"Those who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own."

J.W. Goethe

Yes, I really didn't know English at all. Well, I mean, of course I remembered the basics from school) Hello! How are you?)))

I really wanted (and still want) to go to America; it had been my dream for many years, so I had to start learning. It wasn't easy, but now, in principle, I don't consider English difficult.

The question immediately arose: how to learn it? Choose courses, a tutor, or do it yourself) After calculating the costs for the first two options and remembering how much participating in Work and Travel USA costs me, I decided to study on my own)

I think this "simple" language needs to be learned in parts:

1. Grammar. Sentence structure rules (tenses), reading rules.

2. Pronunciation. Reading texts.

3. Listening comprehension. Probably the most important thing at the embassy.

4. Vocabulary expansion.

The internet, of course, helped with studying these blocks.

ARE YOU READY?

For grammar, I downloaded a table of tenses and just memorized it (it was quite easy to do)

http://omen.perm.ru/learn/pgu1k/vremena.html

A table of irregular verbs will also come in handy http://audio-class.ru/i-verbs.html

Any texts are suitable for pronunciation. I read the "Oxford Intensive English Course" by A. Hornby http://www.pikknig.ru/index.php?productID=321

An old book, but it was useful to me. You can, of course, look for other books; the main thing is that the texts are not complicated and are interesting.

As for listening comprehension, I listened to Pimsleur English for Russian Speakers audio recordings.

http://tfile.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1370836#1370836

And I watched the "Follow me" video http://tfile.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?t=222417/

The video is really cool, various life situations, it trains your hearing and expands your vocabulary. I recommend it)

I can also recommend the series "extra" to improve listening comprehension http://tfile.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?t=264974

Also a cool thing, a bit more difficult than "Follow me".

To expand my vocabulary, I did the following. I downloaded a list of TOP used words in English (you can choose different options from 300 to 2500) and every day I read a certain number of words and tried to memorize them.

These lists can be found here:

http://www.alleng.ru/mybook/6top2500/TOP2500.htm

Also, to improve memorization, there is a useful program:

http://soft.oszone.net/download/1446/EZ_Memo_Booster.html

You can enter words into it and then study them using three methods, it helps a lot) and you don't need to ask anyone to check you, you can do everything yourself)

Most of these methods can be practiced right during university lectures so as not to waste time:)

Thus, in a couple of months, I was able to improve my English and could confidently think about the interview and life in the USA) I sincerely wish the same for you)

Well, if you are really short on time) a couple of weeks or days before the interview) then you can take a list of questions that are usually asked at the interview and practice listening comprehension with someone and prepare answers) you will find the list at the end of the page "preparing for the interview") Good luck, guys)

In the end, I passed the interview quite easily, my English didn't let me down, I understood everything and answered. In principle, the consuls speak quite clearly and understandably; if necessary, they ask again and repeat questions. So basic preparation is enough to get the coveted visa))