There are many good reasons to learn English, but we understand that it gets difficult and frustrating at times.
The vast number of resources and methods available for learning English can be very helpful, but also overwhelming. Where should you actually begin?
In this guide we have 9 actionable tips to learn English more effectively. You can start doing these today, even if you’re learning English from home, and you’ll quickly notice improvements in your fluency and confidence.
Key takeaways
- Set achievable language goals and personalize your learning plan to keep your learning journey relevant and measurable.
- Incorporate English into your everyday life with immersion techniques, and spend a little time each day developing your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
- Use the right technology to access personalized content online and track your progress.
- Don’t do it alone! Join a supportive community to keep you motivated and help you overcome the fear of making mistakes.
9 Top tips to learn English
1. Set achievable language goals
It might sound obvious, but it’s important to consider why you are learning English and how you can put meaningful goals in place to keep your progress on track.
Having specific objectives and milestones in place gives you something clear to work toward – and something to celebrate when you get there!
Our full guide to creating goals for learning English explains how to make your goals SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
For now, here are some other tips to consider:
Start small and scale up
Begin by identifying your current English proficiency level and setting small, manageable goals.
This could include learning a certain number of new words each week, mastering basic grammar rules, and having simple, everyday conversations. As you progress, gradually increase the complexity of your goals to continually challenge yourself and expand your language skills.
Here are some websites that offer a free English level assessment:
- Gymglish: Free 1-month trial includes a level assessment after 7 lessons
- British Council: Take a 5-minute test to assess your CEFR level
- Busuu: Answer a few questions to determine your current level of English
To make learning English more fun, focus on topics that pique your interest and incorporate new vocabulary into these subjects. Also consider writing a diary to improve your English writing and learn words related to your lifestyle.
Celebrate Your Milestones
When you reach a milestone, such as completing a language course or confidently holding a conversation with a native speaker, take a moment to recognize and celebrate your hard work and progress.
This positive reinforcement will keep you inspired and eager to continue learning.
See also: How long does it take to learn English?
2. Craft a personalized learning plan
Different people learn in different ways in terms of style, pace, and application. Therefore, the best way for you to learn English is probably different from your best friend or your sibling.
By identifying your preferred learning style and incorporating diverse activities, you’ll be empowered to progress at your own pace and make the most of your education.
Here’s how to formulate your personalized plan:
Identify your learning style
There are four main learning styles (or seven or eight, according to some sources).
You can take a short test here to identify your preferred learning style, or learn more about this topic with a short course about learning styles.
The following table shows the four learning styles, what they mean, and some English learning tips for each type of learner.
| Learning Style | Learns best through… | Ideas for learning English |
|---|---|---|
| Visual | Seeing images, charts, and other visual aids to understand and retain information; observing a teacher’s visual cues |
|
| Auditory (listening) | Listening and verbal communication, such as lectures, discussions, and spoken instructions; reading out loud |
|
| Reading/writing | Written words, including reading and writing tasks, such as note-taking and reading textbooks |
|
| Kinesthetic | Engaging in physical activities, hands-on experiences, and practical applications of knowledge |
|
You’ll find it easier to learn English if you’re studying in a way that suits your learning style.
Incorporate diverse activities
A well-rounded language education, including language classes, should cover a variety of activities such as:
- Listening
- Speaking
- Reading
- Writing
You should incorporate elements of all of these into your learning plan, not only to give you a well-rounded knowledge of the language, but also to make it more interesting.
Engage in exciting activities like English learning games, puzzles, and songs to keep learning enjoyable and stimulating.
3. Practice daily English immersion techniques
Immersing yourself in English daily is a powerful way to boost your language skills and make learning effortless.
Here are some daily immersion techniques that you can implement today to mimic an English-speaking environment at home:
- Learn English by listening to English radio or podcasts while doing chores, cooking, or working out
- Read the news in English at your level
- Watch English movies (with subtitles in your native language, if needed)
- Join a local group where you can do your hobbies in English
- Switch the operating language on your phone, laptop, and other devices to English
- Get an app to learn English with short, daily lessons on your phone
- Start speaking out loud to yourself, to get used to how words sound when you say them
- Get speaking practice with a native English speaker whenever possible, perhaps as part of a language exchange
This constant exposure to English will accelerate your fluency and help you become more confident speaking English.
4. Harness technology in language learning
In the last few years, particularly in this era of artificial intelligence, it’s easier than ever to learn English online with tools that are free or very affordable.
Consider using several of the following to help you learn English quickly in your spare time:
- Podcasts for learning english
- Language exchanges
- Digital flashcards to learn English words
- Online English courses
- Private or group lessons with an online tutor
Many courses and online platforms also give access to supportive communities where you can connect with other learners for English learning tips, motivation, and accountability.
Language-learning apps and platforms
Language apps, particularly those that use AI technology, can personalize your lessons and make learning English more enjoyable and efficient.
Here are some of the top tools we recommend you check out to see which one works best for you.
- Gymglish: AI-enhanced learning with daily lessons customized according to your previous performance. Try it free for 1 month.
