Stop Confusion; Speak Clear English (Part II)

Introduction to the English Language series

Part two of this three part series: Stop Confusion; Speak Clear English.

My journey

Fortunately, soon after I left high school it dawned on me what I had given up in leaving. That realization prompted me to start studying on my own to regain what I had lost in leaving school. I soon found myself wondering if I should enroll in college, once I completed the high school level subjects I had undertaken to study, or should I instead follow in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln and other successful, self-taught men.

At first I studied tentatively, since I had almost no idea of how to study. Soon though; I began to come to grips with the mechanics of studying. That is when the thirst for knowledge really started to kick in.

Since then, I have hardly ever been without a book. Much like the lamb in the Mary Had a Little Lamb, nursery rhyme, no matter where; everywhere that [I] went, [my book] was sure to go.

I did eventually enroll in college, but my real education came from my studies on my own and through private tutoring by a very special and much learned man of letters.

After I had studied diligently for sometime under this man’s tutelage; some of my friends began to notice that I was changing, and becoming more articulate and well-rounded.

How I came to meet my mentor

Once some of my friends were talking about a certain very learned gentleman of letters they knew of, and how he just might be willing to teach one of us, if he thought we were serious students.

I knew about him, but not very much. His reputation was that of a somewhat mysterious man and a demanding teacher. Few people I spoke with knew much about him other than that he was well-known—in some circles at least—and a well-respected teacher of a certain liberal arts discipline that required excellent speaking, thinking, and writing abilities.

The more I thought about him, the more I thought, why not.

From that point on, there was no stopping me. I went to his home a few days later, hoping to see him; and see him I did.

After being with him just a short while I could see that he positively radiated kindness, wisdom, and knowledge, as if he were filled to overflowing with it all.

The upshot of this meeting was that he agreed to take me on as a private student. God bless him; when he looked on me he saw, not the untutored fellow I was, but a student worthy of his attention.

Soon I came to look upon him more as a mentor than as simply a teacher.

He was demanding of himself and of me

The curriculum he put me through was comparable to similar curriculums offered in university honors programs across the United States. Add to this the fact that I was privately tutored by this highly regarded teacher and you have a program that was easily superior to any anyone I knew had ever heard of being offered anywhere else.

I have related this little story to show my store, but also to show you what can happen when you apply yourself. The simple act of learning to speak English well will cause people to start seeing you in a different light. It is amazing the good things that can seemingly fall out of the sky for anyone who applies themselves diligently to the study of the humanities and the other liberal arts.

As you will see later, I believe the humanities, as that term is usually understood in academia and by much of the public at large, comprises less than half of what is needed for a well-rounded, classic liberal arts education.

Change is gradual

Since the changes are gradual, you may not notice them in yourself at first, but, as you become more proficient in the English language, other people will begin to take notice of how you have changed, and how you have become more literate, and . . . well, smarter. Then, slowly you will begin to notice that, when you read, your comprehension has become so much better, and that concepts that before would have been beyond your capacity to understand have now become clear. You will also notice that you are now able to retain more of what you read.

This brings me back once again to one of the primary reasons for an English speaker to gain a greater command of English.

Stop Confusion; Speak Clear English is not just an empty slogan. The better you understand and speak English; the better able you will be to think lucid, precise thoughts and this will allow you to live a longer, fuller, happier life.

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