5 Traits of a Successful English Learner

At any moment I believe there is at least one human being asking how they can learn English effectively and achieve their linguistic goals in the shortest time frame possible. I myself am an English learner and the fact that my bread and butter now is teaching English doesn't diminish it to the slightest degree: I was, am, and will always be an English learner. Through this article I'd like to discuss 5 qualities that are possessed and shown by successful learners of this sexy language (and also any other tongues, I think). This is wholly based on my own English-learning experience as well as my collective observation of my students and other English learners. Happy reading!

1. Love

Love is one of the greatest forces in life. When we hear the word "love", it usually conjures up images of a couple hugging, kissing, or doing other romantic stuff. However, love is broader in scope and involves feelings toward inanimate objects, such as languages, as well. If you are aiming for success in learning English, love is the most important quality you need to possess. When you love something, it is always easy to achieve what you want with it, isn't it? You will learn without having to be told to, because it comes from the deepest of your heart. Love of English will keep you moving forward and decimate any obstacles getting in the way of your awaiting success!

2. Curiosity

I have also noticed that high-achieving English learners are those who maintain a high level of curiosity. English is like a complex puzzle that needs to be solved but there are certain patterns or guidelines that can help you master this language. This should be a very fun activity but it requires a substantial amount of time and effort. You need to always crave for more and keep being insatiably curious. For example, if you know the word "happy", do you know other phrases or expressions that express the same idea? Its synonyms maybe? As for grammar, it is essential to be in the habit of asking "why?" Why do we need to put an -ing form after the word "enjoy"? Why is the phrase "extreme tall" grammatically wrong? Your English-learning experience will be markedly different with the existence of this quality.

3. Enthusiasm

Being enthusiastic is crucial to the development of one's English proficiency. With burning enthusiasm, you will achieve in one day what mediocre ones would in a week. Within the same window of time, learners with such a characteristic will finish five long grammar exercises while apathetic ones may even struggle to complete one short exercise. Practice does make perfect and it is only with enthusiasm that this can be effectively done. Just like the power of love, if you are exuberant, you do what you need to do on your own initiative. However, it is important to keep in mind that this quality has to be paired with consistency; otherwise, the impact would not really be significant.

4. Reflection

Just as we look in the mirror before starting off for a wedding party to ensure that our appearance will not disappoint the guests, it is essential that we regularly & continually reflect on our English learning. Try to ask yourself such questions as "How long have I been learning English?", "What improvements have I made?", and "What areas do I still need to work on?" On a smaller scale, you can review what you have just said or written. Was my pronunciation entirely correct? Did I use the correct verb forms? Is this sentence grammatically perfect? Did I make any mistakes in terms of punctuation and capitalization? Doing self-assessment is, indeed, critical for your success in learning English.

5. Humility

Last but not least, aside from making you a likable human being, humility helps you reach what otherwise would be unreachable. I personally believe that we can learn from anyone, anywhere, and anytime. What we have experienced cannot be 100% the same as what others have. Therefore, even if you think you know everything, you actually do not. Being humble must be part of your disposition if you are to attain optimal outcomes from your English-learning experience. Admitting that we are not perfect is not a weakness; on the contrary, it is a strength. There are always gaps in our knowledge and it is conceivable that there are many people who have pieces of knowledge and probably tips/advice that we do not know. Thus, willingness to learn from such people and ask for their help is key to enhancing your English skills. Look around and you may see an opportunity to take your English to the next level!

I hope this article is particularly helpful for your English-learning voyage! Please write you think in the comment section below!

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