7 Rules To Learn English
7 Rules To Learn English
7 Rules To Learn English
English Trauma
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I couldnt believe it. However, the sad truth is that this was a typical English class. Everyday, the
students listened to their teacher explain sentences in Japanese.
After three years of English classes, none of the students could speak even simple English. All of
the students hated English. The classes were stressful. The tests were complicated.
Every day they analyzed very complex grammar rules. Every day they memorized long lists of
English words.
Unfortunately, many English students, in many different countries, have had similar experiences.
Because they learned English this way, they believe English is difficult and complicated. They have
no confidence with English speaking. They feel stress every time they hear or try to speak English.
One student called this feeling English Trauma.
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The result-- students who do very well on grammar and vocabulary tests-- but cannot understand
normal English speech, and cannot speak easily and quickly. Because of this, most English students feel very nervous about speaking. They have no confidence.
They feel more comfortable taking a test than having a real conversation.
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In group 1, the teacher constantly corrects every error the students make. In group 2, the teacher
never corrects errors. At the end of one year, we test both groups of students. The result (every
time): there is NO difference in accuracy... NO difference in the number of errors that students in
each group make.
Error correction seems logical, but the truth is-- it is totally ineffective.
In fact, error correction is worse than ineffective-- it actually damages the students.
There is another result we find when we compare Group 1 and Group 2:
same number of errors, BUT Group 1 speaks more slowly.
In other words, error correction kills fast speech. Error correction causes students to think ABOUT
English. Error correction causes students to always analyze and translate before they speak.
These students cannot speak English easily and quickly.
who
who
who
who
And usually:
A student who quits, who believes they cannot and will not ever speak English well.
A student who thinks, Im not good at English.
In other words, a student with English Trauma.
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Effortless English
Learning Languages Like Children
In 1984, the American University Language Center in Bangkok started using a new approach to
teach the Thai language. The method is called The Listening Approach. In more recent years its
become known as Automatic Language Growth.
The method says that any attempt to speak (or even think about language), before automatic
speaking comes, will cause damage and limit final results! In other words, the method uses a
very long "silent period".
During the "silent period", students focus only on listening. After 6 - 12 months of intensive listening, students begin to speak spontaneously and naturally-- without effort and without thinking!
Everyone knows that when people move to a new country the children will eventually speak the
language natively and the adults wont. The normal explanation is that children have a special
talent that they lose as they grow up.
Teachers said that for adults, languages should be taught and studied instead of learned naturally.
But are we any better with present language teaching? Why, for example, do adults in Central Africa
do better when they move to a new language community than our modern students do? Could it be
that early teachers were mistaken? Maybe adults can do what children do. Maybe its just adult
behavior (not lack of talent) that prevents them from succeeding.
THE MISTAKE Children can do something that adults cannot.
THE UNASKED QUESTION What would happen if an adult were to just listen for a year without
speaking?
OUR ANSWER Both adults and children can do it right, but only adults can do it wrong.
Imagine a 4 year-old child and an adult reacting to somebody talking to them in a foreign language.
The child most often just listens, while the adult usually tries to talk back.
Now imagine that not trying to speak was the childs secret. It makes sense that listening to
things that are always right would build the language right, while saying things that are always wrong
would build it wrong.
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What would happen if adults were to do the same thing children do, (that is, just listen for a year
without trying to say anything).
In 1984, the AUA language center in Bangkok started doing exactly this in its Thai classes. The
students just listened for as much as a year without speaking at all. We found that adults get
almost the same results that children do. If adults understand natural talk, in real situations, without trying to say anything, for a whole year, then fluent speaking with clear pronunciation will
come automatically.
It seems that the difference between adults and children is not that adults have lost the ability to do it
right-- but that children havent yet gained the ability to do it wrong (that is, to destroy it with forced
speaking).
Forced speaking damages adults. Consciously thinking of ones sentences with translations,
rules, substitutions, or any other kind of thinking prevents you from speaking like a native.
