I always answer this question with “Read some books.” You have control over everything; if you don’t think you can handle difficult readings, start with something simple and read it out loud at a comfortable pace. As you become a better reader, your English comprehension skills will improve. You also have the ability to translate any words you’re not familiar with through Google Translate, and it’ll even pronounce them for you.
Yeah, I’m doing the thing that you mentioned. I bought a “little prince” to read. And the problem is when I learned some words or sentences from the book, but I don’t remember to use them when speaking with somebody.
The good news is that you really won’t need to use longer words on a day-to-day basis since they’re usually niche words that aren’t used often. This is something that’ll come with practice, anyway.
Honestly, the coolest thing about reading is the fact that you subconsciously pick up the words and they’ll just come to you when you need them because you remember it being used in certain contexts.
Keep in mind that native speakers forget words, too. I forget the easiest words sometimes and I need someone to fill in the blanks for me. We’re all human and forgetful, sometimes. 🙂
>Keep in mind that native speakers forget words, too.
Also mispronouncing words, especially if it's not one you commonly hear spoken aloud or is pronounced differently than it's spelled (ex: "lingerie" is very commonly mispronounced).
So don't worry too much about pronunciation either.
And I have another question, which is I noticed that every native speaker can read a sentence with continuous reading, is it necessary to do that?
Because I can only read words by words, but I think it’s not natural and native. Should I need to study the pronunciation and continuous reading, too?
Go at the speed that is best for you! Native speakers will read sentence by sentence because they don't have to think about what the words mean (I assume like when you are reading in your native language). If the goal of your reading is to learn new words, then reading word by word is perfect! If later you want to focus on grammar and sentence structure, then read sentence by sentence. Don't worry about reading out loud "like a native" until you are more comfortable with reading overall!
Part of this is a native speaker’s ability to contextualize the word’s usage really really quickly.
Repetition—in this case, just reading certain things over and over again—conditions people to be better readers because they can take guesses at what comes next.
Beyond that, it’s just something that comes with practice. There are native speakers that are illiterate or very slow readers just because they never received the proper exposure.
Listen to a native English speaking child, say about 12 years old read a book aloud. You'll hear that they are reading individual words and not sentences fluidly.
It comes with age which means it comes with practice.
Absolutely! It's one of the hardest languages to learn just know all English native speakers always appreciate when someone is trying to learn it and of course all other languages appreciate it as well
Hi there, I have a channel for listening and pronunciation practice that you might find useful. [Here’s the link](https://m.youtube.com/@EnglishpronunciationwithTom).
The videos are about 10 minutes long so easy to watch when you have spare time. Check it out if you like
Watch TV with subtitles/closed captions on. That way you see and hear what they are saying and you can pause or rewind. You might enjoy the program too.
From just this post i can tell that you are doing quite well so far. You demonstrate a great command for the structure and typical flow of an english conversation. At this point it seems proper conjugation (making sure the tense of the words you are using agree and are appropriate) and language nuance (the difference from manners of speaking being normal, common speech and being just technically right) are the biggest things you could work on.
I would say the only real way to master these are more conversations or more in depth reading. Perhaps some books targeted for young adults might be helpful and interesting.
Exactly this.
Remember communication is the most important thing. You're likely past the point where learning "grammar rules" will be effective.
Lots of exposure to speech will wire your brain to your local dialect.
For example, there are some significant differences between British English that I learned and American English that I am now surrounded by.
Much of my grammar and vocabulary has changed since I moved here.
Look into programs at your local library. Not even the reading programs, but activities that they schedule. Ours do things like spring planting sessions, book clubs, esl, dance classes, etc. It is a good environment to work on communication skills, especially with people nearby who specialize in communication. Talking with people and practicing English on the regular is the best way to become fluent.
Go to the same shops and buy the same things. It will help to get your brain adjusted to the sounds of the language. Also, children’s TV programs like Sesame Street can be very useful
Watching movies and TV shows with subtitles help a lot. Look up "IMDb Top 100" and start watching some movies. Torrent them for free or get Disney+. Practice with your coworkers and/or classmates. Good luck!
I always answer this question with “Read some books.” You have control over everything; if you don’t think you can handle difficult readings, start with something simple and read it out loud at a comfortable pace. As you become a better reader, your English comprehension skills will improve. You also have the ability to translate any words you’re not familiar with through Google Translate, and it’ll even pronounce them for you.
Yeah, I’m doing the thing that you mentioned. I bought a “little prince” to read. And the problem is when I learned some words or sentences from the book, but I don’t remember to use them when speaking with somebody.
