How can I improve my English?

Question

I'm an Italian girl, I'm fourteen years old, and I started to learn English 9 years ago...People say that I'm quite good but I want to be better.I'm thinking of spending a few months in the UK but where can I go?And which books are better to improve my English?(I red something by Shakespeare and William Blake...but too much is not enough for me!!)

Answer 1

Ciao Ciccia. I think your English is good. Much better than my Italian anyway!



I think the best way to learn a language is to use it as often as you can. If you can get hold of English newspapers that's great, or read news stories on line:

http://www.guardian.co.uk

http://www.bbc.co.uk

The BBC website also has some Learn Enlish pages:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/index.shtml



If you have friends who are also learning English you could agree to speak English some of the time, like an hour a day, or all day on Saturday or something.



Shakespeare and Blake are good classic literature, but you want something more modern try Zizou Corder or Malorie Blackman (2 of my daughter's favourites).



If you want to visit the UK that would be a great opportunity to practice your English, but I don't know whether you are talking about coming alone, with friends or with your family.

If you're coming alone, there are some companies that arrange host families for young students in the summer holidays, but I have no idea whether they are any good. If you are going to do this make sure you get a personal recommendation from someone you know.



As you are 14, you are old enough to stay in youth hostels here in the UK, so if you were coming with a group of friends that would be an option. It's very cheap, and they are usually in nice places.

If you are coming with your family there are lots of options, so post a question asking for recommendations for places to stay.



Good luck and have fun!

Answer 2

I'm an English teacher so you could hire me to give you lessons! Seriously, the recommendations here are good. Reading is very important - choose subjects you like (you don't want it to be too much like hard work). Someone mentioned the World Service site, it is excellent. I live in France and there is a magazine called "Vocable" - I think it may exist in Italy. It has articles taken from newspapers, with explanations or translations of difficult words.

There are many summer schools in the UK for English courses. Try www.staffordhouse.com, www.ilh.co.uk and www.isis.co.uk. All these schools are based in or near large towns. London is a great place to be, Oxford also. As you're Italian, I would recommend the Manchester ISIS centre, as they have a programme more suited to Italian students. Have a look at where these schools are and find out a bit more about the town. Best of luck!

Answer 3

Hi, I am an American. I think when I was learning Japanese being in Japan was tops. When you first start you need to hit the books to find the grammar and syntax. Then you can read other things; like I read a book on how to write letters in Japanese. I then read a cook book on how to cook Japanese food. I heard of some famous novels and started on them but they were too difficult for me and so I went to famous short stories. Also at the same time I had friends to talk to. We watched Japanese TV and I listened to Japanese music. That I think is where I picked up the most the fastest with popular Japanese songs. I am not able to read a newspaper yet; but, I can read magazines and there are lots to choose from in Japanese. I think you should look for some magazines in English on subjects that you like. The vocabulary that you pick up there will be useful to you. I think that reading classic material like Blake and who was that other guy? are great. But, you should be well rounded and so you should read some modern books and not just the ones that are approved by top authorities in English but books that speak to your imagination ... I am not sure how to say what I want to say... not everyone reads Blake and Shakespear

Read something on today's best seller list. OK that's all I have to say.

Answer 4

Reading Shakespeare and Blake may confuse you, especially Shakespeare since that is not current English. A trip to England would be great, or can you do some volunteer work with English or American tourists?



Rather than read books, stick with an English or American newspaper. The London Times would be a good choice. And go to American films that are NOT dubbed.

Answer 5

I'd advise you to keep working on it from Italy unless you're loaded and can move to a College in Britain, the better the basics, the more you'll improve when you practice in a real british environment.



Watch about the Irish, their accent can be confusing, any accent indeed. Go for standard pronounciation and intonation while you're studying, and then into spotting differences in regional accents, so that when you hear them you know what it is.



Also, it's true that there's little accuracy in grammar in sites like this. Too much slang, good only once you are an advanced learner. Try the BBC web sites or official government sites, questi ti daranno una prospettiva piu interesante dalla cultura estraniera che stai imparando.

Answer 6

If you like Harry Potter but have only read the stories in Italian then you could try and read all the books in English. Plenty of practice! XD



If you liked any English language authors who were translated into Italian then get the English language versions. Then - you know the storyline already, and it will be easier to pick up new words. :o)



A few famous authors - C.S.Lewis, Roald Dahl, Lemony Snicket, Darren Shan.



