> When Eduardo asked me to join this group, I wasn't sure how I would
> participate. This group is for English learners who listen to the ESL
> Podcast to practice using their English. And I think that's a great
> idea! However, I'm an English teacher and I don't want to interrupt
> (stop what your are doing) your conversations!

> I decided to try to write a short essay, or article, each week to help
> you become better independent English learners. This is the first one.

> Today I want you to think about two verbs that language specialists
> use. The first verb is "acquire"; the second is "learn". Acquiring a
> language is very different from learning a language. And if you want
> to improve your English, you should know the difference.

> Acquiring a language is a natural process. It is the way we all
> develop our first language ability. It is automatic. It is
> subconscious (we don't notice it). And it is the result of natural
> experience of the language. When we experience language that we
> understand - especially by reading or listening - we acquire (absorb
> or pick up) more of that language.

> When we try to learn a language, we study and memorize rules about the
> language. It is a conscious process (we are aware of, or notice, it).

> Why is this difference important? It's important because scientific
> research tells us that most of our fluency (language ability) comes
> from acquired language, not from learned language.

> Last week I read an article by Dr. John Truscott, a well-known
> professor who has looked at hundreds of research studies on language
> acquisition and learning. In this article, he makes it very clear that
> we do not have to consciously learn vocabulary or grammar. He says
> that we acquire language as a natural result of reading or listening
> for pleasure. Other experts, like Dr. Stephen Krashen and Dr. Jeff
> McQuillan, have said the same thing.

> Let me tell you a story that will illustrate (show) what I am talking
> about. Mr. M is a retired Japanese high school English teacher. About
> three years ago, he came to my ESL class in southern California. He
> knew a lot of English vocabulary. He could identify the subjunctive.
> He had learned a lot about English. But it was very hard for him to
> converse (talk together) or write in English.

> I never ask my students to memorize rules. And I only teach grammar
> occasionally, when it helps my students understand something better.
> We spend as much time as possible sharing natural experiences in
> English. In that environment, Mr. M's English began to improve. And
> when he wasn't in class, he looked for opportunities to talk to people
> who spoke English. Today his ability to converse and write is much
> better than it was when he came.

> A few months ago, I received an e-mail from Mr. M. In it he wrote a
> very simple message: "Thank you for teaching me a better way."

> Learn from Mr. M. Try a better way. Look for as much natural
> experience with English as possible. Read. Listen. Have conversations
> with English speakers. If you do, I think you will be surprised at how
> much English you acquire.

> Warren