May 6, 2019
The English language is composed of four skills also known as the four skills of language learning – which are deemed to be components of the necessary construction blocks required for mastering the language. An individual is required to possess and master these four skills in English language as it is essential in the comprehension, production and clear understanding of spoken English and its use for interpersonal interactions, conversations and communication in a proper and correct manner.
English language is an important global language as it is involved in virtually every facet of our lives, from business to economics etc thus, it is important that the proper grammar and vocabulary is utilised for effective communication and interaction to be achieved.
The four skills of the English language learning include;
Listening Skill:
Listening is the first skill in English language that an individual needs to acquire. Listening is also known as the receptive or passive skill and requires the use of the ears and brain in order to grasp and comprehend spoken English.
Speaking Skill:
Speaking is the second language skill acquired while learning native English language. Speaking is also known as an active or productive skill that requires the use of the vocal cords/tracts and the brain to accurately produce the language that was listened to through the production of sounds.
Reading Skill:
Reading is the third language skill acquired when learning the native English language and it is a receptive/passive skill that requires the use of the eyes and brain to comprehend and understand written portions of the spoken English language.
Writing Skill:
Writing is the fourth language skill in learning the native English language. Writing is a productive/active skill that requires the use of the hands and brain to produce and state down written symbols and words that serves a representative function in English language.
Enumerated below are top ten tips to boost the four skills from listening, speaking, reading and writing all of which an individual needs to possess in order to utilise the English language in the most accurate manner possible.
1. Watching English movies, TV shows and films:
Watching movies, TV shows and films in which the English language is spoken has been deemed as one of the most effective means and methods of improving the language skills. This is because you get to learn the English language while being entertained. To boost the learning process, it is advisable to turn on the subtitles so as to read along during the course of the movie, show or film. This can help you gain an easy grasp of the comprehension and terms used that may come across as difficult in whatever level of English language.
2. Reading English Newspaper’s, magazine’s and books:
Reading is also a very effective means of improving language skills especially when it concerns the English language. By reading in your most convenient time, you are able to take it slowly at a time and see the context in which it is used and apply it in practical terms. This is of immeasurable benefits as books, newspaper’s and magazine’s broadens your mind with important information, keeping you up to date with happenings around you and this will come in very useful in your interaction with native speakers.
3. Practice Often:
Practicing English constantly will make you a perfect speaker, and as such it is important to keep on learning the language even outside the walls of the classroom. This will ensure that you are constantly learning how to use words properly. Having a study plan is a good way of ensuring effective practice as you establish a routine on the manner and amount of time spent on looking up new words, symbols and terms in English language.
4. Encompass yourself in all things English:
Place and surround yourself in an English environment. This can be done by finding a native English speaking partner in order to interact and have conversations with on everyday terms and its proper usage. Also if you befriend other native English speakers, you’ll be forced into speaking the English language and thus, this will boost your proficiency by passive learning through oral stimuli and reply.
5. Listening and paying attention to what is being taught:
By paying close attention to how terms in the English language are spoken, spelt and used will help boost your ability to apply what you have learnt and listened to either in a similar or closely related context.
6. Writing down and memorising English notes and materials:
You will find words and terms easier to remember and recall if you try to memorise and write them down in a contextual manner. Also, make an effort to spend time in the library studying your notes, reading and writing in English.
7. Use of bilingual dictionaries and research materials:
Accurate well revised dictionary and research materials with proper translations and spellings related to the English language comes in very handy in improving language skills as it contains a quantity of words related to the English language by which you can always find out its meaning and examples in which it is used.
8. Write everyday and correct mistakes or errors made:
Frequent writing helps you to get used to the grammar, terms and vocabulary as you are constantly using it in sentences and notes. An effective approach is to try writing and making up sentences with new words and grammar as often as you can. It is also a good way of comparing your progress as you improve your knowledge of the English language.
9. Make notes of new words, vocabularies, idioms, phrases and expressions:
It is worth taking down notes whenever you learn a new word, idiom, phrase or expression whether in the classroom or in your external environment. By making a note and practicing what you’ve learnt in your free time, it will go a long way to enhancing your daily use of the word or term thereby enhancing your skill.
10. Practice the four skills daily:
Practice makes perfect, and by constantly watching films and listening to shows, conversations etc in English, reading English materials, speaking to yourself and other native English speaking companions and also writing in English language, are bound to improve and boost your proficiency in English language.