- Preply: Pick from thousands of English tutors to find one that suits your availability, budget, and learning preferences. Get 50% off your first lesson.
- Lingopie: Learn English while you watch your favorite TV shows, with interactive subtitles and live grammar help. Try Lingopie free for 7 days.
- British Council: The company behind IELTS offers private or group tutoring with access to high-quality learning materials. Try it free for 7 days.
- Mondly: Approachable language learning for all levels with some modules available for free. Premium costs from $4/month and includes quizzes, challenges, and more. Lifetime access also available.
Including some of these tools in your learning plan will make it easier to master English grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
Utilize free online resources
If you don’t have the budget for a paid app, course, or lessons, there are still plenty of ways to learn English free.
Many websites have free lessons, worksheets, quizzes, and videos to help you learn English fast in your free time. You can also access communities on social media and other platforms where other people learning a language can offer advice and tips for learning english.
There are even some free online English courses available – so you have no excuse for not using these to boost your learning!
5. Try active listening for better comprehension
Active listening is an essential skill not just for improving your English comprehension, but for everyday life! It involves more than just hearing and recognizing words, but also:
- Listening to understand, not just to respond
- Showing interest
- Interpreting and using non-verbal cues
- Asking open questions
- Paraphrasing and repeating back what has been said
Active listening works best when you are face-to-face with someone, but this can be tricky if you are not in an English-speaking country, so a video call is also fine.
By going beyond just understanding words and responding to questions, you get to know the person better and connect with them on a deeper level – but you also get to experience the language in greater depth.
Start putting your focus on the content, tone, context, and hidden nuances when you hear people speak English. By copying what they do, you’ll learn how to use the language in a more natural way.
You may sometimes struggle with understanding different accents and recognizing idiomatic expressions, but the important thing is that the more you practice these English skills, the more confident you will become.
6. Expand your vocabulary beyond single words
A strong vocabulary is a fundamental component of English fluency, but it goes beyond knowing individual English words.
Each word usually appears alongside some words more often than others. These are known as collocations. Common examples of collocations you probably already know are:
- Get dressed
- Make breakfast
- Rely on
- Confide in
- Strive for
- Free time
- Sales figures
So, when you learn a new word, don’t just memorize its meaning and move on. Look at it within the context of collocations, phrases, and idioms to be sure you have grasped the full breadth of its different meanings in English.
Then, use these new words and phrases regularly in conversations and writing to help you remember them.
Check out our separate guide with more detailed top tips for learning English words.
7. Read for pleasure and skill
Reading is a powerful tool for enhancing your English language skills, including your:
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Overall comprehension
- Critical thinking abilities
- English reading skills
Here are some English learning tips for optimizing the time you spend reading to learn English:
Choose materials that interest you
Select reading materials that align with your interests to make learning more enjoyable and engaging. Whether you’re into science fiction, romance, or history, there’s a wealth of English literature available to suit your preferences and reading level.
But if novels aren’t your thing, pick up a magazine or find some blogs on a topic that interests you. As you read, you’ll learn new vocabulary related to the topic and to the wider world. You might even want to try and write about it yourself!
Read aloud for pronunciation practice
Reading aloud is an excellent way to improve your pronunciation and become more comfortable speaking English. As you read, focus on the sounds and intonation of the language, helping you fine-tune your pronunciation and fluency.
You can take this a step further by purchasing the audiobook version of the book you’re reading. Then, having tried reading it aloud yourself, you can listen to the audio recording and see how your pronunciation compares.
8. Overcome the fear of making mistakes
Mistakes are a natural part of learning a language and are best viewed as opportunities for growth.
In order to overcome the fear of making mistakes, it helps to find someone you are comfortable practicing with. This person should be aware that you are learning English and that you would appreciate feedback on your English speaking.
A language exchange app is a good place to practice, because you can pair with someone who is learning your native language too. You’re both in the position of learning and needing correction.
To feel less concerned about errors, recognize that mistakes are inevitable when learning a language. Focus on improving rather than striving for perfection. With this mindset, you’ll be more willing to take risks and experiment with new language concepts.
Finally, when you receive feedback or corrections, view them as valuable learning opportunities. Analyze your errors, understand why they occurred, and apply this knowledge to keep improving your English.
9. Stay motivated and enjoy the journey
Maintaining motivation is crucial for successful language learning. Part of this comes from having the right goals in place, which was our #1 tip for learning English.
Beyond this, try to join a supportive community where you can stay engaged and inspired. Busuu and Italki are good apps to look at if you’re struggling to build this type of community around you.
It also helps to join local groups and clubs where you can do group activities and practice things you enjoy with native English speakers or other learners. Whether it’s sports, crafts, puzzles, or reading, being around people with similar interests will give you a great reason to keep developing your English skills.
And if you get the chance to travel to an English-speaking country and converse with native speakers in a more natural environment, this will also be hugely beneficial to your fluency and your motivation.
Summary
We hope these top tips to learn english will set you off in the right direction as you get some fresh motivation with the learning process.
Try to take action on one or two of them today, whether it’s thinking of some good goals or trying a new English course.
Next, why not read about some of the benefits of learning English? They may even help you work out your learning goals!
