20 tips to improve your English – WHEN YOU ARE ALONE
Hi everyone! Today’s blog is all about improving you English when you are alone. I’ve put together 20 tips to improve your English for when you are studying away from the classroom, or private tutor. There is also a video lesson included for visual learners as well. Let’s get started!
It’s not easy learning a new language, especially when you’re alone.
Have you ever said any of these:
I never have an opportunity to practise my English.
Everybody I live and work with don’t speak English.
I feel like I’m not improving.
I learn so many words, but I always forget them.
How can I improve my English?
This list is for you!
A lot of you are very busy and don’t have time to attend an English course or get a private tutor. Try to regularly do things on this list.
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to my email list. I will then send you a password and you can access my FREE ENGLISH LIBRARY. This includes:
AND
20 Tips to improve your English video:
1.You need to have mini goals
I want to speak English perfectly in five months.
I don’t want to have my accent.
In two months, I can get a 7 on the IELTSs.
☑ This week I am going to work on using the ‘present perfect’.
☑ This week I need to practise for a job interview in English.
I will study vocabulary related to the job and practise with a friend.
☑ Every day, I want to write 1 paragraph in my diary.
2.You need a book
If you don’t have a teacher, or are trying to study English alone, you need a book. This can be a grammar book, vocabulary book or exam preparation book. Study one unit at a time.
3.Use YouTube
There are so many great English teaching videos out there. Use YouTube to improve your English. There are lots of videos that can help you with your vocabulary, grammar or exam preparation.
Psst, find me on Youtube!
4.Write example sentences
Use what you’ve learnt in tips 1 and 2 to write example sentences. For example, if you’ve been studying the conditionals, write sentences using this grammar:
If I eat peanuts, I get an allergic reaction. (0 Conditional)
If I have to look at one more job application, I’ll scream! (1st Conditional)
Challenge yourself!
5.Watch TV and films with subtitles
Use subtitles when you watch TV and films. Don’t feel guilty! They are excellent resources. You can practise your listening and reading when you use subtitles. Look for new vocabulary, grammatical structures, and interesting language.
6.Make a decision – films
Are you watching a film to study or to relax? Make sure you separate the two.
If you are studying…
-have your dictionary ready.
-pause the film whenever you need to write new vocabulary.
-repeat clips until you fully understand what someone is saying.
-test your listening without subtitles, and then check yourself with subtitles.
If you are relaxing…
-enjoy the film.
-have some popcorn!
7.make a decision – reading
This is related to Tip 6. If you’re reading in English, make sure you separate ‘relaxing reading’ and ‘studying reading’. If you combine the two, you can’t really enjoy your reading, and at the same time you can’t really completely study. Make a decision.
If you’re studying…
-write new vocabulary in a specific notebook (phrase level vocabulary! See Tip # 11)
-think about why a certain tense is used (Hm…why did the writer use ‘past perfect’ here?)
If you’re relaxing…
enjoy the book.
(eat some popcorn.)
8.Do things you enjoy…in English
Everything you love to do, you can do in English. If you like cooking, use a recipe that’s in English. If you like sports, watch sports with English commentary. This will make learning English feel a lot more enjoyable. It’s wonderful to have a large vocabulary on things you love; then you can talk about them easily!
9.Change your phone and PC settings
Nowadays we are always on our phone or computer. It’s time to change your settings, so you are constantly exposed to English. You will start learning new vocabulary for your emails and internet activity!
10.Keep a diary
Every day, write what you’ve done. Write about your daily activities, feelings, and ideas. You can even write short stories. The English does not need to be perfect. You need to start becoming comfortable using English.
The more comfortable you are… the more confident you become….the more you use your English…. the better your English becomes.
11.Learn phrase level vocabulary
English is a very idiomatic language. For example: The test was a piece of cake. (Piece of cake = very easy)
We don’t literally mean a slice of cake to eat. If you translate English word for word, the language becomes very confusing. Memorise groups of words: take a nap, it’s up to you, on a number of occasions….
(Would you like a book of 101 Idioms? Go to my FREE LIBRARY and download it today!)
12.Record yourself speaking
If you have a mobile phone, you have a voice recorder. Speak for 1 minute non-stop about a topic you like. This topic can be anything: restaurants, your best friend, the shirt you are wearing etc. Listen to yourself. Can you self correct?
How is your pronunciation?
Do you always use the same vocabulary?
Do you take a long time to pause and think?
It’s not easy listening to your own voice, but give it a try.
13.Highlight things in newspapers and magazines
Many people don’t buy newspapers and magazines anymore. But you should! They are very cheap study materials. Use a highlighter and highlight different grammatical structures, new vocabulary, prepositions etc. You can also write mini notes directly on the paper.
Using newspapers and magazines is the perfect way to implement, Tip # 14…
14.Don’t get distracted
Our phone is constantly telling us what is happening. A new Instagram like, new Facebook comment, new email! Low battery!! No WiFi!!!!!!!!
It’s difficult to really learn if you are constantly being distracted. If you are studying English, make sure all of your gadgets (phone, PC etc.) are turned off. It’s time to focus.
15.Be consistent
You need to do something every day. You don’t want to study for 5 hours on Monday, and then do nothing for the rest of the week. Every day, you should make time for something English related.
I know life can be very stressful, and sometimes English is the last thing you want to think about. But just do 5 minutes. Watch a fun YouTube video that is in English or review yesterday’s vocabulary. Do something every day, every week, and every month.
16.Be patient
Have you ever thought:
I’m not improving! I’ve been studying English for years and it’s not getting better!
I’ve taken the IELTS English exam three times and I always get the same score. Why am I not improving?
It takes a very long time before you become proficient in English. Remember, it’s not easy understanding the present perfect, prepositions, spelling vs. pronunciation etc.
Remember Tip #15? Be consistent, be patient and you WILL get better.
17.Be aware
It’s important to be aware, that at every level of English, you will reach a plateau. For weeks/months, you won’t feel like you are improving. This is normal.
Also, the more advanced you are, the more difficult it is to see your improvements.
18.Take a break
Really take a break. Relax and stop thinking about English for a while. Your mind needs a rest. If you start to feel bored, frustrated or confused, take that break.
19.Don’t feel guilty about taking a break
Everyone needs breaks. Maybe you need a few days without thinking about English, or maybe you need 5 minutes. After your break, you will be more motivated and more productive.
20.Maintaining is just as important as improving
It’s not always about improving. You also need to maintain your current level. Have you ever said:
My English was better when I was younger?
In the past I could speak better English.
Wow, I studied this grammar in school but now I don’t remember it.
You need to keep your current level.
Hi, Teacher
Thanks, I am clear now. Before you explained it, I have listened to many difference suggestion, but make me more confused. I will apply it by your way.
Thanks again
May you be happy and healthy
Student
William Lam
Hi William! Thank you for your lovely comment 🙂 You are very welcome and I’m so happy to hear that you found this useful!
Arnel