My Guide to American English

Let’s face it. There’s no time like the present to learn English. The world’s most widely spoken language permeates nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Everything from internet sites, to blockbuster movies, to toothpaste tubes bears English words. But let’s be honest. Learning to speak American English isn’t among the easiest of tasks, at least for most of us. Pronunciation, sentence structures, figures of speech and idioms are just some of the potential headaches for those who are courageous enough to take up English. In light of this, one might wonder if there is a way to learn American English with minimum hassle. That’s exactly why this book was written.

Flipping through the pages of this book reveals the absence of numbered lessons and regimented exercises. In fact, the majority of the text is written in a format that is similar to a movie script. There is a cast of characters performing the actions of each scene. The two main characters of the story have different personalities and backgrounds, but they are united by the quest to learn English. Both of the characters drive the storyline by making decisions that are based on their learning goals. You have the opportunity to imagine that you are a character in the story. You can decide which parts of the text to read, and the order in which they are read, in accordance with your own learning goals.

Whether you are going on a cruise or heading for a job interview, this book serves as a practical and entertaining guide to conversational American English. You can read the text on the subway, in a hospital waiting room or for an English class. You can even use it as a handy reference, while traveling abroad. Although the events in the story take place in the United States, the speaking skills that you will gain can be employed in other English-speaking countries.

The lines of the characters in the story provide a glimpse into the diversity of dialects and rich vocabulary that American English has to offer. It is a dynamic language that is deeply intertwined with American culture. References to American thought, history and pop culture enliven the text, making for an enjoyable learning experience. As you make your way through the book, I hope you will come to see, as I have, how wonderful and exhilarating learning English can be.