- Going to the pub/bar
Pub or bar (I am not very clear about the difference) is a quite informal, relaxed social venue. You can have good practice of you English when you are there. This is because
- You have more people to talk with. Generally you go the pub with a number of friends or colleagues or classmate. Those who you do not have chance of talk or talk much with when you work or study can talk or even talk a lot with you. Pub is exactly the place to know more people. Everyone there is generally open to talk with people.
- You have less worry about your mistakes and difficulties in expression. As this is a very informal and relaxed associate, you will not be anxious if you cannot successfully or correctly express your meaning. You can make yourself be understood through body languages, or showing pictures in the mobile phone, etc. Generally you chat with only one or two people, you and them have time to "work together" to make clear what you want to talk about.
- You are braver to speak out. This is partly because you have less anxiety (the last point), partly due to stimulation of alcohol and the atmosphere. Beer or wind, and the exciting environment in the pub make you more excited to talk.
- You need to speak loudly. Pub is a noisy place. You need to "shout" when you talk with someone. This gives a good practice for your pronunciation and also give your more self-confidence.
- Finding a native speaker mate
This gives motivations to improve your English from may aspects.
- To attract someone's attention, you need to be able to express your ideas properly, and perhaps nicely as well.
- To date and flirt with someone, you need to able to understand her/him clearly, and also express yourself clearly. You can learn from her/him as well when you chat.
- To find out common topics between you and her/him, you probably need to know more things in her/his daily life. For examples, some bands, some stars, some movies, and also news.
- You probably need to write to her/him. This encourages you to improve your writing.
- To get along well with her/him over a long time, you probably need to learn and understand the culture she/he is familiar with. Then you need to read some materials.
