Basic English course for self-study. English from scratch: how to start learning successfully

There is so much information about English that it is easy to get confused!

Dear readers! I know from my own experience how difficult English is for beginners. And the point is not a lack of textbooks or information, but rather an excess of them, information noise that is impossible to understand.

In this article, I have collected and systematized materials from the site that will be useful for beginners, those who are learning English from scratch. In these articles, I share my opinion on where to start learning a language, what online resources and books are best to use, where to find good video lessons, how to choose courses and where to find an online tutor.

Where to start learning English?

If you decide to learn English “from scratch,” then you need to go from simple to complex, from the most necessary to the rarer. First of all, try to lay the foundation for future knowledge and skills and learn the basics of the language. The most basic knowledge includes:

Having laid the foundation, you need to practice a lot and in a variety of ways in all types of speech activities: reading, listening, writing and speaking in English.

Actually, that's all. You've just taken a short course in language learning! The rest is details and particulars.

You can find the necessary materials both on this site (links above) and in textbooks and online training courses for beginners. I recommend that at the initial stage you study using a textbook for independent study (self-instruction manual). In my opinion, the most convenient way to learn the basics of a language is from a textbook, using interactive materials, such as vocabulary cards, as auxiliary materials.

You can also use mine as a tutorial.

What websites are there for English language beginners?

The main advantage of the textbook is that the material is presented in a methodically correct order, in convenient portions. You don’t have the feeling that you are wandering in the dark; the textbook literally leads you by the hand, giving extremely specific instructions. But in addition to textbooks, you can also study using educational programs - they contain a lot of audiovisual materials, and the learning process is built in a game form. The following sites are suitable for beginners:

“Teacher Method” – a step-by-step course for children and adults

“Teacher Method” is an interactive course for different levels, starting from almost zero. It includes courses of three difficulty levels for adults and children, as well as a separate children's course for the little ones.

In the course for beginners, learning begins with the alphabet, all explanations are made in the form of short videos in Russian with explanations from teachers, and tasks are given in the form of interactive exercises. The material is chewed down to the smallest detail. The service is paid, but is available free of charge in a limited form.

Lingvaleo is a service for self-learning English using:

The lesson plan is created automatically and looks like a list of “Today's tasks”, but it is not necessary to follow it. The site has a lot of audio, video and text materials of different levels of complexity - from simple to original materials of foreign TV, so it is suitable not only for lesson-based language learning, but also for practice in reading and listening. Most of the features are free, but for an additional fee you can purchase interactive courses (for example, grammar or English for children) and unlock some word learning modes.

Duolingo

A free interactive course, in which, like in the “Teacher Method”, you need to go from lesson to lesson. But there are almost no explanations here; training is built on a different principle. You need to complete tasks, studying the practical side of grammar and applying the vocabulary learned at the beginning of the lesson in practice: constructing and translating phrases. It is not advisable to take this course as a basis for learning English, but it is suitable as an auxiliary educational game.

English for beginners: free video lessons

Useful Internet resources are not limited to just educational sites. Fortunately, there are now a lot of useful, interesting and free video lessons. Lessons are available in both Russian and English.

For beginners, it is better to start with lessons in Russian. For example:

I believe that it is better for beginners to study with Russian-speaking teachers, and here’s why:

• He better understands the peculiarities of teaching Russian-speaking students.
• At the initial stage, it is better to explain tasks and rules in Russian.
• It will be too difficult for you to understand a teacher who does not speak Russian.

The principles of language learning are very simple and have been known for a long time.

1. Set specific and achievable goals

It is much more convenient to move towards a goal when it is marked than when it is an unclear fog over the horizon. Why did you decide to learn the language in the first place? To get a job as a chief engineer at New Development Engineering? To move in with your aunt in Sydney? Your goals will largely determine how you go about achieving them. For example, if you want to study at a foreign university, you will need to be able to write correctly, which is not so important for a trip to the USA under the Work and Travel program.

It is advisable to set short-term goals in addition to long-term goals. For example, complete lessons 1 – 6 in two weeks, learn 100 words in a week, read the first chapter of Harry Potter in a month, etc. No need to set unrealistic goals. It's better to take small steps, but without stopping.

2. Try to exercise regularly, preferably every day!

Ideally, you need to practice every day for 1-2 hours. In practice, not everyone will be able to do this, but if you really want to, you can set aside at least half an hour a day. The main thing is not to deceive yourself by coming up with excuses about lack of time and crazy busyness. It's okay if you watch half an hour less TV or get things done half an hour earlier.

