As an ESOL teacher who has learned several languages in my time, I have used many techniques. You can probably use several of these language methods to improve your English.
1) I used to read the text on TV programmes of Italian News, Spanish News, German News, etc.
World News is universal, so I often knew about the event from British News, before I read it on foreign News� Programmes.
2) I always watched, (and still watch), films which show sub-titles in a foreign language, reading and listening simultaneously.
3) I bought lots of Agatha Christie stories in English, and also in the foreign languages. (Sometimes I bought dual-language books, with one page in English, and the other page in French, for example.) I skipped backwards and forwards, reading both languages. I frequently made notes of words and phrases, to remind myself later.
4) I went to the cinema to see foreign-language films.
5) I occasionally bought foreign-language newspapers to read.
6) I bought, (second-hand), lots of language-teaching cassettes, conversation CDs, verb table cassettes, and full language courses, (Linguaphone, Hugo, Berlitz, Lonely Planet, etc.) I played them in the car, on the bus, while walking, and occasionally, at home, in my rare free time. But, I didn�t make a conscious effort to learn ... I just �absorbed� the language.
7) By using a pillow speaker under my pillow, I played the cassettes or CDs all through the night, VERY quietly, so that I learned subliminally. Some people play them quietly, in the Kitchen, while studying, while reading, etc. You learn without even listening to them.
8) I bought books of Verb Tables and occasionally glanced at them, so as to increase my Verb Vocabulary.
9) I bought Oxford Verb Wheels, to test myself, and to improve my Verb Tenses.
10) I played language games in my head, while walking, before sleep, etc. "How many Colours/Verbs/Vehicles/etc. do you know?" I set the bar higher and higher, every time, constantly testing myself.
11) I visited foreign-language restaurants, cafes, etc. I deliberately spoke in the language of the restaurant ... much to the surprise of the waiter!
12) I visited my foreign-language students in their homes, having conversations, speaking their language.
13) After I had learned the basics, I enrolled for A-Level Courses at my local college, and always took my Final Exam.
14) Simultaneously, I enrolled with the Open University every year for about 13 years, studying languages, up to Master�s Level.
15) On the very few occasions I have been to Europe, (with University Summer Schools), I have deliberately spoken in the local language to shopkeepers, waiters, everyone ... mistakes and all. Who cares?
16) I took a job as a Tour Guide, to supplement my income, speaking, Dutch, and German, and occasionally other languages.
17) In Charity Shops, or Second-Hand Shops, if I see a book, dictionary, CD, etc. in a foreign language, I buy it, cheaply.
18) I also bought, cheaply, copies of "Lyalls 25 Languages of Europe", "Lonely Planet. Languages of Europe", and "Berlitz Languages". In this way, I could see connections between different languages, and also increase my vocabulary.
19) Whenever I have the opportunity, I speak to my ESOL students in their own language, even if it is only: "Hello" and "Goodbye!".
20) I perform Magic in restaurants, speaking in the language of the customer at the table.
... ... ...
I regard the ability to speak a foreign-language as a gift which has been bestowed upon me. I am immensely grateful for this. Bi-lingual people are ALSO very good at studying other subjects.
You may think that I spent my whole time learning languages ... I DIDN�T.
I had a family, a handicapped wife, and a full-time job to worry about.
I worked on the principle, LITTLE, AND OFTEN,
Lynne Cunliffe is correct!
"USE it, or LOSE it."
Les Douglas
