We keep hearing that English is a must from all sides. But it seems that even after years of learning the language, we still struggle to speak it fluently. Is there something wrong with our approach, or some people are simply not meant to master the Shakespearean language? So, what do we do to learn English once and for all? Which exercises work best? Are there any unique aspects of using English in IT? Oksana Pelekhata, an internal training teacher at EPAM, shares her advice and useful resources for all learning contexts.
How do I determine what my level is?
First, establish your level of English to understand where to go next. Online tests are handy for checking your vocabulary and grammar, though they may not be entirely reliable since there is a chance of guessing the answers. Moreover, you can't use them to evaluate your speaking skills.
And all four language skills - speaking, reading, listening, and writing - should be evaluated to accurately determine your level. Speaking and writing are assessed in separate categories: grammar, vocabulary, interaction with others, and discourse.
You can also refer to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which describes each level to help you understand where you stand.
How do you define the goal and method to achieve it?
Consider what your objective is. A goal like 'improving my English' is a poorly defined goal. For instance, improving your English for traveling once a year, communicating with a client, or passing an interview poses three different tasks for you and your teacher. A good goal should reflect what level you want to achieve and how much time you are willing to invest.
Today, teachers mostly talk about the post-method era. That is, any teaching method can be effective depending on your goal. If you want to improve your English level, one-on-one tutoring may not be the best choice. That's a whole other story if you have an upcoming exam. Ultimately, some students are more comfortable with group learning as it motivates them and allows for more communication; others like individualized learning to achieve a specific outcome.
I have doubts about self-study. Of course, there are those few 'stellar' students who can pick up a language and learn it from the ground up. But that is a rarity if not a singularity. Most people need feedback from someone who knows the language better and can point out areas for improvement. This is especially true for students who have reached the B1+ level and hit that intermediate plateau. At this point, feedback is crucial, and if your teacher or language school doesn't provide it, there's probably something wrong with them.
However, for learning to happen, you must be involved in it, you must be proactive and take responsibility. From the very beginning, you should ask yourself what you can do besides your class assignments.
How do I choose a teacher or school?
Here are things to factor in when choosing your teacher or school:
- How cooperative the school or teacher is in helping you achieve your goal?
- Is there a trial lesson where you can see its logic and sequence?
- How well oral and written practice is balanced? Does it include new material to capture new information?
- Does a lesson include a feedback session? Ideally, it should take 7-10 minutes at the end of the lesson.
Are there any specifics of studying English for IT?
The goal of studying English for IT is not to learn technical jargon, which professionals are already familiar with, but to enhance your communication skills. Key areas to focus on:
📢 Listening. IT specialists often work with clients from English-speaking countries, so they must be able to grasp rapid English conversation by ear. So, knowing what tactics and language skills to employ when struggling to understand what someone else is saying can be quite helpful for clarifying communication.
📢 Building a dialog and monologue involves rationally structuring ideas, highlighting their significance, conveying a viewpoint on a specific proposal, and providing constructive criticism.
📢 Understanding the cultural context. For example, in Ukrainian, the word please in a phrase is a marker of politeness while, in English, phrases like Would you please... or Could you... are more appropriate than using the word please directly. Also, outdated or overly formal expressions, like Would you be so kind as to..., can create a negative impression on customers, as they may convey distance or hostility. It is best to avoid phrases like that.
How well do I need to know English to enroll at EPAM University?
B1 is the standard recommendation. At this level, you will be able to communicate satisfactorily with a foreign client. A junior specialist with a good command of English can significantly shorten their career path to a mid-level position. In addition, EPAM University has many cross-location training projects where you will interact with developers from Poland, Hungary, and other countries.
How do I start speaking English?
"I have some vocabulary but struggle to use it when speaking." There's probably a reason for this, a blocker. Nevertheless, keep practicing to turn your passive vocabulary into active. To expand your vocabulary, focus on common frequently used words. Use these words to create phrases that relate to your personal experiences and emotions and imagine scenarios where you can use them in conversation.
Research has shown that it takes 7 to 20 encounters with a word before it becomes part of our active vocabulary. I recommend repeating new words frequently to retain them. In support of this Ebbinghaus's experiment comes to mind. He explored why people forget information and found that people tend to forget a great deal of new knowledge, that is, new English words in our case, on the very first day.
I suggest that, in addition to repeating, you try translating phrases from English and back. Compare the translation with the original and check whether you missed any articles, used all words correctly, or made the translation too literal.
Working on your fluency is another way to get your vocabulary active. The 4/3/2 technique works well for this. Select a topic that frequently comes up in your communication and try to speak about it, first for 4, then for 3, and finally for 2 minutes. The secret is that with every repetition, you will feel more confident with the new vocabulary, and your communication will become more efficient.
How do I know if my pronunciation is OK?
Are you striving to pronounce words like native speakers? Consider whether this is reasonable, achievable, and worth the effort and time.
Today, gaining "comfortable intelligibility," when the other person can understand you with minimal difficulty, is considered optimal. Don't be concerned about the accent because it only indicates your identity. However, several factors can affect how well you are understood:
1. Stress (as an emphasis on the syllable). It is important to stress the correct part of the word or sentence. The teacher's help here is essential since our brains operate in such a way that you may not notice you mispronounced something. Not sure where the accent falls? Consult the Cambridge Dictionary.
2. Short forms and colloquial speech. Incorporate expressions that are inherent to the language, for example, I gonna send you an email. or I wanna ask you a question. If your English is overly correct, you come across as formal and distant. Colloquial speech sounds friendlier and improves communication effectiveness.
3. Intonation. Pay attention to intonation, especially in questions that do not require short answers. In Ukrainian, when we ask a question like What do you think about Java? we tend to intonate upwards, whereas, in English, we intonate downwards. Our intonation in Ukrainian is rather flat, showing a smaller range of emotions. That may give native speakers the impression that you don't care about the conversation's topic. You may have to make an effort to sound more enthusiastic. I recommend the imitation technique of echoing or shadowing to improve this aspect. The idea behind the exercise is to carefully repeat the phrase after the speaker with a few seconds lag.
How much time should I invest in studying English to improve my level?
If you work with a teacher and do your homework, the recommended time is 200 hours. Work with a dictionary and flashcards to learn new vocabulary, write down phrases and structures you like, and surround yourself with English as much as possible. Try to use three new words or phrases appropriate to the situation whenever you get the chance. Make it your secret mission 😊 As they say, use it OR lose it.
In general, aim to strike a balance between what you need to do to learn English and what you want to do. Focus on what makes learning English fun for you.
Here are some helpful links for all kinds of learning situations:
➖ CEFR grid — a description of requirements at each of the English levels (A1-C2) for different competencies
➖ Grammar to study at each level (A1-C2)
For proper speech structuring
➖ Communication techniques for spontaneous speaking (from 42 min)
For giving extended answers to questions
➖ Extending your answers (based on the IELTS Speaking test)
For improving your pronunciation
For learning English
➖ BBC — 6-minute podcasts on a variety of topics, that include subtitles and a word list
➖ TEDEd — lessons based on videos on various topics
Unadapted resources
➖ Quora.com — popular Q&A resource
➖ Google Developers — a channel that features event videos, tutorials, best practices, tips, and the latest Google product updates
➖ Android Developers — latest news, best practices, live demonstrations, explanations
➖ TED Talks — inspirational speeches on almost any topic
