There are many different approaches to learning English. Many of these approaches can be effective, to varying degrees, and sometimes it can be difficult to know which option to select when choosing a new English class.
The answer is of course different for everybody. It is important to firstly clarify the kind knowledge or skills that require immediate attention. The temperament and personal circumstances of the individual should also be considered as key determining factors.
Understand how language learning works first
The 4 fundamental skills for learning a new language are speaking, listening, reading and writing. In general, language learning is most effective when all these skills are involved. The 2 key systems within the brain that require development when acquiring a new language are the auditory system (listening) and the visual system (seeing). That means lots of time using your ears and lots of time using your eyes!
A baby will first learn to recognise sounds (listening) and later learn to mimic those sounds (speaking). At this stage, the visual skills required are more rudimentary (the ability to see objects and environments, and recognise the vocalisations that parents and others attach to them).
Reading requires more advanced visual skills (decoding letters of different shapes that are sequenced in different orders that reveal multiple layers of meaning: from sounds to words, from sentences to context), and greater integration with other systems of the brain that process sound and meaning.
Just as speaking serves as an important way to memorise new words that have been heard, writing serves as an important way to memorise words that have been read. However, speaking and writing are more than just useful linguistic revision skills, they have expressive functions in and of themselves, which is why the four fundamental skills for learning language are so interdependent. In essence:
Listening and reading are key learning skills
Speaking and writing are key expressive skills
The ability to express drives the ability to learn, and vice versa.
With this in mind, a child who has difficulty expressing him or herself may greatly benefit from a speaking or creative writing course. A child who is naturally expressive but struggles with attention may gain a lot from learning to read or listen to stories of progressing length and difficulty.
However, it is important to note that when focusing on one of the 4 fundamental skills, the other 3 should not be neglected, due to the integrated nature of the language learning processes. Different skills may require increased attention at different times. Understanding how the learning process works can enable better decisions when formulating strategies or choosing classes to improve an individual’s overall linguistic ability.
A Speaking class
For a child with zero background in English, the primary driving force for language acquisition is initially listening. A speaking class will help him or her focus listening skills by being required to answer questions and follow instructions. Speaking gives students confidence in applying the knowledge they acquire, and developing a greater capacity to express themselves also gives them increased confidence on an overall emotional level. A speaking class is also highly beneficial for students who have difficulties in pronunciation, as they will be consistently encouraged to pay attention to the way they speak and the sounds they make.
A Phonics class
For children who are learning to read, phonics can dramatically speed-up the process. Attending a phonics class helps children develop their phonemic awareness (letter-sound awareness) as well as their phonological awareness (general sound awareness). A phonics class does more than just teach individual letter sounds and the method for blending them. It encourages greater listening in general, be it listening to phrases and sentences or the tones and cadence that are produced when speaking them. In general, however, the basic focus of a phonics class revolves around paying attention to units of sound and the nature in which they blend together in words. Individuals who respond well to learning ‘from the ground up’ are lightly to find this a useful method for learning to read.
A Cambridge English class
The advantage of learning within the Cambridge English framework is that it is levelled to provide a multitude of learning resources for everyone from absolute beginners, to advanced speakers. The Cambridge English exams help students obtain objective feedback on their own level and performance. Cambridge English is designed to promote growth in all 4 fundamental skills for language development. Students who want to ensure a balanced approach to their language development, students who appreciate a clear structure and path for progression, and students who are motivated by achievement can greatly benefit from learning English through the Cambridge system.
Conclusion
A good class will incorporate all 4 fundamental skills for language learning, be it a speaking class, a phonics class or a Cambridge English class. The best way to find out what works best is to try first by sampling a class. In general, take a speaking class for in order to develop a foundation for English, for strengthening confidence in learning and expressing English, and for rehearsing and consolidating linguistic knowledge. Take a phonics class for learning to read and to improve sound awareness. Take a Cambridge class as a means for continuing long term, well-balanced language development.