How do I learn English

By: Muhsin Ibrahim Lawan

Whenever I write on a topic related to learning English, I receive a torrent of questions under the post and via direct message (DM). The usual question is: how do I learn English? So I want to address this question briefly today.

1. I am still learning English myself. I used to teach the little I knew years ago. Today, there are several private English learning centres, some of which offer virtual classes. No one can say they don't know any of those schools. I once expressed my concern about their "proliferation" because they are many.

2. Learning English, like learning almost everything, is a gradual process. Most of us whose writing style some of you admire have been reading and writing in English for a decade(s). We also (used to) mostly read excellent writers — or well-edited content. Unfortunately, that is significantly lacking today.

3. I bought novels with my first salary in 1999. After that, I used to save money to buy the Weekly Trust newspaper. Their content was impeccable. I also joined online forums, such as KanoOnline, Nairaland, Nigerian Village Square, etc. Vibrant, value-adding debates took place there in those days.

4. Regretably, a writer's worth is usually weighed by his social media following today. Unless you are able or 'lucky' to attract attention, only a few folks will bother to read your writing, regardless of how excellent it is. 

5. People find it hard to read 'lengthy' posts, including those made by 'popular' writers or follow website links. And interestingly, some of these people claim to want to become good writers. Sincerely, you cannot do that on a silver platter.

6. Let me reiterate that learning and mastering anything takes time, patience and commitment. If you aim to conquer English or any language, invest your energy in pursuing it. You can do that only — or mostly — by attending school, reading excellent content, listening to great (primarily native) speakers and practising what we have learned.

I hope I have done justice to the topic, as it's said in Nigerian parlance. :) I wish you and myself all the best.