Brief Summary
This video provides practical advice on how to become a more confident English speaker. It emphasizes the importance of focus, persistence, motivation, setting realistic goals, breaking down large goals into smaller steps, practicing regularly, and reviewing material. The tips are based on linguistic research and personal experience, offering a blend of scientific insight and practical application.
- Focus and Prioritization
- Persistence and Realistic Expectations
- Motivation and Goal Setting
- Incremental Progress
- Active Practice and Review
Welcome
Keith from English Speaking Success shares his experiences learning multiple languages, highlighting both successes and failures. He aims to provide viewers with five effective strategies, grounded in linguistic research and personal anecdotes, to enhance their English speaking confidence. The video promises to reveal what works and what doesn't, guiding learners toward fluency.
Be focused
To effectively learn English, one must be focused, likening it to a horse with blinkers, concentrating on one thing to avoid distractions. The speaker shares an experience from Italy where initial progress in Italian faded due to lack of focus and prioritization upon returning home. The key lesson is to consciously choose to prioritize English learning over other activities, reframing "I don't have time" to "I choose not to do this."
Be persistent
Persistence is crucial in language learning, which is more like a marathon than a sprint. While social media influencers may promise quick fluency, achieving proficiency takes time and consistent effort. Cambridge English suggests around 200 hours of guided study to move up a level (e.g., B1 to B2), with courses often spanning nine months to a year. Enjoying the study process is key to maintaining persistence, so learners should choose engaging materials they like.
Find your mojo
Motivation is essential for learning English, and it can be harnessed by setting specific, realistic, and measurable goals. Instead of aiming for vague fluency, a better goal would be to communicate ideas on common topics within six months. Motivation needs to be nurtured by reminding oneself why they are learning English, such as for travel or career opportunities. Connecting with fellow learners and rewarding oneself upon reaching milestones can also sustain motivation.
Big goal - small steps
Breaking down a big goal into small, manageable steps is vital for achieving success. Using the analogy of a mountain hike, it's better to focus on reaching specific points (peak, lake, village) rather than the entire 10-kilometer circle at once. When the speaker arrived in China, he broke down his goal of speaking Chinese fluently into yearly objectives, such as communicating with family and friends. Small steps help maintain focus on the present moment, preventing overwhelm and promoting consistent progress.
Practice lots
Many students make the mistake of studying too passively, focusing on reading and grammar rules without actively practicing speaking and writing. The speaker recalls his own experience learning French, where despite years of study, he couldn't speak the language. It's crucial to practice speaking and writing alongside studying, whether through videos, books, or real-world conversations. Balancing study with practice leads to more effective learning and greater confidence.
Review
Reviewing material is essential for effective learning and retention. Drawing on Hermann Ebbinghaus's forgetting curve, the speaker notes that without review, a significant portion of what is learned is forgotten within 24 hours. Spaced repetition, as used in apps like Duolingo, helps reinforce learning over time. The speaker reviews notes after class and engages with related content, such as listening to weather reports after a lesson on weather, to recycle and reinforce language learning.
Summary
The speaker summarizes the key strategies for becoming a confident English speaker, blending research and personal experience. He mentions his online course, the Speaking Gold Course, which is based on his master's degree research and his own language learning journey. Viewers are encouraged to explore the course details in the description and comments for further assistance.
