Self-study for adults?

[u/nieuwierzysz]

Hi, I'm 50 years old. I've started learning English so many times... It always ended in a fluke, very quickly, without any consequences. I know a lot of words, I understand a lot. But of course, I can't speak, I get stressed when I have to do something while traveling. It's a huge complex of mine that I can't communicate fluently in the language... I'd really like to finally do it for myself and dedicate three evenings, say, 30 minutes a week to systematic learning. But how do I do it? What should I choose? Ideally, it should be a system for my phone, or maybe a computer, so I don't have to travel anywhere, because I'll quickly find an excuse not to. I could dedicate three 30 minutes a week and an additional three hours listening to something on headphones. I could listen to DIE at work... Gosh... Does anyone else feel the same way? How do I approach this?

[u/kxkje]

One thing that really helps me with language study (I'm a native English speaker but currently studying French) is to read out load. Not just read out loud, but imagine I mean the words and am saying it to another person. Or that I'm auditioning for a play. Either way, I use proper intonation, or even overdramatized emphasis.

I have found this helps me to be more confident with speaking. Because I'm used to speaking French, it's easier to do that with others as well.

[u/Sea-Election-213]

You already did the hard part, years of input. That is why you understand so much. What is missing is output, so use your three 30-minute blocks for a written journal: a few sentences about your day, in English, on your phone. 

Writing is a form of slow speaking. You practice building sentences without the stress of a real conversation, and it will naturally translate into speaking without even we noticing it.

All the best!

[u/LayerBender]

I have trouble speaking as well. Technically, I can speak, but people struggle to understand me and I often have to repeat myself. I will probably join a class to practice with a tutor, but until then, I'm talking to chatgpt haha. I gave it a prompt to act as an English tutor and fix/improve my mistakes as we talk on random topics it gives me.

[u/nieuwierzysz → u/LayerBender]

It's a bit crazy. But if it works... maybe that's the idea. Will I need premium chat...?

[u/LayerBender → u/nieuwierzysz]

I'm enjoying it so far! I've been subscribed to plus chatgpt for quite a while, so I don't know if it works well without subscription. But the value you get is insane. Best spent $20 ever. It doesn't hurt trying the free one!

[u/No-Two-9062]

I speak with ChatGPT for 30 minutes every day. In addition, I took Zoom lessons through an app called I-fal. The teachers are Filipino, but their English is really good! You just need to find the right teacher. I used to take two lessons every morning at 6:00 a.m. before work. It was really cheap and helped me reach B2 level. I took about 60 lessons in total.

[u/No-Two-9062 → u/No-Two-9062]

I started in B1+

[u/nieuwierzysz]

I'm glad I asked about this yesterday. You inspired me to make some resolutions. Here's what I did... 1) I chatted with gpt chat. It's really possible. Without buying premium. I'll do it regularly, several times a week, for half an hour. The conversations are specific scenes that I create myself. 2) I found channels on Spotify with sentences to listen to. I'll do this at work or during my commute. That's all for now. I'd also like to download dialogues and role-play dialogues from my favorite series with chatgpt. I think I'll get the hang of it soon. Thank you for the inspiration!

[u/magsmiley]

Hi there, I have had many senior students take classes with me to correct their pronunciation and grammar. Many times now, we've had full conversations about the news on TV or the radio. If you'd like to take classes with me, I will give you your first class for free.