Advanced English: A Love Story

Nowadays, you hear the argument that Intermediate English is good enough because most English communication is between non-native speakers. You don't need advanced vocabulary and complex idioms for that so why learn it? In this video we answer this question.

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[tarasteneta]

George Orwell told about simplification of language in his book "1984". I agree with him. It will lead to simplification of our brains. If English has many words it makes it possible to describe and express many things.

[rocknroller]

It's heartwarming to find people still fighting against widespread mediocrity. It has slowly crept into everything: language, arts, politics... It's now the accepted norm, but I refuse to settle for that. For instance, I never want to stop improving my English.
So thank you Gideon! ❤

[vi]

Sir, you've set the lame flicker in my heart on fire on this long journey of learning English. You're truly an inspiring teacher, an exceptional one.

[NadiiaChernova]

As an ESL teacher I`m totally with you on that. People should or even MUST go above and beyond. Warmest greetings from Ukraine!

[JanB]

The truth is... learning a language is a lifelong endeavour

[oxanatrobyuk]

Dear Gideon, you re such an inspiration for me ! Reaching high snow-capped mountain with you feels like strolling in the park on a sunny day. Learning English is a daunting challenge indeed but with your smart and elegant approach to the study of English it's becoming light-hearted yet profound experience. Love from Saint-Petersburg, Russia

[myouatt]

Nice one, Gideon - as a native English speaker, I've also spent the last 50-odd years trying to come to terms with a decent standard of German and Dutch.
To all, aim for the summit, that's the way to go ... and to all on this channel who wish to speak the very best English they can! Keep on trying, you'll get there, I'm sure, and good luck! :)
By the way, I really enjoy your insights! Cheers!

[coltatuc]

Learning English with you was the best thing that ever happened to me so I can progress with my learning. Thank you so much, Gideon.

[tinax]

YES! I am a masochist...and proud of it!! Thank you so much for your work!! 😊

[mirzatz]

Gideon I thoroughly enjoy learning English with you. You really are a commendable teacher! You inspire a non- native as an ambassador of English language.

[HolgerJakobs]

Language is - or at least can be - far more than mere exchange of information. ❤

[conniedenhartog]

I totally agree with you! Personally I am extremely interested in the use of proverbs, expressions and idioms ( in English and Dutch). Where would a language be without them, how could you say exactly what you wanted if it wasn't for the perfect expression that exactly fitted the bill

[Sebaseen]

'Tell them to jump in a lake' Brilliant 😂😂😂

[jamesw]

Well said and inspiring - this applies to learning other languages too.

[olenalypova]

I understand English at A1 (reading books, watching youtube) and use it at B2 (writing, speaking). And I do not worry about it. Learning language for me is a leasure and a hobby. I do it without any efforts - just read books, watch some movies. It was astonishing to me when I decided to pass the fce exam for B2 and the results showed that my knowledge of English is A1. I was very surprised) And I continue to do things I like improving my level of language 😊 despite AI, just because I like to do it.

[ccuxewr]

Always a pleasure to see you again gaffer.
Greetings from Casablanca Morocco to my beloved teacher, the one and only like no other, Gideon.

[SirEdwardeight]

To express and convey concepts and thoughts fully and thoroughfully, I need to learn more. That is a reason to keep studying.

Besides, the feeling of having a native speaker genuinely complimenting you for your english is great.

[nHans]

I suppose there would be ESL/EFL learners who are mastering English purely for the love of the language. However, my personal reason for wanting to improve my English—given that I work for a multinational that operates in several countries around the world—is to be able to communicate effectively with people, including clients, coworkers, and other stakeholders. Most of them, in fact, like me, are _not_ native English speakers. Hence the onus is on me to be especially clear and unambiguous in my communication.

English, of course, is the _de facto lingua franca_ of the world today. It's also the official language of my employer.

If, instead of English, the dominant world language were to be French, German, Russian, or Mandarin—and there were times in the last few decades when each of those was a distinct possibility—I'd be doing my best to master those languages instead. Consequently, I'd be reading _The Three Musketeers, Grimms' Fairy Tales, War and Peace, _ or _The Three-Body Problem_ — as the case may be — in the original language, and Shakespeare translated to my native language.

[louisbonnaire]

Thanks a lot for this well-needed video. I fully agree / I genuinely concur with the message you are sharing here.

In my opinion, it all boils down to considering the language as a purpose rather than a mean; I believe that a language is a form of art, and art is what elevates us. Besides, simplifying the vocabulary impoverishes the language - and hence ultimately the collective mind… which is probably not what is needed nowadays.

In a nutshell, I am a masochist as well as a resistant! Let’s fight against Globishisation! 🙌🏻

[annamiller]

Amazing ...I'm absolutely intrigued by what you've said about NOT being average... Thank you