Using technology as a tool, not a crutch
Learning English can be very very hard, and it can be temping to use technology to help you survive... even if that means you don't learn anything.
Gadgets like smartphones, tablets, e-dictionaries and camera translators are very cool and fun, but are they going to help you really feel confident with your English? Well, it depends on how you are using the technology that you have at your disposal.
Technology can be used as a tool or as a crutch.
A tool is simply something you can use to help you complete a task.
A crutch is something that a person depends on to help deal with problems. A crutch deals with the difficult part for you, so you don't have to struggle or really learn anything. When you use a crutch, you have no reason to get stronger.
Technology is so wonderful, but many people are using it as a crutch for learning English, and they can't understand why they still don't feel confident talking with native speakers. How are you using Technology to help you learn English?
Lets look at some examples.
Translator/ Electronic Dictionary/ Thesaurus:
Crutch: Using a translator to look up every word you don't know in English and then just showing the screen to the person you are talking to.
Tool:Using your translator to look up English words you always hear and then exploring all the possible translations and uses of the word.
If you don't know a word in English, always try to use the vocab that you do know to try to explain it first. Probably the person you are talking to will be able to guess what you are talking about and tell you the word. You will remember it more easily if someone teaches you the word rather than just seeing it on a screen.
Crutch: Using your camera to take pictures of your Be Fluent notes and then never looking at them or copying them into a notebook.
Tool: Take a picture of any diagrams or charts on the board and copy everything else during class. Put your English class photos into a special album and study on the train!
Crutch: Taking pictures of everything you eat, see and do and then showing them to people or your teacher instead of explaining what you did and where you went.
Tool: Using your camera to take pictures of interesting signs, posters, or advertisements around the city that you don't really understand, and then researching on the internet when you get home, or asking your Be Fluent teacher in class.
Crutch: Having native speaker friends record things for you to play back at a coffee shop or for your landlord or doorman.
Tool: Recording your English classes and then listening after class, and again before your next lesson, and then trying to avoid the mistakes you made in the next class.
crutch: Using google maps to never have to ask anyone for directions ever.
For sure you should use this app to help you get around, but really, you should ask people who look friendly on the street for directions, especially if you think you are close to your destination. This is a wonderful way to practice your English and gain confidence. And you might even end up making a friend!
Crutch: Living physically in New York, but mentally in your own country. Keeping up with friends back home is great, but you really should try to immerse yourself in English and take a break from constant communication in your first language.
Tool: Asking everyone you meet socially if you can friend them, and then trying to understand their posts even if they use some tough slang.
Tool: Following newspapers and magazines so you can read the headlines as you scroll through your news feed
Tool: Taking screenshots of your native speaker friend's posts, headlines, ads, or really anything on Facebook, and showing them to your teacher.