Even if you are a businessman/supermodel/pizza delivery guy, finding at least 15 minutes a day in your crazy schedule is exactly 15 minutes better than 0 minutes. And don’t forget that you can listen to audio lessons while you’re dying of boredom in a traffic jam.

There is no need to organize crazy marathons once a month either. It is better to exercise for 30 minutes 7 times a week than 210 minutes once a week. What's the point of running a 3-4 hour marathon a day if everything is forgotten within a week?

3. Practice makes perfect

You don't need any great intelligence or talent to learn a language. You just need to practice regularly - that’s all. Pay attention to all aspects of the language: vocabulary, grammar, practice in reading, listening, speaking and writing - and everything will be ok. Don't get hung up on theory and try to practice more.

Language is a means of communication, transmission and perception of information, knowledge, and expression of emotions. They need to be used. Learning a language but not using it is like learning swimming from books without diving into the water. Read and listen more, don’t hesitate to communicate!

Many refer to the fact that it is necessary to first learn the rules of using the language, and then learn to write, read and speak.

There is also the opposite opinion - just like learning your native language, you first need to “create” a vocabulary, and then learn to read, speak and write.

Which method to choose is up to you. But the truth is unchanged, the main thing is to teach.

If you do not have any understanding of the language and your “zero”, i.e. Beginner, then it is better to start studying it with children's literature and textbooks for children 7-10 years old.

Unlike books for preschoolers, the information presented in them is not so primitive.

If your level is Elementary, which is no longer Beginner, but your maximum knowledge of the language is the phrase “London the capital of great Britain,” which is no longer small, but also not enough, you can start learning the language from books for older children.

However, in the first and second cases it is necessary to learn from the basics.

The main points of study are:

1. Grammar rules;
2. Creation and expansion of vocabulary.
3. Learning the rules of reading English

You should start working on reading rules. This is necessary in order to learn how to correctly pronounce sounds, with the peculiarities inherent in a given language.

You should also pay attention to mastering the rules of pronunciation of consonant and vowel letter combinations. Without this basic knowledge, you will not be able to read correctly.

Clarifying the pronunciation of words

In English, like in any other language, there are exceptions. Including the rules of reading and pronunciation of words. Many who came to English from other languages ​​do not obey any pronunciation rules.

Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to this category of words and learn their pronunciation, as they say, “by heart.”

Formation of vocabulary

Contrary to popular belief, you need to expand your vocabulary not by memorizing individual words, but by memorizing phrases and even entire sentences.

This method is the most effective and, due to the fact that the word is remembered in its context, allows you to learn not 30 words in the same time, as would be the case in the first case, but 2,3 or 4 times more.

Also, this technique also helps to remember several meanings of the same word at once.

You can start simple:

• Write down, translate into English and memorize your most common phrases and everyday sentences;
• Teach and children's;
• Learn in a foreign language.

Get yourself your own personal dictionary and write down the words and phrases you have learned in it. Create a special section with words that are difficult to memorize and pay more attention to it.

Studying grammar

Grammar is rightfully considered one of the most difficult sections in learning English. However, this opinion is wrong. There are not so many rules in English compared to others, which is why it received its status as a “language of international communication.”

However, the rules do not need to be memorized, they need to be understood. So instead of memorizing them, do as many practical grammar exercises as possible.

If you are tired of learning English for years?

Those who attend even 1 lesson will learn more than in several years! Surprised?

No homework. No cramming. No textbooks

From the course “ENGLISH BEFORE AUTOMATION” you:

• Learn to write competent sentences in English without memorizing grammar
• Learn the secret of a progressive approach, thanks to which you can reduce English learning from 3 years to 15 weeks
• You will check your answers instantly+ get a thorough analysis of each task
• Download the dictionary in PDF and MP3 formats, educational tables and audio recordings of all phrases

View news in English

In order to learn to understand English speech, you need to not only listen to it, but also read it. The easiest way is to read the news feed of one of the English newspapers.

This is useful not only from the point of view of learning the language, but also from the point of view of general development and knowledge of the world, as well as foreign culture. The news is written in accessible and simple language, it contains many frequently used words in everyday life, therefore, reading the news will be simple and useful for you.

Read simple texts

Reading is one of the main ways to learn any language. Speaking beautifully will help you. Of course, all the most beautiful phrases and phraseological units for beautiful speech are contained in classical literature.

However, to read it you need a large vocabulary, therefore, at the first stages of learning the language, read.

Install useful apps

Today, on the Internet, as well as in any mobile software store, there are many applications that allow you to learn English anywhere and at any time.

It is convenient because it is very simple and mobile. You can learn a language while waiting in line at the doctor's office, while commuting to work, or waiting for a friend in the park.

