i don't really think english is that easy...personally i think it's the basic grammar that makes english first language worldwide...i mean...it musn't be right at 100%, but most of people will understand it...for example...when you are about to go for a vacation in another country using an another language, it's easier for you to learn some basic english then for example french...

but i really don't think that advanced english is easy...plus, the big role in this is playing the pronunciation...for example me...i was watching a lot of american movies in which, suprisingly, ameircan english was used. I learned a bit of phrases and mainly catch up the sound of speech...but then i went to Britain. It was really hard for me to understnand British because of the accent. I really like it, but honestly i didn't got much from a conversation of native english speakers. When they were talking to me, They tried to speaking slowly and clearly so i could understand.

due to this experince...i think i can responsibly say that for me english isn't easy...i've no doubt that i did a lot of mistakes even in a simple text like this...sorry for that:)

I am English and think that Americans speak totally differently to English people.

Judging by all the American films I see on TV.


then again there are different accents and dialects.

I have just changed certain words on here, but your message was easy to understand.

I disagree. Grammar is of vital importance when it comes to learning English. English is a language full of words (and sometimes contractions) that can be easily mistaken for other words that sound just like them, but have completely different meanings.

Ex) your, you're
there, their, they're
through, threw

I think it's especially important to learn the meanings and applications of words like these early on. It's becoming very common for even native speakers to misuse words like the ones mentioned above due to laziness and general apathy towards proper usage. However, I understand that those just starting out wouldn't necessarily get these details right away, but they still need to be reinforced.

You made your point perfectly clear there, buddie. ;)

I think we all tend to speak too quickly--which makes it hard to follow what we are saying.
I should think that one needs to try studying not only the written-- but also the spoken word.


My japanese friend has been studying English over here in UK for several years. Her speaking and writing skills are pretty good--but Listening skills very poor. She can chat in English for hours--but if I start speaking to her-- she gets totally confused.

I tell her to mix with as many native English people as possible and to watch television etc. I feel that the Course she has to study at an EFL school-- does not do enough dictation--which would help her comprehend and write down what she hears.


neither is there enough listening time allowed. I also think that as the EFL school she attends has students from around the world-- that mixing with those other students does not improve her own pronunciation of English.

others may disagree with me-- but childrens nursery rhymes are good for learning some of those pairs of similar sounding words.

I agree that it is important to learn and understand those words that are spelt differently-- but have the same sound.

Even we English have problems with our own language and it is forever changing, using slang and colloquialisms etc.

When I was young and someone asked me "How are You?" I would reply, I am fine thank you. Now with the same question the answer is "Good" instead of fine.

Yet the weather can be FINE and sunny--so when we said Fine-- we meant that everything was going well with us.

I am sure we have picked up many Americanisms.

I guess that all languages are constantly evolving.

I admire everyone who makes an effort to learn any language. Many of we English people can be lazy because of the English Language being a second language around the world.

Exactly, and if the native speakers reinforce bad English, then it will just feed back on itself until we're all grunting like apes.

very true.

:)

There's many people on this very forum that I seriosuly doubted they were native English speakers at first cause of how bad their writing was.