Lecture Notes: Thinking in English and Avoiding Translation

Introduction

• Issue: Translating in your head when speaking English
• Objective: Share tips to start thinking in English and avoid translation

Initial Exercise

• Activity: Complete sentences to introduce the topic
  • Translating is a bad habit to have.
  • Successful learners can come up with unexpected responses to any question.
  • To stop over-translating, you need to start thinking in English.

Importance of Thinking in English

• Problem with Translation:
  • Causes delays in forming sentences
  • Leads to awkward or incorrect sentence structure
• Teacher’s Insight: Experienced teachers can identify when a student is translating
• Solution: Train your brain to think in English

Tips for Thinking in English

1. Practice Improvisation:
   • Thoughts are random; translation delays response
   • Improvisation requires thinking on your feet
   • Quote: “Preparation breeds spontaneity”
2. Building Knowledge and Skills:
   • Learn grammar and vocabulary
   • Practice speaking, reading, and listening
   • Deliberately think in English
   • Exercise: Describe surroundings in English
3. Immersion in Language:
   • Engage with content related to interests in English
   • Learn from native perspectives (e.g., American beekeeping, Australian pottery)
   • Expand vocabulary and internalize language patterns

Embrace Uncertainty

• Overcoming Fear:
  • Initial fear is natural
  • Embrace the inner child; be okay with making mistakes
• Eloquence Over Time:
  • Accept speaking like a child initially
  • Over time, sophistication in English will grow

Real-life Examples

• Student Experience:
  • Initially struggled with translation
  • Improved fluency and sentence construction by thinking in English
• Professional Context:
  • Successful professionals may struggle to communicate as fluently in English
  • Accept initial limitations and focus on gradual improvement

Cultural Immersion

• Language and Culture:
  • Learning a language includes understanding cultural contexts and practices
  • Treat English as a friend; learn about native behaviors and traditions

Additional Resources

• Real Life English App:
  • Practice vocabulary with flashcards
  • Space repetition system to retain words

Conclusion

• Key Takeaways:
  • Deliberately train your brain to think in English
  • Use interests to immerse yourself in the language
  • Embrace uncertainty and initial mistakes
  • Be patient and persistent; fluency develops over time
• Call to Action:
  • Subscribe to the channel
  • Engage with English content daily