The most popular applications on the market are:

• Words– the goal is to increase vocabulary. The learning process takes place through various games, as well as interesting tasks aimed at memory training.
• Easy ten– the principle of operation of the application is similar to Words, but here, in addition to visual memorization of words, it is also possible to listen to them, which develops auditory memory.
• Busuu– the application allows you to study speech structures rather than individual words, which is considered a more effective way of memorizing a language and expanding your vocabulary. The application provides for the writing of short texts and their subsequent verification.
• Polyglot– the application has a rich base of teaching aids that accompany each task. The intended purpose is to study grammar, but also to expand vocabulary.
• English: speaking American– the purpose of this application is to increase your level of perception and understanding of English speech by listening to dialogues, composing and translating them.

Study online

The Internet can also be useful for learning English. On the World Wide Web, many sites are ready to open their pages to you, designed with the goal of helping you, for a reasonable fee, become a real polyglot.

An undeniable advantage of online resources for learning English is the inexpensive cost of subscription (about 1000 rubles per year) and a fairly extensive content of teaching aids: rules, tasks and games that will help, if not simplify the process of learning the language, then certainly make it more interesting.

The “top” online tutorials are:

1. Lingualeo– the resource contains many tasks and games, allowing you to create a personal program for learning the language. The intended purpose is to study English grammar, as well as develop vocabulary and skills in perceiving English speech.

1. Duolingo– the principle of operation of the resource is similar to Lingualeo. And the main purpose is the same - to study English grammar and consolidate the acquired knowledge. However, its advantage is the ability to study words not separately from each other, but in context, which is the most effective way to expand your vocabulary.

1. Puzzle-english is an online gaming resource for language learning, similar to Lingualeo and Duolingo. However, its intended purpose is to develop listening skills. In this regard, the main educational gaming content on the site are audio and video games.

Our century, rightfully, is considered a century of opportunities, in the field of education - first of all. All kinds of programs, tutorials, games and applications try to diversify the boring process of learning English and improve it.

The Internet is replete with various teaching aids available for download, and in any bookstore you will find many books on the English language.

Now you don’t need to visit expensive ones, it’s enough to have a goal, stock up on the necessary literature, in any format convenient for you, and consistently move towards your goal - to become a native speaker.

Learning a language on your own is both simple and difficult. Organize your classes correctly, choose the right methodology, find good textbooks and dictionaries - and learning can even turn into a hobby.

The habit of studying regularly will allow you, over time, to raise your level of knowledge above the level of many university graduates who do not study the language after graduation. When communicating with foreigners, expand your social circle. And when you achieve your goals, you can rightfully be proud of yourself.

Problems with self-studying English

Learning English on your own is an idea that has crossed many minds. But not everyone manages to realize it. Why?

The first problem is lack of control. Sometimes, in order not to miss a lesson, you even need willpower. Anything can distract you, from an interesting movie on TV to an invitation to go out with friends. Create a clear schedule for yourself and strictly follow it.

The next problem is errors. When learning a language on your own, you need to be very careful, sometimes even pedantic. If you make a mistake (even a minor one) while studying with a teacher, he will correct you. When you learn on your own, there is no one to correct you, and an incorrectly memorized construction will “take root” in speech and writing. Relearning is more difficult than learning.

Making a class schedule

Create a study schedule that is easy for you to follow. It is advisable to practice daily, for an hour - an hour and a half with a break of 5-10 minutes. Your schedule will likely vary, but follow the principle of “it's better to do a little bit of often than a lot of little time.” Exercising 20 minutes every day for two weeks will be more beneficial than one five-hour “assault.” Hang the schedule in a visible place at home.

Defining the goal

Define a goal and direct all efforts towards achieving it. Why do you need English? Conduct correspondence with business partners? Do you want to read your favorite books in the original? Communicate via the Internet? Or maybe go abroad to work?

In class, combine reading, writing, grammar exercises and develop the ability to express your thoughts. And focus on what you need and what you like. If you want to learn to speak, speak more, etc. Then the fruits of your labors - skills and knowledge - will inspire you to conquer new heights.

Choosing an approach

In order to create the optimal training program for yourself, you will have to become a teacher for a short time and become familiar with the methodology.

There are two main approaches to language learning: “traditional” and “communicative”.

The traditional approach is a combination of audiolingual and grammatical translation methods.

If you studied a foreign language at school, then you “know it by sight” grammar-translation method. Grammar exercises, retelling texts (and sometimes even memorizing them), expanding your vocabulary with word lists, and translations, translations, translations. Of course, talented teachers expanded the list of activities in the lessons and could interest students. But these are just a few. In most cases, the method was not worth the effort.