Natural speaking (speaking that comes automatically) wont cause damage (not even when its
wrong). The damage doesnt come from being wrong; it comes from thinking about the language.
What were suggesting is this. The reason that children always end up as native speakers is
because they learn to speak by listening. And the reason that adults dont is because they learn
to speak by speaking.
Adults talk too much.
The formula is this: Listen, Dont speak, and Be patient. And now it appears that this is not
only the childs secret. Its everybodys secret. And while children do it more faithfully, adults can
do it faster.
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RESOURCES
Free Email Course: 7 Rules for Excellent English
http://www.EffortlessEnglishClub.com/free.html
Effortless English Lessons
http://www.EffortlessEnglishClub.com
Automatic Language Growth (Dr. J. Marvin Brown)
http://www.algworld.com
Dr. Stephen Krashen: Language Learning Research
http://www.sdkrashen.com
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Rule 1
Hi. How are you doing today? I'm writing because you asked for my 7Day email course and you want to improve your English. You will get 8
emails from me-- one every day for 8 days.
This Email Course is sent only to subscribers.
To unsubscribe, go to {!remove_web}
My name is A.J. Hoge. I live in San Francisco, USA. I am an English
teacher. I have a Masters degree in Teaching English. I enjoy travel,
SCUBA diving, motorcycle riding, movies, and learning Spanish.
I will teach you a new method for learning. I will teach
you how to study-- to speak English faster and more easily.
Cheers,
AJ Hoge
Director
Effortless English
http://www.EffortlessEnglishClub.com
Hi. How are you? Are you having a good day? I'm doing fine. Let's get
started with Day 2 of your email course.
**Rule 2: A Story From Angelina
"My name is Angelina and I'm a student from Paraguay. When I started
learning with A.J., I couldn't speak any English. I had studied English
grammar many years, but I couldn't speak.
The first day with A.J.'s Effortless English I thought I would study
grammar. However, he surprised me because he never taught grammar
rules.
Instead, he told a story. He told it many times, in a strange way. He
constantly asked questions, and I answered the questions. The questions
were super-easy.
Honestly, I was a little confused. I thought he was kind of a crazy teacher
:) I thought I needed to learn more grammar.
I continued with Effortless English and then, after only two weeks,
something amazing happened. My speaking improved! My friends asked
me, 'How are you improving so quickly?'
I realized that A.J. was quite clever, and the stories and questions and
articles were teaching me to speak English, without studying grammar
rules. Wow!"
Angelina is a great student. She learned extra fast because she listened
to Effortless English 5 hours a day. However, you can improve with just
one hour a day.
You can get the same results... but you must follow Rule 2.
Take Care,
AJ Hoge
http://www.EffortlessEnglishClub.com
Director
Effortless English
Hi! This is A.J. again, with the next day of your 7 Rules Email Course. I
really enjoy emailing you and helping you improve English.
Today is the most important rule.
Most schools ignore it.
**Rule 3: A Story
Humberto is from Venezuela. He moved to Canada a few years ago. He
studied English in Venezuela for many years-- mostly grammar.
In fact, Humberto learned English with his eyes- by reading textbooks, by
studying grammar books, by remembering word lists.
He thought his English was good. But when he came to Canada he was
surprised and shocked-- he couldn't understand anyone!
He joined an English school in Canada. He went to school everyday.
What did they teach him? More textbooks, more grammar books, more
word lists!
After 12 months of school, Humberto was angry and frustrated. The
school cost over $10,000 for one year-- but he still could not speak
English. He didn't know what to do.
He said:
"I couldn't believe it A.J. After one year, I still couldn't speak English. I
told the teacher, 'this is a waste of time'. I was very upset.
Thank God I found a better way. Now I can speak English. I understand
native speakers. I talk to Canadians every day. I feel confident. I can't
believe I wasted so much time with schools... and so much money too!"
