When is the best time to learn English? The best time is right now! You can get started with this free course to learn English. By watching and listening to movies, reading books, and engaging in conversations with native speakers, you can start speaking and understanding the language quickly.
Learn English is a complete English language learning app for beginners. This app includes all the basic elements of an English course: dialogues, reading, and pronunciation lessons. This app is ideal for anyone who wants to learn English but doesn’t have the time or money to get an in-person class.
In the past, the people of England have been known for their use of slang. This slang was mainly used by the working class and often became derogatory or insulting to those who did not understand it. English today is no longer limited to the working class, though its vocabulary still uses a lot of slang and colloquialisms from around the world.
I hope you know what a checklist is and how it works. A checklist helps you organize your work. You can use it to make sure that you do everything that is necessary to accomplish your task. It’s very useful because sometimes we forget to finish the job properly, or we have to go back later and repeat some of the steps in order to complete the whole process correctly. I’ve made a list of all my tasks so I can check them off as I go along.
How to learn English quickly: 10 tips
1. Read everything you can get your hands on
Classic literature, paperbacks, newspapers, websites, emails, your social media feed, cereal boxes: if it’s in English, read it. Why? Because reading will give you a better opportunity to learn how English sounds and is used. You’ll pick up tones, accents, idioms – all of the language! – even if it’s only bits and pieces at first;
2. Actively take note of new vocabulary
For language learners, vocabulary is not about memorising the most important words that you’re certain have to be on your list: it all depends on context. If someone does or says something strange and unusual, take note! This type of input will accurately help you expand your English vocabulary.
3. Talk with real live humans
On top of using the Internet as a resource, you can actually go out and meet other English speakers in your area. Join local groups or try searching for forums online dedicated to speaking with native English speakers. Word of mouth is still the best way to learn – even if it’s all about how not great those language learners were!
4. Subscribe to podcasts or Youtube channels (in English)
Choosing to listen to your favourite channels in English will help you learn and understand the grammar, syntax and vocabulary used. This is especially true for content such as interviews or shows, which are more relevant when speaking in the target language. Of course, don’t forget about listening exclusively in audio – this way it gets easier! READ, listening to English is a skill.
5. Go abroad
As well as actively studying your target language in other countries, there are also common sense things that help with learning. Packing light is absolutely crucial for being easy to lug around – this can include books or even an ipad; using a universal adapter plug might make life easier from abroad if you’re not entirely sure what kind of electricity plugs exist where you go, and finally making friends who become local guides! It’s all about getting out and meeting people, being social and asking questions!
6. Use your friends
This is probably one of the most time-tested methods for learning a new language. Whether you’re speaking with your friends or in that stress inducing task where you have to do all the talking, use any opportunity and make sure it’s not just filler words!
7. Ask a lot of questions
This is a tip that anybody who has been learning French with me will have heard by now. To non-native speakers: It’s up to you if you choose to answer, or stick tight and just listen. The important thing is this – ask questions! You never know until it’s too late…
8. Take a lead from the stars
It’s much easier to follow instructions in your target language if you’ve been listening and watching lots of foreign films, TV shows or documentaries. For example, In the recent four-part Netflix Original movie ‘Trolls’ (2016), Guetzli operates a vicious troll that terrorises their town; it’s super easy to make this come alive when listening – heck they even speak with British accents!
9. Start with what you really need
And actually…I guess this should go in number 14? Anyway, start with what you need to teach yourself; songs and poetry can be a useful way of doing this. A couple of my favourites are: “Le Rossignol” by Moi non plus & French Jeux de patates (English: Potato games) but really anything will work.
10. Don’t kick yourself while you’re down
And finally, don’t let being in a new language get you down! If I think back to when I started my French journey, one thing getting me into the dark ages was me thinking that it was too difficult. But after just a few months and having gained some experience under my belt? It didn’t matter what anyone said – “I can do this.” pretty much sums everything up for teaching yourself languages.
All in all, it’s important to remember that languages are really fun and that you can always start again, or even just go back to a previous level. It’s easy to feel like it’s impossible but if you keep at it, eventually it will all come together.
I’d love to hear about your own language learning experiences!
Have you ever taught yourself a language? What was the best thing you did? I’ll leave you with an advice on how to make learning a language fun – it might surprise some of you:
“Sickens me (to think about) everybody ready here in the cold waiting — [we’re] gonna go like lambkins.