Audiolingual method much more effective than the previous one. It was fully implemented in language laboratories - and today you can buy discs with recordings of exercises. Training consists of listening and reproducing dialogues - on their basis, grammar is studied and pronunciation is “studied”. If you want to learn to speak as quickly as possible, look for good English courses on CD.

Communicative approach combines methods that use exercises that are unusual for graduates of Soviet schools: games, debates, tasks to find errors, comparisons, and analysis of situations. This approach is one of the most effective today. He doesn't just teach the language - he teaches how to use the language. Choose a textbook developed based on the communicative method.

Textbooks, dictionaries and your other tools

If you have already learned English before, the first thing you need to do now is to assess your level using tests. Don’t overestimate it - it’s better to repeat what you know again than to get stuck on the third page of an incorrectly selected tutorial.

Choose a textbook that contains not only standard exercises, but also creative, unusual tasks that implement a communicative approach to learning. The more interesting the textbook is, the less likely you are to encounter the first problem of independent learning: “I’ll study, but not today, but tomorrow.” “Tomorrow” rarely comes the next day.

Feel free to pass by books, CDs and tapes with titles like “English in a month!” If everything were so simple, everyone would have known the language long ago.

Whatever your goals in learning English, you will need a very good dictionary. The Internet will not help here - the vocabulary of online resources will not be enough for you.

It is convenient to work with a thick, small-format dictionary, which cannot be said about publications larger than a landscape format. We advise you to buy a dictionary of general vocabulary for fifty thousand words, no less (more is better). Please note: a good publication always contains examples of the use of words.

Try to choose the most recent edition possible so as not to waste time and effort on memorizing outdated words that have gone out of use. Another argument for a “fresh dictionary”: in publications compiled in the first half of the last century, you will not find many words that have long become part of our speech. It is convenient to use a dictionary with small print - do not let this moment confuse you when choosing. A dictionary is your permanent assistant in learning a language; don’t spare money on it.

Be sure to use audio materials and courses on CD: as we have already said, they will help you improve your pronunciation, expand your vocabulary and learn to speak English. Even if these are not primary tasks, listening to dialogues adds variety to the learning process. And the more interesting the classes, the better the results.

One option for learning a language on your own is to use materials from the online course program. During distance learning, you will be sent assignments by email, you will complete them, send them to the teacher, and after checking, he will point out errors. Taking such courses will help you be disciplined and learn not to miss classes. This is a good option for beginners.

Large bookstores now have books in English, adapted for readers of different levels. The required level of knowledge is often indicated right on the cover. By reading books, you will expand your vocabulary, learn to construct sentences, and develop literacy and a sense of language.

Watching films in the original is a real pleasure. Buy films that have an audio track in English and subtitles. If your level does not yet allow you to understand complex dialogues, start with cartoons. They usually use simple vocabulary. Watch at first several times with subtitles, pause if you come across an unfamiliar word. For each movie, make a small dictionary, writing down unfamiliar words as you watch the movie. Please note: there are films where the characters speak quite clearly (for example, The Hot Chick, Chick) and those where the speech is difficult to understand (Back to the Future, Back to the Future).

Use the Internet while learning a language - it provides simply amazing opportunities. Using Skype you can talk with native speakers; in the livejournal.com service you can start a blog in English or simply read online diaries of Americans and British. Social networks, forums, chats - use them and get the maximum benefit. Do you like to cook? Look for recipes in English, try to cook according to them. The language should be useful to you - otherwise, why learn it?

Techniques and exercises for self-learning a language

We offer several English learning techniques that can help you.

• Find the lyrics of your favorite songs in English, translate, learn and sing along with the performer.
• Spend your holiday in a country where English is spoken: combine useful language practice with an enjoyable holiday.
• Try to start thinking in English, comment on actions, events, daily occurrences to yourself.
• Study the culture: This will be useful if you want to travel to a country where English is spoken. Find out what is valuable to the people you will interact with. For example, find as detailed a biography of Winston Churchill as possible - it is similar to the plot of an exciting book. Read about it (ideally in English, but it all depends on your level of language proficiency). Not interested in politics? Read, watch films about key moments in history, outstanding figures of art, science, the development of fashion, automotive industry, social phenomena and customs of countries.

Learning a language is interesting. You didn't know?

Today, there are several ways to learn English: in courses, in a group, with the help of English self-teachers, individually with a tutor, or directly in a language environment. Let's take a closer look at some of them.

