6 Things to Stop Saying If You Want to Learn English

英文學習習慣 - 六件事不要說

Hi, I’m Oli.

嗨，我是Oli。

Welcome to Oxford Online English!

歡迎來到Oxford Online English！

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

在本節課裡，您會看到我們通常會從我們 遇到的英文學習者那聽到的六件事。

We see them in YouTube comments.

我們看到他們在YouTube上的評論。

We hear them in classes.

我們在課堂上聽他們說。

Do you want to learn English and make faster progress?

您想學英文並想有快速 進步嗎？

Of course you do!

當然，您可以。

You should stop saying these things.

您要停止说这些事情。

Stop saying “It’s difficult.”

停止說“It’s difficult.”

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

具體地說，從不要說 “It’s too difficult.”

Instead, say “I need more time.”

取而代之，要說“I need more time.”

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

當您說“It’s difficult,”您就在採取 負面的做法。

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

那像是在說“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

這種思考方式讓您自我感覺很糟糕， 那讓您洩氣，不去進一步

further.

嘗試。

Everything is difficult when it’s new and unfamiliar.

當某事是新的或不熟悉的， 每件事都會是困難的。

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

當您學英文或任何語言時，您 必須面對很多新的和不熟悉的

things.

事情。

But, guess what?

但是，建議怎樣？

With time and practice, everything gets easier.

隨著時間流逝和多練習，每件事就容易了。

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

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

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

不要說“Writing essays is too difficult.”

Don’t say “Speaking fluently is difficult.”

不要說“Speaking fluently is difficult.”

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

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

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

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

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

說“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

這會幫助您用積極的方式來進行英文學習， 那麼您著重在

on improving and progressing.

改善和進步。

Stop saying “I understand.”

停止說“I understand.”

Don’t say “I understand this vocabulary.”

停止說“I understand this vocabulary.”

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

停止說“I understand these grammar rules.”

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

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

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

很多英文學習者和語言學習者 通常陷入同一個陷阱中。

They confuse understanding something with knowing it.

他們把知道某事和理解 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 — 對大部分學習者 來說 — 意味著您能使用它。

I understand *how* to play the piano.

我懂 *怎樣*彈鋼琴。

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

您在正確的時間按正確的順序 彈鋼琴的鍵。

I can’t play the piano.

您不能彈鋼琴。

So, is it useful that I understand how?

所以，我懂得怎樣彈有用嗎？

No.

不是的。

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

讓我們回到您和您的英文的例子。

You’re reading something in English.

您正在讀某些英文的東西。

You find a word you don’t know.

您發現您不知道的單字。

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

您在辭典裡找到它，所以您知道 在您的語言裡的翻譯。

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

您自認為“I know this word now.”

You go to English class.

您去上英文課。

Your teacher gives you exercises on a grammar point.

您的老師給您在語法方面 的練習。

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

您做練習，您可以正確地 解決更多的問題。

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

您自認為“I know this grammar.”

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

也許您曾經對您的老師抱怨，說 “This grammar is too easy!

I know this already!”

I know this already!”

You read a text.

您讀一段內容。

You understand it, or at least most of it.

您理解它，或者至少它們的大部分。

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

當您試著用英文寫某些 東西，那是一團糟。

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

您不能把您的想法放進句子裡， 您的寫作是完全錯誤的。

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

因此，您開始說“我理解單字，但我 無法使用它們！”之類的話。

“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，您的被動技能是要比主動 技能好那是自然的。

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

您的聽力和閱讀比您的口說 和寫作要好，那是自然的。

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

在某種程度上，這是正常的， 那不是一個問題。

It’s true for native speakers, too.

對母語人士也是一樣。

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

但是，很多英文學習者*確實* 在這方面有問題。

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

他們關注於理解，然後他們抱怨他們 不能使用那些他們*知道的*。

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

如果您不能使用它， 那麼您不知道。

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

如果您在一個語法上犯錯， 那麼您不知道它。

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

如果您不能使用一個您正在說的一個 單字，那麼您不知道那個單字。

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

如果您學習某些事一百次， 那就不是問題了。

Can you use it?

您能使用它嗎？

No?

不能？

Then you don’t know it.

那麼您不知道它。

So, don’t say “I understand…”

所以，不要說“I understand…”

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

取而代之，說“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，對嗎？

Stop saying “How do I…?

停止說“How do I…?

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

不要說“How do I remember new words?”

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

不要說 “How do I get 7.5 in IELTS?”

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

不要說“How do I improve my listening?”

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

取而代之，自問 “What can I do today?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

我們遇到很多問像這樣範圍太廣、 大致的問題的學生。

“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.

這些問題範圍太廣了。

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

您不會做一件事就說得流利，您要在一段 很長的時間內做很多、很多的事情。

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

當您問類似這些的範圍太廣、大致的問題時， 您會陷入進到抽象的空泛裡。

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

您生活在一個未來的夢想裡，在那裡 您用某種方式講完美的英文。

But, you can’t control the future.

但是，您不能控制未來。

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

您花所有的時間思考抽象的 未來，您現在在

now.

浪費時間。

Focus on what you can do today.

關注在今日您可以做什麼。

There’s a saying in English.

有一句英文諺語。

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

實際上，它是問題的一個形式： 您怎樣吃一頭大象？

Have you heard this?

您有聽過這句話嗎？

Do you know the answer?

