How to start learning English from scratch: 5 easy steps

 

Learning English from scratch can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’ve never had any experience of learning a foreign language before. However, don’t worry, we are here to help you. In this blog, we will share 5 easy steps with you to help you start your English language journey.

Step 1: Set the target:
The first and most important step is setting a goal. Determine why you want to learn English and what you would like to achieve. For example, it could be to enhance career opportunities, travel, or simply for personal development. Make sure your goal is clear and specific.

Step 2: Find the right learning materials:
The next step is to choose the right learning materials. Look for books, online courses, apps, or resources that match your goals and starting level. Pay attention to ratings and reviews to choose quality content that will be of interest to you.

Step 3: Create a regular practice:
The key to learning English is regular practice. Find time each day to practice and try to stick to that schedule. Be patient and don’t be afraid to make mistakes – that’s part of the learning process.

Step 4: Find a language partner:
Stay motivated and improve your speaking skills by finding yourself a language partner. It could be a friend, a neighbor, or even an online community where you can communicate in English. Regular communication in English will help you overcome the language barrier and increase your self-confidence.

Step 5: Interpret English culture:
Reading, watching movies and listening to audio materials in English will help you develop your vocabulary and better understand the culture of English-speaking countries. Incorporate English into your daily life to immerse yourself in the language.

Conclusion:
Learning English from scratch is possible if you apply these 5 easy steps to your life. Remember that the important point is constant practice.

Features of learning different foreign languages

 

Learning foreign languages can be an exciting adventure that opens doors to new cultures, travel opportunities, and expands our horizons. However, each language has its own unique features that require a specific approach and understanding.

One of the first things we encounter when learning a foreign language is its grammar. Grammar rules can be similar or vastly different from those we are accustomed to in our native language. Therefore, it is important to dedicate time to learning the basic rules and practice applying them.

Another vital aspect of a foreign language is pronunciation. Sounds and intonations in different languages can vary significantly from our native language. To achieve good pronunciation, it is necessary to listen and repeat words and phrases, paying attention to the nuances of their pronunciation.

Additionally, every language has its own unique culture and traditions. Understanding cultural aspects helps us fully comprehend the meaning and context of foreign expressions. Learning about the culture and traditions of the country where the language is spoken allows us to delve deeper into the language and become more proficient in communication.

The challenges and intricacies of learning each foreign language can be both fascinating and demanding. However, with enough patience, persistence, and practice, we can achieve great results and master a new language.

Going to talk about the difficulties of learning Russian

Today we are going to talk about the difficulties of learning Russian.
-Word stress
The word stress in Russian is flexible, i. e., any syllable can be stressed. The difficulty is that some words have the same spelling but different meanings. The meaning of the word depends on the stress.

For example,
зАмок (a castle)- замОк (a lock)
заплачУ (I will pay) – заплАчу (I will cry)

-Grammatical case
A grammatical case is a grammatical category of some parts of speech, which helps to grammatically combine words in a sentence . There are 6 cases in the Russian language, each of these has its specific questions and endings. The complexity arises from the need to ensure agreement between case endings in a sentence.

For example,
У меня нет белОГО котА (I don’t have a white cat)

белОГО котА (a white cat) is in the genitive case, however, beginner students of Russian often forget to modify ending of an adjective to agree with a noun.

-Verbal aspect
There are two verbal aspects in Russian: perfective and imperfective (совершенный и несовершенный).

While explaining this grammar topic, the focus is on the following: verbs of the imperfective aspect show the duration of a repeated action that is not yet completed. In contrast, verbs of the perfective aspect show the result of an action.

For example,
Я быстро читаю. (несовершенный вид)
I read fast. (imperfective aspect).

Я быстро прочитал. (совершенный вид)
I read quickly. (perfective aspect)

⁃ Lexical-semantic group
Russian is a rich language. It has similar words, which differ in their meanings and context of use.

Examples of verbs:
применять (to apply), использовать (to use), употреблять (to utilize).

To sum up, here are some final tips for learning Russian successfully.
1. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Even Russian native speakers make mistakes.
2. Don’t concentrate only on grammar. Start speaking!
3. Read in Russian.
4. Watch some films and videos in Russian that you find interesting.
5. Listen to music in Russian.
6. Don’t believe and NEVER say that you can’t learn Russian just because it’s considered difficult!

WHY LEARN A SECOND FOREIGN LANGUAGE?

Benefits of learning multiple languages
Expanding horizons.
Language is a reflection of the culture of the country and the mentality of its inhabitants. By studying a foreign language, we begin to better understand its speakers, learn how social contacts are built in another country, learn to interact with people whose thinking and perception of the world differs from ours. Learning a language necessarily includes familiarity with the history, geography, art and traditions of another country. This broadens the horizon, makes a person more flexible, allows you to look at the world more widely.

brain development
During the study of a foreign language, new neural connections are created in the brain, the volume of gray matter grows, memory and attention improve. The more languages a person learns, the faster and better he solves intellectual problems.

Help in learning your native language

Mastering foreign languages helps to understand the system, structure and rules of the native language.

When is a second language useful?
To study abroad

Education in European countries, as a rule, takes place in their native languages, while foreigners can receive free higher education by successfully passing language tests. There are also English-language programs in European countries, but they are paid, so it is more profitable to learn, for example, German, which will allow you to enter and study for free at universities in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

For career growth

Knowledge of a second language significantly expands the opportunities to build a career in Armenia and abroad. There are many companies from Germany, France, Spain operating in the Armenian market, and knowledge of the relevant language in addition to English gives the applicant a great advantage.

In addition, knowledge of a second language significantly increases the salary of translators, managers of foreign economic activity, secretaries-referents.

How to choose a second language
When choosing a second language, you need to focus on three main criteria:

interests and inclinations;
future plans;
perspective of the language.

German (59% of vacancies);
French (14%);
Italian (11%);
Chinese (5%);
Spanish (4%).

You can focus not only on the demand for the language among employers, but also on its prevalence in the world. The world’s leading languages are Chinese, English, Spanish and Arabic.