For non native English speakers : How did you learn English?

[Braznor]

As for me, I learnt English thanks to the VCR (video cassette recorder) my pop got me. I studied in a non English medium school and learnt this language entirely due to Hollywood.

10 years of three movies a day fucks up your head like no other stuff!

:awe:

 

[DesiPower]

I studies in an English medium school. All the books on all major subjects were in English. In fact my native language was a second language in the school. But the English used in US is so totally different from what we used. I learned most of it from TV. Movies on HOB, West wing, Frasier...

 

[Arcadio]

My dad bought a British English course with books and tapes, but never used it. I just read those tons of times and memorized most of them. Later on my dad bought me an Encyclopedia Britannica and I just read the shit out of that. I spent a very long time reading articles from the Encyclopedia. Then in middle school I started taking English classes. I was always the best in the class. Sometimes my English teacher actually told me to leave the classroom (if I wanted) while my classmates took a test. I passed that class with flying colours.

When I came to the US after finishing school, I probably knew more about the English language than many Americans.

 

[overst33r]

TV and school.

 

[ShadowOfMyself]

Movies at first, then internet... Playing online games in particular
School was always a step behind lol

 

[MaxFusion16]

medium school? is that like a medium sized school?

 

[The_Dude8]

medium school? is that like a medium sized school?

I think he mean middle school. Anyone learn English with Rossetta Stone?

 

[busydude]

medium school? is that like a medium sized school?

That is a common word used for Indian Schools. English medium school.. means the main language of teaching is English... even subjects like Math, Science and Social studies are taught in English.

Similarly we have * medium schools for every officially recognized language in India.

 

[JeepinEd]

Full immersion. I had just completed 4th grade, when I came to the U.S. My mother had me repeat 4th grade, but in an English only class. Within two weeks, I was able to communicate with my teacher and the rest of the students. I was fluent by the end of the school year. I think it helped that I had always dreamed of coming to the U.S. and speaking English.

My native language is now English, since it's the language I think in and communicate with. Strangely enough, the only time I think in Spanish is when I have to do simple multiplication. Probably because I learned my times tables prior to coming to the U.S.

 

[Broheim]

I've been playing video games since before I could walk, that and movies/tv-shows, so I was pretty fluent even before I had english in school (I always had a knack for picking up languages)

 

[JS80]

After school cartoons. Particularly Inspector Gadget.

 

[sdifox]

shit lot of schooling and tutoring.

 

[davmat787]

Question for those of you that learned English as a second language: Do you think learning English should be a requirement for citizenship in the United States?

Thanks, just curious what you guys think of this issue.

 

[zanejohnson]

learned Spanish an English growing up, and no it should not be a requirement, everyone should strive to learn multiple languages, it makes you smarter...


people act like latino's dont WANT to learn english.. when in fact it's the opposite.

i promote different language speaking, in every form... i just wish we had more french speakers/mandarin speakers..i'd love to learn them..

i can understand some french (because some is simalar to spanish) but i would LOVE to learn more...

 

[zanejohnson]

also, for the people who dont like spanish speakers, do you not like mandarin speakers also?

 

[dighn]

came here as a 7th grader. ESL schooling + immersion I suppose.

 

[sdifox]

Question for those of you that learned English as a second language: Do you think learning English should be a requirement for citizenship in the United States?

Thanks, just curious what you guys think of this issue.

Maybe not for the old folks, but definitely should be the case for the younger ones. I still don't understand how USA doesn't have an official language.

 

[davmat787]

Maybe not for the old folks, but definitely should be the case for the younger ones. I still don't understand how USA doesn't have an official language.

Kind of what I am curious at as well. My father immigrated back in the early 50's, and learned English as fast as possible. Some people think having English as an official language here in the US is racist.

What do you guys think: would making English the official language and requirement for citizenship be racist in your opinion?

 

[sdifox]

Kind of what I am curious at as well. My father immigrated back in the early 50's, and learned English as fast as possible. Some people think having English as an official language here in the US is racist.

What do you guys think: would making English the official language and requirement for citizenship be racist in your opinion?

I don't see how that can be construed as racist, it is not aimed at race at all.

 

[OCGuy]

Listening to rap and watching Fresh Prince.

 

[ShawnD1]

How I learned English
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUEkOVdUjHc

 

[SKORPI0]

From a former girlfriend, I was a cunning linguist she says. :awe:

 

[JeepinEd]

Question for those of you that learned English as a second language: Do you think learning English should be a requirement for citizenship in the United States?

Thanks, just curious what you guys think of this issue.

I certainly do.
If you want to become a citizen of this country, you should, at least, be able to speak the popular language (English). The melting pot only works when people can communicate with each other using a common language.