If you’re learning English as a second language: are tenses really important?

While learning English as a second language, we make many efforts and spend a lot of time.  Of course, we have to do it if there is a big goal ahead and you’re moving towards it. But sometimes we make mistakes if we choose the wrong way of learning. The biggest mistake is to learn difficult things unknowing simple ones.

English tenses, for example. If you ask 10 students about what the most difficult thing in English is, 9 of them can answer – tenses. We learn one tense after another and soon become very confused by tenses. English tenses are considered to be a sort of the real basis, the fortress which we need to capture for a long time.  

But is it really? Do we need to learn all sixteen English tenses which are amply explained in each English textbook?

The most common tense which is constantly used in everyday conversation is the Present Simple Tense. Past and Future ones are also rather common. In general, if you’ve got a good understanding of these tenses – you’re able to speak, comprehend and be understood by English native speakers rather well. Many of those who are learning English as a second language make the mistake of learning difficult tenses constructions without clear knowing of the simple ones. So, they are greatly confused and scared by unbelievable English tenses.  

The best advice which you can follow especially if you start learning English as a second language is to learn simple things first. All these “Past Perfect” and “Future Continuous” should be learnt later.  Try to speak vivid, beautiful language in Past, Present and Future simple tenses – the language should be interesting to you. After you see your progress and positive results it will be easier for you to learn more difficult grammar items.



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