AUTHOR’s Strategies, Tips & Resources to Improve your English

Practically every single client we work with asks for our tips on how to enhance their English outside of the ‘classroom’. And this is such an important question. Improving your language skills is done formally and informally, actively and passively – and it’s important to plan activities with this in mind. Here are our top tips and resources for enhancing your skills in your own time, at home and at work:

1.     Contact

Increase your contact with the language – at work, at home, wherever you can. Do you have international colleagues with whom you can agree to speak only in English? Do you live in a city that has a branch of InterNations? Can you contact your nearest university to ask to be paired up with a language partner? Look for the low hanging fruit, and if you can’t find any, make some.

2.     Vocabulary

Commit to learning one word per day. Believe it or not, less is more when it comes to learning vocabulary. Building your vocabulary is best done by playing the long game. After all, a word a day = 365 in a year! And that’s A LOT. Visualise that list. Learning little and often will pay dividends.

 On this point, the next question we get asked is “Ok, I’m sold. But how?” There are lots of websites you can subscribe to, that will send a “word of the day” direct to your email. Click here for an article that addresses this very point. 

3.     Make it Routine: Habit Stack.

Psychologically and practically speaking, routine is vital. If you truly want to enhance your English, make it part of your routine. Build it into your routine. In his bestselling book “Atomic Habits”, James Clear proposes the power of “Habit Stacking” - identify a current habit you already do each day and then stack your new behaviour on top. For example, who not download an English language news app and listen to the news while brushing your teeth in the morning. Or, what about only listening to English language podcasts while on your morning run? How about using your commute to listen to an English language Audiobook? Kill two birds with one stone, and enhance your English in the process. Do you watch Netflix every evening? Can the first 30 minutes be in English? Get creative and stack a new English language habit onto a habit you already have firmly established.

4.     Read what you can.

Reading is a great way to build your vocabulary and comprehension in an organic way. But when we say “reading”, very often clients assume we are talking about books. Books are great, but not everyone has time for them, and it can be overwhelming to take on a book in a non-native tongue. Can you commit to reading an article a week in English? From an online magazine, newspaper, blog or other publication?  For example, many of our clients  love “Monocle” for its diverse and accessible range of articles.

5.     AudioBooks.

Reading is not for you? AudioBooks for the win. I must admit, I am a convert. I use the app “BorrowBox” – it’s free and honestly, an incredible service that supports your local library (use your library card or sign up for free). A good way to start this habit is to do two things: First, select a book you’ve already read in your mother tongue, and this time select it in English. Second, listen whilst walking. I’ve habit stacked AudioBooks with my daily walk and 10,000 step target. Such a winning combination and highly recommended.

6.     Do what you love – but in English.

Committing to enhancing your English shouldn’t mean changing your lifestyle. What do you love? Can you do that in English? Or can you incorporate English somehow? For example – if you love cooking, why not buy the English language version of your favourite cooking book. When looking up new recipe videos online, why not put English subtitles? And while we ‘re here, why not habit stack and play some music in English so that you can dance around the kitchen ;) If golf is your thing, an English speaking Caddy is a guaranteed few hours immersed in English! Think about your passions, and find your English language twists.

7.     Go ga ga for Radio.

You’re singing the song now, aren’t you? Radio is a brilliant way to incorporate English into your day, with the most up-to-date topics, discussions and music. Our clients often mention the fact that they struggle to get a good channel and we have THE BEST app to recommend: Radio Garden. It. Is. Amazing. Choose the country, city, station you want, anywhere in the world. Try it and thank us later!

8.     Our friend TED.

Our good ole friend TED shouldn’t be underestimated. Imagine a website where you can listen to talks given by experts, on every subject known to man? Now imagine it’s free. We all know TED, but when you think about it, it is incredible value. A 6 minute video on your lunch break at work totals 30 minutes across your working week. That’s 30 minutes of English and lots of several topics you’ve engaged with. Think of that over the course of a year. It all adds up. 

9.     Get buy-in at work… and make it fun.

Chances are, you’re not alone in your desire to level up your English. No doubt there are others at work who are in the same boat. Why not commit to “English zones” – for example, Friday team lunch in English; or weekly team meeting in English. Find what works in your organisational culture and put it in the calendar.

10.  Slow down, Sally.

Did you know you can slow down (or speed up) the tempo on Youtube videos? Game changer. 

11.  There’s a Podcast for EVERYTHING.

Podcasts are the best thing since sliced bread. They are quick, free, accessible and cover every subject under the sun. Start with topics you love or are familiar with, but normally listen to in your mother tongue. Can you listen to one a week in English? Can your Saturday drive to the Farmer’s market be accompanied by a 20 minute podcast on a passion subject? (Ps, many podcasts are also shown on YouTube with subtitles, making them more accessible to the deaf community or anyone hard of hearing.)

12.  Series over films.

Controversial opinion: series are better than films. Let us explain! Films are a one-time thing. Fast paced, and sometimes overwhelming. On the other hand, series’ give you the opportunity to adapt to the accents, hear the same vocabulary over and over again, helping you to embed your learning organically and without effort. Bonus tip: And if you insist on subtitles, only in English!