6 Things to Stop Saying If You Want to Learn English

英语学习习惯 - 六件事不要说

Hi, I’m Oli.

嗨，我是Oli。

Welcome to Oxford Online English!

欢迎来到Oxford Online English！

In this lesson, you’ll see six things we often hear from English learners we meet.

在本节课中，您会看到我们通常会从我们 遇到的英语学习者那听到的六件事。

We see them in YouTube comments.

我们看到他们在YouTube上的评论。

We hear them in classes.

我们在课堂上听他们说。

Do you want to learn English and make faster progress?

您想学英语并想加快 速度吗？

Of course you do!

当然，您可以。

You should stop saying these things.

您要停止说这些事情。

Stop saying “It’s difficult.”

停止说“It’s difficult.”

Definitely, never say “It’s too difficult.”

具体地说，从不要说“It’s too difficult.”

Instead, say “I need more time.”

取而代之，要说“I need more time.”

When you say “It’s difficult,” you’re immediately taking a negative approach.

当您说“It’s difficult,”您马上在采取 负面的做法。

It’s like saying “I can’t do it,” “I should give up,” “There’s no point

那像是在说“I can’t do it,” “I should give up,” “There’s no point

trying.”

trying.”

This way of thinking makes you feel bad about yourself, and it discourages you from trying

这种思考方式让您自我感觉很糟糕， 那让您泄气，不去进一步

further.

尝试。

Everything is difficult when it’s new and unfamiliar.

当某事是新的或不熟悉的， 每件事都会是困难的。

When you learn English—or any language—you have to deal with many new and unfamiliar

当您学英语或任何语言时，您 必须面对很多新的和不熟悉的

things.

事情。

But, guess what?

但是，建议怎样？

With time and practice, everything gets easier.

随着时间流逝和练习，每件事就容易了。

So, don’t say “This grammar point is too difficult.”

所以，不要说“This grammar point is too difficult.”

Don’t say “Writing essays is too difficult.”

不要说“Writing essays is too difficult.”

Don’t say “Speaking fluently is difficult.”

不要说“Speaking fluently is difficult.”

Say “I need more time to understand this grammar point.”

说“I need more time to understand this grammar point.”

Say “I need more time to learn how to write essays well.”

说“I need more time to learn how to write essays well.”

Say “I need more time in order to speak more fluently.”

说“I need more time in order to speak more fluently.”

This helps you approach your English learning in a positive way, so that you’re focused

这会帮助您用积极的方式来进行英语学习， 那么您关注在

on improving and progressing.

改善和进步。

Stop saying “I understand.”

停止说“I understand.”

Don’t say “I understand this vocabulary.”

停止说“I understand this vocabulary.”

Don’t say “I understand these grammar rules.”

停止说“I understand these grammar rules.”

Don’t say “I understand what people say, but I can’t respond!”

停止说“I understand what people say, but I can’t respond!”

Many English learners—and language learners generally—fall into the same trap.

很多英语学习者和语言学习者 通常陷入同一个陷阱。

They confuse understanding something with knowing it.

他们把知道某事和懂 某事混淆了。

But, really knowing something—for most learners—means that you can use it.

但是，真正知道某事 — 对大部分学习者 来说 — 意味着您能使用它。

I understand *how* to play the piano.

我懂 *怎样*弹钢琴。

You hit the keys in the right order at the right times.

您在正确的时间按正确的顺序 弹钢琴的键。

I can’t play the piano.

您不能弹钢琴。

So, is it useful that I understand how?

所以，我懂得怎样弹有用吗？

No.

不是的。

Let’s come back to you, and your English.

让我们回到您和您的英语的例子。

You’re reading something in English.

您正在读某些英语的东西。

You find a word you don’t know.

您发现您不知道的单词。

You look it up in your dictionary, so you know the translation in your language.

您在字典里找它，所以您知道 在您的语言里的翻译。

You think to yourself, “I know this word now.”

您自认为“I know this word now.”

You go to English class.

您去上英语课。

Your teacher gives you exercises on a grammar point.

您的老师给您在语法方面 的练习。

You do the exercise, and you get most of the questions right.

您做练习，您可以正确地 解决更多的问题。

You think to yourself, “I know this grammar.”

您自认为“I know this grammar.”

Maybe you even complain to your teacher, and say “This grammar is too easy!

也许您曾经对您的老师抱怨，说 “This grammar is too easy!

