Thinking in English
2024-10-26
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Hoang in Vietnam about how to think in English.
2Dear Teacher,
3People say that to speak English fluently, you need to think in English.
4So how can I think in English faster?
5When I talk with foreigners...with the first conversation, I talk very slowly and the remaining time I use for thinking.
6And with the second conversation (because I've been talking before), I feel natural and I speak more fluently.
7So how can I be fluent like the second conversation when I'm having the first conversation?
8Thank you,
9Hoang
10I'm happy to answer this question, Hoang.
11It can be difficult to fully explain how to think in a foreign language.
12That is because the explanation asks us to consider the relationship between thoughts and the language we use to express them.
13However, we can still notice what happens when we think in a foreign language.
14And we can compare it to times when we have to pause and translate from our native language.
15Consider what happens when you exchange simple greetings, questions, and answers in a foreign language.
16If someone asks you in English, "How are you today?" you can probably answer without pausing or translating from your native language.
17For example, you can quickly reply, "I'm fine, thank you. And how are you?"
18This example shows us the basic things we need for thinking in a foreign language.
19In this situation, you know all the words you need to say.
20You don't need to stop and think about the grammar.
21And you have heard and said these phrases so many times that your response is automatic.
22The reason the second conversation you talk about feels more natural is because you have already heard and used some of the vocabulary and grammar you need.
23So, for any subject you want to discuss, you will be able to think in English after you have learned and practiced what you need to say many times.
24Here are some suggestions for learning to think in English:
25Choose a subject you are interested in discussing.
26Then, imagine you are speaking with another person.
27How easily and quickly can your mind find the vocabulary and grammar you need?
28Note when you need to pause to find vocabulary or think about grammar.
29Next, learn the vocabulary and grammar and then practice using them several times.
30Repeat the words until they become automatic.
31If you can plan ahead and practice in your mind what you will likely talk about, then your first conversation might feel easier and similar to a second conversation.
32You can find more advice for thinking in English in our Education Tips article, "Train Your Brain to Think in English."
33Keep in mind that, to think in English, you need to read, listen to, and speak as much English as possible.
34This will help your mind use English more easily.
35For our readers and listeners, what are your questions about American English?
36We'd like to hear from you.
37Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com.
38And please include where you are from in your email, too.
39And that's Ask a Teacher.
40I'm Andrew Smith.
1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Hoang in Vietnam about how to think in English. 2Question 3Dear Teacher, 4People say that to speak English fluently, you need to think in English. So how can I think in English faster? When I talk with foreigners...with the first conversation, I talk very slowly and the remaining time I use for thinking. And with the second conversation (because I've been talking before), I feel natural and I speak more fluently. 5So how can I be fluent like the second conversation when I'm having the first conversation? 6Thank you, 7Hoang 8Answer 9I'm happy to answer this question, Hoang. 10It can be difficult to fully explain how to think in a foreign language. That is because the explanation asks us to consider the relationship between thoughts and the language we use to express them. 11However, we can still notice what happens when we think in a foreign language. And we can compare it to times when we have to pause and translate from our native language. 12Consider what happens when you exchange simple greetings, questions, and answers in a foreign language. If someone asks you in English, "How are you today?" you can probably answer without pausing or translating from your native language. For example, you can quickly reply, "I'm fine, thank you. And how are you?" 13This example shows us the basic things we need for thinking in a foreign language. In this situation, you know all the words you need to say. You don't need to stop and think about the grammar. And you have heard and said these phrases so many times that your response is automatic. 14The reason the second conversation you talk about feels more natural is because you have already heard and used some of the vocabulary and grammar you need. So, for any subject you want to discuss, you will be able to think in English after you have learned and practiced what you need to say many times. 15Steps for thinking in English 16Here are some suggestions for learning to think in English: 17Choose a subject you are interested in discussing. Then, imagine you are speaking with another person. How easily and quickly can your mind find the vocabulary and grammar you need? Note when you need to pause to find vocabulary or think about grammar. Next, learn the vocabulary and grammar and then practice using them several times. Repeat the words until they become automatic. 18If you can plan ahead and practice in your mind what you will likely talk about, then your first conversation might feel easier and similar to a second conversation. 19You can find more advice for thinking in English in our Education Tips article, "Train Your Brain to Think in English." 20Keep in mind that, to think in English, you need to read, listen to, and speak as much English as possible. This will help your mind use English more easily. 21For our readers and listeners, what are your questions about American English? We'd like to hear from you. Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com. And please include where you are from in your email, too. 22And that's Ask a Teacher. 23I'm Andrew Smith. 24Andrew Smith wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. 25_________________________________________________ 26Words in This Story 27fluently -adv. speaking easily and well 28conversation -n. a discussion between people 29translate -v. to take the words of one language and turn them into another language 30pause -v. to stop and take a moment while doing an activity 31automatic -adj. something done without extra thought 32vocabulary -n. the words a person knows and is able to use correctly