Daniel G.
What is the best way to dominate a langauge by yourself? Hi, I just want to read different opinions in this topic you know? I have a intermediate level of english, right now I can't pay private classes so I'm trying to get better by my own, I think the most important topic is to speak right now, but one day I want to take the TOEFL or IELTS test.

What kind of things do you usually do to get better in any language? It would be useful and thank you.
Apr 9, 2017 6:57 PM
Comments · 8
4

usually I read interesting and easy story books and surround myself by English stuffs like youtube, games etc.

I listen to AJ.Hoge's power English lessons everyday ,and If you're at Intermediate Level try that, I'll help you a lot

his site is : effortlessEnglishclub.com

He gives you some tips about how to improve your English skills like reading, listening, speaking Etc.

and I haven't taken any English class up until now

I can communicate easily with people but still I'm working on my English

you can also subscribe to Steve Kaufmann and Aj's youtube channels for some tips about learning languages

here are the links:

https://www.youtube.com/user/lingosteve

https://www.youtube.com/user/ajhoge

so I don't think that you need anything else just use their tips and start right now

April 9, 2017
1
The thing that always helpsme  is listening to music in the language I wanna learn, especially if I really like those songs. I look at the lyrics while listening,then translate them or just find a website that have original/translation side by side. Next time listening the song while I'm on the bus for example I understand it and helps me identify words, i guess. You know it's not an unknown ammount of words anymore, you understand the song, you sing along, you can practice your accent while doing it. A very pleasant way of learning! Also YouTube videos, there are tons of them, just choose what suits you best! good luck!
January 24, 2018
1

The last couple of comments focused on the word 'dominate'.  At least one of them was because this sounds amusing to us. So may I just point something out?

Your use of the English word 'dominate' is wrong here. It is not possible to dominate a language : this is 'Spanglish' and it makes no sense. The direct English equivalent  of 'dominar una lengua' is  master a language,  but a more natural expression would be become fluent : 'What is the best way to become fluent in a language?'.

You've been given some good advice, by the way. Good luck with your studies.

August 14, 2017
1

I agree with David.

There is no shortcut to mastering a language if you want to "dominate" a language by yourself. In this case you might have to study more on reading because that is a hard but practical avenue you to reach English to an advanced level,  much better than some people are always seeking language partners to practice speaking only. 

August 14, 2017
1

Hi, Daniel.  I just joined italki, which is why I did not answer your question sooner, but I wanted to respond specifically to your concern about taking the TOEFL. 

I am a native speaker of English, so I have never needed to take such a placement test as a foreign student of English.  However, I did have many writing assignments and tests in my English composition and literature classes in high school and college, and I never had any real trouble with those for one simple reason: I am a very heavy reader - several books a week, all my life - and that much exposure to formal English outside of school meant that I never struggled at all in English classes.  Somehow I already knew how to write clearly and correctly.

So, my suggestion for preparing for the TOEFL is simply to listen and read as much as possible until you can understand nearly everything without trouble.

That probably sounds too simple, and it is certainly not something you can do in a few weeks, or even a few months.  But, over a year or two it might make a very big difference in your comprehension of English.  Also, it will eventually do a lot for your confidence, because when you get to the point that you understand almost everything, then it will be obvious that a placement test should not be any problem.

Lots of reading will also do surprising things for your writing ability.  This is actually a very weird thing, but I was a professional technical writer for many years, and my only real preparation was years of heavy reading.  As I said above, I had the usual basic English classes in school, but nothing at a professional level.  So, I can only conclude that my sense of formal style must have come from all that reading of the work of other writers.

So, I hope that helps.

De todos modos, buena suerte.





August 14, 2017
Show more