After 20 years of studying English, I still struggle overseas

At 43, I've been living in British Columbia, Canada, for five years, studying to become a Nursing Assistant alongside peers from the Philippines, India, and Africa. While confident in my grammar skills, developed through rigorous study in Vietnam, my pronunciation remains a significant barrier. I rely on textbook language rather than the natural expressions younger students use.

My English education in Vietnam emphasized grammar and vocabulary, neglecting accurate pronunciation. After living in Canada, I've learned that listening, speaking, and correct pronunciation are crucial when learning a new language, with grammar being secondary.

My daughter, who moved to Canada at three without knowing English, quickly adapted by playing with neighborhood children and watching English YouTube channels. In just a year, she began speaking with native-like pronunciation, all through informal learning.

Daily communication is key to mastering a foreign language. I hope English education in Vietnam can be reformed to focus on practical communication skills, preventing future generations from being proficient in grammar yet unable to converse fluently.

Reader Henrydoan shared this opinion following VnExpress article "The struggle with learning English."

What do you think is the best way to learn a foreign language?

*The opinion was translated from Vietnamese with the assistance of AI.