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Learning English Online as a Beginner

English speaking sessions on Skype are an excellent way for people to practice their spoken English while improving their fluency, learning new vocabulary and fixing any grammar issues.  Sessions on Skype reinforce what you have already learned and give you active practice actually using the language.   But what if you don’t have any previous experience with English?  Can you learn English online as a beginner?

What is the difference between Learn and Practice?  

Learn {verb} : gain or acquire knowledge of or skill in (something) by study, experience, or being taught.

Practice {verb} : perform (an activity) or exercise (a skill) repeatedly or regularly in order to acquire, improve or maintain proficiency in it.

First you must learn something and then you practice it to make it better.

Think of a young child learning their native language.  They are gaining all of that vocabulary from their parents, songs, stories… basically everything around them.  If you are a beginner, you are in the same situation.  Before you can speak, you have to learn the vocabulary and have it stored in your brain, ready to use.

Beginner English Sessions on Skype

The great thing about SkypEnglish4U sessions is that we totally focus on speaking and listening, no workbooks or exercises are done during our time together.   This can be a problem if your English level is not enough to carry on a simple conversation for at least 30 minutes.  I have worked with many ‘basic users’ in the past (see chart below), constructing sentences properly and speaking using basic structures.  Basic users can gain from speaking practice and advance on to the next level.  However, absolute beginners will not benefit from sessions on Skype because they do not have the foundation of English to construct sentences.

Beginner English

Suggestions for Beginner Students

Once you feel comfortable (even just a little) with speaking English, contact me for a 30 minute session.   As I mentioned, I have experience with ‘basic users’ so it will not be overwhelming or too much for you.  We will take it nice and slow.

Learning a language is not an easy task, but keep at it and you will feel great about your accomplishment!English for Beginners

 

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YouTube

YouTube is an AMAZING tool for language learners! YouTube combines visuals and audio to really stimulate the senses.  Much more entertaining than the standard old grammar book!

#1 Browse

Search for videos about things that interest you. If you are interested in cooking, watch some videos about cooking in English. Check out different accents from around the world– it can be really fun (even for native speakers)! Search for keywords: ESL, Learn English, British English, Grammar, English Pronunciation

Spend sometime and find the channels that you like.

#2 Subscribe

When you find a channel that you really like, click on subscribe.

subscribe

Every time you are on your YouTube homepage, videos from the channels that you subscribe to will be featured.

#3 USE IT

As with learning anything, practice makes perfect. The more you hear English, the more you are going to understand it. Listen to a video and repeat what you hear. Try to mimic the sounds that you are hearing perfectly. I tell my students to repeat what they hear and look in the mirror.

EVERYDAY set some time aside for YouTube. Your English is not going to magically improve overnight. It takes time and practice– but using a tool like YouTube can make it fun and interesting. The best part about YouTube is that you learn other things while you are improving your English (like how to make a chocolate cake!)

Beginner tip! If you are a beginner, search for videos in your native language and turn on English subtitles.  Try this out and then move on to videos with English audio and English subtitles.