remember more and they remember longer. They perform better. In fact,
you will speak English better right now simply by being in a peak
emotional state. Creating this positive anchor to English, therefore, is your
first step to faster travel on the road to fluency.
Why Happy Students Learn More
Dr. Stephen Krashen, a linguist at the University of Southern California and
one of the top researchers on second language learning, believes negative
emotions act as a filter, reducing the amount of new language input you’re
able to learn. As a result, students who feel bad, anxious or worried
remember less vocabulary and don’t speak as well. Essentially, they learn
more slowly.
The best way to counter this, Krashen says, is by keeping students
interested, reducing stress in classrooms and boosting learners’ self-
confidence.
In one study, researchers found that when they compared the
performance of students who were energized and enjoying themselves in
class with the performance of students who were just being drilled in
material, the energized students did better. The same was true when they
tested these students again at three months and later at six months.
I see the same thing in our Effortless English Club™ community. When
you look at our most successful members, you’ll find a common factor.
They are all extremely enthusiastic. They have a lot of energy. They’re very,
very positive. They have very strong positive emotions. When you use peak
emotions you can speak better – right now.
Therefore, each and every time you study English, create a peak
emotional state. Change your body and your mental focus in order to create
excitement and positive energy. Build a strong anchor, a strong connection,
between English and your most positive emotions. Heal your English
trauma.