Hi. Its me again ;) I hope you are feeling good and are enjoying the 7
Rules Email Course. Here's rule 4.
**Rule 4: A Story
Hyun, a student from Korea, said:
"Im a very serious student. When studying English in Korea, I memorized
50,000 English words for a big test. Fifty Thousand!
My problem was-- I couldn't USE them. I could pass an English test. But
I could not understand native speakers.
With Effortless English, I learned to instantly understand English. I learned
how to automatically use vocabulary. After 6 months, I could speak
easily. I didn't need to think.
Thanks so much!"
**RULE 4: Slow, Deep Learning Is Best
Hyun learned a lot of words in a short time. Her learning was short and
shallow. That's why she quickly forgot the words. That's why she could
not use them.
The secret to speaking easily is to learn every word & phrase DEEPLY.
Its not enough to know a definition. Its not enough to remember for a
test. You must put the word deep into your brain.
To speak English easily, you must repeat each lesson many times.
You must learn English deeply.
Learn deeply, speak easily.
Learn deeply, speak easily.
How do you learn deeply? Easy-- just repeat all lessons or listening
many times. For example, if you have an audio book, listen to the first
chapter 30 times before you go to the second chapter. You could listen
A.J. Hoge
Director
http://www.EffortlessEnglishClub.com
Effortless English
Hi. How are you today? Are you having a great day? I'm doing well.
Today I'm back to explain Rule 5. I hope you are enjoying these emails :)
On Day 2, I told you never to study grammar rules. But, of course, you
want to use correct English grammar.
Maybe you are thinking, "How can I learn English grammar if I don't
study English grammar rules?"
Well, today I will tell you.
I will teach you a way to learn grammar naturally. Use this method and
your grammar will improve automatically. You will automatically use the
correct verb tense. You won't think. You won't try.
**Rule 5: A Story
Miyuki did very well on grammar tests. She knew all of the grammar
rules. She knew English verbs.
But Miyuki had a problem. She couldn't USE the grammar in a real
conversation. She could explain the past tense, but when speaking, she
would say "Yesterday I GO to school".
Miyuki was confused. How could her grammar tests be so good, but her
speaking so bad?
Miyuki said:
"Before Effortless English, I knew all the grammar rules, but I couldn't
speak correctly. I couldn't feel English grammar. After using Point of
View stories, I feel it and use it correctly.
Now my grammar is great when I speak. I never think about it, I just
automatically use correct grammar. Thank you A.J.!"
Miyuki learned this grammar naturally. She never studied
grammar rules. How did she do it?
First she listened to a short story in the present tense. She listened to it
everyday.
Then, she listened to the exact SAME story-- but this time it started with
"10 years ago...." She learned to "feel" the past tense by listening to this
story.
Next, I gave her the exact same story. This time, it started with "Since
2004..." Miyuki learned to FEEL the perfect tenses by listening to this
story.
Finally, I gave her the exact same story... beginning with "Next year". She
learned to FEEL the future tense simply by listening to this story.
You must learn grammar by listening to real English. The best way is to
listen to the same story... told in different times (points of view): Past,
Perfect, Present, Future.
How do you do this? Easy! Find a story or article in the present tense.
Then ask your native speaker tutor to write it again in the Past, with
Perfect tenses, and in the Future. Finally, ask him to read and record
these stories for you.
Then you can listen to stories with many different kinds of grammar. You
don't need to know the grammar rules. Just listen to the Point of View
stories and you will improve grammar automatically!
You can also find Point of View lessons and use them to learn grammar
automatically.
A.J. Hoge
http://www.EffortlessEnglishClub.com
Director
Effortless English
If you want to understand native speakers, you must stop learning English
from textbook tapes and CDs.
To learn real English, you must listen to English that native speakers
listen to. You must watch what they watch. You must read what they
read.
Listen only to real English
Listen only to real English
Listen only to real English
How do you learn Real English? It's easy. Stop using textbooks. Instead,
listen only to real English movies, TV shows, audio books, audio articles,
stories, and talk radio shows. Use real English materials.
