REF Series: Conversation with an English Learner

The Rapid English Fluency Series is an opportunity for English learners and teachers to share their experiences with the language to motivate or inform others. For today, Bessy shares her experience, dreams, and tips to help other English learners. Happy reading!

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m Bessy. I’m a graphic designer/illustrator, and I live in the tiny country of El Salvador. I enjoy watching movies, spending time with my family, and reading. 

What motivated you to learn English?

Well, I began studying English in high school as a subject, and I really loved it. I was able to read some books in the authors’ native language and some of my favorite TV shows had many jokes that only made sense in English, so I always wanted to learn more. Then, at university, I needed to reach a certain level of English to graduate. Later on, I continued taking classes, but I wasn’t learning in a methodical way, so I never actually learned to speak English fluently or use proper grammar. 

Last year, I set a personal goal for myself to finally learn English and use it daily.

Do you speak any other languages?

Spanish is my native language, and I’m planning to learn Italian one day. But first, I’d like to master English, or at least to learn as much as I can. 

What has helped you learn English more?

In the beginning, I thought that having regular classes, watching TV shows, and listening to music in English would be enough. What really helped me was reading articles in English and learning some grammar rules. Writing also helped me improve my spelling and organize my ideas. Also, I think one-on-one classes have been key for my improvement.

How many hours a day do you dedicate to studying or practicing English?

Usually, I study for about one hour and a half. If I don’t have enough time, I try to read a magazine article or listen to a podcast at least. Sometimes that takes more time because later I usually have to google something I didn’t get or want to know more about.

Do you prefer speaking or writing in English? Why?

Personally, I prefer writing because I’m self-conscious about talking in English. I find it easier to correct my grammar while writing, and there are more options to edit any spelling mistakes. I wouldn’t say writing is easy, but you have more options to improve the message before you hit “send.”

What piece of advice can you give to English learners who are ready to abandon the language? 

I’ve been one of those learners… And in my opinion, learning English is a life skill. Besides the job and education opportunities that you might get, learning English is another way to explore the world. So, I’d advise anyone struggling with learning the language to find a method that works for them and keep practicing. Sometimes learning can be difficult, stressful, and even frustrating, but that’s part of the journey. And, in the end, it’s worth it. Your future self will thank you for the effort.