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Language Is a Tool

Like all tools, language has many uses, but it is not worth very much by itself. We use language to express thoughts or feelings. Grammar and words alone are not as important as the content of what you say. In fact, without content and meaning, language would be useless.

Communication
Language is a way to communicate what you need, want, think, or feel. This is true of all languages, not only English. Your native language and English are very similar. Both are used to communicate with other human beings. This is true of all languages in all countries.

English Is Not a Mystery or Secret

Anybody can learn to speak it as a second language, and millions of people do every year, but if you want to learn to speak English, you must be willing to do two things: make mistakes and take chances.

Make Mistakes
When you speak English, you will make some mistakes because nobody can start speaking a foreign language perfectly from the start. If you wait until you know all the words and forms perfectly, you will never be able to speak English. So start now, wherever you are in your English studies, and speak the best way you can. You can learn new words and better grammar later, but if you don’t start talking now, you will never improve.

Take Chances

This is why it is important to take chances. If you wait until you are sure that everything you say will be perfect, you will wait a long time. Maybe forever! Don't be afraid to say what you want to—now. If you make a mistake this time, that's O. K. If you are shy at first, don't worry. The next time it will be easier. The more mistakes you make and the more chances you take, the easier it will be to speak without fear.
What about grammar? What happens if you don't speak correct English? Of course, sometimes people might not always understand you, but even with speakers of our native language, we often need to explain things in a different way.

Communication Is a Process
Even native speakers of a language sometimes have difficulty communicating. If people don't understand what you say at first, you can try it again a different way. And if you don't understand another person, you can ask them again, and they will usually explain it another way until you understand.

Language and Life are Full of Surprises

When you are having a conversation with someone (in any language) you never know what the other person is going to say next. And like life itself, learning to speak a language can be a great adventure—if you are willing to be a little daring and take a few chances. It doesn't matter how good or bad your spoken English is now. If you study the material in the textbook and on this website, and if you practice with your classmates, you will definitely speak English better. That is a guarantee. Will your English be perfect? Of course not, but it will improve and you will have much more confidence and speaking ability when you finish this course.