How You Can Become a Fluent English Speaker ALONE

TL;DR

Learn how Thiago went from zero English to fluency without leaving his non-English speaking country.

Transcript

Now, I'm sure that you have had moments in your learning where you have felt like you progressed very quickly. It comes easily. You're motivated, it's fun. But at some point you hit a wall and you feel like you'll never speak fluently, confidently and naturally. You are not alone. This feeling of being stuck is often called the intermediate plateau... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ The desire to become bilingual and the belief that English would provide more opportunities motivated Thiago to learn the language.
• 🖐️ Thiago's early self-study with course books and grammar materials laid the foundation for his progression.
• 💦 Job experiences, including interactions with foreigners and working as a bilingual customer service representative, significantly improved Thiago's speaking and listening skills.
• 🎼 Incorporating movies, TV series, and music helped Thiago immerse himself in the English language and learn more about its culture.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Thiago start learning English without formal education or resources?

Thiago couldn't afford an English course, so he borrowed old course books from a friend and studied on his own, primarily focusing on reading and grammar.

Q: How did Thiago improve his speaking skills without traveling abroad?

Thiago's job at a drugstore in a neighborhood with many foreign visitors provided him with opportunities to practice speaking English with customers. He also worked as a bilingual customer service representative, speaking to Americans on the phone for six hours a day, six days a week.

Q: How did Thiago use movies and TV series to improve his English?

Thiago used DVDs and later streaming services to watch movies and TV series in English. He found this immersive experience helpful in developing his listening skills and learning more about the language.

Q: How did becoming an English teacher contribute to Thiago's English skills?

Teaching English allowed Thiago to reinforce his knowledge of the language and gain a deeper understanding of grammar and pronunciation. He had the opportunity to learn from experienced teachers and receive valuable feedback on his own language usage.

Key Insights:

• The desire to become bilingual and the belief that English would provide more opportunities motivated Thiago to learn the language.
• Thiago's early self-study with course books and grammar materials laid the foundation for his progression.
• Job experiences, including interactions with foreigners and working as a bilingual customer service representative, significantly improved Thiago's speaking and listening skills.
• Incorporating movies, TV series, and music helped Thiago immerse himself in the English language and learn more about its culture.
• Becoming an English teacher further enhanced Thiago's language proficiency by providing him with opportunities to revise and deepen his understanding of the language.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Thiago, an English learner from Brazil, shares his personal journey of learning English from scratch and achieving fluency.

• He started with a strong desire to become bilingual and saw English as a pathway to a better life and more opportunities.

• Thiago initially studied with old course books borrowed from a friend and focused on reading, writing, and grammar. He gradually improved his speaking skills through interactions with foreigners at his job at a drugstore and later as a customer service representative for an American company.