Top tips for learning English fast

Everyone wants to know the best, easiest, and fastest way to learn English, or for that matter, anything!

These days we are busy with work, kids, chores, and various other obligations. When do we really have time to sit and learn a language? Here are some tips for learning English fast.

First, realistically, you have to make time each week for studying English, even if it’s just a few minutes every day. My tip for learning vocabulary is an easy one. Every morning think of three to four words in your native language that you don’t know in English, and write them down in a little notebook.

Before you even grab your cup of coffee, using a dictionary or the internet, look up the meaning of the words in English. These are your vocabulary words for the day. You are to repeat these words to yourself throughout the day. Keep your notebook with you, in your car, in your purse, at your desk, always have it handy! Easy – and this has only taken a few minutes out of your day.

My next tip is to research the topic of your next group lesson before it takes place. Impress your teacher by knowing vocabulary related to the topic, or maybe you’ve found some questions you can ask them.

Try to log on the computer about five to 10 minutes before your class and prepare your brain for English. Reading a bit about the topic beforehand can help prepare you for the lesson and allow you to express yourself better about the topic. Of course, us teachers are here to help explain the topic and practice with you, but having a bit of prep-time beforehand definitely wouldn’t hurt.

Lastly, and perhaps my favorite idea, is thinking in English. Yes, you heard me right, try to think in English. No matter how busy you are, you have to think before you do something, right? Why not think in English? Make yourself do it. It will be tough at first because your brain will want to naturally think in your native language.

If you don’t know how to say a word, write it down in that handy notebook that you’re carrying around and bring it to class or look it up. I know this idea is a bit crazy (which is why I think I like it so much), but trust me, it will help. I would suggest you think out loud too, just perhaps not in public, we don’t want anyone to think you’ve gone mad!

I hope you’ve found some of these tips helpful. Of course, talking to a native English speaker in your classroom is probably the best way to practice your speaking, but I know having a class every day may not be possible for everyone.

Take these quick and easy tips and apply them every day. Any exposure to English; whether it’s in your head, in class, or looking at a dictionary, is beneficial and will help you get fluent fast.

image: LifeSupercharger