest, then you will do it unconsciously and have a strong desire to read English, listen to English, speak English, and write English. You will take the initiative to find people to practice English and find every opportunity to improve your English to improve your English level. Before you know it, your English will improve. You will learn English before you know it. Therefore, "interest" plays a decisive role in learning English well. However, despite knowing the importance of interest, few people consciously and step by step cultivate and develop their interest in English.

So, how to cultivate interest in English learning?

Discover and explore interests

Everyone has their own interests and hobbies. Combining one's own interests with English learning is a key condition for successful English learning.

I am very interested in novels. I started learning English by reading a lot of abbreviations of the English novel Charles Dickens. The life, thoughts and emotions of the British in the 19th century were vividly displayed in Dickens's novels. Entering the world of English, I swim in the world of Dickens. Unknowingly, I learned a lot of things about language and beyond language: not only did I master a large number of vocabulary and various grammatical rules, but I also had a deep understanding of British life, culture, and customs.

I was fascinated and read every day, from Dickens to Mark Twain to Hemingway. These novels brought me into an English world and made me learn English without knowing it. But when I read, I didn't think about learning English at all, I just tried to read it. Later, I watched a lot of American movies and they fascinated me. When I watch a movie, I don't think about whether I am learning English. Because I do these things driven by interest, I am very dedicated, my brain is actively working, and unconscious memory works best. I agree with this statement: you learn the most when you don’t realize you are learning. But remember, that’s only if you’re getting the most enjoyment out of it.

I have a friend who likes stocks very much. When he arrived in the United States, there were stock TV programs available 24 hours a day. He watched them with great interest, but he couldn't understand them anyway, so he came to ask me. I was confused by the stock quotes told in Chinese, let alone English! So I told him that I didn't understand either, but I told him how to learn to understand. I said: "First find the business section of a newspaper, and then read all the contents with the help of a dictionary, so that you can accumulate simple vocabulary about stocks. After that, you can watch stock TV programs when you have time. These vocabulary are very useful." It will soon come to life from the paper and appear in your ears. Plus you have stock knowledge, you will soon be able to understand those programs. "So, he really followed this method, because He is indeed very interested in stocks. When I went to see him again, he understood all the stock programs and explained them to me while watching. In addition, by learning to watch TV stock programs, he can understand more when watching other English programs.

If a person can accurately define his interests and what he loves - especially if this interest is combined with a long-term goal, then it will be very simple for him to achieve his goals. Those who like movies will watch English, those who like to read novels will read English, those who are keen on radio will listen to English... As long as they do what they like through the medium of English, they will be on the road to success in learning English.

Interest arises and develops in "practice"

Two people talk about how to learn to swim, but they get bored after a while. However, if they can go into the water to experience the feeling of swimming and work hard to learn to swim, they will gradually fall in love with this sport. Once they fall in love with it, even if they are not allowed to do it, they will To do. I loved swimming when I was little, and sometimes I would skip school just to swim.

This is how interest is generated and developed through practice again and again. Your love for a thing grows deeper and deeper through practical application. If you can try the pleasure of using the English you have learned as early as possible in the process of learning English, your interest in learning English will increase day by day. Specifically, as soon as you start learning English, you must find opportunities to use English. For example, when you first start learning English, you chat with "foreigners" and you quickly learn to speak English. Also, you want to improve your listening skills, and you happen to like listening to the news. Well, if you insist on listening to English news every day, your listening skills will soon improve. "Love" can be passed on to each other when you are with people who love English. If a person is full of love and passion for English, you will naturally develop a love for English when you are with him. Several of my friends in college have the same characteristic: they love English unconditionally. Others' crazy love for English will make you deeply fall in love with English too. So you really should make friends with people who love English, so that your love for English will influence each other and become stronger.

For example, if you have a few friends who like to learn English, you will form an English learning group to learn reading, speaking, and writing together. When several friends are together, they chat in English, discuss their experiences in English learning, and ask each other questions. If one of them has an outstanding English proficiency, then the others can follow his level. Of course, those with high levels can also learn from the strengths of others. In this way, everyone will make rapid progress.

Set goals

If you want to succeed in something, you must set goals. Once you have a goal, you will have enough time and energy to learn English well. The long-term goal should be to connect learning English with the strength of the nation, the development of the motherland, and with the promotion of communication and understanding among people of all countries in the world. Of course, there should also be numerous short-term goals. The short-term goal can be to pass an English test and study English hard for the test. The short-term goal can also be to study in any English-speaking country in the world. Before studying abroad, you should also make efforts to learn English. Short-term goals can also include traveling to various places around the world and finding a more satisfying job. For example, Jackie Chan, because he can speak English, can not only make movies in China, but also go to the English-speaking world to make movies. What is presented to him is a more colorful world. Therefore, if a person can see his bright future after learning English through a specific imagination, even if he has setbacks in learning English, he will continue to learn it until he learns it well.

Investment increases interest

I am very interested in fine art, and the more art I buy, the deeper my love for them becomes because it gives me the opportunity to really dive into Get into the things I love: "The deeper you sink, the deeper you love." If you like listening to English songs, then buy tapes and CDs. Your interest will grow as you enjoy different music. If you like English, you have to buy a variety of English books, a variety of English tapes, a variety of English newspapers and magazines, and you also need to attend different training classes. These investments will help you find your mastery of English. It is interesting and allows you to discover the wonderful world that English brings to you. When you appreciate the inherent fun of English and enter the world of information brought by the English language, your interest in learning English will naturally increase.

To sum up the above five points, the key to learning English is to find a breakthrough. If you like reading, you might as well start with simple reading. If you like songs, you might as well start with listening to English songs. If you like newspapers, you might as well start with reading newspapers. If you like movies, you might as well watch English movies first. Remember, interest is the most important in anything you do!