You can view the FAQ pages. But if it's urgent, I suggest you use the forum.
The most common questions that I get asked are:-
Do you provide on-line courses?
How long will it take me to learn English?
Is learning English difficult?
What is the most difficult thing about learning English?
Is there a difference between American and British English?
Which is better US English or British English?
What do I need to start learning English?
What is the best way to practice my English?
What is the best way to use a DVD player to help my English?
Why is the Learn English web site free?
I want to learn English.
Actually this is often phrased as "I want learn English," and I am always tempted to say "Well you've found it!" As it is I have a few points to make:-
- This isn't a question, it's a statement.
- It's boring.
- You need to be more specific.
Do you provide on-line courses?
Apart from the free lessons on the LEO web site I have neither the time nor the money to set up on-line courses. I believe that to teach effectively on-line you need the right technology and access to multi-media resources and they don't come cheap. However there is a list of on-line English courses on my Web Resources page.
Do I have to learn grammar?
Of course you do. Sorry! Think of English vocabulary as the bricks of the language and grammar as the mortar that hold those bricks together, without the mortar the bricks can come tumbling down! A lack of grammatical skills can cause embarrassing misunderstandings.
When you begin to learn English, speaking and building up your vocabulary is more important than worrying about correct grammar. However, as you progress you need to incorporate more grammar into your learning programme. At an advanced level you should be thinking much more about the correct use of the English language. And eventually you should be able to forget about it all together and start doing what comes naturally.
There is a common impression that learning English grammar is painful, but it is a lot easier than many other languages. Of course, English is more than just memorizing grammar rules, the grammar must be incorporated into the everyday use of the language, theory and practice should go hand in hand. For more information on grammar check out my little grammar page.
How long will it take me to learn English?
How long is a piece of string? Actually, if I had 1€ for every time I have heard that question I could travel round the world. The answer is, "It varies", it depends on a variety of factors. For instance; your motivation (if you have a gun held to your head I bet you'll learn very quickly), the level of English you wish to acquire, not everyone needs or wants to be fluent in a second language, someone who wants to use English on holiday does not need the same level of English as someone who needs it for business purposes. As a result some people are happy after 1 to 3 years, whilst others might take 4 years, 10 years, or a lifetime! You can't give accurate time frames for learning.
There has been a lot of research done into this area by people a lot cleverer than I, it shows that effective learning is influenced by many factors, some of which are:-
- Access to effective teaching and educational materials influence the length of time it takes to learn English.
- People vary in abilities, motivation and readiness to learn.
- Classes should be tailored to the linguistic, cultural, and academic learning needs of the learner.
Is learning English difficult?
No, English is an easy language to start learning because:
- it has no genders. Apart from people, all objects are 'neuter', not 'masculine' or 'feminine'. So you say 'it' for such things, and do not need to learn any genders.
- it usually has easy verb endings. Apart from a few 'irregular' verbs, verb endings are easy, and hardly change.
- adjectives remain the same for all words - there are no different endings to learn.
- the singular and plural pronoun 'you' is the same. There is no need to decide whether to use a polite form, or an intimate form.
Is English Grammar difficult?
No, English grammar is not half as difficult as some other languages, such as German. We have the French to thank for that. In 1066 William the Conqueror brought to England the French language as well as the ability to build impressive castles . French was the official language in England for nearly 300 years and so the English language was kept alive by the common people (rather than the academics who do like to keep the status quo). As a result nearly all the difficult word-endings, inflexions and marks of gender and case were gaily dispensed with.
What is the most difficult thing about learning English?
The most difficult things about learning English are:-
- Spelling and pronunciation - the spelling of a word may not show what the pronunciation is. This is because English words came from many different sources, learn the phonetic spelling sounds and make and use a good dictionary.
- False friends - because English came from two main sources - old French, and old Anglo-Saxon, there is a very large vocabulary of words. Watch out for words that seem similar, they may have come from your language and mean the same, these are called cognitives, or they may have different meanings these are false cognitives (false friends).
- Idioms - native English speakers use a lot of idioms, that is - words used in a way which is not their obvious meaning. Learn them, but try not to use them in important meetings etc., they can be quite open to misinterpretation. If the people you are talking to suddenly look very shocked you've probably just misused one.
How can I improve my English?
This is a huge question. So, i've written a whole section on How to improve your English here.
Is there a difference between American and British English?
Unfortunately the answer to this question is yes. There are many differences between British and American English, pronunciation, spelling and grammar are just a few. In fact English is the first language in many countries and there are differences between them all, these include; Australia, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA. This site is devoted to British English.
As one of my favourite writers said "We have everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language." (Oscar Wilde, 1887, The Canterville Ghost).
Under extreme pressure I have written a brief guide to the differences between US and British English here.
Which is better American or British English?
It depends upon which English you will be most exposed to. If you are moving to the US then learn American English, if you're going to work for a British company then learn British English. And don't forget there are many different kinds of English and the rising star of International English.
Under extreme pressure I have written a brief guide to the differences between US and British English here.
What do I need to start learning English?
- Time - practise your English every day, listening, speaking or reading.
- Patience - do not give up, learning a language can be a long process, but don't panic.
- A sense of humour - learning English should be fun, so have fun!
- Having a good English teacher or an English speaking friend is always going to help, you can learn English through books and tapes but books and tapes can't answer questions or help when you are stuck.
- People to practice with - get together with other people who are interested in learning English, it increases the fun and reduces the frustration. Join or start an English club or join a book reading club, if you can't find one in your area set one up or join the BBCs on-line book group.
- A vocabulary notebook - write down new words in a notebook. Don't translate them, but write the new word into context in a meaningful sentence.
- A good English dictionary - not a German-English dictionary, but a real English dictionary. Look up the meaning of new words here first, this will help you build your vocabulary.
What is the best way to practise my English?
I have included a whole section on this here.
What is the best way to use a DVD player to help my English?
Using a DVD player is a great way to help you improve your English. It is best if you have some knowledge of English. Make sure the DVD has the film or programme in English with your native language, both as the spoken word (dubbed) and with sub-titles. Always check on the back of the DVD.
I recommend my intermediate to advanced students to watch DVDs in the following way.
- Watch the DVD all the way through in English only (no sub-titles).
- Watch it again (scene by scene) in English with your language as sub-titles. Repeat scenes as necessary.
- Watch it again in (scene by scene) in English with English sub-titles. Repeat scenes as necessary.
- Watch it again in your language all the way through with English sub-titles.
- If you aren't sick to death of it yet watch it again in English all the way through with no sub-titles.
As you watch the film scene by scene make a note of the main new vocabulary, especially new phrases.
Why is the Learn English web site free?
I love English and I want to share my enjoyment of it as a language. I know I could do that and still charge for it, but so much of the information available on the Internet is given on a voluntary basis. The people who put it there know that they will be able to obtain information in the same way when they need it and that has worked for me in my business English classes. The golden rule works and what is good for others turns out to be good for the individual.
Believe me I am not against making money, but I think that if you just want to make money then you're in the wrong job. Learn English will never pay me as much as my conventional teaching, but somehow every penny I earn here means more to me than my hourly rate. People give whatever they can afford, people use my affiliates because they like the site and want to support it and I like that.
All in all I find the Internet to be like most other communities, you get out what you put in.
Are you mad?
Yes, probably.
