The English Code (extract from the YFI method)

This post is part of the Exclusive Online Material for students, but I decided to share it on the Blog as a "teaser" of our content and methodology in practice.

Don't forget to leave a comment or question at the end. I'll be happy to answer!

-Laura Chasampi

Coordenator

In the YFI method we share with you the secret of how to crack the "English code", but what does that mean? Well, you may not realize it, but your entire world makes sense because of your first language and when you learn a new one, you leave behind the point of view you had about reality. This creates new pathways in your brain and processes that are different from your first language. It is also a bit painful and difficult, but just like every time you leave your comfort zone, it is difficult at first, but then you gain a lot!

In the sessions, we use some techniques to help you put this logic into practice, so think of this post as a “pre-training” and it doesn’t matter if you are an advanced student or if you only know the “verb to be”, the YFI method will help you program your brain to understand the "English code". So let’s start with the theory...

Key Point 1: English is worldwide because it is SIMPLE, SHORT, SUCCINT. For every word in English, you probably need 4 to 5 words in Portuguese, italian or spanish.. if not simpler than all the other languages!

Let's take the word "play" as an example. It can be translated as "to play, game, play a musical instrument, a play, etc."

In these translations, we can see that "play" can be an action, but also a noun. In addition, depending on the context, the meaning changes.

Key Point 2: DO NOT translate word by word.

It is useless to try to use the same words that you would use in your first language. The skill of not translating requires practice and we will share activities for you to learn, but this should be the first thing you need to change in your routine.

What we should always keep is the meaning, the concept. I don't need to translate. I need to learn what works in the other language to express myself.

Key Point 3: The order in the structure is very important.

English follows very rigid structures to make sense. This is how they know if "play" is an action or a noun.

Key Point 4: Word Formation

In addition to using the same words for different meanings, there are structures that change or add meaning to the same word, which are prefixes, suffixes, compound nouns and compound adjectives.

Continuing with "play" as the root, we can form all these words:

played, playing, player, playground, playmate, replay, gameplay, playtime, outplay, playful, etc.

When you understand the logic of the English code, it becomes easier to make deductions if you hear or see a new word, you can try to "guess" the meaning after training your brain to follow the logic.

Key Point 5: In pronunciation, English goes crazy! This is because it does not follow any logic, see the next example:

ear /iaR/

bear /BER/

beard /BiiRD/

hear /HiaR/

heard /hOrD/

heart /hARt/

What we suggest you do is simply have contact with the language. Nowadays, it is much easier to just listen or read something online and for free, which makes sense to just practice and not rely entirely on logic when it comes to it.

Another tool we like to suggest is Google Translator, which has the speaker symbol where you can listen to the words you have written. Tap it once and you will hear a “fast” version, tap it twice and you will hear the slower version.

With these points in mind, students learn and practice every day in the sessions, allowing them to speak more fluently and confidently than ever before.

Have you ever thought about English like this?