English - like all languages -belongs to nobody. Especially English, which is supposed to be a 'world language'. So explore it as much as you can and take control of it!
How do you learn a language best? Here are some of my tips:
* listen - and listen - and listen again
* start conversations - don't be shy!
* use every opportunity to speak the language
* practise your favourite words and phrases
* use your body to communicate - don't just use words
* learn to love your mistakes - how can you learn without making mistakes??
* ask questions - use your teacher (that is what he/she is there for!) - and ask more questions
* read, read, read
* visit websites, read the news and the comments left by other readers
* find a text in your own language which has an English translation - compare the two
* write something every day, even if it's only a few lines
* learn whole phrases, not just words: learn 'the taste of red wine' and not just 'wine'
* listen to the radio (BBC world service is a good start for English)
* learn a song in the language
* visit a bookshop with lots of books in the language (there's no need to buy anything)
* learn a joke in the language
* learn the grammar, but don't let it run your life - grammar is no good without communication
* watch films and TV with subtitles
* take part in class, and revise everything at home
* find an email or chat partner in the language
More
Have a look at this Wikibooks article http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Transwiki:How_to_learn_a_language
and a very nice article here http://www.zompist.com/whylang.html.
'You lead as many lives as you speak languages' (Goethe)
'Every language is a different way of feeling the cosmos' (Borges)
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