I Need Your Adovice
Jan 21st 2012 20:47
I've been learning conversational English for three years to make my dreams come true. I can communicate with people in English pretty well. Thinking about three years ago, I really think that I've improved my comprehension skills very well. However, I still can't improve some parts of my English skills.
For example, it is hard for me to improve my expression skills. I mean, I can express almost everything in English. However, my expressions follow to my Japanese ideas, thoughts, culture and my language. In short, I can't express like native English speakers. It's still very difficult for me. My mother tongue, Japanese language is complete different from English. I think that languages relate to their culture very tightly. That's why even if I can express in my second language, it still never sounds like native English speakers.
So, I'd like to ask someone who already conquered the problem. How did you master your another language? How did you learn national expressions?
I'm thinking that I'd like to watch a bunch of American dramas (That's because I've been learning American English.) and try to mimic their expressions. I think my idea is one of the good ideas. However, if you know other good ideas, can you share the ideas with me?
For example, it is hard for me to improve my expression skills. I mean, I can express almost everything in English. However, my expressions follow to my Japanese ideas, thoughts, culture and my language. In short, I can't express like native English speakers. It's still very difficult for me. My mother tongue, Japanese language is complete different from English. I think that languages relate to their culture very tightly. That's why even if I can express in my second language, it still never sounds like native English speakers.
So, I'd like to ask someone who already conquered the problem. How did you master your another language? How did you learn national expressions?
I'm thinking that I'd like to watch a bunch of American dramas (That's because I've been learning American English.) and try to mimic their expressions. I think my idea is one of the good ideas. However, if you know other good ideas, can you share the ideas with me?
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I Need Your Advice
Thinking about three years ago, I really feel that I've improved my comprehension skills a lot. [You have already used 'thinking' so you could use 'feel' to avoid using it again. I prefer 'a lot' here, though your choice was not wrong.]
However, I still can't improve some parts of my English skills. [Your English is correct. I would say 'However, there are still some English skills that I cannot seem to improve'.]
For example, it is hard for me to be more expressive (about my feelings and opinions).
However, my expressions relate to my Japanese ideas, thoughts, culture and my language.
In short, I can't express things like native English speakers.
My mother tongue, Japanese, language is completely different from English.
I think that languages relate to their culture very closely.
That's why even if I try to express thoughts and feelings in my second language, it still never sounds like native English speakers.
How did you learn natural expressions?
I think my idea is a good one.
However, if you know other good ideas, can you share them with me?
You will always be learning. There will always be situations where you feel unable to express yourself in English in the way that you want to. Don't worry about it. Everything will fall into place in the end.
We're cool because this is where it's from... I can teach you British expressions...this will enable to to express yourself and understand American and British expressions...
BUT British expressions aren't usually compatible with Americans so you sometimes need to change the way you say things so they understand.
You'll find that the british understand a lot more american expressions as opposed to americans trying to understand british expressions...
You can also send me messages with what you think the expression is and I'll put it in plain language.
For British English soaps like Eastenders, Coronation Street or Hollyoaks are good to watch for some slang.
Don't think this isn't any help because it's british english, it'll help you understand a lot more English speakers and not just those from america.
bye~
For instance, "Don't worry about it." in English becomes 「気にしなりで」 in Japanese, right? Those sentences don't have the same words at all, but they express the same idea. (Assuming I didn't mess up the Japanese. lol)