English learning #3

1. When I learn and use English, the most substantial worry is that I'm scared I cannot brainstorm and react as quickly and naturally as my mother tongue. Just because limitation to express my opinion in talks is still existing. I must think about what words I should speak, what words easier for me, or grammar is used correctly or not or sort of that. I am afraid I become a completely different person. Presently, I have been using English more frequently for daily activities. Conversations are pretty good and you know what, I can make people laugh. I don't know whether or not I thought in Vietnamese. Probably it's extremely rapid as if It didn't happen. Perhaps, I am progressively familiar with using English. It seems better and I'm very happy. It is the aim of this small piece of text to give you about using language. Let put a huge effort to make clearly your idea in this way or another. Don't let the language get in your way. Of course, when you have a joke, it is no longer fun if you must explain it but it's ok. These situations are gradually reduced. Most importantly, be confident. Don't be another person like I said. To become who you are, vocabulary largely makes it possible since the diversity of words enable you to say exactly what you want. At first, it is hard and tough. It nonetheless will be improved. Whoever always has a first time of them. Let achieve what you want. 

2. When I learn English, I don't know why I'm really interested in prepositions at the end of sentences and sentences have "to be" and "being". For instances:

What are you looking at?

Who are you waiting for?

What did you talk about?

I am so excited to be here

Thank you for being with us

That's it

3. When I learn English, I read significantly books and papers. I used to take exams about listening and reading skills. I can understand the meaning of those words. However, I have some problems with them. I forget the spelling. When I have to write, it is a high challenge. I can recognize those words and guess the meaning. However, to write out, I had to check spelling every singer word. Even some words are very simple. Even "easy" I had to double-check. It is not easy. Am I right? The reason is I read a lot but I didn't write a lot. It also makes my pronunciation very bad. Because I don't know how that word looks like. It leads to I don't know how many sounds of those words. I spoke really strangely. I surely know that you cannot recognize what it is. I need to practice comprehensively all skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. 

I heard from an exceptional woman saying that what you understood from listening and reading, they are not your English. They are still another people's. That is just receiving language. Things which you can use, speak, and write on your own are exactly yours. I reflect on myself. The above things mean I haven't had my own English regardless of a small amount. From a moment, my listening and reading skills were improved partly, I was proud of myself so much. It's understandable because It used to be completely terrible. However, it is a mistake according to her view. I totally agree with her remark. You can understand through listening and reading. However, You are facing big issues to speak and write. You know why? To me, when you listen or speak, you can guess the meaning and ignore minimal components generating a fully meaningful sentence such as grammar, vocabulary. You still catch up on conversations. Nevertheless, later on, when you must complete a sentence to speak up or write out. You cannot avoid its higher requirement. Speaking and writing require you to pay significant attention to every single detail such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation to make sentences become correct and meaningful. In other words, to make it real.

4. When I learn English, I was very confused about "to be" and "being". And now, I am less confused than before.

For example:

Thank you for being here

I am very happy to be here

"Here" need "to-be" verb (am/are/is). ex: I AM here. After a preposition, we need a noun or V-ing. Therefore, when you use "here" after "thank you for", you need "being". 

After happy, you need infinitive (to-verb). When you use "here", it becomes "to be"  

Thank you for being my girlfriend

I want to be your girlfriend

Girlfriend is a noun. It's applied in such a similar way. Whatever needs "to-be" verb or V-ing, they will be satisfied with this rule. I mean, it is flexible between "to be" and "being".

Tip and trick: V-ing plays an important role. It plays as a noun. Remember: V-ing = Noun

Incheon, September 26, 2020