As the saying goes, “To grow a straight tree, you must plant it from the roots.” This proverb holds true for learning English, especially tenses. The sooner you start learning, the easier it is to become proficient and use English naturally. So, how can you learn English tenses quickly and effectively? Let’s explore some “fast-track” tips for beginners in this article!
1. Understanding the Essence of Tenses
1.1. What are Tenses?
A “tense” is how verbs are used to express the time when an action or event takes place. In other words, tense is the “clothing” that verbs wear, helping listeners understand clearly when something happened – in the past, present, or future.
1.2. 12 Tenses in English
English has 12 basic tenses, each with its own characteristics and usage. To learn effectively, you need to grasp the formulas, recognition signs, and how to use each tense.
2. Effective Methods for Learning Tenses
2.1. Learn from Basic to Advanced
“Slowly but surely wins the race”, you should start by learning the basic tenses first, then move on to more complex ones. For example, begin with the Present Simple, Present Continuous, Past Simple, and Future Simple tenses.
2.2. Practice Regularly
“Practice makes perfect”, to memorize knowledge, you need to practice regularly. Do grammar exercises, write sentences, translate sentences, and communicate in English to apply what you’ve learned.
2.3. Utilize Suitable Learning Resources
“Two heads are better than one”, take advantage of diverse learning resources to absorb knowledge effectively.
2.4. Note-Taking and Knowledge Review
“Out of sight, out of mind”, take notes of important points and review them regularly to reinforce your knowledge.
3. “Fast-Track” Tips for Beginners
3.1. Tense Summary Table
Create a summary table of tenses for yourself, including:
- Tense Name: Present Simple, Past Simple, Future Simple, etc.
- Formula: How to conjugate verbs in each tense
- Recognition Signs: Words/phrases indicating the time when the tense is used
- Examples: Illustrative sentences for how to use the tense
3.2. Use Flashcards
“Jack of all trades, master of none”, use flashcards to memorize formulas, recognition signs, and example sentences for each tense. You can make your own flashcards or download pre-made ones online.
3.3. Practice with Stories
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” try creating stories using the tenses you’ve learned. For example, you can tell a story about a day out with friends, using the Present Simple, Present Continuous, Past Simple, and Future Simple tenses.
3.4. Practice with Songs
“Music is the language of the soul,” learn English through songs. Choose songs with simple, easy-to-understand lyrics that use many tenses so you can listen to music and learn English at the same time.
4. Minh’s Story
Minh is a close friend of mine. Minh has always dreamed of traveling abroad. Last year, Minh started learning English to realize his dream. Minh set a goal to learn English tenses within 3 months. Minh used many learning methods, from studying books and watching videos to practicing with friends. As a result, Minh mastered English tenses in just 2 months. Minh was very happy and more confident in using English.
5. Advice From Experts
“Man is born to learn, learn to know, know to act”, Mr. Nguyen Van A, a famous English teacher, shared: “To learn English tenses well, you need to understand the essence of tenses, practice regularly, and find suitable learning resources. The most important thing is that you must have passion and perseverance. Remember, ‘Nothing is impossible if you persevere.'”
6. Conclusion
“It’s never too late to learn,” learning English tenses is an important part of helping you use English fluently and confidently. Persevere in pursuing your goals and you will achieve success.
Do you have any questions about how to learn English tenses? Leave a comment below, we are always ready to support you!