How to Learn American English Idiomatic Expressions and Phrasal Verbs - Speak With Confidence

Learning English idiomatic expressions is different from learning normal English vocabulary. To be successful one must absolutely employ a different approach. Here are the important tips to follow for your success.

· Idioms must be learned through situational context

· Idioms must be "explained" not just "defined"

· Don't waste time learning hundreds of unimportant "slang" terms

· Don't approach phrasal verb idioms by trying to memorize hundreds of verb and preposition combinations

· Don't "create"... "Imitate"

· Don't chase the idioms. Let them come to you

Idioms must be learned through situational context.

A large number of American idioms are born out of the historical and cultural evolution of the country. This multi-cultural heritage along with historical events, give American idioms a wide range of richness and color. This allows for a tremendous depth of communication.

A non-native teacher of English from India teaches her English students to completely avoid trying to actually use American idioms. She says they should only learn them for purposes of comprehension. Her belief is that the subtle, cultural and historic influences connected with these expressions render them impossible for a non-native to really understand and use correctly. She feels that non-native speakers will only appear foolish by incorrectly using these expressions.

She is correct about appearing foolish through incorrect use, but the historical and cultural connections to the idiomatic expressions can most certainly be taught and learned. But it has to be done right... one idiom at a time, presented in real settings through stories, sound effects, music and natural dialog. Subtle intonations and pronunciations should be all audible. This brings the idioms to life. They become real. Now you don't just hear the idiom... you begin to "feel" it.

Idioms must be "explained" not just "defined."

Simple dictionary definitions are not adequate. Idioms must be experienced in real, situational context, so that one may "feel" their meanings. Dictionary example sentences alone are too simplistic. The reader is left bewildered and still unsure as to how and when to use the expression.

One advantage of online, idiom dictionaries is that you can find almost every expression listed. But it is impossible to know how and when to use the expression. With idiomatic expressions it is very easy to appear foolish through wrong and inappropriate use. Enough time must be taken on the part of the teacher to convey adequate understanding.

Don't waste time learning hundreds of unimportant "slang" terms.

Native speakers in the U.S. use about 4,000 common, every-day idiomatic expressions. Learning 100 or 200 idioms is not enough. On the other hand, it is important not to waste time learning hundreds of hot, new slang terms that have very narrow usage and will be replaced next year by the newest slang terms.

Why learn hundreds of expressions that most native speakers don't even understand and have never heard of, when there are several thousand basic, idioms that you really need to learn. Virtually all native speakers understand and use these basic expressions on a daily basis? Put your time into what will bring you the greatest benefit.

Don't approach phrasal verb idioms by trying to memorize hundreds of verb and preposition combinations and rules.

The vast majority of well-educated, American citizens probably do not even know what a "phrasal verb" is. They most certainly do not know that there are four different kinds of them. Even if they had known these details, this knowledge would not have played any role in their learning how to correctly and fluently utilize these expressions.

In fact, even children correctly use phrasal verbs. What is the message here? Learn phrasal verbs the way you learn the other idiomatic expressions outlined in this article... one expression at a time, in natural context and with an explanation of its use.

Don't "create"... "Imitate."

When children begin to speak for the first time, they sound cute. When adults begin to speak a foreign language for the first time, they too sound cute. But, there is one major difference. Adults are not children.

Adults have gotten used to expressing complex, profound ideas through the medium of language. What would literature, poetry, science, drama or comedy be without the ability to clearly convey these concepts, feelings and thoughts?

The literate adult has learned to make language his servant. The gifted poet no longer speaks to you in words. He now touches your heart with sound. She no longer writes words on paper. She now etches directly into your imagination. Once you have experienced the sun, you will never want to dwell in the shadows again.

But voila! Here you are, a child again... trying to master another language. How frustrating! You feel foolish making all those mistakes. You mispronounce words. You don't understand what people are saying. You are not used to this. You are a professional. People take you seriously. When you speak, people listen. You don't want to talk about notebooks and homework, or what the weather is like.

You want to discuss real things, relevant things. So on your own, you begin to learn new words and new English idiomatic expressions that are important to you. You want to speed up this learning process.

You have just walked into a trap. You have prematurely begun to get "creative." Foreign languages are learned by imitating native speakers. Especially while practicing your idiomatic expressions, it is extremely important not to get too creative too soon. The structure and usage of each idiom is confined and exact. There is just no room for much creativity. Here is a simple rule:

"If you have never heard a native speaker use a particular idiom in the context you want to use it, then you should avoid using it there. Only imitate model expressions that you have heard native speakers use, and use them in the same context."

