While learning English can be tough, there are tips to do that will help. With practice, patience, and the right resources, you can improve your skills and gain confidence in using the language.
With almost a fifth of the world speaking it, English has become the unofficial language of doing business. It is also the official language of 82 countries and the majority of international organizations, so speaking English is no longer optional.
But just like with any language, learning English is not quite a breeze. You need to master a new set of grammar rules, vocabulary, and linguistic expressions to fluently express yourself in English. This takes time and practice.
Since it is a long-term commitment, it’s easy to lose motivation and stop trying altogether. But you shouldn’t! With the amount of information available online, today, it is easier than ever.
In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of 7 simple tips on how to learn English. These tips help you discover easy ways to improve your English skills and make the learning process more enjoyable!
7 Tips to Help You Learn English
Learning English doesn’t have to be a chore! By diving into the language and turning vocabulary practice into something fun, you have a win-win situation—pick up new skills faster while enjoying the process along the way. Let’s explore the best practices that will advance your English fluency.
1. Set clear and realistic goals
Setting realistic goals is the starting point in every project—and learning English is no different. Goals give you a concrete pathway to follow which can keep you motivated. However, it’s essential to set goals that match your skill level—whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced learner. They should also reflect the time commitment you can dedicate to achieving them.
For example, if you’re a beginner, a short-term goal could be mastering basic greetings like “Hello” or “How are you?” Another simple goal could be learning 10 new words each week. For intermediate learners, you might aim to hold a short conversation in English. For advanced learners, a long-term goal could be reading a book in English or writing an essay.
Setting both short-term and long-term goals are equally important to help you stay on track. While short-term goals will make you feel good about small achievements, long-term goals keep you focused on the bigger picture. Remember to adjust your goals as you improve!
2. Immerse yourself in English
Today, learning (especially a new language) goes beyond textbooks. Though the knowledge gained from language books is incredibly beneficial, immersing yourself in the language is the real deal. You cannot fully become proficient in English without being exposed to human interactions and various content online where English is spoken.
Some of the things you can do to immerse in the English language include:
- Watching English movies, TV shows, and YouTube channels.
- Listening to English music or podcasts while commuting or exercising.
- Reading English newspapers, blogs, or books at your level (or with the help of browser extensions such as Google Translate).
- Switching your phone or computer to English to increase daily exposure.
Merging your world and information consumption with the English language will help you build vocabulary naturally, which many learners seek.
3. Practice speaking regularly
They say “practice makes perfect,” and when it comes to learning a language, practicing regularly is what makes or breaks your fluency. Since you have to learn lots of stuff at the same time, practicing daily can improve your pronunciation and fluency, ultimately. taking you one step further to proficiency.
Practicing daily conversations with yourself is one of the best tactics (yes, we know how it sounds). Try expressing your thoughts out loud in English, even about simple, everyday activities. For example, you could say, “I’m going to cook breakfast,” or, “I’m taking my dog for a walk.” It’s an easy way to get comfortable using the language daily.
Recording yourself speaking, rewatching the recording, and identifying areas for improvement is another great way to master the language. Feel free to use tools like YouGlish to hear correct pronunciations and avoid mistakes.
But if practicing by yourself is not your cup of tea, think of finding a language partner or group. Some language exchange apps, such as HelloTalk and Tandem, are a great way to meet new people.
4. Make vocabulary learning fun
Keeping yourself motivated is not easy. One sure way to keep going is to make the learning process fun. To do so, try using flashcards and apps like Anki or Quizlet. These tools use spaced repetition, helping you remember new words for longer.
Another tip is to learn words in context. Read articles or stories to see how new words are used in real-life sentences. Focus on vocabulary that is useful for your daily life or hobbies, so it feels more relevant.
You can also label objects around your home. This helps you learn by connecting words with visual cues. For example, put labels on items like your fridge, mirror, or door with their English names. Seeing these words every day will reinforce your vocabulary naturally.
While these are some ways you can make learning fun, try to be creative and integrate learning English into your daily routine.
5. Focus on listening and understanding
Learning a new language means being able to understand the language whether you read it or hear it.
One way to improve your listening and understanding of English is to listen to native speakers and try repeating or summarizing what they said. This helps you get used to how words sound in real conversations.