Learning English: online vs. offline

Language classes

By choosing this option, you will definitely improve your communication skills; when communicating in a group, you will be able to improve your teamwork skills by applying the learned material in dialogues with participants. It is suitable for people who are unashamed and open to new acquaintances. However, when preparing for an interview or working in an IT company, this option is not suitable.

Individually with a teacher

For people with more specific goals. The student is given all the time during the lesson, and a good teacher finds an approach to anyone, even the shyest quiet person. Of course, finding a suitable teacher quickly may not be easy. Also, the latter may use outdated teaching methods or Soviet-era textbooks. As a result, you risk ending up cramming the material without putting it into practice. Plus, this type of training is not cheap at all and requires a lot of time - you need to get to the tutor (or the tutor to you). Not everyone will agree to this, getting stuck and nervous in traffic jams.

Learning English via Skype

Today, more and more people are choosing this option. First of all, I would like to emphasize the quality of training. After all, in the online English language school, all teachers have specialized education and extensive work experience, constantly improve their skills and use only new teaching aids. Such teachers will choose the right pace of language learning for you, a convenient time and place. You can study on vacation, abroad, on the street, in the entrance, etc. You will definitely be able to set aside an hour for class and study productively. More information about learning English via Skype in EnglishDom.

Self-study of English

This method is suitable for those who have good self-discipline, willpower and great motivation, since everyone sooner or later begins to be lazy. But when you belong to yourself, you can either speed up or slow down, depending on the circumstances. You yourself choose what to focus on and what type of English tutorial to choose. Nowadays, there are a huge variety of them: video channels, books, specialized websites, adapted fiction books, audio lessons, etc. In addition, this method does not require investing money, you can save and acquire new knowledge absolutely free via the Internet, however, you will have to put a significant amount of effort into selecting the appropriate textbook and drawing up a plan for your classes. Also, when learning English from self-teaching books, you understand that no one will check your mistakes and help you correct them. For example, it happens that by making an insignificant blot, a student gets used to using it in speech, and it becomes much more difficult to relearn how to use a phrase or word correctly.

English tutorials

One of the best options is Basic English course. K.E. Eckersley. The main emphasis in this textbook is on oral and written communication. Thanks to this book, you will be able to gain systematized knowledge, since each new topic is given along with a repetition of the previous material. The book also comes with a CD where you can listen to live speech and learn how to pronounce words correctly. The tutorial contains many interesting and funny stories, examples + everything is described in great detail. Unfortunately, the entire textbook is in black and white, so the illustrations may cause slight boredom. If you are a visual person or just a lover of bright pictures and this is critical for you, then don’t rush. The textbook is definitely suitable for those who do not like grammar, since there is not much of it here, and for those who are learning English for everyday communication.

"English language. Intensive course" from Chernenko D.V.— relevant if you love grammar (or feel the need to improve it) and want to understand all the intricacies of using tenses. Here, all the grammar is analyzed in detail and clearly, the book also contains many useful exercises, and at the end there are answers, and you can test yourself, or, as a last resort, if the task suddenly turns out to be too difficult, peek at the answer. But still, it is better to take such an English language tutorial for beginners with one additional one, because studying grammar alone obviously cannot help you speak fluently.

For beginners to comprehend the nuances of the language and those who want to use English words in speech, it’s suitable “English language self-teacher: modern methods of intensive teaching” by Kulish V.G. Here the transcription is given in Russian letters, so even beginners will feel comfortable. There are only three parts to the tutorial. In the first you will get acquainted with English words and their pronunciation, in the second - with grammar, and in the third you will find dialogues and situations on various topics. The textbook contains plenty of exercises, which also have answers, and all words that must be memorized are marked with a special sign. A small drawback of the textbook is the construction itself, because each type of task is presented separately and not as a whole, which, in turn, is aggravated by the lack of sound.

Educational video channels for self-studying English

As you know, spending time on the Internet can and should be useful. The resource of various YouTube video materials is simply irreplaceable in this matter. It's interesting to listen to a person who really knows what he's talking about. This will help you in your studies and will certainly expand your knowledge of English. It is recommended to immediately get a notepad and write down information that is important to you. Below is a list of useful channels to explore:

Anglo-Link The main feature of the channel is that it is completely systematized by levels of knowledge and is perfect as an English language tutorial for both beginners and advanced ones. Short videos will help you improve your vocabulary and make listening easier.

BBC Learning English On this channel you can watch a video where ordinary passers-by in London are asked various questions and they happily answer them. Excellent practice in listening to pleasant British speech. The site is filled with various entertaining videos + the channel has a special series for English learners.