Don't chase the idioms. Let them come to you.

To effectively learn the correct use of American idioms, it is important to have a good teacher, a good study program or both. If one does not have access to a teacher, then the quality of the study program is even more important. Search for one that has the qualities I mentioned above.

This program should teach basic idiomatic expressions that virtually all native speakers commonly understand and use. If the program is organized well, it should keep you busy, steadily building your vocabulary (don't forget, you need to learn a few thousand basic expressions). There should be no need to search online idiom dictionaries for new English idiomatic expressions to learn. You also minimize the risk of inappropriate or incorrect use of the expressions.

Tom Heard is a freelance writer and published author. His new book and audio series: "English Through Idioms" advances a bold, new approach to an old nagging problem... how can English learners best learn American English idiomatic expressions? Tom's dramatic approach walks you through fascinating, short stories and dialogues, from the scary to the romantic. The stories are complete with music and sound effects; you can hear the natural intonation of each expression as it conveys its feeling and makes the subtle come alive.

With "English Through Idioms" you will speak with confidence, understand everyone and gain the respect you deserve.

http://englishthroughidioms.com/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008V2ATBO

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Spanish Manual - Learning to Speak the Spanish Language

Spanish is one of the best known languages in the world. It's spoken by millions of people worldwide and is high in ranking as one of the worlds most spoken languages. In Latin countries the language is more predominant and is usually their main language. Having a Spanish manual with you at all times during a trip to a Latin country will be essential for yourself and those around you.

Here are some reasons why you should consider learning the Spanish language, become noticed in the Spanish speaking world:

- Communication is key and like for everything, vital to survival among a group. Not only will you be able to talk to Spanish speaking people but you will also be able to enjoy traveling a lot better when knowing how to speak it. You won't be as frustrated as the person next to you who doesn't really understand the language that well. Knowing how to communicate your thoughts, ideas or opinions is very handy especially when you encounter a Latin restaurant where they speak Spanish.

- A Spanish manual to help you learn Spanish will help you understand how to succeed in the workplace as well with your fellow Spanish coworkers. Think about that promotion that you couldn't achieve elsewhere and is available to you in the Spanish speaking community. Being bi-lingual or even tri-lingual or more is in very high demand for many employers. You'll be able to communicate back and forth in your company's relations.

- If you've been wandering the streets of a Latin country, you've probably seen a a very appealing man or woman by now, if you haven't there is a lot of Latin people out there waiting for love, but how exactly can you come to communicate with them on a romantic level to earn their love if you're single? This is where your Spanish manual comes in handy. To many people the Spanish language is absolutely beautiful and is a lot more expressive than the English language itself.

- When coming into a Latin country, expect most of the countries television programming to be in Spanish. Be able to enjoy the thrills of Latin television, Spanish speakers tend to make very great "novelas" which are soap operas in English. There's a lot of sports programming, as it is very loved by the Spanish speaking community, especially the sport of soccer. Be able to understand the news broadcasted on television as well.

- Being able to assist those around you is another obstacle that you can get around by learning Spanish, you may encounter service requests from others around you and by knowing your Spanish you will be able to help them out.

- Listen to the music around you as you travel in Latin countries and learn their deep cultural backgrounds by learning Spanish. You will be able to sing along to any Spanish song available and your voice will be very appealing to those around you. All Spanish speaking countries have a very great music selection and the variety in taste is exceptionally well composed. There are many leading artists found in Spanish Speaking countries to listen to. You will fall in love with Spanish music as it is the most romantic of them all.

Learning Spanish will serve you well all your life, and learning the language will help you control what's around you and that's where your Spanish manual will be there for you.

If you truly wish to prosper in the Spanish Language and obtain the best Spanish Manual, then you must visit the world's best resource. Go to this website immediately:
http://spanishmanual.net/

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Wouldn't It Be Wonderful to Speak Natively in a Country You Visit? Learn a Foreign Language

When I was at primary school back in the mid nineteen seventies, my class started to learn French in our final year. I wasn't too sure about this at the tender age of eleven. My interests were in science and "engineering".

Science at school was controlled, being in structured lessons. My "engineering" at home was less structured. It usually involved taking things apart with scant regard to putting them back together again. However, these skills came over the next few years. I studied physics and chemistry when I went to grammar school. I went to college after that and studied engineering.

Whilst at grammar school, the first year contained compulsory Latin, French, German and Greek lessons. After the first year, you could choose which one (or ones) you wanted to continue with. This determined which stream you entered for your second and successive years. I chose to retain Latin, French and German.

