A long speech draft,and also
excellent.I agree with almost all of your views,like the
methodological differences between learning science and language,the
explaination of so-called "standard English" and so on.The most
important is that,you've clarified some of the most crucial
misunderstandings during learning English,including simplexly reciting
without carrying any meaning,over seeking the grammar and the standard
ignoring if they are communicating.
I kept thinking while reading
your draft,trying to summarize a thread of your article.Firstly you
talked about English is a man-made subject——comparing with
science——which is ever changing and developing in its rules or grammar;
the Second you want to talk about is,the English as long as it can
communicate is correct; As for the standard English,you also give the
answer like "the most effective and efficient communication"
is what matters.In that way,if you could combine them together and
take the standard English as a part of the correct English to give the
answer,which may make it more compact,I think.Then,you told how to
learn and what is the deepest barrier of learning English residing in
the cultural difference,which i think is the most conspicuous part of
your article and what you're good at best,and also,what the students
should have a clear understanding of.By this part,they should
understand learning English is not a way to earn marks only.It is a
LANGUAGE,which deeply rooted in the foreign culture,alive and
meaningful.then,how can one stay with such a kind of animate creature in
such a lifeless way like reciting and memorizing even without any
understanding?if one want to speak a good English instead of just
gaining a high marks,then spend his time in understanding by heart instead of reciting by heart.you've also given the general way:putting them into sensible context and make sure you express ideas,
then i'll give some tips in detail,such like reading as much as you
can.five reading materials a day can not only raise your marks,but also
your real English ability;writing more in English.mails,short
messages,letters and also your composition;"showing off" more without
too much worry.All of the students know quite well with all of these
tips,but few of them have really done,or even have this consciousness
and idea to use English in their mind.(P.S.this USE is not including that USE
in exam,but in life.) I think the cause of this situation lies in the
understanding of why we learn English.If you consider English learning
is a tool helping you pass the entrance exam to university,then the
effect may be just the opposite to what you wishes.So why not have a
second thought about it?as mentioned,English is alive,try to
understand ITS purpose instead of YOUR purpose.Not so utilitarian,you may get what you really need unexpectedly.
I can't assure that,as long as
you pay more attention to the inside of English,you can earn good marks
and learn good English.but what i'm sure of is,if you want to earn
good marks and learn gool English,you must know what the
English really is.
This is another
misunderstanding during learning English:too utilitarian.and i try to
give my understanding on this problem and also my solution.using it or
not depends on you.
incidentally,when comes
to the method of learnig English,we still have some skill differring
from learnig science.that is,we can always ask WHY in science,because
science rules have a series of connectiong in itself,you can always find
the reason to a phenomena.while as to English,things are
different,for it's an "artificial" subject.Nobody can
answer you why when comes to "he" we should use "is",while "I" should
"am".People just prescript it should be...then it is.there aren't so
many WHY.NO "WHY",JUST "HOW".JUST MIMIC.
all above is what i thought
over and over.as a student who has fought with English exam for AGES and
also be a friend with English for AGES,this is my own experience.hope
can help you.