Hello everyone, welcome back to another episode of Binge-Watching to Bilingual.
I’m
Allen, and today, we're diving deeper into a topic we started last time.
In our previous episode, we touched on a new perspective I gained from Ella, a
favorite YouTuber of mine, particularly about her approach to learning English. We
only skimmed the surface of a general system that you can utilize, focusing mainly
on how to enhance your input and ensure it's of high quality.
Most importantly, we need to discuss transforming valid input into meaningful
output. According to Ella, learning English involves two key components: input and
output. The quality of your output significantly depends on your input. Therefore,
to ensure high-quality output, we must first secure equally high-quality input.
Ella stresses a crucial approach marking the start of your English self-learning
journey: focus on the most essential 3000 words. This concept, advocated by several
dictionary publishers including the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
(LDOCE), is fundamental. Words like 'take', 'hang', 'get', 'work', 'help', and
'part', though simple and monosyllabic, can have up to 20-30 different meanings,
not to mention their use in various expressions and phrases.
It's said that these easily spelled yet challenging-to-master words make up 86% of
our daily conversations. Hence, prioritizing these 3000 words should be your main
goal, as you will frequently encounter them in daily English interactions. This
approach allows for immediate and consistent reinforcement as you start
understanding words and phrases that were previously unclear to you.
Now, how do we identify these 3000 words, and what tools should we use for
efficient and comprehensive learning? The answer lies with my all-time favorite,
the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. I discovered this resource through
Ella's videos, which highly recommend it for its detailed word explanations,
including those essential 3000 words.
Moving on, let's discuss practical channels for English learning. There are
numerous sources like TV series, novels, and podcasts. However, the medium is less
important than our approach. For instance, watching TV series can be engaging and
educational. But if we don't pay attention to unfamiliar words, we miss out on a
lot. Thus, Ella suggests turning on English subtitles, a strategy that might
contradict the advice of some English mentors who recommend avoiding subtitles.
Yet, without a decent understanding of what's being said, learning becomes
inefficient guesswork.
Focus should remain on the essential 3000 words, regardless of the learning
material. Avoid unnecessary guessing and overestimating your ability. Follow what
truly enhances your learning, ensuring that your input is as high-quality as
possible.
Now, let's talk about output, specifically writing and speaking. Realize that
output isn't just verbal; writing is equally crucial as it's often the precursor to
speaking. If your writing lacks fluency, you'll struggle in real-life
conversations. Oral communication can be seen as fast-paced, impromptu writing.
This perspective is comforting, even for advanced learners. Success in spoken
English comes from practice, not just innate ability. Therefore, prioritize
understanding and acquiring the essential 3000 words, gradually transforming your
input into output, starting with writing, from imitation to creation, and
eventually speaking.
Maintain this system: absorb and analyze new input and progress steadily rather
than rushing into speaking. Remember, every challenge is a stepping stone to
improvement. Embrace your learning journey with positivity and persistence.
Stay motivated, keep learning, and remember: every little progress counts. We're
all in this together, aiming for improvement day by day. So keep your spirits up
and your goals in sight.
That’s all for today. Keep pushing forward, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Goodbye!