EnglishDom Our channel is constantly updated with content, there are lessons and webinars from both Russian-speaking teachers and native speakers, and situational videos will help you understand the intricacies of the English language.

EngVid . Learn English with Ronnie Ronnie's channel contains many videos about the intricacies of grammar. All information is presented with humor in an easy and accessible manner.

JenniferESL An excellent channel that gives you the opportunity to systematize your English studies and develop your language skills. Teacher Jennifer reveals the secrets of correct pronunciation, improving the quality of spoken language, and working on grammar.

Private English Portal Teacher Steve has extensive experience in the field of education. Watching his videos, I believe that English lessons can be really simple and understandable for everyone. This, in fact, is the main advantage of the channel, which is suitable for users of any age and level of English proficiency.

PodEnglish The authors of this channel use five-minute thematic videos, which include three stages: watch, learn, try, which is why any phrase, word or idiom is remembered. It contains a variety of topics, from simple ones like the weather or greeting people, to more complex ones like discussing finances or politics.

Real English The videos on this channel provide an opportunity to learn how speech sounds in everyday life and what phrases native speakers use most often. You will also be able to check how you have mastered the material - on the video page there is a link to a website where you can practice and consolidate what you have learned by doing a couple of exercises.

Speak English with Misterduncan One of the very first channels that can be used as an English tutorial. The British Misterduncan delights his subscribers with videos about colloquial speech and British slang, about everyday phrases and the everyday life of just an Englishman.

Interactive English courses for self-study

After watching a variety of videos, you will probably want to diversify your activities a little. This is where interactive courses come in handy.

- just by registering, a cheerful robot assistant, Robi, will be waiting for you in your personal account, who will tell you where to start, and will also motivate you and help monitor your progress. In the vocabulary section, you can play a word memory game, listen to audio recordings, and practice spelling. The “Phrase Book” section will offer you to familiarize yourself with the most common, voiced phrases.

In addition to all the described English tutorials, you can also visit conversation clubs in your city or, sitting comfortably at home, visit a conversation club from EnglishDom, where you choose a teacher (native speaker or Russian speaker) and a topic (general English, basic errors, idioms and phrasal verbs etc.). All conversation club classes are held in an entertaining atmosphere with immersion in the language environment.

Learn English on your own using video

Ted- a site with short videos where native speakers talk about science, technology, psychology, economics and other topics. Short lectures are available for viewing with subtitles in several languages, including Russian or English.

Screen Rant is an excellent YouTube channel where creators post unique videos: movie bloopers of popular TV series and films, jokes and facts about different films. Each video comes with good subtitles, so you can easily understand what is being said in the video.

EnglishDom. Practicum- here you can watch a fascinating video on various topics, everyone can choose a video to their liking and level of knowledge, and there is also the opportunity to perform several exercises after watching, look through a selection of interesting expressions from the video with translation into Russian.

Teach yourself or turn to a pro?

Of course, choosing just one English language tutorial is almost impossible. It would be wise to diversify your activities by choosing several options and combining them effectively. Almost all English language tutorials are available at any time of the day and anywhere, so improve your English in a way convenient for you and gain knowledge. We hope that this selection of tutorials will help you improve your knowledge of the English language on your own. We also invite you to individual English lessons via Skype - training begins with a free introductory lesson. Learn and be happy with yourself

Big and friendly EnglishDom family

Self-studying English is a rather labor-intensive but inexpensive way to master the language, which has its pros and cons. In this case, you choose the main source of information - it can be the Internet, educational games, an English language tutorial, a phrasebook, books (adapted or in the original), songs. There are many online services for beginners and intermediates.

Perhaps, but this type of training has its own characteristics that must be taken into account. Language acquisition includes 4 components: reading, writing, speaking (speaking) and listening (listening).

Reading

Reading- one of the types of speech activity, a complex process of decoding symbols aimed at understanding the text. One of the forms of linguistic communication between people using printed and handwritten texts. Reading can also be considered as a wonderful tool for mastering a language, because in texts there are many unfamiliar words and words already familiar to us. Some words are ambiguous and their meaning is easier to remember in context. All this allows you not only to increase your vocabulary, but also to repeat previously learned grammatical structures. In order to ensure that working on the text does not turn into an impossible task, it is very important to select the text in accordance with your language level.

Letter

Letter- this is one of the types of speech activity, symbolic fixation of speech using special symbols (letters, hieroglyphs, drawings). Mastery of written language occurs gradually. To practice writing, you can use the following: forms of work:

• Rewriting text;
• Training dictations;
• Writing letters, essays.

