How can I improve my English?

Question

I'm an Italian girl, I'm fourteen years old, and I started to learn English 9 years ago...People say that I'm quite good but I want to be better.I'm thinking of spending a few months in the UK but where can I go?And which books are better to improve my English?(I red something by Shakespeare and William Blake...but too much is not enough for me!!)

Answer 1

Ciao Ciccia. I think your English is good. Much better than my Italian anyway!

I think the best way to learn a language is to use it as often as you can. If you can get hold of English newspapers that's great, or read news stories on line:
http://www.guardian.co.uk
http://www.bbc.co.uk
The BBC website also has some Learn Enlish pages:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/index.shtml

If you have friends who are also learning English you could agree to speak English some of the time, like an hour a day, or all day on Saturday or something.

Shakespeare and Blake are good classic literature, but you want something more modern try Zizou Corder or Malorie Blackman (2 of my daughter's favourites).

If you want to visit the UK that would be a great opportunity to practice your English, but I don't know whether you are talking about coming alone, with friends or with your family.
If you're coming alone, there are some companies that arrange host families for young students in the summer holidays, but I have no idea whether they are any good. If you are going to do this make sure you get a personal recommendation from someone you know.

As you are 14, you are old enough to stay in youth hostels here in the UK, so if you were coming with a group of friends that would be an option. It's very cheap, and they are usually in nice places.
If you are coming with your family there are lots of options, so post a question asking for recommendations for places to stay.

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 2

I'm an English teacher so you could hire me to give you lessons! Seriously, the recommendations here are good. Reading is very important - choose subjects you like (you don't want it to be too much like hard work). Someone mentioned the World Service site, it is excellent. I live in France and there is a magazine called "Vocable" - I think it may exist in Italy. It has articles taken from newspapers, with explanations or translations of difficult words.
There are many summer schools in the UK for English courses. Try www.staffordhouse.com, www.ilh.co.uk and www.isis.co.uk. All these schools are based in or near large towns. London is a great place to be, Oxford also. As you're Italian, I would recommend the Manchester ISIS centre, as they have a programme more suited to Italian students. Have a look at where these schools are and find out a bit more about the town. Best of luck!

Answer 3

Hi, I am an American. I think when I was learning Japanese being in Japan was tops. When you first start you need to hit the books to find the grammar and syntax. Then you can read other things; like I read a book on how to write letters in Japanese. I then read a cook book on how to cook Japanese food. I heard of some famous novels and started on them but they were too difficult for me and so I went to famous short stories. Also at the same time I had friends to talk to. We watched Japanese TV and I listened to Japanese music. That I think is where I picked up the most the fastest with popular Japanese songs. I am not able to read a newspaper yet; but, I can read magazines and there are lots to choose from in Japanese. I think you should look for some magazines in English on subjects that you like. The vocabulary that you pick up there will be useful to you. I think that reading classic material like Blake and who was that other guy? are great. But, you should be well rounded and so you should read some modern books and not just the ones that are approved by top authorities in English but books that speak to your imagination ... I am not sure how to say what I want to say... not everyone reads Blake and Shakespear
Read something on today's best seller list. OK that's all I have to say.

Answer 4

Reading Shakespeare and Blake may confuse you, especially Shakespeare since that is not current English. A trip to England would be great, or can you do some volunteer work with English or American tourists?

Rather than read books, stick with an English or American newspaper. The London Times would be a good choice. And go to American films that are NOT dubbed.

Answer 5

I'd advise you to keep working on it from Italy unless you're loaded and can move to a College in Britain, the better the basics, the more you'll improve when you practice in a real british environment.

Watch about the Irish, their accent can be confusing, any accent indeed. Go for standard pronounciation and intonation while you're studying, and then into spotting differences in regional accents, so that when you hear them you know what it is.

Also, it's true that there's little accuracy in grammar in sites like this. Too much slang, good only once you are an advanced learner. Try the BBC web sites or official government sites, questi ti daranno una prospettiva piu interesante dalla cultura estraniera che stai imparando.

Answer 6

If you like Harry Potter but have only read the stories in Italian then you could try and read all the books in English. Plenty of practice! XD

If you liked any English language authors who were translated into Italian then get the English language versions. Then - you know the storyline already, and it will be easier to pick up new words. :o)

A few famous authors - C.S.Lewis, Roald Dahl, Lemony Snicket, Darren Shan.

Also - if you come to the UK - buy newspapers or magazines, listen to the radio and watch TV. All good practice!

Answer 7

If your just learning English, I wouldn't read Shakespeare or Blake, I would read a regular book, not a play. I think it's great that your trying to learn the English language. From your typing, I say your doing quite well.

Answer 8

I know in Italy most (if not all) movies and tv shows have voice-overs, but try to get DVDs or something with the original audio. You'll be amazed at what it can do for your english (listening comprehension and vocabulary above all), especially if you try to understand everything without reading the subtitles.

Of course spending time in an english-speaking country is even better, but this is something you can do while you're at home.

Answer 9

Read, read, read, read in English. That'll build up your vocubulary. See movies and TV in English, that'll help with the pronunciation. And practice with peole that speak it. English is my second language and I've mastered it by reading and listening (first is Spanish and am now working on my third which is French)

Those people that tell you that you are good with your English definitely are telling the truth. Your written English is perfect. Hell, it's WAY better than that of most of the native English speakers around here.

Ciao!

Answer 10

Hello,
That is great that you want to come to the Uk, I would think that you need to improve on your grammar or syntax, because that is the word order, in which words are suppose to be said propoerly.

Read alot of books that tickle your fancy and also watch films as well and liten to radio and music, that will imrpove your speaking and listening skills greatly and not to forget speaking to English/English speaking people.