1) Many myths prevent people from learning English effectively, such as that English is too difficult. However, the facts show English has a simple alphabet and grammar. 2) While English has many words, commonly used words make up a small portion. It is not necessary to learn all words in a dictionary. 3) With practice and exposure to English content and media, learning English is easier than most believe. It is best to start with reading and writing before speaking. Confidence and a natural accent are more important than perfect pronunciation.

1. www.auroracs.lk
Realistic approach - Part 2
Learning English
Facts, Myths & Reality
by Nalaka Gamage

2. I want to learn English, but…..
Myths Facts Reality

3.  There are lots of myths preventing
people from learning and using
English language effectively.
 Once you know the facts, you will
identify those myths that prevent you
from being a confident English user.
 The reality is much simpler and
easier than what you think.

5.  “English is difficult” is the biggest
myth among students.
 This has been spread by those
who have acquired only English
speaking skill and feared of loosing
their undue social status if
talented others learn it.

6.  There is hardly any difference
between spoken & written English !
 In fact easier and natural
sequence is to begin quietly with
reading and writing and then start
speaking in English.

7. It is a myth spread by people
having colonial underdog mindset.
 They are slaves of English
culture than using English as a
communication tool.
 They use this myth to
discourage others from
learning English.

8.  English is no longer an ornament.
 It is just another important tool in
your competency tool box.
 If one is just a fool who only knows
of using English language, now he has
wider audience to show off his idiocy.
 i.e. Using his mother tongue
& English

10.  English alphabet is much simpler
than the alphabet of most of the
Eastern languages.
 Only 26 letters used in English.
 All letters are used only in simple
form only.
 No combined letters or variations

11.  English grammar is extremely
simple.
 Only few rules that you need
to learn.
 Rules are clear and
unambiguous than most of other
languages.

12.  There is hardly any difference
between spoken and written
English.
 Therefore, effort for learning
English is less than learning a
languages that has big variations
in spoken and written form.

13.  Majority use English as their second
language.
There are more English speaking people
in China or India alone than in UK or USA.
 Understanding English books and
other contents like web pages are
much easier than you think.
 Content publishers are aware of
the nature of target audience.

14.  English is now dominantly used as
an international language.
 English speaking international
community accept, acknowledge and
even appreciate accents of different
geographical and cultural
communities.

15.  Yes, English language has thousands
or words.
 But commonly used word are only a
small portion of it.
 Do not get afraid by seeing big
dictionaries.
 Dictionary (Just like a directory) is
for references and not to learn all the
words.

16. 

17.  English is easy to learn.
 When you speak or use English as
a second language, no one expect
you to be perfect.
 Unless you are talking to an idiot !
 There are plenty of resources
available to learn English.

18.  You speak English according to your
natural accent,
 Unless one of your ancestor has
crossed with an Englishman!!
 Or you are talking to an arrogant
Englishman.
 Billions of English speaking people all
over the world from German to India and
Brazil to China happily speak with their
own accent in self confident manner.

19.  First learn common and frequently
used words.
 Then get familiar with the words in
the domain that you are going to use
the language (eg: Engineering,
Accounting, etc.).

20.  As long as you can comprehend the
context, be brave to start reading
content published in English despite
you find few unknown words.
 Use common sense for guessing.
 If the word is frequently appearing
get the dictionary and learn it and add
it to your vocabulary.

21.  When you talk, you can confidently
use what ever simple words you know.
Because listener has no way of knowing
the words that you do not know.
 Just make sure your grammar is fairly
sound.
 Here you are speaking in English now.

22.  Get out of common myths.
 Put up initial learning effort.
 Learn the grammar well.
 Learn the words necessary for your
common use.
 Proud of your own native accent or use
neutral accent.
 Never mimic western accent which is
natural only for those live in cold climate.
 Use common sense and guessing to be
effective.

23. “Use English as a useful tool
and not as a petty weapon or
ornament.”

24. Learning
Aurora Computer Studies
Summerset College,
English -
3rd Floor, Facts, Myths
DFCC Building, & Reality
135, Highlevel Road,
Maharagama,
Sri Lanka. www.auroracs.lk