Reading and writing are interconnected types of speech activity. Writing is a kind of encoding of information using symbols, and reading is the decoding of these symbols.

Oral speech

To master oral speech, you must have skills in voicing expressions, skills in using lexical units, and grammatical skills to correctly formulate sentences. In other words, in order to say something, you need to know the words required by a given situation, be able to pronounce them correctly and construct a sentence in accordance with the rules of the language. In addition to words, there are speech patterns, stable expressions that are often used in oral speech. Therefore, to master oral speech, you need not only to remember a certain number of individual words and expressions, but also to bring their use to automatism.

Listening to speech (listening)

Listening is the process of listening and understanding spoken expressions. The mechanism of this process includes:

• Perception of streams of sounds and recognition of words, sentences, paragraphs, etc. in them.
• Understanding the meaning of words, sentences, paragraphs. If you already have some speech experience, then this process is enhanced by predicting the content of what was said.

To understand English by ear, you need to listen as often as possible! You can communicate with other people in English (preferably with foreigners), talk on the phone, listen to music, watch videos, TV series.

Learning a foreign language not only develops memory and thinking, but also increases IQ level.

Where to start learning a language on your own?

When learning a foreign language on your own, your success will directly depend on the correctness of the chosen approach to learning.
It is necessary to adhere to the correct sequence of studying the material - from simple to complex. It is recommended to study topics in the following order:

• English alphabet (sounds and letters of the alphabet).
• Transcription.
• Reading rules.
• Vocabulary by topic (accumulation of vocabulary).
• Grammar.

Each of these components is important, so you cannot miss anything, because all these points are closely interrelated. Remember that without correct pronunciation it will be difficult to understand you. Even after learning the entire dictionary, you will not speak, because sentences are built according to certain rules, and to construct them correctly you need at least basic knowledge of grammar, because speech is not just a set of words.

When studying on your own, it is very important to check the correctness of your pronunciation. This can be done using online dictionaries. Click on the "horn" to hear how the word is pronounced. For example, you can use the sites Lingvo.ru or Howjsay.com. If you are working on a text, use Google Translator to listen to the entire text.

In learning vocabulary (replenishing your vocabulary), you should also adhere to a certain order. Start learning vocabulary with simple and more commonly used words and expressions on a specific topic. To do this, you can use the Englishspeak.com service (100 lessons with vocabulary by topic and the opportunity to listen to it), the Studyfun.ru service (vocabulary by topic and the opportunity to listen to it), a phrasebook (be careful - transliteration (English words in Russian letters) does not reveal the features English pronunciation!), self-teachers (their advantage is that in one lesson there are exercises on pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary for the lesson, texts for reading, colloquial phrases on topics). News lovers can use the news portal Newsinlevels.com, where the presentation of information depends on your level of English. It is important that each news is accompanied by an audio recording.

Knowledge of grammar is no less important than vocabulary. If you really want to, you can learn any rule, but in order for working on the rule not to seem overwhelmingly difficult, your task is not to learn (memorize) the rule, but to understand it. If this rule involves the use of tenses, passive voice, conditional sentences, etc., understand the rule in your “native” language. For example, change the same sentence so that it corresponds to the tense forms of the English language, but compose the sentence in Russian (you can make changes). Then in English:

• In the summer we love to sunbathe on the beach (in general we love it - the present simple tense).
• Now we are sunbathing on the beach - (present continuous tense).
• - You look like boiled crayfish! - Of course, I was on the beach all day! (looks like a crayfish now because I was on the beach – simple perfect tense).
• We have been sunbathing on the beach since three o'clock (we have been sunbathing for 3 hours and are still going on - present perfect continuous tense).
• When we were little, we loved sunbathing on the beach (past simple tense).
• Yesterday we sunbathed all day (past continuous tense).
• When he came to us, we were already on the beach (two actions in the past, one of which happened earlier - past perfect tense).
• We sunbathed on the beach all day until he came! (the action lasted until a certain point in the past).
• Tomorrow we'll go to the beach! (future simple tense).
• And tomorrow at the same time we will already be sunbathing! (action in the future that will take some time - future continuous tense).
• In a week I will definitely finish writing my essay about summer! (the essay will be written at a certain moment in the future - future perfect tense).
• I will play volleyball on the beach until my parents follow me! (an action that will last in the future until a certain moment - future perfect continuous tense).

A good start does not always guarantee a good ending, so you need to approach the organization of independent studies responsibly. Remember that you need this first of all, and all control over the progress of the enterprise and its results rests with you!

