Steps to Learning English: Where should you start?

TRANSCRIPT

[Singing] Hi. James. Greer. James Greer. From engVid. [Laughs]. Not Bond, and I know you think I was going to say Bond. I know. But listen, Bond always has an important mission he's got to do, right? 007. And so do I. Today we have a mission. We're going to learn how to study English. I know in many places, many websites, they tell you, and to teach you grammar and idioms and phrasal verbs. But then, there's the big question of you, and: How do you study, and how do you choose what is important for you at this moment? Maybe you're advanced. Maybe you're a beginner. Maybe you know this, and maybe you don't. After today's lesson and we do our mission, you'll know exactly what you have to do. Okay? So, we're going to go to the board in a second, and take a look. What steps should we take in order to learn? By the time you're done this video, you'll know exactly... Or you should know where you are, where you need to go, and when you're going to be done. Ready? Let's go.

E. E is standing here saying: "Where do I start? Grammar, vocabulary, or speaking?" Common, and seems to make sense, I mean, you go to learn a language-right?-you go on a website, they start throwing things at you. You go to a school, they say you need this, this, and this. But you don't really know. So, I'm going to give you the tools to decide that.

First thing we're going to do is: What's the first thing you need? Grammar? No. What? Conversation? No. Vocabulary. What? Well, look. If you can't say: "bathroom" when you go to a country, you're going to pee yourself. Okay? "Hungry", you won't get food. You don't need to know everything to get basic information done. And that's what we should look at first. Basic information for a beginner really is vocabulary. And instead of all the fancy stuff you need, you don't need much. You need you, and a little bit of time, and to have some fun.

Why? I'm going to suggest: For basic communication, get vocabulary. I'm telling you right now if I see you or any English-speaking person sees you, and you see... You say: "Drink. Thirsty." There's no grammar, but they'll go: "Oh, the bar is over there." If you say: "Washroom. Please", they'll go: "Oh, toilet is over there." They use sentence, you use words. Sometimes you just touch your belly and go: "Ahh!" They'll go: "Oh, you want food." You don't need all that stuff. People will tell you you need to learn grammar, and this and that. You don't.

And here's how you get your first vocabulary. Do what you love to do. Play video games. I've had... I don't know how many students play video games, say they learned how to fire, duck, words that we wouldn't teach them for a while, because they were playing games. Other people come in: "Dah-dah-dah-dah-dah, [sings]", singing. I go: -"What the hell?" -"I love to sing", and they sing a song, they sound like they're just, you know, from this country. Then they speak very terrible accent. You know what I'm saying, right? [Laughs] But when they sing, it's like the gods have come down. I mean, literally, you go: "Are you...? You were born here, right?"

Cool slang. You know? YOLO, you only live once. Right? ASAP, as soon as possible. When you do these things, you're learning because you want to learn. You're not even realising you're learning, and it's going to make you want to learn more because... You know, we'll get to the second one and you'll understand. But you want to communicate in a much better way. Okay?

So, get the meaning of basic words. "Hungry", "food", "toilet", "money". You know that one, right? You need those things. If you have those things, you can start your adventure in learning English. Okay? And you're going to do it by doing things you love. Video games, music, cool slang. Right? Come on. Now we're making language fun and easy for you, and that's what we should do, because you'll learn it faster. All right? And then here's the bad news: Hard work is on its way, so let's move over to the intermediate.

[angelgael]

Man, I swear you're more than a teacher, you're like a friend who always gives the greatest English lessons and I want to thank you for that.

[karimasa]

I improved my speaking skills by standing in front of mirror and imaging myself speaking to someone about an interesting topics

[lin-jxzq]

I need this man's German, Spanish and Chinese versions

[hilaleliasfreih]

Hello, Mr. James, I am a huge fan of yours. I can safely say that I crossed out all of the points that you have mentioned. When I first started, I used to study English (in terms of grammar, vocabulary, and reading) for about an hour a day and spend the rest of the day just watching videos in English and here I am after 3 years, making a comment fully confident with a diversity of words. However, the hardest part for me is that I haven’t had the chance to travel abroad so that I can really have conversations with natives, which I know, it will enable me to use all the words that I studied and memorized over the years, remember them, and use them naturally. Finally - I don’t want to ramble on more lol - for all the people out there who are learning English, trust me IT IS WORTH IT. All you have to do is invest some time into it and be patient and your life will change both professionally and personally.

[luulshubaaye]

I dont know how to explain how your calm voice makes me feel. its so relaxing and comforting. i really got tears on my eyes now, thank you so much james .

[bossladynelly]

Sir James your lessons really helped me a lot as a Namibian 🇳🇦 teacher. Your lessons have saved me from giving long unnecessary notes to my learners. Blessings on blessings🙏

[SandroC.R]

Mann, you really inspire me to learn english. Im a beginner and I am struggle to learn English a lot. So glad I found your video. I’ve never get excited to learn English before. Keep up your great work Sirr.

[rninnovation]

Your lesson about " steps to Learn English" is extremely useful for every English learner. Thanks a lot.

[DmitriiAndreev]

Guys I’m Russian, and I want to say that James really a good teacher, because he gives a good knowledge for us, I want tell you thanks James, you gave a wealthy vocabulary for us ))👍👍👍

[ivasaby]

Thank you, James! Now I know, that I need to learn grammar and to read much more. I understand almost everything you're talking about, but I can't speak yet. I learned English at school, and now, through 10 years I made a decision to continue my education. I have learned English for one month and already feel improvement

[Julia-dvfe]

I'm a brazilian student and I think you're amazing at teaching. I feel comfortable when watching your lessons. Thank you!

[oguzhancetin]

I am a proficieny student in turkey and you are best teacher that i have ever seen.

[Beoriginal]

When he said travel I swear I got tears in my eyes

[mcmerry]

BEST TEACHER IN THE HISTORY, i would enjoy any signature with a teacher like him

[calebe]

Man! I love the way you teach English, I'm Brazilian and everytime I enter here and saw your videos I end being a better person !!
That's a lot for you excellent job !

[suadnaem]

Salam Mr. James !
Thank you so much for being such a dedicated ESL teacher!
much of appreciation from me and whoever watch your videos with me!

[fdiquit]

Thanks James, I can tell that you must be a wonderful teacher from these tips.

[DanielBeckel]

Man, you are very very good teacher. Congrats. You filled the gaps I've had that I couldn't fill anywhere. And you gave more than tips. You gave life lessons, pretty good ones. Thank you very much. I've started following you and from now on I'm gonna feed myself almost only with your lessons.

[davidparker.]

Thank you. I still have my South Asian accent, but I've become very very good at speaking fluently and clearly. Thank you for that. THANK YOU. I can have a really great career because of you.

[momsmushroomsjodyfoster]

I volunteered to help a refugee family from Africa learn English. Then I started to panic wondering where to begin. I so appreciate the helpful tips you're giving. I would feel completely overwhelmed if I were in their position. I so long to teach them communication skills, that they may be empowered to reach the American dream for themselves. A dream of Independence, prosperity and purpose in living.