My second language is English. Someone said, my writing is like a three year old. Yes, my English is very poor, especially the grammar, not as good as my Chinese. What is a good way to study English? Once, I went to a book fair, the bookseller told me, don't use Chinese thinking to study English, Chinese thinking translated to English equals Chinese English.
Friday, April 20, 2007
My Second Language
My second language is English. Someone said, my writing is like a three year old. Yes, my English is very poor, especially the grammar, not as good as my Chinese. What is a good way to study English? Once, I went to a book fair, the bookseller told me, don't use Chinese thinking to study English, Chinese thinking translated to English equals Chinese English.
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3 comments:
Betty,
The bookseller said something very interesting. If you want to speak another language, it is a good idea to learn how to "think" in that new language.
Thinking in a new language is difficult. The best way to do it is to read and speak to "native" speakers. If you read, you will learn a lot of grammar, vocabulary, and the way people use the language (it will also improve your writing, for all good writers are also good readers). It is also important to speak with "native" speakers. They will help you develop a "feeling" for the language.
You might also want to try this exercise: Try to think in your new language for a short time each day. I did this for awhile when I lived in Germany. I tried thinking in German for five minutes each day. It was not easy (at first). However, I began to gain more confidence as I got better at "thinking" in German.
One more thing.... "thinking" in a new language means that you start to use the language as a "native" speaker uses it. For example, I often hear level 1 students say things like "I very like it." I think that this is an example of "Chinese English." I tell them that Americans say "I like it a lot." As students begin to read more (and speak with "native" speakers of English), they learn that Americans say "a lot" more than "very" when they like something. They then can take a step away from "Chinese English" and move towards a more "American English."
Learning a new language is a long journey. But like all journeys, it begins with a lot of little steps.
You are a very good student, Betty! Please keep writing on your blog! Your blog is one of the best blogs I have seen! You have a talent for simple, well written statements about what is happening around you (you have a very good writing style). Keep up the great work!
Teacher Rob,
Thank you for your advice.
People should read this.
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