After 6 months of real English, Megdelio could speak easily. He could
understand real English from real native speakers. You will too.
A.J. Hoge
http://www.EffortlessEnglishClub.com
Director
Effortless English
PS: Ana Rodriguez wrote:
"I'm finally enjoying English! I'm finally talking to Americans! Thank
You!"
Rule 7
Hi. Today is the last rule! Remember, I promised to send you 8 emails.
Today is number 7 :)
Today is the last Rule, and it is the easiest:
Most English CDs use "listen and repeat". The speaker says something in
English, and you repeat exactly what they said. This method is a failure.
**Rule 7: A Story
Emi, a Japanese woman, had a problem. Her speaking was SLOW. She
could not answer questions quickly.
Emi listened to many English tapes and CDs. She listened. She repeated
what the speaker said.
Emi emailed me. I recommended "Listen & Answer" lessons. I told her not
to use "listen and repeat".
I told her to use "Listen & Answer" Mini-Stories.
I told her that "listen and repeat" is not enough-- when you repeat, you
only copy the speaker. But when you hear a question and you ANSWER it- you must think in English.
After using listen & ANSWER lessons for just 4 months, her speaking was
fast, easy, and automatic.
Emi was excited. She wrote:
"The lessons are FANTASTIC! I love them. My speaking is so much faster
now. I understand quickly and I can now speak English without thinking.
I can't believe it!"
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You will get only one more email from me for this course.
Have a great day!
A.J. Hoge
http://www.EffortlessEnglishClub.com
Founder and Director
Effortless English
What is the most important English skill? What skill must you have to communicate well?
Obviously, number 1 is Fluency. What is fluency? Fluency is the ability to speak (and understand)
English quickly and easily... WITHOUT translation. Fluency means you can talk easily with native
speakers-- they easily understand you, and you easily understand them. In fact, you speak and
understand instantly.
Fluency is your most important English goal.
The research is clear-- there is only ONE way to get fluency. You do not get fluency by reading textbooks. You do not get fluency by going to English schools. You do not get fluency by studying
grammar rules.
So, the two most important points are: listen to easier English and listen to each thing many
times.
4. Listen To Movies
Movies are great for learning English BUT you must use them correctly. Dont watch all of an
English movie. You will not understand it, and therefore you will not learn anything.
Only watch one scene or segment per week (maybe 2-3 minutes). Follow this method:
a) First, watch the scene with subtitles in your language. This will help you understand the general
meaning.
b) Second, watch the scene with English subtitles. Pause. Use a dictionary to find new words you
dont understand. Write the new sentences in a notebook.
c) Listen to the scene a few times, with English subtitles. Do not pause.
d) Listen to the scene a few times, without subtitles.
e) Repeat a) - d) everyday for one week.
On the second week, go to the next scene/segment and repeat again. It will take you a long time to
finish a movie. Thats OK, because you will improve your listening and speaking VERY FAST. This
method is powerful-- use it!
Another great idea is to get both a book and its audio book (ie. the above example of Charlie and
the Chocolate Factory).
A.J. Hoge
Director
Effortless English LLC
Effortless English Lessons (Listening and Text, Intermediate & Advanced Level)
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Flow English Lessons (Listening and Text, Intermediate Level)
http://effortlessenglishclub.com/learn-english-with-flow-english
LingQ (Listening and Tutors, Advanced)
http://www.lingq.com
ELLLO (Listening)
http://www.elllo.org
KanTalk (Internet Chats and Conversation)
http://www.kantalk.com
VOA News (Listening)
http://www.voanews.com/english/podcasts.cfm
Business English Pod (Listening)
http://www.voanews.com/english/podcasts.cfm
ESL Pod (Listening)
http://www.eslpod.com
Just Vocabulary (Listening)
http://justvocabulary.libsyn.com/