It has been one year since I moved to Bogotá, Colombia on a Fulbright grant to teach English at a small university. It has been one year since I left my classroom in New York to embark on this new journey in South America. Furthermore, it has been a full-season cycle since I've lived in New York (I will always love you, NYC). Phew! Time flies! Aside from that, I wanted to reflect on the lessons learned regarding teaching English to native Spanish speakers in Colombia. Before we get started, If you would like to subscribe to my newsletter and receive more information, click here!
Note: To my English-language learners reading this blog, I will bold and color red the words/phrases that may be new to you. I will include a glossary at the end with its translation.🙂
If I had a dime every time people have said to me,”I understand English but I cannot speak it!" or "Entiendo inglés pero no lo hablo," or "me da pena hablar inglés."
There are so many reasons why and how that happens. After years of teaching history to English language learners, I compiled a list of things that may help those wanting to be fluent English speakers. We ought to teach the relation of the brain to learning new languages. We talk about culture, emotions, socioeconomic aspects, religions, etc., but we fail to include how brains learn a new language in our lessons. There is so much cross-cultural science (scientists from all over the world) behind this area of research, and it is fascinating! Learning about the brain and pedagogy is a learning curve, but I want to share what I have compiled thus far.
The list below is a straightforward list that puts the finger on what I want to communicate. These are tips and tricks to learn English based on what I have heard from people I have met from many parts of the world. This is also a list of reasons why you should join my Teaching History through English virtual classes (sign up to my newsletter to learn more). We will learn about different historical periods and practice our English skills, hold debates, exercise our brains, and meet new people! 🙂
Tips
- More than 50% of our learning comes from listening, but we need to STOP passive listening to TV shows, songs, and movies in English. This won't help much. How to actively engage in listening? See number 7.
- Reading in English helps, but do you know what can help more? Reading aloud!
See number 9. - Not being able to answer why speaking English is so important to you.
See number 11. - Choose classes or spaces where you can learn, grow, and enhance your personal interests or professional skills.
See number 12. - For adult learners, change is very uncomfortable and so are making "mistakes." No one wants to embarrass themselves…but also, who cares? Get out there!
See number 12. - When you hear something you fully understand in English, REPEAT IT! This will be rewarding and you will feel accomplished.
See number 9. - Listen to a song, movie dialogue, and/or TV show episode and write down everything you understand, then compare it to the real script. You’ll be surprised how much you know.
- Learn vocabulary related to your interests or your career, this can serve as great motivation!
See number 12. - Sounds and phonological elements are crucial. Sing or read aloud in front of the mirror! Notice how your mouth moves when you pronounce certain words and repeat them (be certain it's the right pronunciation).
- Know that learning a new language involves activating different parts of the brain that have to do with phonology (sounds), lexicon (vocab), orthography (writing), syntax (grammar), and pragmatics (social talk). Practice all.
- Make a list of five reasons you want to speak English. Be honest.
- Join my virtual history classes! We will learn about different historical periods along with English conversational and writing skills.
Benefits of speaking English
- New neural pathways are created when you learn a new skill or a new language.
- Activates the white matter that communicates the brain's left and right hemispheres.
- Depending on the age, a new language is acquired–such will be stored in a different part of your brain (making it stronger).
- Bigger and stronger brain muscle–which leads to activation of other parts of the brain.
- Builds muscle memory.
- Access to the best universities and scholarships from around the world.
- Access to knowledge. Most important literary and scientific works from around the world will almost always have an English translation.
- Over 55% of websites are in English. That's a lot!
- Love to travel? English is the international language for business, pleasure, academics, and more. Expand your network with people from all over the world!
Fun fact: Humans aren't the only animal species that are bilingual, per se. Other animals from the animal kingdom use different pitches, sounds, or other cues at a time to communicate. Whales and dolphins, for example, use different pitches depending on the information trying to convey.
Glossary
- If I had a dime- es un dicho que expresa una ocurrencia frecuente de algo
- learning curve- curva de apredizaje, algo complejo de aprender
- Put the finger on- poder identificar algo con certeza
- Compiled- compilar
- Aloud- en voz alta
- Enhance- mejorar
- Embarrass- vergüenza
- Get out there- salir de tu zona de confort
Do you love the humanities, academic talks, learning history, AND also want to practice English? This is for you. I will be launching classes for history enthusiasts this month, and I am so excited! If you would like to subscribe to my newsletter and receive more information, click here!
