English Ears

Posted on July 6th, 2010 by Debra

When you’re learning a new language, situations where you can practice are all around:

joining a conversation group
running errands
going shopping
talking to other parents at the park

However, you don’t always participate in English when you have the opportunity, do you? It is really easy not to listen. Isn’t that why you use earphones? Or maybe you close your English ears and plan your day in your familiar language. Your native language is helpful when trying to understand a new concept. It’s also good for cheering up if you’re homesick.

However, if you intentionally ignore the English around you, you’re closing the part of your mind that actively learns. Then, you miss the easiest opportunities to learn, which don’t even require speaking!

If you don’t believe me, just start paying attention to how often you close your English ears. How many opportunities are you missing per week? Per day? More than one per day is too many.

You can keep your ears open in the car – listening to the radio, news, or music…or while shopping – listening to the people around you. At the grocery store, listen to how the guy in front of you orders his sliced turkey or fillet of fish.

So, why not start now? If opportunity knocks, you’re English ears should hear it!

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