I had been studying English as my second language for a long time. Yet, I feel so much frustration with my English. Compare to my mother tongue, English is still foreign to me. So, I took a radical action last year. I made English my first language. Living in a non English speaking country, this is an ultimate choice for me.
I got an idea several years ago that it is possible to live in a country without using the local language at all by observing one of my American friends. He used to live in my town without using the local language at all because his wife handled all the things where the local language was needed. Also, he was expected to speak only English as an English teacher. Furthermore, he himself didn't seem interested in acquiring the local language at all. I was shocked to know that it is possible not to acquire the local language after living more than five years.
I had a belief that if I lived in an English speaking country for several years, I could easily acquire the language. Probably, that's not true. The reason is that I already have a language. Like my friend, it is possible for me not to acquire English after living in an English speaking country more than five years.
So, what are the real keys for acquiring English? First of all, I need full engagement with English. Secondly, I need to totally immerse myself with English. It's not easy but the language acquisition itself is not a complicated process. If you have an engagement and enough immersion, then you will get the language. It's that simple.
The question was "Why don't I get it yet?" Then, I noticed that it was my native tongue that got in the way. Think this way. I am right handed and trying to make it left handed. Whenever I try to train my left hand, I feel strong urge to use my right hand. Because it's much easier for me to use my right hand. Then, I often miss an opportunity to train my left hand. The same thing happens to my English. I've been missing many opportunities of my improving English because of my mother tongue. Think this. If I cut my right hand, there is no choice for me but to use my left hand. Naturally, my left hand will become skillful.
This is how I came to the conclusion that I should stop using my mother tongue. It is a radical idea, I agree. But it is true that my mother tongue impedes improving my English for sure. It eliminate so much opportunities for me. So, I cut off my mother tongue. I made English my first language.
I did several things to make English my first language. I unsubscribed my newspaper. I stopped watching TV. I don't hang out with my friends who don't speak in English. I spend most of time alone. Reading only English books. Watching English TVs and movies on Netflix and Youtube. Writing a blog in English and shooting Youtube videos in English. Thinking anything in English.
So, I changed my language. Why? Because it seems to be the only way to really get the language and I really want it.
I had a belief that if I lived in an English speaking country for several years, I could easily acquire the language. Probably, that's not true. The reason is that I already have a language. Like my friend, it is possible for me not to acquire English after living in an English speaking country more than five years.
So, what are the real keys for acquiring English? First of all, I need full engagement with English. Secondly, I need to totally immerse myself with English. It's not easy but the language acquisition itself is not a complicated process. If you have an engagement and enough immersion, then you will get the language. It's that simple.
The question was "Why don't I get it yet?" Then, I noticed that it was my native tongue that got in the way. Think this way. I am right handed and trying to make it left handed. Whenever I try to train my left hand, I feel strong urge to use my right hand. Because it's much easier for me to use my right hand. Then, I often miss an opportunity to train my left hand. The same thing happens to my English. I've been missing many opportunities of my improving English because of my mother tongue. Think this. If I cut my right hand, there is no choice for me but to use my left hand. Naturally, my left hand will become skillful.
This is how I came to the conclusion that I should stop using my mother tongue. It is a radical idea, I agree. But it is true that my mother tongue impedes improving my English for sure. It eliminate so much opportunities for me. So, I cut off my mother tongue. I made English my first language.
I did several things to make English my first language. I unsubscribed my newspaper. I stopped watching TV. I don't hang out with my friends who don't speak in English. I spend most of time alone. Reading only English books. Watching English TVs and movies on Netflix and Youtube. Writing a blog in English and shooting Youtube videos in English. Thinking anything in English.
So, I changed my language. Why? Because it seems to be the only way to really get the language and I really want it.
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