The Power of Community in Learning English: My Journey and Resources

Introduction

Hey everyone! You know how much I love sharing my personal stories to inspire and motivate you to learn English. Today, I want to share another story that highlights the importance of community and the people who contribute to our success. Learning a new language often seems like an individual effort, but it's crucial to acknowledge the help and resources that play significant roles in our journey.

Background or Problem Statement

Context

In today's society, there's a strong emphasis on self-reliance. Many people love to say, "Look at me, I achieved everything myself." While personal effort and determination are vital, it's equally important to recognize that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Problem

I decided to make this video because I was fed up with comments asking how I learned English by myself. The truth is, I didn't do everything alone. Numerous people and resources played crucial roles, and I am forever grateful to them. Today, I want to be transparent and share the people and resources that significantly helped me improve my English.

Main Content

Key Point 1: The Role of My English Teacher

First and foremost, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my English teacher. She taught me one-on-one when I was a high school student. Coming from a medium-sized town, it was rare to have native English speakers as teachers. She was a non-native speaker but an amazing professional. She made me realize the importance of learning English and helped me feel okay about making mistakes. Her unwavering support inspired me to read my very first book in English, "The Story of Tracy Beaker" by Jacqueline Wilson, which is a fantastic read, especially if you're focusing on British English.

Key Point 2: The Importance of Skill Development Platforms

Another resource that has been incredibly helpful is Skillshare. This platform has allowed me to develop my skills and explore my creative interests. For instance, I recently took a course on time management titled "Productivity for Creators: Systems, Organization, and Workflow," which helped me make more time for things that truly matter. If you want to learn a new skill or explore your creative interests, I highly recommend giving Skillshare a try. The first thousand people to use the link in the description will get a one-month free trial.

Key Point 3: Enhancing Listening Skills with Podcasts

The podcast "All Ears English" has been a game-changer for my listening skills. When I first discovered the show, I could only understand about 40-50% of it. However, their engaging episodes motivated me to improve. One memorable episode about phrasal verbs was particularly helpful. If you're looking to improve your listening skills, I highly recommend this podcast.

Key Point 4: The Value of Language Partners and Speaking Clubs

Language partners and exchange students at my university also played a vital role in improving my speaking skills. Conversations, whether online or in person, helped me gain confidence. This experience inspired me to create my own speaking club, where people from different countries can practice English together. Speaking clubs are an excellent way to meet amazing people and improve your speaking skills.

Actionable Advice

• Step 1: Seek out a supportive teacher or mentor who can guide you through your language learning journey.
• Step 2: Utilize platforms like Skillshare to develop new skills and explore creative interests.
• Step 3: Listen to educational podcasts like "All Ears English" to enhance your listening skills.
• Step 4: Join speaking clubs or find language partners to practice speaking English and gain confidence.

Summary

• Recognize the importance of community and support in your language learning journey.
• Utilize resources like Skillshare and educational podcasts to improve various skills.
• Engage in speaking clubs or find language partners to practice and gain confidence.
• Remember to stay humble and acknowledge the help you receive along the way.

To wrap up, everything you're doing to improve your English is valid. Your determination, time, and effort are crucial, but don't forget to acknowledge the people and resources that have helped you. If you want to get one month free on Skillshare and learn something new, make sure to use the link in my description. If you liked this post, don't forget to give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more content. See you next time!