Another tip is to pause videos or podcasts and repeat tricky sentences out loud. It’s best to start with short clips or beginner-friendly content. Once you feel more confident, you can move on to longer or more advanced videos and podcasts.
Watching movies or TV shows with English subtitles is also really helpful. When you switch to English subtitles, you can match the spoken words with the text on the screen. This will help improve English communication skills while simultaneously learning how the words are pronounced and written.
6. Practice writing every day
Going back to constant practice, writing in English every day is just as vital as speaking it. Writing practice will help you with organizing your thoughts, improving your grammar and enhancing your vocabulary.
To improve your English writing, try keeping a daily journal. Write short entries about your day, thoughts, or opinions in English and focus on making your sentences clear and well-structured.
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You can also join English-language forums or social media groups, like Reddit, for daily practice. Participating in discussions online helps you practice writing while interacting with others.
Another fun way to improve is by doing creative writing. Write short stories or describe different scenarios using new vocabulary you’ve learned. This helps you remember words and use them in context, making your writing more natural over time.
7. Be consistent and stay patient
Consistency is key to becoming proficient in English. While not always easy, it is detrimental to keep yourself motivated. To do so, remind yourself why learning English is important for your personal or professional goals.
To keep up with the process, start by establishing a regular study routine. This can be done by setting aside 15-30 minutes each day for English practice (of course, if this is achievable for you. It is crucially important that your practice easily merges into your daily routine.). You can use habit-building techniques, like setting reminders on your phone or linking your study time to other activities, such as practicing while you eat breakfast.
Tracking your progress is also helpful. Keep a record of new words, grammar rules, or skills you’ve mastered. Reviewing your old notes can show you how much you’ve improved over time which can motivate you to keep going.
Finally, celebrate your small wins! Treat yourself when you finish a chapter or master a difficult pronunciation. These little rewards will keep you motivated and excited about your learning journey.
Free Resources to Help You Learn English
Just as with everything else, the digital world is flooded with resources to help you master English. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to fine-tune your skills, these tools make learning accessible and fun. Here are some of the most popular resources to help you on your journey.
Duolingo
Duolingo is a user-friendly app that prioritizes gamified lessons, where you can practice vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure at your own pace. It includes quick and productive exercises and sends you daily reminders, which help you stay consistent in your learning journey.
Benefits:
- Free and easy to use.
- Great for beginners.
- Tracks progress and keeps learning engaging.
BBC Learning English
BBC Learning English offers a variety of lessons, from beginner to advanced levels. With videos, quizzes, and podcasts it provides something for all types of learners. Content-wise, the lessons cover grammar, pronunciation, and listening skills.
Benefits:
- High-quality content from a trusted source.
- Diverse learning formats (videos, quizzes).
- Focuses on British English.
EnglishCentral
EnglishCentral is another app that helps improve your listening and speaking skills through interactive videos and speech recognition. It allows you to watch real-world videos and practice pronunciation.
Benefits:
- Real-life video content.
- Speech recognition for pronunciation improvement.
- Learn at your own pace.
Lingoda
And finally, Lingoda, an online language school offering live classes with qualified teachers, covering speaking, listening, reading, and writing through structured lessons. Though not entirely free, it offers a trial period for its users.
Benefits:
- Live interaction with certified teachers.
- Focused lessons based on your level.
- Structured, classroom-style learning.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. Learning English can be made much easier when following the tips shared. With a combination of practical skills along with online apps and websites, anyone can master their English speaking skills today.
Remember, though, learning English takes time, so don’t rush. Take small steps each day, and over time, you’ll see improvement. Stay patient and consistent, and most importantly, enjoy the learning process.
While self-study is a great start, seeking guidance and support from professional instructors puts you at another level. At BAU Mentora College, you can join comprehensive ESL classes designed to help you master English quickly and confidently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How to learn English in 30 days?
Learning English in 30 days can be tough; however, by focusing on daily practice, setting short-term goals, using apps like Duolingo, and immersing yourself in English content (videos, podcasts, articles), you might be able to achieve a level of language proficiency that many aspire to have. Ultimately, you can enroll in a fast-paced (English as a Second Language) ESL course which can guarantee success.
How can I learn English by myself?
You can learn English by yourself through the use of free resources like apps, online courses, and language forums. Practicing regularly by speaking aloud, keeping a journal, and watching English videos with subtitles is also beneficial.