Rosetta stones

Everyone here is either trying to learn English or trying to help other people learn English. Ok, well some are just after entertainment but mostly we are all working toward the same goal. 

What have you got in your home, or on your computer that will help you learn this tough language? If you are religious, and many people here are religious, you have the Quran or the Bible or the New Testament or the Declaration of Independence or The Joy of Cooking! What do these have to do with learning English? Read on.

Has anyone heard of the Rosetta Stone? It was a piece of stone discovered in 1799. It had three translations of the same story (passage) on it, two in Egyptian (demotic and hieroglyphic)  and one in  classical Greek. The key to understanding hieroglyphics came from this stone. A French scholar finally translated the hieroglyphics in 1822-24. 

How does this fit into your English study? Well, pick up something in English at a bookstore. Then look for the same book in your own language. Maybe choose poetry, a book of songs, maybe even the script from a popular movie. Hey, a cookbook will do!

While the words won't be EXACTLY the same, you should be able to follow the English version of your book when you read the same book in your own language. I have read that some people have learned English in this way. Simple but effective.

The alternative is to rent a movie and watch it with the subtitles in your own language several times. Then, scene by scene, go through the film and try to figure out what the actors are saying. Sooner or later it will all begin to sink in. Just sit and watch, don't get frustrated. In a while you will be able to figure out what the actors are saying.

The Internet is full of song lyrics. What group do you like to listen to? Download their music and then find the lyrics online. Listen to the music and read the lyrics as you enjoy the tune. Sooner or later it will start to make sense. 

Your local bookstore, your library or even Itunes has your "Rosetta Stone'. Look for it and you'll be proficient in English in no time! Good luck!