Is there an alternate to Memorizing English?

[theway]

I have read; it requires knowing 30,000 words, sentences, phrases, to become fluent or near fluent... Is it reasonable that someone can memorize all that? How long would it take a person living in a completely non-English-speaking living environment to do so?

: )

[soidog]

I believe the figure of 30,000 is an exaggeration. There is a lot of rubbish written about this because it depends how you count words. Is be, am, are, is, being, been six words or one word (the verb "to be")?

[theway]

Thank you... I see your point.

However, I am questioning the base-methodology of 'learning by memorizing something'. (In this case: English).

Do you know a different or better way that does not require "English-memorizing'?

Is 'English-memorizing' (memorizing the components of English); learning English?


: )