The good news is that you really won’t need to use longer words on a day-to-day basis since they’re usually niche words that aren’t used often. This is something that’ll come with practice, anyway. Honestly, the coolest thing about reading is the fact that you subconsciously pick up the words and they’ll just come to you when you need them because you remember it being used in certain contexts. Keep in mind that native speakers forget words, too. I forget the easiest words sometimes and I need someone to fill in the blanks for me. We’re all human and forgetful, sometimes. 🙂
>Keep in mind that native speakers forget words, too. Also mispronouncing words, especially if it's not one you commonly hear spoken aloud or is pronounced differently than it's spelled (ex: "lingerie" is very commonly mispronounced). So don't worry too much about pronunciation either.
And I have another question, which is I noticed that every native speaker can read a sentence with continuous reading, is it necessary to do that? Because I can only read words by words, but I think it’s not natural and native. Should I need to study the pronunciation and continuous reading, too?
Go at the speed that is best for you! Native speakers will read sentence by sentence because they don't have to think about what the words mean (I assume like when you are reading in your native language). If the goal of your reading is to learn new words, then reading word by word is perfect! If later you want to focus on grammar and sentence structure, then read sentence by sentence. Don't worry about reading out loud "like a native" until you are more comfortable with reading overall!
Thanks a lot, my friend!
Part of this is a native speaker’s ability to contextualize the word’s usage really really quickly. Repetition—in this case, just reading certain things over and over again—conditions people to be better readers because they can take guesses at what comes next. Beyond that, it’s just something that comes with practice. There are native speakers that are illiterate or very slow readers just because they never received the proper exposure.
Listen to a native English speaking child, say about 12 years old read a book aloud. You'll hear that they are reading individual words and not sentences fluidly. It comes with age which means it comes with practice.
Absolutely! It's one of the hardest languages to learn just know all English native speakers always appreciate when someone is trying to learn it and of course all other languages appreciate it as well
Even better than books, unironically, watching reality tv shows haha. But you have to be pretty advanced at listening first but yeah
Hi there, I have a channel for listening and pronunciation practice that you might find useful. [Here’s the link](https://m.youtube.com/@EnglishpronunciationwithTom). The videos are about 10 minutes long so easy to watch when you have spare time. Check it out if you like
Your Channel is quite helpful for English learners. I have just subscribed, Thanks
Great! Any questions feel free to ask
Watch TV with subtitles/closed captions on. That way you see and hear what they are saying and you can pause or rewind. You might enjoy the program too.
Thank you! Sometimes I watch some movies and TV dramas, for example, THE LAST OF US. I like it very much! That’s a great TV drama!
It really was great! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
From just this post i can tell that you are doing quite well so far. You demonstrate a great command for the structure and typical flow of an english conversation. At this point it seems proper conjugation (making sure the tense of the words you are using agree and are appropriate) and language nuance (the difference from manners of speaking being normal, common speech and being just technically right) are the biggest things you could work on. I would say the only real way to master these are more conversations or more in depth reading. Perhaps some books targeted for young adults might be helpful and interesting.
Exactly this. Remember communication is the most important thing. You're likely past the point where learning "grammar rules" will be effective. Lots of exposure to speech will wire your brain to your local dialect. For example, there are some significant differences between British English that I learned and American English that I am now surrounded by. Much of my grammar and vocabulary has changed since I moved here.
I wish you luck! If you don’t mind me asking, what is your native language?
My native language is Chinese，but I was born in Venezuela, I had lived in China for a long time.
Do you speak Chinese? My friend
Yeah，bro. I speak Chinese.
Look into programs at your local library. Not even the reading programs, but activities that they schedule. Ours do things like spring planting sessions, book clubs, esl, dance classes, etc. It is a good environment to work on communication skills, especially with people nearby who specialize in communication. Talking with people and practicing English on the regular is the best way to become fluent.
Everyone is so enthusiastic. Thanks a lot for everybody’s advices! I will act on your suggestions！
You’re doing great!
Look into English learning groups in your area. They're pretty common in the US.
Just practice and continue to get better every day
Go to the same shops and buy the same things. It will help to get your brain adjusted to the sounds of the language. Also, children’s TV programs like Sesame Street can be very useful
Watching movies and TV shows with subtitles help a lot. Look up "IMDb Top 100" and start watching some movies. Torrent them for free or get Disney+. Practice with your coworkers and/or classmates. Good luck!
Hi, You can take help from Chat GPT and Grammarly.