My Learning English

Foreign language classes are often put off until high school due to the fact that this is when people believe students are most ready to learn another language. This belief is widely accepted despite the fact children are able to learn to speak like natives in foreign languages, whereas teenagers and adults usually are not able to learn how to do this. Speaking “like a native” entails being able to think in a foreign language without having to translate (Nadia 1). The ability to speak like a native in a foreign language can be easier to obtain when taught the foreign language during elementary school. Once a student passes the prime learning stages, learning a foreign language can be extremely difficult. Adults starting to learn a language have to work through an established first-language

Some people view the outside world as a dangerous place full of disparity and misery, others like to embrace that unknown and try to use it as a catalyst for inner growth. I like to see myself as the latter, the individual who lives for the rush of the unknown. I looked down to see what I could only describe as a dream come true. It was a ticket for a six month tour around Asia that would lead to the complete immersion of native culture and tradition- Vietnamese Pho, the mountain folk of Nepal, the Muay Thai martial arts of Thailand, Chinese Architecture and the beaches of Laos are some of the places that we got to experience first-hand. As a participant I was expected to live with 15 other individuals from around the world that I had never

When I came to America, people told me I wouldn’t be able to learn how to speak english as quickly as everyone else. However, I was determined to prove them wrong, so every night I practiced my english. It took me a long time to practice it and to learn it. I was able to learn english faster, because my cousins would help me practice and my classmate. My classmates help me by explaining my assessments to me.

Since I was born, I have been learning languages consciously and unconsciously without asking why. S.I. Hayakawa and Alan R. Hayakawa‘s Language in Thought and Action remind me the goal of the study of language – to learn to think more clearly, to speak and to write more effectively, and to listen and to read with greater understanding.

Sitting on the plane alone, I wondered what the next three weeks would bring. The light hum of the plane’s engines seemed to go on forever and the dry stale air began to scratch the inside of my throat. My destination was The Netherlands, where the entirety of my family lives. Throughout my youth seeing my family was a rare occasion, once a year if we were lucky, but after my parents divorced, we stopped going altogether. It had been over eight years since I had last visited them and because of the many years of separation, I felt uneasy about it all. Throughout the flight I couldn’t help but to think to myself several questions like: What I might be able to learn and experience from these next three weeks? How I would feel when I would first arrive? And how different everything would be. Having been there only a

On January 2nd, 2015, I, a twelve-year-old sixth grader, arrived at John F. Kennedy Airport on a snowy, cold, and wintery day. I traveled all alone from my home in Busan, South Korea. When I stepped on American soil, everything was strange and weird to me. I had so many questions whirling around in my mind; "Can I do this?' "Why did I come here?" "Should I go back?" After settling in, I now had to face the new school, new friends, and new language. As time went by, I adjusted to my new surroundings and began to accept American culture. At that time I was unaware how this event would change my life and my way of thinking. Now I know that living in the U.S. has made me a more appreciative and more independent

A reason why English is known for being difficult is because it is full of contradictions. There are innumerable examples of conundrums such as: if teachers taught, why didn’t preachers praught? As native speakers, we rarely stop to think how illogical many of the things we say really are. One is just used to it. Unless one has brought up speaking English how can one possibly begin to learn

My classmate’s discernment enticed me to study relentlessly with flashcards, books, and getting help from the school. So, my perseverance, and determination led me to speak fluent English within one year.

Life is brimming with challenges and struggles that can either result in triumphant or failure. No one individual is perfect and most face failure before awarded success. My journey to the United States at the age of seven came with more than just the experience of a transcontinental plane ride. The transition from Nigeria to Georgia gifted me with new opportunities and experiences. Enrolling in an American institution for the first time was a life-altering experience but not one without its challenges.

At a very young age of 12, my family and I moved to America, which was the onset of the challenges that were yet to come from then on. Notably, neither my parents nor my grandmother knew how to speak English, and as such, they had to rely on me as a translator to become acquainted with this relatively new language quickly. Therefore, this meant that I had to learn English quickly despite the nostalgia

When you're trying to learn another language, you must be patient with yourself. No matter what the advertisements say, you cannot pick up a new language overnight. It will take time and sometimes you may seem to reach a plateau, but don't become discouraged. If you are patient and keep at it, you will soon find that you are progressing again. And don't worry about making mistakes, they are part of the learning

Learning a new language can be difficult for anyone. It is especially difficult for students who are expected to learn a new culture and different subjects at the same time. The article this paper references discusses ways teachers can help their students learn a new language and the stages those students experience as they become proficient in their new language.

Like any average person, I’ve accomplished many things in my life from learning how to walk to learning algebra in the eighth grade. However one of my greatest accomplishments has always been learning a new language. When I was eight years old, my family and I moved to the United States from Mexico. Naturally, I was very excited and eager to experience something new but because of the major differences, the move to a new country with a different language proved to be more difficult than I originally thought.

Many popular theories of second language acquisition have been analyzed throughout history. The socialization of L2 learners, their present emotional state that is present at the time of acquisition, as well as the comprehensible input and output with the use of scaffolding play a major role in second language acquisition. Kirsten Hummel states, “The one most effective way to increase L2 competence was by exposure to ‘comprehensible input’.” (Hummel, 2014, p. 73) Let us also not forget the importance of written expression as well as reading comprehension with these L2 learners. Each plays a role in language development. However, I believe that to acquire language one must use a variety of techniques that work together to create a balance within the learning environment. Furthermore, all L2 learners acquire language differently and so using a variety of resources that are based on the ability of each student is neccesary. There are many theories that have been developed by highly qualified experts in the field of linguistics. However, I will address those areas that I agree with as I present my personal theories on second language acquisition.

The moment I learn how to read and write in English, it changes my life. I was scared and inexperienced to learn new languages. I didn’t realize that learning new languages would be as important as I move on to become young adults. I was hardly to learn English since I was in third grade even though my elementary school taught English as a part of the course. But, that didn’t stop me from believing that I could learn how to read and write in English. It turns out, an important part of my learning how to read and write is never give up.