Do you need some ideas for learning English? Take a look at these 12 tips to improve your English through self-study.
Tip No. 1
Learn 5 new words or phrases a day.
When you study English, it is very easy to write huge lists of vocabulary. This is not a good idea. It can be very difficult to remember lots of words. The best way is to learn a small amount of words, and you will remember them more easily.
Five words does not sound like a lot, but after one week, you will learn 35 words. Two weeks —70 words. One month — 140+ words!
Keep going!
Tip No.2
Watch TV shows, films, or online videos.
This is a great way to learn new words and phrases and it is a great way to spend time. You can see and hear the language in action and it is very close to real life. It is a good idea to use English subtitles as well. If you hear or see a new word or phrase, make a note of it.
Watch shows that you are interested in. If you are interested in documentaries, watch them. If you like sci-fi films, watch them!
Watch TV shows or movies that you know in your own language. When you watch in English, you will make a good guess at the meaning of new phrases.
It’s a good excuse to watch TV.
Tip No.3
Read, read, and read more!
This is a very good way to improve your English. Read books that you are interested in. If you like fiction, read fiction. If you like music, read about it. You will notice lots of common word combinations which are good for fluency. You can read anything:
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Books
- Blogs
Just read! Try to read a few pages every day.
Tip No.4
Listen to music.
This is another great way of learning English and great practice for listening skills. Do you have a favourite English song? Do you know what the singer is saying? Do you know what the words mean?
You can find the words to English songs. Simply search the name of the song and the lyrics online, and you can read and listen at the same time. If you listen and sing along, the words will stick in your mind. You will learn lots of common words and phrases this way.
Listen, read, repeat.
Tip No.5
Listen to podcasts or live talk-radio channels.
Just like listening to music, podcasts are very good for practising your listening skills. Listen to topics that interest you. If you hear a word or phrase that you don’t know, write it down. It is sometimes possible to read a transcript (words) from a podcast as well.
Lots of radio channels now give you the chance to listen to your favourite DJ when the time is good for you. Simply download the programme and listen. Remember, the key to learning is repetition.
Always repeat!
Tip No.6
Make vocabulary flashcards.
If you have time, make a set of vocabulary cards. You can test yourself and learn a lot of vocabulary in this way. You can make traditional flashcards with card and a pen, or you can even make digital flashcards with available apps online. Use them on the bus, or in your free time. Just a few minutes a day with your flashcards will give you amazing results.
Try this and see the results!
Tip No.7
Use an English-to-English dictionary.
It is very easy to use a translation app or dictionary. But sometimes, words or phrases do not translate from one language to another.
When you first meet a new word or phrase, try to guess the meaning. If you can’t guess, look in an English-to-English dictionary. If you still do not understand, then look for a translation of the word or phrase.
Remember, if you can think in English, you will learn much better.
Tip No.8
Make your own dictionary.
This is an effective way to practice your writing and grammar skills. Instead of using a traditional dictionary, write down your new words or phrases in a notebook and write the meaning in your own words (in English). Some teachers believe that writing helps you to learn new words and phrases much better.
Try it yourself.
Tip No.9
Use online apps.
There are a lot of useful apps online. It doesn’t matter If you are an Android user or an Apple user. Go to the Play Store or the App Store to find some learning tools. Some of the most popular apps are: *BBC Learning, Memrise, and Quizlet. These apps can help you learn common vocabulary, phrases, and grammar. You can also use the majority of them for free.
Use your phone to learn something new instead of doom scrolling.
*Note These are suggestions. GrammarTone is not affiliated with any of the apps mentioned.
Tip No.10
Read aloud.
This might be strange for you, but a good way to improve your pronunciation and fluency is by reading aloud. Find a quiet place and read. Say the words get familiar with the pronunciation. You may feel uncomfortable or weird at first, but you will definitely improve your speaking skills.
Give it a go!
Tip No.11
Record yourself speaking.
A lot of people do not like this, but it is very effective. Prepare a short one or two minute presentation and practice saying it. You can use a voice recorder, or you can film yourself. When you finish recording, listen to yourself and see if you can notice any problems with your pronunciation. Do it again until you say it perfectly.
Remember! Prepare, practice, repeat!
Tip No.12
Make mistakes.
This sounds like a very bad suggestion, but it is actually very good advice. Many English learners are afraid of making mistakes. They worry that other people will laugh at them.
Nobody will laugh at you. When you communicate with someone in English, they will try hard to understand you. If you make a mistake, they will probably tell you the correct way to say it. This is one of the best ways of learning English and it is memorable. Just speak your words and see what happens.
Don’t be afraid. Speak. You will get much better with more practice!