The trouble with learning English or with learning anything is that the gray matter between our ears doesn't always cooperate. (That is in reference to your brain.) It's not like it becomes instantly inflexible the moment we start to try to remember or practice something. It's more like we freeze up and our brains refuse to learn. That doesn't have to be so.

More often than not, if we have fun doing something, we are more relaxed and learn better, faster, and more permanently. Play games with yourself while learning a language. Or if you are with other learners, include them in the game. Let me show you what I mean.

Acronyms: In laymen's terms, these are a type of abbreviation or letters that stand for something else. Those that have learned music have done it for decades and centuries. They memorized the notes on a scale, "E, G, B, D, F", by using the acronym, "Every good boy does fine". Can you see the same letters at the beginning of each of those words? We can do the same thing to memorize things too. "CBS" becomes Christian Brother's School. Have fun! "NBC" becomes Not By Chance, etc. Have some fun and make up something funny. You are sure to remember it better.

Repetition: The saying is, "Repetition is the mother of retention". That means if you do it over and over again, you remember it better. It more easily becomes part of your long term memory.

Use: When you learn English, even if it is spoken like an American, you have to use it to make it your own. You have to use it to hold onto it, or remember it for a long time. The idiomatic expression for that one is, "use it or lose it". And that is self-explanatory, isn't it?

Online learning: This is just too big! So, we will deal with this in the next article.

Learn English and remember it! Incorporate acronyms, repetition, and use. That way you will be able to learn and truly benefit from the privilege of speaking multiple languages.

Find a complete album of videos for learning English for ESL learners on my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/englishsponge

Mr. Wilson is a teacher and trainer who has over 25 years in the education field. As a double certified TESOL Instructor he has volunteered much of his time over the years to help people learn language and better their lives. He now teaches language live over the internet in both an individual and group format. He has engrossed himself in the study of heightening memory capability while grasping a new language.

Find out more at http://www.youtube.com/user/englishsponge