English to Me: How I Learn It

Dear guys, why do you chose English as your major? Or why do you choose English as the foreign language you want to master? For you who think that English is just a tools to reach for another purpose, what makes you absolutely sure that English will be the exact tools for you to gain your purpose? And have you already used your tool correctly?

These questions tickling my mind after having discussion with some friends I met in one of English course in Pare.

I just see them force themselves to memorize every rules in English and some tricks for predicting the right answer.

A friend told me that he have to mastering English as soon as possible, but he told me that he was lost of passion when learning it. He got stressed. Well, it really broke my heart. English is more than just language. It has the soul.

Well, we have to learn other language. God creates us in different nations and tribes, to know each other. As spoken in Al-Qur'an 49:13

يا أيها الناس إنا خلقناكم من ذكر وأنثى وجعلناكم شعوبا وقبائل لتعارفوا إن أكرمكم عند الله أتقاكم إن الله عليم خبير

Translation: O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

Wonder if we can comprehend all kind of language in this world, how many information we will be able to receive? English as it becomes international language, can be a good beginning.

You may say that English is s tool. For me, English is more than just a tool. To be exact, English is kind of chemical substances called catalyst.  We cant deny that information takes important part in our progressive life. Getting to know the updated information from every country is important to consider what to do or not. It will come benefit for us and for our country (our rival exactly is not people in the same nation, but the people outside Indonesia). Absolutely, it will make every process run easier and faster.

The important part of understanding English is to overcome the problem that uses English, not the problem in English itself.

The important part is you have to understand the subject more than English itself. So, I emphasize here that you have to decide the subject of your interest that you want to understand. For example, I chose Agriculture. I will use my English to get to know more information about Agriculture, especially information from developed country who provide information in English. This will give me more passion when I learn English.

Culture

Culture is the thing to understand altogether with language. Culture is the art of language. So, what is the art of English? For example, the soul of Java language. what the translation of Good  Morning in Java? "Sugeng Enjing", yeah you know that… but saying good morning was not common habit here. That's what I mean. I prefer American English rather than British English or Australian English. I love the idioms. I found that America is multicultural country. People are so high self-esteem, and they have free life. People may do anything in the name of freedom.

After knowing my passion and what I learn English for, English becomes something addictive to me. Finding  the new term in English will increase dopamine in my body.

Always find the reason, always find the 'because' of your 'why'.

Force

I need to be forced!

Well, I want to thank you to the two of my English teacher

1. Mr. Prasojo, for forcing me to find, get to know how to pronounce it, get to know the meaning the difficult words in my English book, and then write it down and made a so stressing exam, for two years.
2. Mrs. Francien Herlen Tomasowa for forcing me the text of your module for one semester, that lately I know it was the material of IELTS.

For yourself guys. Get to know what you need, and force yourself to comprehend.

Compete your Capability (I haven't even ever practice it, but I believe this will work)

What's your hope in competition? General answer: To win!

To win the competition you need extra preparation. This will force you to learn more, and this will let you know your progress. Compete and find your lack to evaluate.

Practice everyday (I never did this too. But I am trying    )

I try to movie in English and read English news. When I find the difficult word, I don’t look at my translation dictionary, but my oxford dictionary. I try to infer it  and then report it. I Discuss it to some friends. It will not only increase our capability in English, but also our critical thought. Remember that we will meet the such condition in the country we will stay for.

Good luck

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