Версию этой зарисовки на русском языке вы можете прочитать тут. Данная зарисовка упрощена, и в ней используется лексика для легкого старта начинающих. Чтение легких для понимания текстов в свое время помогло мне сдвинуться с мертвой точки в изучении английского языка. Надеюсь, что поможет и кому-то из вас, кто столкнулся с затруднениями, похожими на мои. Однако четкое понимание цели освоения языка важнее любых лайфхаков.
Why Do We Even Need English?
I wasn’t sure why I needed English for most of my life. It was just something I wanted but without a clear reason. It was part of a strange list of desires I had since I was young:
- To live in Moscow – This started when I visited the city in high school and fell in love with its unique atmosphere.
- To own a German car – Because, well, everyone wants one (unless it’s an Opel).
- To learn English – But I had no idea why.
Unlike the first two, learning English was the hardest to achieve.
A Lifetime of Studying Without Progress
English was always around me. It was a mandatory subject in school and university, but I never truly learned it. After university, I made many attempts to study it, but I never had enough time. Life kept moving forward, one stage after another.
I wasn’t completely ignoring English, but I wasn’t making progress either.
The First Small Success
The first time I really made progress was when I had no choice. I needed to take a professional certification exam. The exam itself was in Russian, but the basic test required before it was only available in English.
I didn’t know this when I signed up. The company paid for my course and the exam, but they also warned me:
- If I failed the test, I would have to pay back all the costs.
- The amount was equal to my entire year’s salary!
I had no way out. I couldn’t avoid the test or find a shortcut. For the first time, I was forced to study English seriously.
How I Prepared for the Test
I changed my approach completely. Instead of just “learning English,” I focused only on what was needed for the test:
- Practiced test questions every day, even when I didn’t understand them.
- Asked friends and colleagues to check my answers, so I could improve my thinking process instead of memorizing answers.
- Made vocabulary lists of words I didn’t know.
- Studied grammar just enough to understand the questions.
- Repeated words and rules throughout the day, even keeping my notes under my pillow at night.
In just a couple of months, I learned enough English to pass the test.
The Moment of Success
On the day of the exam, I went to the test center near the Yauza River in Moscow.
I passed!
For a brief moment, I felt pure happiness. I had overcome a huge challenge. But just a minute later, reality hit me—I had only solved one small problem. Life kept going.
Every time I drive past the bridge over the Yauza River, I am reminded of that moment—a mix of relief, excitement, and the realization that I could push myself further.
How This First Success Helped Me
This experience taught me a key lesson: Motivation works best when you have a clear goal.
Before, I was studying English because "it would be nice to know it." That never worked. But when I had a real reason (to pass the test and keep my job), I finally made progress.
It also proved something my military training instructors used to say: “Everything is achieved through persistent practice.” They were right. But unlike in the military or university, where discipline is forced, I needed to find my own motivation.
Passing that test also changed my career path:
- It helped me switch industries
- I moved to Moscow
- I had to start reading professional materials in English
The Next 10 Years of Learning
Even after passing the test, it took 10 more years before I could speak English fluently in everyday life.
During that time, I tried everything:
- Language learning apps
- Corporate English classes
- Private lessons (in-person and on Skype)
- English conversation clubs
- Watching TV shows and reading books in English
- Talking to foreigners while traveling
- Finally, using English at work
Each method helped in some way, but real progress came only with regular practice and real-life use.
Share Your Thoughts
- Have you ever struggled with learning English?
- What methods helped you make progress?
- Do you think learning English is really necessary?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Also, check out my other articles:
Let’s discuss it! 🚀