My wife and I are Italian, and we live in San Francisco. She's trying to find a job but feels stuck because her English is not good enough (I think she's at an acceptable level, but clearly she can't speak or listen as good as a mother tongue). She's looking for advice on what's the best way to dramatically improve it in 4 months, 25 hours a week or so. Thanks!
Ask HN: What's the best way for a foreigner to improve English to a great level?
1–10 of 44 posts
Re: Ask HN: What's the best way for a foreigner to improve English to a great level?
#2First idea: http://www.duolingo.com/ — there's Italian to English.
Re: Ask HN: What's the best way for a foreigner to improve English to a great level?
#3Go onto Meetup.com and see if there are any relevant meetups in the San Francisco area for people looking to practice English. Alternatively, just go to any Meetup for a topic she's interested in (e.g. crafts, health, etc.) and she can talk and interact with the people there.
I would recommend that she volunteer somewhere (a non-profit or a clinic) where she'd be talking to people for most of the day. The best way to improve is just by practicing. I think that'll be more efficient and effective than any of these language sites/products.
Re: Ask HN: What's the best way for a foreigner to improve English to a great level?
#4Accent can be a big perceptive issues for non-native speakers. It'd be worth it to look for an accent coach. Even if the rest of her English isn't perfect, being clearly understood for the rest of it might be worth it.
Re: Ask HN: What's the best way for a foreigner to improve English to a great level?
#5First identify what your weakness is (vocabulary and idioms, grammar, accent, comprehension). Then do something specific to improve on that: for instance for vocabulary the best is to read books or articles.
Re: Ask HN: What's the best way for a foreigner to improve English to a great level?
#6I believe the human brain is best capable of picking up a language by being subjected to it. Hence I prefer reading and speaking over artificial practice, at least beyond bootstrap level.
Here's what worked for me:
1. Get an acceptable grasp using traditional methods (you are already here).
2. Read about three books while looking up every single word you don't understand. This may be easier when reading on a tablet. Warning: This will be slow going. Perhaps pick some favourite books you've already read.
3. Read another twenty or so books, but you shouldn't have to use the dictionary very often. Concentrate on flow.
This will take care of your vocabulary and grammar. To master conversational English and pronunciation you have to speak to people, but the foundation you built above will help.
Four months is an ambitious goal if you're looking for complete fluency, but you should see solid improvements.
Re: Ask HN: What's the best way for a foreigner to improve English to a great level?
#7Watch netflix videos w/ subtitles on. Mimic lead character's speech. Record your speech and compare it, repeat. It always worked for me.
Re: Ask HN: What's the best way for a foreigner to improve English to a great level?
#8I have always believed that best way to learn a new language is to spend time with it. Read as much as you can. Watch subtitled movies and you will instinctively pick up on pronounciation.
Above all speak and write it. As you spend more time with it you will gain confidence.
Re: Ask HN: What's the best way for a foreigner to improve English to a great level?
#9First idea: http://www.duolingo.com/ — there's Italian to English.
Duolingo is great to start learning a new language, not to become proficient.
Re: Ask HN: What's the best way for a foreigner to improve English to a great level?
#10Play Cards Against Humanity with a couple understanding, native English-speaking friends. My girlfriend's sister's boyfriend is Swiss, and CAH has helped him learn a number idioms rather quickly.