How can I improve my English?

Question

I had studied English for a few years without improving much. I'm very bad in Grammar. And I'm so afraid to speak English. What should I do?

Answer 1

You should read books in English, probably some fiction too because it will have dialog in it. I'm not very much into fiction, so I can't make any recommendations for you. My friends from India say that they watch American movies to help them learn to speak English like us. I think that's a good idea, but when you do watch them, please remember that very few Americans are like the characters in our movies!
The English in your question looks correct to me, much better than many of the American users of this site. If you're concerned about your Grammar, reading books will probably help you a lot. After a while, incorrect usage will just not look correct, even without thinking about the rules.
If you're uncomfortable doing something, one of the best ways to get comfortable doing it is to simply do it over and over until it does not bother you any more. So, try to find opportunities to read and write English until it comes to you more naturally. One of the things my Indian friends have trouble with is the way people use English in conversation versus the proper way of doing it. There are lots of expressions people use that do not make any sense if taken literally, so you will have to pick up the meaning of those from the context (or from the speaker, if they're with you at the time) as you listen. Good luck!

Answer 2

To some degree, this depends on where you live.

If you live in the USA or some other English-speaking country, then just listen to the evening news (on tv (and in English)), and pay close attention to what the news person says and how he says it (how he says his words, etc.). .

. . and read a major (big-city) (English-language) newspaper daily. Read all of the frontpage articles. It won't take too long if you do this regularly until your English is much better (maybe a couple years, but that's nothing considering the benefits).

Also, you need to find someone to practice with (someone that speaks English that you can speak with), because you need practice in forming sentences yourself, you need to practice it til you become strong in it. (but don't stop reading the newspaper! )

While on the subject, here also is a really good website to read (they use good grammar):

http://www.answersingenesis.org

Answer 3

I noticed Wayne and Chamomile had some good answers.

What kind of English do you want to learn? If you want to be a business man or woman, read the Business section of newspapers and read business journals and magazines. If you want to be a doctor, read Journal of American Medicine Association (JAMA) and other journals like that. Read Gray's Anatomy.

If you want to work in international law, read law reviews and law books.

My point is this: English is a great language, and comprises many dialects and jargons. There is technical jargon, such as that used by engineers of various fields, even jargon for specialized work such as longshoremen's and fishermen's work. Think about how and why you want to learn English, and start to move in that direction.
Of course, reading novels, and poetry and that sort of thing is good, but even there, you have the choice of American, English, Canadian, South African, and other sources of writing. So, you have to consider, what future do you want, and where will you go to get that realized?

Answer 4

Please. Give me a break. English is the easy. Just get a boyfriend or husband who speaks English. Listen to television and radio. Go out and buy in stores. Keep a vocabulary book. First column word. Second column definition. Third column meaning to you. Say like you speak Russian. Column One can be divided between the English and Russian word.

English is easy. Even the laziest person can learn English.

Answer 5

Hi , i am also not a native speaker, so I can understand how u feel.Instead of staring at ur grammar books, U can try this :

1. learn english from songs.
it's perfect if u love music. First , find your favorite english song, then use a headphone , try to listen to wat the singer says listen carefully to how he/she pronounces each word and WRITE IT DOWN.and try to interprete it urself before you open your dictionary.

You will certainly remember those words because it's from a song.

2. Learn it from movie( with subtitle )
English is not only grammar, because what u face is the SLANG words. Watching TV will help u to know words people usually use.

try it! :)

Answer 6

The best way is to read books, newspapers, watching movies and listening to english news casts.. and the most effective is to speak, even you make mistakes. Little by little you'll get use to the language.

Answer 7

read a lot.. kids books are a good start

Answer 8

read more books

Answer 9

www.englishgrammarconnection.com