1. Exercise regularly.
2. Depending on the results you want to achieve and the time frame for achieving them, set for yourself a mandatory duration of classes (for example, at least an hour and at least 3 times a week).
3. Everyone’s work speed is different, so you set the ideal learning rhythm for yourself (for example, 30 minutes a day).
4. Choose tasks of your level to avoid disappointment in yourself and your abilities. If you already have some knowledge, you can rewrite short texts, translate texts or articles, find yourself an interlocutor (on the Internet or in real life) to practice your speaking skills (or written, for example, a pen pal).
5. All acquired knowledge should be immediately applied in practice, while trying to use all words and grammatical structures in oral and written speech.
6. Learning a foreign language is mostly cramming, which is hated by many, but you can’t do without it (for example, learning vocabulary)! But even in cramming you can find logic - for example, some words are international, so memorizing them based on the similarity of their sounds in your native language will facilitate the process of memorizing them.
7. Repetitio est mater studiorum (Repetition is the mother of learning). Be sure to take the time to review the material you’ve covered until it’s stuck in your head... forever. You will not be able to achieve the desired result by saving time on repetition. After all, repetition is one of the main conditions for memorizing and mastering material. Repetition specifically affects long-term memory, helping to retain information for a long time. Correct repetition of learned material improves its retention and facilitates its subsequent reproduction.

What can interfere with independent language learning?

« False" motivation, or lack of proper motivation. Ask yourself the question “Why am I learning a language?” If the answer is for yourself, it’s fashionable, to get a job, then you are unlikely to achieve significant results. Why? Because you may (and most likely) won’t need it for yourself, and learning a language is a labor-intensive process; it’s fashionable – fashion changes, and so do languages. To get a job, the employer needs a qualified worker now, and not necessarily in you, when you learn the language.

Formulate a specific goal, preferably of a practical nature, even if a trip abroad is not in the cards in the near future. For example: learning a language develops my intellectual abilities, by learning a language I develop my personal and communication skills, I can expand access to the information I need, because there is more of it in English; I want to watch movies and TV series in English, I want to communicate with foreigners, etc.

Typical beginner mistakes are:

Kato Lomb (8 February 1909 – 9 June 2003)- a famous Hungarian translator and writer who has worked as a simultaneous interpreter since the 1950s.

She spoke, read and wrote fluently in Hungarian, Russian, English, French, and German. She could express herself and understand Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, and Polish. With a dictionary I read in Bulgarian, Danish, Romanian, Slovak, Ukrainian, Latin, Polish. She is a physicist and chemist by education, but already in her youth she was interested in languages, which she studied on her own.

Kato Lomb outlined her method of learning foreign languages ​​in the book "How I learn languages".

Kato Lomb summarized her approach to learning languages ​​in the 10 Commandments:

1. 1. Practice your language daily. At least 10 minutes, even if there is no time at all. It is especially good to exercise in the morning.
   2. If the desire to study weakens too quickly, do not “force” it, but do not give up studying either. Come up with some other form: put down the book and listen to the radio, leave the textbook exercises and look through the dictionary, etc.
   3. Never cram, never memorize anything in isolation from context.
   4. Write out of turn and memorize all the “ready-made phrases” that can be used in the maximum number of cases.
   5. Try to mentally translate everything you can: a flashing advertising sign, an inscription on a poster, snatches of conversations you accidentally overheard. This is a good exercise to keep your linguistic thinking in constant tone.
   6. It is worth learning firmly only what is absolutely correct. Do not re-read your own uncorrected exercises: when reading repeatedly, the text is involuntarily remembered with all possible errors. If you study alone, then learn only the ones you know are correct.
   7. Write down and remember ready-made phrases and idiomatic expressions in the first person, singular. For example: “I am only pulling your leg” (I’m just teasing you).
   8. A foreign language is a fortress that needs to be stormed from all sides at the same time: by reading newspapers, listening to the radio, watching undubbed films, attending lectures in a foreign language, working through a textbook, correspondence, meetings and conversations with friends who are native speakers.
   9. Don’t be afraid to speak, don’t be afraid of possible mistakes, but ask them to be corrected. And most importantly, don’t be upset or offended if they really start correcting you.
   10. Be firmly confident that you will achieve your goal no matter what, that you have an unbending will and extraordinary ability for languages. And if you have already lost faith in the existence of such things - (and rightly so!) - then think that you are simply a smart enough person to master such a small thing as a foreign language. And if the material still resists and your mood drops, then scold the textbooks - and rightly so, because there are no perfect textbooks! - dictionaries - and this is true, because comprehensive dictionaries do not exist - at worst, the language itself, because all languages ​​are difficult, and the most difficult of all is your native one. And things will work out.