So for five years I studied these three languages all the way to formal examination.

At age eleven or so, my parents took my brother and I camping in Spain. My dad drove us all the way across France and Spain to the chosen campsite near Barcelona. This was a great adventure. Neither of my parents spoke anything but Northern English (though we now lived in The Home Counties).

When my parents needed to communicate with anyone in France, I seemed to be shuffled ahead of my parents in front of the person they were trying to communicate with. I felt like a translation device that often appeared in "Star Trek". If, indeed "Star Trek" was televised then (I think not).

With my very rudimentary French, we somehow muddled through. We got fuel in the car, we ate, we got directions (and sometimes a reminder for my dad to drive on the RIGHT!).

Then, of course, in Spain, the translation device (i.e. yours truly) failed. My parents didn't understand this at all.

Following holidays also involved going abroad camping. By this time I had started German and Latin as well as continuing French. By the time I was fourteen, we went to Italy for three weeks. I had no Italian but I did have Latin. To quite an advanced stage after three years. Sat by the pool at our campsite, I read through the Italian phrase book my parents had purchased. I got the hang of it, though of course, still somewhat rudimentary.

After my education, I went into the career world which took me to many lands but mostly Western Europe. I already had French and German so managed to communicate relatively well. I will point out that I am far from fluent.

Subsequent years saw me in Greece, Turkey and the Near East. Then I visited other parts of the world where any of the languages I had some knowledge of were completely useless. Many country's populations have English as a preferred secondary language. But then there's no fun in that.

I wanted to have an understanding of the country I found myself in and communicate natively (if badly - that can add to the amusement factor). School's long gone now. So what's the option for learning a new language? Evening classes? Perhaps but it means that you have to make the time available and attend. How about online and self-study?

Now that we have had the internet with us for many years, there's a vast amount of resource on learning languages. It's just trying to find out what is the best. It does make learning a new language easier than it ever has been. It still needs commitment though.

On a final note, my parents moved to Spain after retirement some four years ago. Do they speak Spanish natively? I'm trying my best to teach them because I still get shuffled in front of the shop keeper, bar tender and whenever my parents feel the need a translator is required - Beam me up, Scotty!

Learn, Speak and Master Languages Fast. Speak Languages Confidently:

http://www.speakitclass.com/

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Learn to Speak Spanish or You Stand to Lose

Learn to speak Spanish or you'll never realize the joys of being bilingual. According to a report, published by USA Today magazine, more than half of the languages spoken today will disappear by the end of the century. In an analytical linguistic report which was shared by a language expert and published in the internet, the way the English language is spoken today has deviated quite a bit from the way it was spoken way back 50 years ago.

That's interesting but most people really don't care what will happen to these languages in the future. We are more concerned about how we can take advantage of these languages as they are used today - like for example the advantages that we will have after we learn how to speak Spanish. We need not mention how learning English has improved lives for many non-Native speakers in the face of rising globalization. A lot of us know that full well.

What many of us don't know is that there is a need to learn Spanish just as much as we need to learn English, German, French, Italian, Chinese and many other languages. And although many people are saying that it is an imperative that people learn Chinese because of China's growing economic and political powers, to learn to speak Spanish is fast becoming a necessity rather than an alternative. The following section tells us the reasons why people should learn Spanish.

The Need to Learn to Speak Spanish

a) While most of us give priority to learning English because of its vast influence worldwide, we must not forget the existence of many Spanish-speaking countries and the presence of many Spanish-speaking individuals even on English-speaking soils. No less than the United States is aware of that. First point here is: To learn Spanish is to open up various opportunities for one's self - whether it is related to one's financial ambitions or to his pleasure-seeking plans.

b) To learn to speak Spanish is to have an opportunity to be prepared for the Spanish way of life if there is a need. Consider this: If you happen to be someone who did not grow up in Spain or in Puerto Rico and one day you found yourself in one of its streets, you will have to speak basic Spanish, the language of the locals, when you for ask directions or buy food for dinner. And how would you feel if your children cannot interact with other children in his school just because you yourself were not able to learn Spanish!

c) Spanish is a Romance language; the Spanish language is a feminine language. Whatever these statements would like to imply, at least, that's how most language experts have categorized the Spanish language. And we will only get to understand what this language categorization stands for if we ourselves get to learn to speak Spanish by heart.

To get started speaking Spanish immediately, visit Online Spanish Lessons Free. This Website is totally free and has helped thousands of English speaking people learn the fundamentals of speaking Spanish.

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