I know this already!”

I know this already!”

You read a text.

您读一段内容。

You understand it, or at least most of it.

您理解它，或者至少它们的大部分。

When you try to write something in English, it’s a mess.

当您试着用英语写某些 东西，那是一团糟。

You can’t put your ideas into sentences, and your writing is full of mistakes.

您不能把您的想法放到句子里， 您的写作是完全错误的。

So then, you start saying things like “I understand words but I can’t use them!”

因此，您开始说“我理解单词，但我 无法使用它们！”之类的话。

“I understand when I listen, but I can’t speak!”

“I understand when I listen, but I can’t speak!”

“I understand grammar, but I make mistakes when I speak or write!”

“I understand grammar, but I make mistakes when I speak or write!”

First of all, it’s natural for your passive skills to be better than your active skills.

首先，您的被动技能是要比主动 技能好那是自然的。

It’s natural that your listening and reading are better than your speaking and writing.

您的听力和阅读比您的口语 和写作要好，那是自然的。

To some extent, this is normal and it isn’t a problem.

在某种程度上，这是正常的， 那不是一个问题。

It’s true for native speakers, too.

对母语人士也是一样。

But, many English learners *do* have a problem here.

但是，很多英语学习者*确实* 在这方面有问题。

They focus on understanding, and then they complain that they can’t use what they “know”.

他们关注于理解，然后他们抱怨他们 不能使用那些他们*知道的*。

If you can’t use it, then you don’t know it.

如果您不能使用它， 那么您不知道。

If you make mistakes with a grammar point, then you don’t know it.

如果您在一个语法上犯错， 那么您不知道它。

If you can’t use a word when you’re speaking, then you don’t know the word.

如果您不能使用一个您正在说的一个 单词，那么您不知道那个单词。

It doesn’t matter if you’ve studied something a hundred times.

如果您学习某些事一百次， 那就不是问题了。

Can you use it?

您能使用它吗？

No?

不？

Then you don’t know it.

那么您不知道它。

So, don’t say “I understand…”

所以，不要说“I understand…”

Instead, say “I can use this,” or “I can’t use this.”

取而代之，说“I can use this, ”或“I can’t use this.”

That’s what counts.

那才是重要的。

That’s what you care about, right?

那才是您在乎的，对吗？

Stop saying “How do I…?

停止说“How do I…?

Don’t say “How do I remember new words?”

不要说“How do I remember new words?”

Don’t say “How do I get 7.5 in IELTS?”

不要说 “How do I get 7.5 in IELTS?”

Don’t say “How do I improve my listening?”

不要说“How do I improve my listening?”

Instead, ask yourself “What can I do today?”

取而代之，自问 “What can I do today?”

Say “What can I do today to learn some new vocabulary?”

说 “What can I do today to learn some new vocabulary?”

Say “What can I do today to prepare for my IELTS exam?”

说 “What can I do today to prepare for my IELTS exam?”

Say “What can I do today to practise my listening skills?”

说“What can I do today to practise my listening skills?”

We meet many students who ask huge, general questions like this.

我们遇到很多问像这样大的、 一般的问题的学生。

“How do I speak fluently?”

“How do I speak fluently?”

“How do I write a high-scoring IELTS essay?”

“How do I write a high-scoring IELTS essay?”

“How do I speak with a British accent?”

“How do I speak with a British accent?”

These questions are too big.

这些问题范围太大了。

You don’t do one thing to speak fluently, you do many, many things over a long time.

您不会做一件事就说得流利，您要在一段 很长的时间内做很多、很多的事情。

When you ask big, general questions like these, you get trapped in abstract generalities.

当您问类似这些的大问题、一般问题时， 您会陷入到抽象的笼统里面。

You’re living in a future dream, where you somehow speak perfect English.

您生活在一个未来的梦想里， 在那 您用某种方式讲完美的英语。

But, you can’t control the future.

但是，您不能控制未来。

All that time you spend thinking about the abstract future, you’re wasting time right

您花所有的时间思考抽象的 未来，您现在在

now.

浪费时间。

Focus on what you can do today.

聚焦在今日您可以做什么。

There’s a saying in English.

有一句英语谚语。

Actually, it’s in the form of a question: how do you eat an elephant?

实际上，它是问题的一个形式： 您怎样吃一头大象？

Have you heard this?

您有听过这句话吗？

Do you know the answer?

