ABA Journal The digital English academy
You’ve dreamed of improving your pronunciation for so many years, but can’t because you can’t find anyone to practice with… Do you want to speak your favorite language, but feel like your job and commitments are getting in the way and making it impossible?
Stop worrying! Learning English on your own is no longer a fantasy. With some simple, but very useful tips, you can comfortably and easily make your dream come true.
There are many advantages to this. For example, you can plan your study sessions around your work and leisure requirements. The ability to study from home will save you time and allow you to enjoy your self-study even on a cold winter’s afternoon. And you can even do it in total relaxation, wearing your favorite pajamas! Why not?
As you can see, it’s worth discovering the most useful tips for achieving this great linguistic challenge.
Tip 1: Listen, listen, and listen again!
If you’re continually wondering how to learn English on your own, chances are that the guides you’ve consulted emphasize the importance of listening. In fact, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of sounds to make your learning journey a success.
Speaking a language, after all, is a bit like singing. Here, too, it’s a matter of learning new sounds and having a good ear. Whether you’re at home or on the road, technology provides many opportunities. Thanks to these opportunities, you’ll be able to stay in contact with your favorite language at all times. The first tip, then, is very simple: listen to as much English as you can!
Radio
First of all, radio is a valuable resource. It’s a good idea to tune in to British radio stations on the internet to listen to news and opinion programs. Radio presenters always have excellent language skills. However, they speak more slowly than their colleagues on television.
Music
The music you love so much can become a useful and fun practice tool. Challenge yourself and try to identify the words and lyrics of your favorite songs. You’ll improve your language skills—even while dancing!
Audiobooks
Last but not least, audiobooks are an ideal solution if you have little time or if your family is a bit noisy. You can listen to a friendly voice, read a book, and take your listening exercises for a walk.
Tip 2: Forget about dubbing
The movies are magnificent and there’s no shortage of excellent dubbing actors. However, it’s no secret that Hollywood gives us our most beloved box office hits. And it’s not just the movies that are important for your English; television and videos are also important sidekicks.
The actors’ body language, along with the settings in which the scenes take place, will help you keep track of what’s happening. You can also use English subtitles so you don’t miss a word.
This will help you to learn to do without subtitles, little by little. Your English will be at a very good level by then and you’ll simply have to enjoy the movie!
Tip 3: Read a lot, but write more!
In reality, English is all around us. You can read it everywhere. Whether it’s online, in your precious grammar book, or in advertising, you’ll always have bits of text, new words, and some examples of the rules and their exceptions.
Not only that! It’s very important to train your memory by using flashcards about homophones, for example, or by trying to discover the use of the grammar rules that you encountered in your favorite book.
Reading will be good for you and will help you improve your vocabulary, but writing will truly make the difference.
Send messages or emails in English to your loved ones or friends abroad. Subscribe to blogs and forums to prove to yourself that you can make friends with people from all over the world.
Tip 4: Take advantage of every opportunity… to talk
Studying is good, but getting involved is even better. Overcome the normal shyness of beginners and jump in. During your travels, experiment and take every opportunity you can to speak with native speakers.
When you’re in your city, don’t miss out on the opportunity to give directions to tourists. And if you’ve decided to stay home, make a video call or simply get out your precious old phone.
In short, don’t worry about making mistakes. They’re part of the process and you can certainly overcome them with a chuckle. Always remember that the best way to learn English is to speak it.
Tip 5: Plan your goals
The biggest risk when deciding to learn English on your own is losing your motivation. This could happen for two reasons:
- In the first case, you may forget to schedule your self-study classes or fail to meet the deadlines you’ve set. You might also change the schedules that you’d chosen to study or you may have chosen the day’s topic at random because you didn’t have a clear idea of what to do.
- In the second case, however, you may have set difficult goals without taking into account your true English level. You’ll feel like you’re wrong all the time, when all you need to do is walk instead of run.
The solution is just around the corner: organize yourself based on your commitments and choose your study days.
How much time do you have to study? What level are you starting at? Answer these questions and set realistic but ambitious goals. Achieving them will be extremely satisfying. And you can say that you’re also a member of the club of those who managed to solve the mystery of how to learn English at home.
As you may have guessed, the answer to the question, “How do I learn English on my own?” is within everyone’s reach. Just summon up your passion and enjoy this beautiful journey.
Jump from a grammar book to a letter to your pen pal, from a movie to the news in English. Between an online master class and a fantastic playlist, you’ll surprise the people you love with your perfect English!
What are you waiting for? The perfect course for you is at your fingertips—learning English has never been so much fun!
