| English is a very difficult language to learn. The learning | | | | know better. |
| curve is not only difficult in regard to the speaking | | | | To practice my reading, I was very fortunate to have |
| portion of the process, but the level of difficulty applies | | | | my husband after his work day and on the weekends |
| to the reading and writing aspects as well. | | | | of course. |
| However, it is possible for one to learn how to speak, | | | | There was also this very generous girl that soon |
| write and read without going to an English school to | | | | became my dear friend, who allowed me to come to |
| accomplish this goal. It certainly takes discipline and | | | | her apartment every day right after dropping our kids |
| drive to achieve effective results. | | | | at the bus stop. I would then read nonstop for hours |
| I am personally a prime example of someone who | | | | and hours, and she would patiently listen and correct |
| didn't have the resources necessary to afford | | | | me while working (she is a designer in the bridal |
| attending a language school, so I had to make a | | | | industry). |
| decision, or a choice if you will, of how in a very short | | | | After the nine months were over and I felt somewhat |
| period of time I would get myself to a point where I | | | | comfortable, I was brave enough to venture into |
| could converse with other native speakers of the | | | | working at a Mexican restaurant as a cashier. It was |
| English language. Fortunately for me, my husband is a | | | | only part time, however, it was the longest 4.5 hours of |
| native English speaker so I was able to do my part | | | | my life. I thought the day that I would walk into that |
| and count on him to correct my work. | | | | place and not feel the pressure of saying anything |
| It was a long nine months before I was able to | | | | wrong, or that I would say something and clients |
| converse in a rough level of conversation with others. | | | | wouldn't understand me, would never come. But it did, |
| During the nine months that I applied myself 100% to | | | | and four months after that I was doing that job like |
| learning English, I used several different methods and | | | | any other that spoke the language could do. |
| tools. I was a frequent user of our city's library where I | | | | Today, 6 years after that first job (which I did for 1 |
| obtained grammar books on a weekly basis. I | | | | year) I am working for a very large financial institution, |
| completed all exercises in these books as well as | | | | in a leadership role and I am making a very good living. I |
| other books acquired from bookstores. | | | | have also earned my MBA in 2005. |
| To practice my understanding (listening to others), I | | | | So again, if money is a problem in learning a second |
| utilized the TV news channels. I figured that it was the | | | | language don't let that stop you. Be creative and |
| most accurate source to learn to speak properly and | | | | disciplined! |
| avoid the use of "not so good" English since I didn't | | | | |