What is the quickest way to learn English?

Any activity that exposes you to the language will help. Although reading, watching and listening are very important to learn language use, it is your own interaction, which makes the learning process quicker. So using the language first-hand is the quickest way to learn--writing or speaking.

In my experience, students that have learned very quickly meet the following characteristics:
1. They have a clear purpose in mind, generally a medium term objective.
2. They fully engage in the process, take at least 4 hours lessons a week and study, practice and review every day.
3. They find a teacher that understands the characteristics of their learnign process, skills and receive tutoring following them.
4. They can accept that learning at the beginning of the process is not a "comfortable" thing to do. They can bear "not understanding" every phrase, word.
5. They come up with questions before or after the lesson (they reflect on their own process)

Dear Friends,
You are all correct! Listening is the key to learning a language but so is reading. However, none of these work unless the learner is highly motivated. Motivation and having clear goals are essential to effective learning.

Thank you for sharing your points.

Warm wishes,
Nellie Deutsch

i think the best way to learn english is to interact with people around us in english to enhance our vocabulary and slowly we can have good command over this language..

Social language learning is much more powerful than people have given it credit for in the past. Input (study or learn some language), Activity (use it in as close to a real situation as possible with a number of people, online or face to face), Result (feedback and consolidation).
Cheers

Jason

I suggest two things.
1.You should use a dictionary which does not show only meaning of a word. It should also show the use of the word into a sentence.
2.You should read books written in simple english such as Letters from a father to her daughter by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.

In schools four language skills are improved. They are listening,reading,writing and speaking. But I think students should be motivated to improve thiking skill too. If one think and speak it is very pratical.Many people always don't meet people to speak in English.But when we travel we have enough time to speak with ourselves.You can look at the things around and ask questions and give the answers.When you travel in a bus you can have the bus drive in your mind and start a disscussion with him. Be the driver and answers the questions.This is very simple. Try and see.

Alex

Dear Friends,

One of the most successful methods is commitment, learners should have a commitment to learn and work hard. You can't learn without efforts. If you want to learn the language quickly, you have to use many ways not only one. Try different way at the same time.

Good luck for all,
Marzouq

OK, I have to give my opinion. Yes its from "left field" but I gotta have a go at it!

I believe that English is a tool or skill to achieve a greater goal in one's life. For some it is an end, like a professional student but for most of the students I have met it means much more. They think it is the goal but on careful examination they quickly discover it is not, it is the means to something else entirely. To many it is a hurdle or a painful "right of passage" to be endured or overcome. This is so sad.

If one can get past the immediate perception of their need to learn English. If they would take the time and self review to discover why they truly need this skill, I believe they will find a truly remarkable method to learn English easily.

OK, I'll get to the point. Beyond the need to learn a skill there is a driving force that motivates you. It may be the need to connect and be understood by another human being. It may be that you have a desire to heal people that springs up from your most inner being... you want to be a Doctor? Whatever that most inner purpose is that drives you is the magic key.

With that inner purpose you can readily summon up the passion that has and will sustain you through any task. If you are learning/teaching as a burden then you may not be on the better path. Lay down your burdens and apply your passion to a simple skill to achieve your passion's objective.

If one can transcend the short view of learning English (which can be unbearable) to using English to fulfill your most intimate driving passions, then English will be easy. To some it may look like a burden but to you, it will be a joy. It will become a labor of love which is not a burden but rather priviledge.

Sorry, I get carried away sometimes and become overly dramatic. Or so I am told ;)

So the point is, step back, take a breath, look at the object of your passion. Now from the point exactly, approach English and I think you will find it much easier.

St. George
Dragon Slayer (retired)

PS I wish WIZIQ would put a spell checker in this forum for us lazy Americans.