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EF International Language Centers TOPIC: LANGUAGE LEARNING

HOW TO LEARN ENGLISH FASTER: 10

TIPS
08/23/2016

English is a fun language to learn (here are 9 reasons why it rocks), and even though its
considered an accessible and relatively easy one to learn, with 750,000 words and spelling
that can throw o even the most skilled learner, learning English fast can seem
impossible. But Im here to tell you that it isnt as long as you have the right strategy.

Take these 10 tips on how to learn English faster as your starting point and youll master this
wonderful language in no time!

1. READ EVERYTHING YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON

Classic literature, paperbacks, newspapers, websites, emails, your social media feed, cereal
boxes: if its in English, read it. Why? Well, this content will be full of juicy new vocabulary, as
well as a fair amount you already know. This helps you improve quickly, as re-exposure to
learned vocabulary gives you new examples in context, therefore reinforcing those words in
your mind. On the other hand, learning new words and expressions is essential to building
your vocabulary arsenal, particularly in a language like English with so many words! However,
dont just read and move on next, youve got to

2. ACTIVELY TAKE NOTE OF NEW VOCABULARY

This tip is a classic one for good reason: it works! When learning, we often enjoy a new word
of phrase so much that forgetting it seems impossible. But trust us, not everything sticks the
first time. To fight this, get into the habit of carrying around a funky notebook or using a tool
like Evernote. Whenever you hear or read a new word or expression, write it down in context:
that is, in a sentence and with its meaning noted. This saves you time as you wont return to
that word and ask yourself: What did that word/expression mean again?

3. TALK WITH REAL LIVE HUMANS

What is a language for if not to communicate? Sure, we humans have become experts at
communicating without opening our mouths thanks Whatsapp! but when push comes to
 shove, its true that speaking a language helps it stick in your head far better than only reading
or writing it. Just think of how many times youve heard people say that they understand, but
cant speak English. A lot of would-be English speakers have turned talking into a huge
insurmountable barrier that only serves to psyche them out. Dont be like that. Seek out native
speakers for an informal language exchange, enroll in a course, or take classes online.

4. SUBSCRIBE TO PODCASTS OR YOUTUBE

CHANNELS (IN ENGLISH)
Like humor? Politics? Blogging? Cooking? With topics covering every interest imaginable,
theres an English-speaking podcast or Youtube channel out there for you. Subscribe to a few
and listen while driving or watch during the commute to school or work. At first, you might find
the native accents dicult, but stick with it and youll soon start to understand what you hear
(as well as learning lots of new vocab from a native speaker!)

5. GO ABROAD
If theres a better way to learn English than being immersed in it while living and studying in an
English-speaking country, wed love to know! Its no secret that English is the most widely-
spoken language in the world, and with a long list of countries to choose between, you can
select your ideal learning environment based on hemisphere, weather, or favorite city. Think
Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Canada, and South Africa to name a few!

6. USE YOUR FRIENDS

Have friends who post online in English? Dont gloss over them in your newsfeed: scan the
items they share and commit to exploring one or two each day. They might be news or
magazine articles, videos, talks, blog posts, songs, or anything else: if its in English and the
topic interests you, its going to be helpful!

7. ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it also propelled the language learner to fluency! As you
learn English, youll soon collect a mountain of questions. Dont sit on your doubts be
curious and resolve them! If youre enrolled in a course, ask your teacher (its what theyre
there for, after all). But if youre learning alone, dont worry: find answers in blogs or language
websites, ask other learners, or read through forums. Youll be happy you did!

8. TAKE A LEAD FROM THE STARS

Mix up your learning by picking a native English-speaking actor or singer you like. Now, head
online, find a bunch of interviews theyve given and watch them! Watch once for gist, then
again, taking time to note down interesting expressions and words you hear. The slang,
stories, humor, and anecdotes that come out of these interview are sure to give you plenty to
work with!

9. START WITH WHAT YOU REALLY NEED

Your English studies are likely to go far more quickly if you constantly remind yourself of your
motives for learning. Are you going on a study exchange? Then, focus on vocabulary related
to your studies. Have an overseas conference? Brush up on conversation starters to use with
the other participants. Going on a gap year? Looks like travel and tourism vocabulary will be
your guide. If you simply launch into learning English hoping to magically learn anything and
everything at once, youre likely to end up confused and burned out. Which brings us to

10. DONT KICK YOURSELF WHILE YOURE DOWN

When you start to feel like youre not making ground which happens to all learners at some
point dont say, I dont speak English, or Ill never get this. In fact, ban those phrases
from your vocabulary! They only blur your understanding of the progress youre making and
convince you that your dreams of speaking English well are impossible. Instead, say Im
learning English and making improvements everyday, Its not always easy, but its worth it,
Im so much better that I was six months ago, and other phrases to remind yourself of the
big picture.

Learn English abroad with us

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Erin

An Australian-born writer and translator with a passion for

education and travel. After finishing university, I moved to
Spain, trading in sharks and snakes for sangria and
Serrano ham. The call of Spanish then took me across the
seas, to Chile, where I'm now based. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

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ABOUT EF

Here at EF International Language Centers we have more than four FOLLOW US

decades of experience in helping people explore the world and
discover their true potential by studying languages abroad. For us
its all about opening the world through education and bringing
people and cultures together; an easy and fun task when you have
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where this happens each and every day.

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