1. Learn slowly
You are like a new born baby. You will learn a new language slowly and through careful steps. So, adopt the steps a baby would and you’ll develop in no time. First learn to listen and then learn to talk and then learn to read and write.
2. Listen everyday
Make sure that you are always listening to English. Listen to the radio. Watch English movies and regular TV. Enjoy a day out at the cinema and watch English movies and make use of any English audio you find online. There will be loads and it doesn’t cost you a thing!
3. Make some friends
Not only can you practice your English whilst socializing, but choose the right friends and you can even practice your English language skills together. Make up some silly conversations to have together and practice your speaking skills. You could even use some text books to guide you and for sample conversations.
4. Read, read and read some more
You want to be reading as much English as possible. Not only to help your reading skills but in order to expand your vocabulary too. A great place to start is children’s books and stories and these can be picked up for next to nothing from charity shops all over London. Read many of the UK’s free newspapers, the backs of packets whilst shopping, adverts on the Tube and trains. When you think about, there is English you can read everywhere. So make sure you do every single day.
5. Start a vocab book
It’s great that you’re learning all these new words but you will of course forget some. So it’s a great idea to start writing down new words you discover in a notebook for yourself. You may like to order it in alphabetical order, include the word’s definition and perhaps write a few examples of how to use the word. This technique, whilst it may seem time consuming, is a really fantastic way to quickly improve your language skills. And eventually, you will have a huge, useful resource that you didn’t have to pay a penny for!
6. Start a diary
It would be really useful to start writing a personal diary in English. If you’ve never kept a diary before, keep it simple to start with. Just write a few sentences about how you feel, how the weather is and what you got up to that day. Before you know it, you’ll be writing loads and loads and you can even contact us to share your story on this blog.
7. Visit England
Come to England and learn English more quickly. You’ll have so much fun and experience something that will be with you forever. There’s nothing like being able to hear natives speak and you’d really be able to fully appreciate the English language. Check out our English schools in England section now. You may also find out pages on the IELTS examination useful.
Hi Myn and thanks for your comments.
You’ve raised a very interesting point about different learning methods Myn. Your language skills really can develop in different ways, depending on how you study. For me personally, watching tv in Thai, for example, really did help me develop my listening skills. But don’t even ask me about writing it haha!
Yes, using an English to English dictionary is a great way of doing things. So too is a thesaurus for learning new words. Also I really do think that blogs are a great way for students of a second language to practice and develop their skills.
Dan
According to my experience when learning English (It’s not my primary language)
1. I started learning English from reading (playing a game) and using a dictionary.
2. when i started learning English i have no access to internet nor a English radio/film. And back then game haven’t used voice actor. As a result my listening skill is quite bad compared to reading skill.
I have a friend who often watch movie/film without subtitle. And as far as i know his listening skill is quite good.
3. I have some friend who is English native speaker, and chat with them really help my English skill, especially how to respond quickly
4. Most of my vocabulary was learnt from reading/playing a game.
5. I rarely use this method, but instead i’m using English to English dictionary which sometime “force” you to look at another word while looking for one word.
6. Writting a blog also help much, especially in writting skill. You can get a new friend and share your life with friend. Killing two bird with one stone.
7. Nah, i do not have the chance to go abroad yet. But it surely will help you learning English, since you have to use that to communicate
~ Myn