I recently visited an Internet site that promises to tell you the secrets of learning English. I wonder: how many secrets do you have to know if you want to learn English as a second, or foreign, language? Let me answer my own question: none!

There are no secrets to learning English. However, there is one very important fact that you should know about learning English, or any other language. Here it is:

When you read or listen to English that you can understand, you acquire – pick up, or absorb – more English. The more you read or listen, the more you acquire.

This is the way languages are acquired – first languages, second languages, native, or heritage, languages, foreign languages – all of them.

Think for a moment how children acquire their first language. In the beginning, adults speak to them slowly, clearly, one simple word at a time. They repeat words and gradually add more words. They point to objects and show them pictures and talk about them. They explain what things are and what words mean. They read them simple stories with pictures. Later they read them more difficult stories. Eventually children begin to read and speak by themselves. Children acquire language because the people around them provide them with a constant supply of understandable language.

You can do the same for yourself. If you want to acquire more English, read and listen to more easy-to-understand English. When you do, your reading, writing, listening, and speaking – everything – will improve.

Here are some suggestions to help you:

1. Read or listen for fun! Choose stories that you enjoy and topics that interest you. If you find an author that you really like, find more of his or her books to read.

2. Be sure that you can easily understand whatever you read or listen to. It’s okay if there are a few words that you don’t know, but you should be able to easily understand the story or ideas.

3. Learn to ignore unimportant words. Many students feel obligated to stop, open their dictionary, and look up every word they don’t know. It is more important for you to continue to read or listen so you can follow the meaning with as few interruptions as possible.

4. Read more than once. If you enjoy what you are reading, read it again. Each time you do, you will acquire more English.

There are no English-learning secrets! But there is one important language-learning fact, or principle. It’s called comprehensible, or understandable, input. It’s the natural way to acquire language. And it is supported by years of research. I can’t say that about all the secrets I found.

Treat yourself to a feast … of understandable English!

On the Internet, The ESL Podcast or Voice of America Special English are good places to begin.

If you have a question or comment about this subject, use the “Add a comment” link below. I would like to hear from you.

Warren Ediger

warren@successfulenglish.com