您知道回答嗎？

You eat an elephant one bite at a time.

您吃一頭大象，每次吃一點。

That’s what learning English is like.

學英文就像那樣。

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

如果您看整個任務，看上去是不可能的。

It’s like eating an elephant.

那像吃一頭大象。

It’s too big.

那太大了。

But, you can do it.

但是，您可以做到。

People do it!

人們就這樣作！

It’s not even rare.

那不奇怪。

You can do it, too.

您也能做那個。

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

您只是每次不得不做一點。

Focus on what you can do today.

聚焦造今日您可以做什麼。

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…?”

停止問像是“How long will it take me to…?”的問題。

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

不要說 “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?”

不要說“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?”

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

First, no one knows.

首先，沒人知道。

You don’t know, and I don’t know.

您不知道，我不知道。

No one knows.

沒人知道。

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

也許您是一個天才，您在四周內做它。

Maybe it’ll take you four years.

也許那會花您四年的時間。

Maybe you’ll never do it.

也許您從來都做不到。

How am I supposed to know?

我怎麼會知道？

How’s anyone supposed to know?

任何人怎麼會知道？

Every learner is a little bit different.

每位學習者都是有一點不同的。

No one has the same experience.

沒人有相同的經驗。

Secondly, often, this question hides something underneath.

其次，通常，這個問題隱藏了 一些東西在下面。

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

這個問題通常是說 “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：有效率地使用您的時間和錢是一個 價值的目標，但是如果您在試著

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

學習英文，您的出發點是：“How do I do this cheaply and without spending

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

much time?” 那麼您成功的機會會 是微乎其微。

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

這是問題：如果您不想學英文， 那麼就不要做。

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，那麼您可能 學不到太多東西。

So, what should you say instead?

那麼，您要怎麼說呢？

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

取而代之，問“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，這些問題把您的注意力集中在 當前，並鼓勵您立即採取行動。

This increases your chances of making progress.

這增加了您進步的機會。

Stop saying “I can’t.”

停止說 “I can’t.”

Don’t say “I can’t speak fluently.”

不要說 “I can’t speak fluently.”

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

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

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

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

Instead, ask yourself “Why?”

取而代之，問您自己 “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.

有一個理由。

There’s an answer to all these questions.

對所有的問題有一個答案。

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

如果您想學習，您要找到答案。

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

也許不止有 *一個*答案， 可以有很多。

The answer might not be simple.

答案也許不是簡單的。

In fact, it almost certainly won’t be.

事實上，幾乎可以肯定不是。

But, finding an answer is the first step.

但是，找一個回答是第一步。

Why can’t you speak fluently?

為什麼您不能講得流利？

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

也許您沒有足夠的機會去講英文。

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

也許您一聲中有99%是用您的母語 說話和思考的。

Maybe you lack vocabulary.

也許您缺少字彙。

Maybe your pronunciation needs work.

也許您要在發音上努力。

Maybe something else.

也許有其他的事情。

I don’t know.

我不知道。

Remember: every learner is a little bit different!

記住：每位學習者是有一點點區別的！

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.

以這種方式思考會鼓勵您立即 採取行動做某事。

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

任何時候都說 “I can’t…” 只會讓您感覺糟糕。

Find out why, then do something about it.

找出為什麼，然後做與之相關的某事。

Stop saying “I want...”

停止說“I want...”

Stop saying “I need…”

停止說 “I need…”

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

停止說 “I want to improve my speaking.”

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

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

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

停止說 “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，當英文學習者說“I want…” or “I need…”, 有第二層的意思。

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

有目標或想某些事情那 並不糟糕。

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

但是，如果您說這個，這就是 所有您想說的嗎？

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

很多說這些事的人真正的意思是是 “I want *someone else* to give this to me.”

I want *someone else* to solve this problem.

我想*其他人*來解決這個問題。

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

我想*其他人*來揮舞魔杖並幫 我拿到我的雅思成績。

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

我想*其他人*來帶走所有糟糕的 感覺、辛苦的工作和困難。

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

事情不是那樣的， 從來都不會。

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

您之前聽說過這個，但是我會再次說它： 您不一定要學英文！

But, but, but…

但是，但是，但是…

I need it for my job.

為了我的工作，我需要它。

I have to learn English to emigrate to Australia.

為了移民到澳洲， 我必須學英文。

I have to learn English for my exams at university.

為了我的大學測驗， 我必須學英文。

No, you don’t.

不用，您不用。

No one’s forcing you to learn English.

沒人能強迫您去學習英文。

You want to, or you don’t.

您想或您不想。

If you want to, then do it.

如果您想，那麼去做。

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

如果您不想，那麼省下您的時間、 您的錢和您的精力。

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

而且，可以肯定的是，沒人 能幫您去實現它。

Other people can help.

其他人可以幫忙。

Good teachers can help.

好的老師可以幫忙。

English-speaking friends and colleagues can help.

講英文的朋友和同事可以幫忙。

But, in the end, it depends on you.

但是，最終，那將取決於您。

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

所以，不要說“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.

不要等著其他人去幫您解決問題。

Take responsibility for your own progress.

您要對您自己的進步負責。

I’m not saying that to be unkind.

我不說那個就會是沒有善意。

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

我講它是因為您是能做這件事 的唯一一個人。

That’s it.

本節課就到此結束。

Thanks for watching!

感謝觀看！