您知道回答吗？

You eat an elephant one bite at a time.

您吃一头大象，每次吃一点。

That’s what learning English is like.

学英语就像那样。

If you look at the whole task, it seems impossible.

如果您看整个任务，看上去是不可能的。

It’s like eating an elephant.

那像吃一头大象。

It’s too big.

那太大了。

But, you can do it.

但是，您可以做到。

People do it!

人们就这样做！

It’s not even rare.

那不奇怪

You can do it, too.

您也能做那个。

You just have to do it one bite at a time.

您只是每次不得不做一点。

Focus on what you can do today.

聚焦在今日您可以做什么。

That’s the only thing you can control.

那是唯一一件您能控制的事情。

Stop asking questions like “How long will it take me to…?”

停止问像是“How long will it take me to…?”的问题。

Don’t say “How long does it take to become fluent in English?”

不要说 “How long does it take to become fluent in English?”

Don’t say “How long will it take me to get band seven in IELTS?”

不要说“How long will it take me to get band seven in IELTS?”

Don’t say “How long will it take me to learn to negotiate in English for my work?”

不要说“How long will it take me to learn to negotiate in English for my work?”

First, no one knows.

首先，没人知道。

You don’t know, and I don’t know.

您不知道，我不知道。

No one knows.

没人知道。

Maybe you’re a genius and you’ll do it in four weeks.

也许您是一个天才，您在四周内做它。

Maybe it’ll take you four years.

也许那会花您四年时间。

Maybe you’ll never do it.

也许您从来做不到。

How am I supposed to know?

我怎么会知道？

How’s anyone supposed to know?

任何人怎么会知道？

Every learner is a little bit different.

每位学习者是有一点不同的。

No one has the same experience.

没人有相同的经验。

Secondly, often, this question hides something underneath.

其次，通常，这个问题隐藏了 一些东西在下面。

This question often says “I don’t want to study English; I don’t want to spend

这个问题通常是说 “I don’t want to study English; I don’t want to spend

my time and money studying English, but I have to.

my time and money studying English, but I have to.

So, how can I get what I want while spending as little time and money as possible?”

So, how can I get what I want while spending as little time and money as possible?”

Look: being efficient with your time and money is a worthwhile goal, but if you’re trying

看：有效使用您的时间和钱是一个有价值 的目标，但是如果您在试着

to learn English and your starting point is: “How do I do this cheaply and without spending

学习英语，您的出发点是： “How do I do this cheaply and without spending

much time?” then your chances of success are slim.

much time?” 那么您成功的机会 会是微乎其微。

Here’s the answer: if you don’t want to study English, then don’t.

这是问题：如果您不想学英语， 那么就不要做。

You don’t have to.

您不必做。

If you really don’t want to, then you probably won’t learn much anyway.

如果您真的不想，那么您可能 学不到太多东西。

So, what should you say instead?

那么，您要怎么说呢？

Instead, ask “What’s the next step if I want to…?”

取而代之，问“What’s the next step if I want to…?”

“What’s the next step if I want to get band seven in IELTS?”

“What’s the next step if I want to get band seven in IELTS?”

“What’s the next step if I want to improve my speaking?”

“What’s the next step if I want to improve my speaking?”

“What’s the next step if I want to stop making so many grammar mistakes?”

“What’s the next step if I want to stop making so many grammar mistakes?”

Again, these questions focus you on the present and encourage you to take action now.

再次，这些问题将您的注意力集中在 当前，并鼓励您立即采取行动。

This increases your chances of making progress.

这增加了您进步的机会。

Stop saying “I can’t.”

停止说 “I can’t.”

Don’t say “I can’t speak fluently.”

不要说 “I can’t speak fluently.”

Don’t say “I can’t understand films and TV in English.”

不要说“I can’t understand films and TV in English.”

Don’t say “I can’t write without making mistakes.”

不要说 “I can’t write without making mistakes.”

Instead, ask yourself “Why?”

取而代之，问您自己 “Why?”

“Why can’t I speak fluently?”

“Why can’t I speak fluently?”

“Why can’t I understand films and TV in English?”

“Why can’t I understand films and TV in English?”

“Why do I make so many mistakes when I write?”

“Why do I make so many mistakes when I write?”

There’s a reason.

有一个理由。

There’s an answer to all these questions.

对所有的问题有一个答案。

If you want to learn, you need to find the answer.

