Why Your Cat is the Best English Teacher in the World
Okay, let’s be honest. Speaking English to humans is scary.
Humans judge you. Humans make faces when you make a mistake.
Humans sometimes say, "Sorry, can you repeat that?"
This makes your face go red and your heart beat fast.
But you need to practice speaking out loud.
So, who can you talk to?
Look down. Do you see a cat? A dog? Or maybe a nice green plant in the corner?
Congratulations! You found your new English practice partner.
The "Zero Judgement" Zone
Your cat (let's call him Mr. Whiskers) does not care about grammar.
If you say, "I eated pizza yesterday" instead of "I ate pizza," Mr. Whiskers will not laugh.
He will just look at you and maybe ask for food.
This is perfect for you.
When the fear of mistakes goes away, your mouth moves faster.
You stop thinking too much. You just speak.
This "flow" is exactly what you need to reach the next level.
What should you tell your pet?
You might think, "This is crazy. What do I say to a dog?"
Don't worry, here are some fun ideas:
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The "Complaint" Session:
Tell your dog about your bad day.
"Listen, Buddy, today was hard. The traffic was terrible, and I forgot my coffee."
Use the Past Simple tense to tell the story.
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The "Chef" Show:
While you cook dinner, explain the steps to your plant.
"Okay, now I am cutting the onions. I am crying because of the onions."
This practices the Present Continuous tense.
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The "Dream" Talk:
Tell your pet about your dream vacation.
"One day, we are going to travel to London. You will chase birds in Hyde Park."
This practices the Future tense.
Why this actually works (It's science!)
This sounds like a joke, but it is actually a real trick.
When you speak to a pet, your brain releases "happy chemicals" like oxytocin.
You feel relaxed.
When you are relaxed, the language center in your brain opens up.
You are not "studying." You are "communicating."
Also, speaking out loud trains your tongue muscles to make English sounds.
Your tongue needs the gym, just like your body!
No pet? No problem!
If you don't have a pet, talk to your fridge.
Talk to your shoes while you put them on.
Talk to the mirror.
The goal is simple: Make noise.
Don't keep the English inside your head. Let it out.
Mr. Whiskers is waiting for your story. Go tell him!