6 Tips on How to Learn English Quickly
English is a fun language to learn; however, it can even throw off the most professional learner with complex spelling rules and difficult grammar. Learning English quickly could seem difficult, even though it is considered to be accessible and reasonably easy for many to learn. I'm here to tell you that as long as you have the right plan, you can learn English quickly and easily.
Here are 6 tips on how to learn English quickly:
1. Don't get annoyed when you're down
If you start to feel like you're not making ground, which at some stage happens to all learners, don't say, "I don't speak English," or "I'm never going to get this." Honestly, ban those words from your vocabulary! They just blur your comprehension of the progress you are making and remind you that it is difficult to speak English. Instead, say, "It won't be easy, but it will be worth it," "I am learning English every day and I am making improvements," "I'm so much better than I was four months ago," and other statements to reassure yourself of the big picture.
2. Begin with what you truly need
If you regularly remind yourself of why you are studying English, your studies are likely to go much smoother. Are you planning to go for an exchange study? If so, focus on the vocabulary linked to your studies. Are you going to hold a meeting abroad? In this case, brush up on conversation starters so that you can communicate with other participants. Are you going on a gap year? It looks like the language of travel and tourism would be your guide. You're likely to end up frustrated and burnt out if you start learning English in the hope of magically learning everything at once.
3. Your Best Teachers Are Kids & Old People
People underestimated this tip. Another way to learn English easily is to hang out with English-speaking kids and older people. First of all, both of them speak relatively slower than the average adult, which is easier to understand for beginners. Secondly, children are innocent and hilarious. They will point out mistakes and correct you in their innocent voice when you speak in English, but they will not judge you. You may even ask them for the definition or what something is called, and they'll tell you. Older individuals make great teachers, too. The good thing is that they are generally very polite and compassionate. Without a hurry, they listen, allow room for mistakes, and kindly teach you the correct way.
4. Situate yourself in an English environment
Situate yourself in an English setting where you HAVE TO hear it, read it, and speak it. It can sound a little intense, but I guarantee you'll be learning English fast. You can do this in various ways. If you can fly to or study in an English-speaking country where the only option is to speak English, you will be fluent in no time! Of course, not everyone is able to travel or study abroad, so there are other great ways to immerse yourself in the English language:
- People you hang out with, friends who speak English or the international community.
- English movies, dramas, music, books, news, podcasts, blogs, etc. Media you use.
- English as your phone, device, FB account, applications, blog, etc. default language.
5. Whatever Floats Your Boat
We can give you many tips and tricks on how to learn English, but whatever works best for you at the end of the day is what counts. Having said that, feel free to be imaginative. Particularly when it comes to learning new vocabulary, associating a word (or spelling and pronunciation) with a meaningful picture or something you know is a trick that will work. For example: "to move" is "at flytte" in Danish. I associate "fly" in "flytte" as an English word of how I actually move by flying on an airplane from the U.S. to Denmark. Now it's your turn to do this with whatever your mind clicks on! It will make it so much easier to learn English.
6. When you're in doubt, just ask!
I know this might be counterintuitive for those of you who are a little shy or who come from a culture that doesn't often allow you to ask questions. "There's no such thing as a stupid question." However, when you don't understand or are not sure about anything, it is important to JUST ASK. It is the only way to find out. Here are some ideas about WHAT and WHO that will help you learn efficiently:
- Ask about distinctions between two English words or concepts to know how to use them correctly.
- Ask about small things that are irregular or interesting.
- Ask native English speakers because they know their language best.
- Ask other learners of English who are ahead of you in the learning journey. They were in your shoes and probably have some cool ideas worth checking out as well!
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