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