Also - if you come to the UK - buy newspapers or magazines, listen to the radio and watch TV. All good practice!

Answer 7

If your just learning English, I wouldn't read Shakespeare or Blake, I would read a regular book, not a play. I think it's great that your trying to learn the English language. From your typing, I say your doing quite well.

Answer 8

I know in Italy most (if not all) movies and tv shows have voice-overs, but try to get DVDs or something with the original audio. You'll be amazed at what it can do for your english (listening comprehension and vocabulary above all), especially if you try to understand everything without reading the subtitles.



Of course spending time in an english-speaking country is even better, but this is something you can do while you're at home.

Answer 9

Read, read, read, read in English. That'll build up your vocubulary. See movies and TV in English, that'll help with the pronunciation. And practice with peole that speak it. English is my second language and I've mastered it by reading and listening (first is Spanish and am now working on my third which is French)



Those people that tell you that you are good with your English definitely are telling the truth. Your written English is perfect. Hell, it's WAY better than that of most of the native English speakers around here.



Ciao!

Answer 10

Hello,

That is great that you want to come to the Uk, I would think that you need to improve on your grammar or syntax, because that is the word order, in which words are suppose to be said propoerly.



Read alot of books that tickle your fancy and also watch films as well and liten to radio and music, that will imrpove your speaking and listening skills greatly and not to forget speaking to English/English speaking people.

Answer 11

Well, to get better in French, I watched DVDs with the French language track. You should try putting on the English track or subtitles if you DVDs have them. It's the next best thing to actually going to the country. Slang, pronunciation, you name it, the watching DVDs in English will help. But I hope you get to go to the U.K. instead. You might want to see if there are any exchange programs in your area also. Hope that helped, and good luck!

Answer 12

Read English Language newspapers daily.

Answer 13

Listen to American radio stations and watch American TV Channel, it will help a lot to acquire the right pronunciation.

Read newspapers and books, start by easy books, you will wait little bit for Great Authors.

Answer 14

They say that practice makes perfect. But my question to you is: Are you trying to learn American english or the Queen's english. Because they are two very different languages.

Answer 15

First off, I'd avoid sites like this one, where most of the numbskulls cannot correctly construct a sentence in English, and cannot possibly hope to master spelling.

Answer 16

Some fine pieces of literature are "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte, and Thomas Paine's "Common Sense." "Common Sense" was written in the 1770's so grammar is at its finest, and "Jane Eyre" just utilizes the most punctual words- bound to make you the most articulate speaker ever.

Answer 17

you seem quite proficient right now. Spending time in the UK would certainly be a help...of course, you'll learn alot of slang as well

Answer 18

I'm Italian...I studied English 8 years, even though I'm 20. Un sacco di gente ti ha detto di evitare yahoo answer, ma non farlo, perchè questo è il modo in cui si esprime la gente che parla inglese in ogni parte del mondo. Sarà un buon lavoro di comprensione leggere domande e risposte. Io ho fatto un Liceo Classico quindi Shakespeare e Blake li ho letti...servono anche questi! Si imparano moltissime parole nuove (sai la differenza tra bussola e compasso? Io l'ho imparata leggendo John Donne). Per il resto, che dire?, quest'anno mi sono evitata un esame di Inglese scientifico all'Università (praticamente dovevi parlare di Chimica in Inglese) perchè avevo una certificazione di Cambridge FCE. Fra qualche anno puoi provare a dare l'esame per il FCE, aiuta molto perchè ti fa mettere sotto a studiare Inglese e ti è utile all'Università perchè ti evita un esame quando sei impegnata con altri mille esami. Scusa se ho scritto in italiano...mi dovevo sfogare un po'!!!!!! Good luck with your English and go to England if you can...it is a wonderul experience!

Answer 19

Your question is well written, which is rare for this site.



How about old TV shows?



Get off of this website because the English here is horrid.

Answer 20

Yes, try summer school programme in UK !

Answer 21

Read modern English literature, not old stuff.

Answer 22

why dont you come to ireland and learn irish english its much easier to understand

Answer 23

my cousin is italian and she speaks good english.she says practise make perfect.good luck

Answer 24

Talk to us!