How Can I improve my English understanding?

Answer 1

Believe it or not, watch TV or listen to radio. There are many idiomatic phrases that are used in context.

I would suggest you watch PBS (TV) or listen to NPR (radio) so that you will get examples of correct usage on a more frequent basis. If you watch "Jerry Springer," or listen to a local radio station, for example, they may use improper grammar or slang that is hard to understand without context.

You can also read classic books from reputable authors like Steinbeck, Faulkner, and Hemingway (or more modern: Updike, Cheever, Rushdie, Gordimer, etc.). They all have stylistic differences but their English is relatively straightforward and without a lot of difficult vocabulary.

Answer 2

Read everything you can get your hands on. If not books, then magazines about subjects you find interesting. Also, you can try reading the newspaper (the New York Times online, for example) because the writing is clear, concise, and easy to understand.

Also, keep a dictionary handy. If you can't figure out what a word means by the context of the sentence, LOOK IT UP--it's the only way I know of to reliably increase your vocabulary.

Good luck!

(PS. I am an English professor--this is the same advice I give to my writing students.) :)

Answer 3

Do everything above. But if possible, spend a significant amount of time in an English-speaking country (6 months to a year, at least).

(By the way, I've found Americans to be much more friendly and willing to help than the Brits.)

Answer 4

Read. Then when you get bored with reading write. Try to make what you write good. If you can't then read and try again. The spoken part of english will develope naturally.

Answer 5

Written or verbal? If verbal, yup, PBS isn't bad. Written, it's a little tough to do here because it's difficult to ask questions and get a quick answer. Email pen pal might be good.

Answer 6

Date a dictionary. But didn't you mean your English comprehension?