I have taught and tutored foreign language students for many years, and have a great deal of sympathy for you and your struggle to master English.

Of course, many aids to this study are already available: ESL study tapes, free ESL instruction at colleges and universities, online sites specifically designed to help you. And most of these methods are indeed very helpful and you should use them as much as you possibly can.

Formal Language Study Is Not Enough

But I've seen that ESL students can only humanly endure so much of this formal instruction in English in a given week or month. After a certain point, the time spent no longer equals the rewards. Yes, there is a point of diminishing returns with using systematic learning aids in mastering the English language.

Sadly, for many students, this route is not sufficient for them. I've seen too many just give up over time. I've also seen some fail college courses because they were too embarrassed to admit they really didn't understand what was going on in class, couldn't comprehend the textbooks or their assignments, and were too frightened to participate in class.

These situations are really heartbreaking for me to behold and, I'm certain, far, far more heartbreaking for the students themselves.

You've Got to "Hang Out" with Native Speakers of English

But what I have found that does work, and works very well, in combination with systematic study, is just plain "hanging out" with native speakers of English. This kind of exposure gives you real effective practice in speaking the English language as it is spoken today by native speakers of English.

With this kind of exposure you learn faster "by ear" all the really tough stuff, such as irregular verb conjugations and English idioms.

Many ESL students are shy and prefer to hang out with friends and folks who speak their own language. This is understandable. They are afraid of being mocked or rejected by Americans for their lack of proficiency in English.

But I truly encourage all of you struggling ESL students to take a few of the following steps. You will be welcomed and indulged by native English speakers when you do. And your mastery of English will really accelerate!

Take at Least One or Two of These Steps! More Would Be Better!

• Join clubs like chess clubs, sports clubs, music clubs, art clubs and so on. If you play a musical instrument, join a band! That is, join a club with a focus on a subject you are really interested in. You will find this shared interest with other club members will speed you on your way in mastering English.
• If you are of a religious nature, join churches, synagogues and mosques that have native English speakers as members. A shared faith is a tremendous incentive for others to reach out to you and help you with English.
• Go to sporting events, like football, basketball, baseball and soccer games (or tennis matches, golf tournaments, etc.). Being a sports fan is an immediate entre' for friendship with other sports fans. There's no greater acceptance than participating in cheering on the "home team." It's a universal language.
• Go to sports bars, grilles and other popular student hang outs. The atmosphere in those places is open, relaxed and welcoming. Before you know it, you will be shooting pool and playing foosball with Americans, and you will pick up easily and informally many idioms and make American friends.

• Ask for help if you need it. Americans are by and large of a generous helpful nature. They actually like to help someone who needs help if they are asked to do so. But they won't invade your privacy or personal space if you are "keeping to yourself," acting aloof or disinterested. They interpret that behavior as potentially hostile, as a matter of fact!

The Situation Today with Foreign Students in America

That is because America today is flooded with foreign students and most Americans don't understand the cultures you come from or your ways of doing things. And so it's just easier for them to ignore you if you don't act friendly and open to them.

All of these steps mentioned above require you to leave the comfort zone of your own culture and language. I understand your reluctance to do that. But you are here in America because you want to be, and most of you are here to study and learn. Why not do yourself a favor and make it easier on yourself by taking one or more of these steps?

You can do it, I know you can! Good luck!