Fashionable methods are not effective in learning English, it is better to teach 'like at school': teacher's advice

Edition Highload during a conversation with a professional teacher Vadim Kadyrov, I figured out how best to learn English. As old-fashioned as it sounds, the best is learning with a teacher and from a textbook.

This method turns us off because it reminds us of the school curriculum. However, compared to the trendy methods, this method is really effective! Nowadays, many people want to speak like native speakers, but this is not at all necessary. The main thing is to be able to maintain a conversation, ask questions and answer them in such a way that you are understood. For this, it is enough to know English at the Advanced level.

Some of the best and most popular textbooks are Headway, Cutting Edge, Cambridge, and for those above intermediate, Oxford English for Careers. Reading the text, compiling a vocabulary on a new topic and answering questions - that's what will help you start talking faster. Until today, nothing better has been invented. Let's take everything in order.

Self study

Self-study is now popular. Is it as effective as claimed? Each tutorial is usually designed to be promoted one level. If your level is Beginner, then independent study is quite possible. But no matter how hard you try, the moment will come when you need to talk.

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Self-study from a textbook will take 5-6 months, and with a teacher - 3-4 months. Individual study is the most effective, classes in a group are inferior to him only in price. They are like singing in a choir - someone sings well, someone sings badly, but the overall picture looks like everyone is singing. The teacher always guides, knows where to “pull up” knowledge, and motivates.

Studying by TV Shows and Podcasts

This method, despite the fact that it is promoted, is effective only at advanced levels and as an additional load.

Let's say your level is zero, you turn on a 1,5-hour movie and start watching, stopping the video every minute and writing out new words. It may take 5 hours or more. Agree, this method is energy consuming and does not save time. Therefore, if your level is Intermediate or higher, then podcasts and series will be a good help in developing and maintaining your knowledge of the language.

Offline is better than online

Why are online classes not so effective? Often the connection is very bad, video and audio are interrupted, stopped. Therefore, offline classes will give a faster effect.

How long do you need to practice

English, like any foreign language, requires constant practice. The number of classes should be at least 2 per week, and the duration should be at least an hour.

Each level will take about 3-4 months, that is, you can get from zero to Advanced in 2 years. Although, everything is individual here, and it may take you less time.

"Why should I talk about the weather?"

Many students want to immediately start learning and using the terms they need for work, for example, for the IT sector (it is this that is now pushing many to learn the language). These people say they don't need to talk about the weather in English. However, even if you want to learn a language for a profession, at first you still have to talk about the weather and other simple topics.

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Motivation is the engine of progress

If you study just like that, because "you need to learn English", most likely, in a month or two you will stop attending classes. Motivation and reason are very important here. For example, learn English to:

• find a better job and start earning more;
• go travel;
• go abroad for permanent residence.

Transform your abstract goal into material and concrete. Practice regularly and don't be afraid to talk.