My Journey of English Language Development: From Novice to Advanced
As the most widely spoken language in the world, English has become a necessary skill around the globe. It is the language of international communication, pop culture, and business. Over the years, my own journey with the English language has been a process of growth and refinement. In this article, I will narrate my journey through the English language development process and the tactics that helped me achieve proficiency.
My Introduction to the English Language:
Growing up, I spoke Hindi, my native language. However, English was always present in my life, whether through movies, music, or books. Nevertheless, I only learned a few basic English phrases in school, no more than “Good morning,” “How are you?” and “My name is.” It was not until I began college that I realised the importance of the English language and decided to learn it properly.
Beginner Level: An Uphill Task
Initially, when I started learning English, it was indeed an uphill task. My vocabulary was weak, sentence formation was incorrect, and my pronunciation was terrible. Determined not to let my struggles discourage me from learning English, I decided to take a deep dive.
Here are some of the strategies I used to develop the English language:
Listening: I started listening to podcasts, news reports, and music in English. This gave me an idea of how the words are pronounced correctly, how to use them in a sentence, and how to pick up the rhythm of spoken English.
Speaking: I practised speaking with friends who were better in English than I was. It was challenging at first, as I struggled to string together cohesive sentences, but over time, I improved. Constructive feedback from my friends helped me identify my mistakes and rectify them.
Reading: Reading helped me broaden my vocabulary and comprehension of sentence structure. I started with children’s books, blogs, and magazines, and slowly moved up to novels and classic literature. I would jot down new words I didn’t understand and look them up in a dictionary.
Writing: I started writing a journal in English, which helped me practice sentence formation, grammar, vocabulary, and even pronunciation. I made sure to create sentences with new vocabulary words and used them repeatedly to reinforce the learning.
Intermediate Level: Building Up Proficiency
With a strong foundation, I moved on to the intermediate level, which was less demanding.
Here are some of the strategies that helped me build up proficiency:
Grammar: I focused on sentence structure, verb tenses, prepositions, pronouns, and other grammar components. I worked on clearing my basic concepts and frequently practiced the learned concepts through exercises and application.
Vocabulary: I learned new words each day from podcasts, articles, and conversations with native English speakers. I would also break down words into syllables to practice the correct pronunciation.
Writing: I started writing articles, essays, and blog posts to enhance my skills in writing. Feedback from friends and teachers became more critical in this stage as they’d point out mistakes and suggest improvements.
Speaking: I started participating in group discussions, forums, and meetings that were in English. This allowed me to practice the language, identify my mistakes and strengths, and expand my vocabulary and fluency.
Advanced Level: Reaching Mastery
At this stage of my English language journey, I had acquired fluency and mastery over the language. My grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and comprehension had improved significantly, making communicating in English second nature to me.
Here are some of the strategies that helped me reach mastery:
Reading: I read books, newspapers, periodicals, and articles in English, ensuring that I comprehend and take away something from the content. My speed and instinct towards understanding the sentence structure increased over time.
Speaking: I joined public speaking clubs and organizations that allowed me to improve vocabulary and fluency, and hone my public speaking skills in English. With every speech, my confidence level in the language soared.
Writing: I started publishing different types of writing pieces, including academic research articles, opinion pieces, and creative writing. At this level, my focus had shifted to emotional and social intelligence development through language.
Continuous Learning
Although I’ve achieved mastery in the English language, I know that language learning never stops. Even native speakers continue to learn new vocabulary, improve pronunciation, and hone their communication skills.
Here are some of the steps I’m taking to keep improving my English language:
- Exposing myself to different accents, such as British, American, Australian, and more, to enhance my listening and comprehension.
- Using social media to read and write more in English.
- Participating in online events and webinars, where English is spoken and understood.
- Learning from peers and other language learners, including how they approach learning languages.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, learning the English language has been a journey of discovery, refinement, and unlearning. Starting as a novice, the journey was an uphill task, but with continuous practice, I have reached a point of fluency and mastery. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills are all essential components of learning the English language. However, the best tactic to improve and enhance language skills is never to stop learning. By continuously studying and keeping up with the language, I am confident to face future challenges with the English language.