如果您想学习，您要找到答案。

There might not just be *one* answer, there could be many.

也许不止有 *一个*答案， 可以有很多。

The answer might not be simple.

答案也许不是简单的

In fact, it almost certainly won’t be.

事实上，几乎可以肯定不是。

But, finding an answer is the first step.

但是，找一个回答是第一步。

Why can’t you speak fluently?

为什么您不能讲得流利？

Maybe you don’t get enough opportunities to speak English.

也许您没有足够的机会去讲英语。

Maybe you live 99% of your life speaking and thinking in your native language.

也许您一生中有99%是用您的母语 说活和思考的。

Maybe you lack vocabulary.

也许您缺少词汇。

Maybe your pronunciation needs work.

也许您要在发音上努力。

Maybe something else.

也许有其他的事情。

I don’t know.

我不知道。

Remember: every learner is a little bit different!

记住：每位学习者是有一点点区别的！

You need to find the answer for you.

您要自己找答案。

Thinking this way will encourage you to take action and do something now.

以这种方式思考会鼓励您立即 采取行动做某事。

Saying “I can’t…” all the time just makes you feel bad.

任何时候都说 “I can’t…” 只会让您感觉糟糕。

Find out why, then do something about it.

找出为什么，然后做与之相关的某事。

Stop saying “I want...”

停止说“I want...”

Stop saying “I need…”

停止说 “I need…”

Don’t say “I want to improve my speaking.”

停止说 “I want to improve my speaking.”

Don’t say “I want to have a bigger vocabulary.”

停止说 “I want to have a bigger vocabulary.”

Don’t say “I need to get band six point five in IELTS.”

停止说 “I need to get band six point five in IELTS.”

Often, when English learners say, “I want…” or “I need…”, there’s a second meaning.

通常，当英语学习者说“I want…” or “I need…”, 有第二层的意思。

It’s not bad to have goals or to want things.

有目标或想某些事情那 并不糟糕。

But, if you say this, is this all you mean?

但是，如果您说这个，这就是 所有您想说的吗？

Many people who say these things really mean “I want *someone else* to give this to me.”

很多说这些事的人真正的意思是 “I want *someone else* to give this to me.”

I want *someone else* to solve this problem.

我想*其他人*来解决这个问题。

I want *someone else* to wave a magic wand and get me my IELTS result.

我想*其他人*来挥舞魔杖并帮 我拿到我的雅思成绩。

I want *someone else* to take away all the bad feelings and the hard work and the difficulties.

我想*其他人*来带走所有糟糕的 感觉、辛苦的工作和困难。

It doesn’t work like that, and it’s never going to.

事情不是那样的， 从来都不会。

You heard this before, but I’ll say it again: you don’t have to learn English!

您之前听说这个，但是我会再次说它： 您不一定要学英语！

But, but, but…

但是，但是，但是…

I need it for my job.

为了我的工作，我需要它。

I have to learn English to emigrate to Australia.

为了移民到澳大利亚， 我必须学英语。

I have to learn English for my exams at university.

为了我的大学测验， 我必须学英语。

No, you don’t.

不用，您不用。

No one’s forcing you to learn English.

没人能强迫您去学习英语。

You want to, or you don’t.

您想或您不想。

If you want to, then do it.

如果您想，那么去做。

If you don’t, then save your time, your money and your energy.

如果您不想，那么省下您的时间、 您的钱和您的精力。

And, for sure, no one else will make it happen for you.

而且，可以肯定的是，没人 能帮您去实现它。

Other people can help.

其他人可以帮忙。

Good teachers can help.

好的老师可以帮忙。

English-speaking friends and colleagues can help.

讲英语的朋友和同事可以帮忙。

But, in the end, it depends on you.

但是，最终，那将取决于您。

So, don’t say “I want…” or “I need…” if what you really mean is “I want someone

所以，不要说“I want…”或是“I need…” 如果您的真正的意思是“I want someone

else to give me the solution.”

else to give me the solution.”

Don’t wait for someone else to solve your problems.

不要等着其他人去帮您解决问题。

Take responsibility for your own progress.

您要对您自己的进步负责。

I’m not saying that to be unkind.

我不说那个就会是不友善。

I’m saying it because you’re the only person who can.

我讲它是因为您是能做这件事 的唯一一个人。

That’s it.

本节课就到这。

Thanks for watching!

感谢观看！