Practising English on your own

[Bercutt]

Of course everyday long-term talking to native English speakers on a multitude of topics is a top priority and a paramount factor for developing good English speaking skills by learners of English. However, in addition to this, self-study and practising English on one's own are indispensable, and substantially accelerate success in English. Communication with native English speakers can't encompass all aspects of mastering English adequately and thoroughly, especially vocabulary, grammar, potential in-depth content of conversations suitable for real life needs of students for using English. It's possible and effective to practice English (including listening comprehension and speaking) on one's own through self-control using transcripts, books, audio and video aids. My articles on English learning methods are applicable to self-study and self-practice as well. My question for a poll is:

What are the best ways and aids for practising English on one's own using self-control?

[Bercutt]

 Value of oral translation into English.

Have you noticed that interpreters have to possess the most thorough knowledge of a foreign language (especially of conversation, vocabulary and grammar)? Perhaps foreign learners of English can achieve fluency in English also through oral translation from their native language into English with the methods described in my articles on English learning methods. It is possible to exercise self-control (that is to check yourself) this way when practising  speaking in English every sentence in ready-made materials with both a foreign language and English versions. I also believe that the value of oral translation from a foreign language into English with self-control (self-check) is underestimated by English teaching specialists for self-study and self-practice of English conversation, vocabulary and grammar.

[iopq]

Read some books, watch some movies.

[LOSTaz]

Short but concrete.

[taqseem]

Short but concrete.

"read books, watch movies" is even shorter

[LOSTaz]

You've got a point XD

[iopq]

Short but concrete.

Are you sure it's not asphault?

[LOSTaz]

=))) So, is it impossible to distinguish one from another??

How would you express that idea?

[iopq]

=))) So, is it impossible to distinguish one from another??

How would you express that idea?

I think it's fine, but I think something like "short, but specific" is more common

[LOSTaz]

I try to memorize it

[Квас]

So, is it impossible to distinguish one from another??

Why on earth is it impossible to distinguish concrete from asphalt?

As to practising English, English forums help a lot!

[LOSTaz]

Is World Reference the only forum related to linguistics in English, except to International Lingvoforum, no doubt?

[Konay]

As it was mentioned before it is absolutely useful to watch movies and videos in English, however, it is very important that you watch it with subtitles. Not only you learn the pronunciation, some vocab, etc, but you can actually memorize the new words' spelling. Watching and reading news helps a lot; as most of us follow the news anyway, it just comes down to the question of switching the language. Finally, keeping your personal journal and writing your thoughts down everyday can significantly improve your ability to express yourself.

[Квас]

It seems to me that videos contribute little to one's vocabulary, don't they? When I hear some words I don't understand I just skip them; even if I manage to recall them afterwards so as to look them up in a dictionary, the context has gone...

[Квас]

Having read all those proclamations that English is impossible to learn, I almost feel myself an elitist when I write here.

[Konay]

It seems to me that videos contribute little to one's vocabulary, don't they? When I hear some words I don't understand I just skip them; even if I manage to recall them afterwards so as to look them up in a dictionary, the context has gone...

Exactly. That's why subtitles seem to be crucial. Although videos with subtitles? Weird, right? Movies, I'd say is the right option in this case.

[Ausgezeichnet]

It seems to me that videos contribute little to one's vocabulary, don't they? When I hear some words I don't understand I just skip them; even if I manage to recall them afterwards so as to look them up in a dictionary, the context has gone...

That's why they invented a Pause button, innit?

[Sirko]

It seems to me that videos contribute little to one's vocabulary, don't they? When I hear some words I don't understand I just skip them; even if I manage to recall them afterwards so as to look them up in a dictionary, the context has gone...

Exactly. That's why subtitles seem to be crucial. Although videos with subtitles? Weird, right? Movies, I'd say is the right option in this case.

And how do children learn language? Besides, English subtitles only can help you learn to read. Native language subtitles are useless.

[Konay]

It seems to me that videos contribute little to one's vocabulary, don't they? When I hear some words I don't understand I just skip them; even if I manage to recall them afterwards so as to look them up in a dictionary, the context has gone...

Exactly. That's why subtitles seem to be crucial. Although videos with subtitles? Weird, right? Movies, I'd say is the right option in this case.

And how do children learn language? Besides, English subtitles only can help you learn to read. Native language subtitles are useless.

I was talking about English subtitles, that's fo sho Well, assuming we are not children...there is no way one can learn the words by just listening, so subtitles are kind of essential. Although it might not work for you, sir

[Квас]

Цитата: Квас от Сегодня в 01:35

It seems to me that videos contribute little to one's vocabulary, don't they? When I hear some words I don't understand I just skip them; even if I manage to recall them afterwards so as to look them up in a dictionary, the context has gone...

That's why they invented a Pause button, innit?

Well, even if there are subtitles and the Pause button is available, it's somehow different from reading, to my mind. Of course, I don't deny that videos are helpful in their own way, inter alia for vocabulary training, but not much for vocabulary acquisition. Or perhaps I just don't know how to use them efficiently.

[Konay]

Цитата: Квас от Сегодня в 01:35

It seems to me that videos contribute little to one's vocabulary, don't they? When I hear some words I don't understand I just skip them; even if I manage to recall them afterwards so as to look them up in a dictionary, the context has gone...

That's why they invented a Pause button, innit?

Well, even if there are subtitles and the Pause button is available, it's somehow different from reading, to my mind. Of course, I don't deny that videos are helpful in their own way, inter alia for vocabulary training, but not much for vocabulary acquisition. Or perhaps I just don't know how to use them efficiently.

Yeah, I see you what mean, however, there is a whole aspect of 'not exactly learning', whereas books seem to be boring 

[iopq]

When you don't understand a word you don't need to look it up. After a hundred mentions you'll understand it.