Read our top 10 tips to help you reach your goal. 1. Set a goal
Set a goal and work towards it. Choose the level you would like to reach. Take practical steps that will help you achieve your goal.
Good goals are SMART:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Timed
Compare these goals:
I want to learn English.
I want to achieve a B2 English level by the end of the year.
The second goal is specific and measurable (you can test if you’ve achieved a B2 level), achievable, relevant and time-bound (by the end of the year). Once you set your goal, try to stick to it! 2. Choose an English course that suits your needs
Find a suitable course. Finding a course that suits your needs is vital in learning in the best way and in the shortest time. There are four main types of learners: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading/writing. Most people have a combination of these learning styles, but generally, they have a principal style of learning. Find out what type of learner you are, the time of day when you are most alert, and which method suits you best. The right setting, time, and tools will make learning English easy and fun! 3. Take responsibility
Take charge of your learning. You are in control of your learning. You can control what, when, and how you study. Regular, short study practice is more effective than long and irregular periods. Practise a few minutes every day. Make learning a daily habit. 4. Read, Read, Read!
Read regularly. Reading is an effective language learning exercise, even for native speakers! Reading books improves vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills. Read materials that are at your level, even if your level is very basic. Read different kinds of literature. Read news, documentaries, comics, and novels. 5. Watch movies with subtitles
Watch movies. Movies can be very engaging. Try watching a movie in your language. Then watch the same movie in English. Use subtitles to help you understand the language. As your proficiency increases, try watching movies in your native language and English without subtitles, and reflect on how much you understand. 6. Listen to English
Listen. Listening is a core language learning skill. Listening to fun songs in English can help you learn and remember vocabulary. Podcasts are also very useful in improving your pronunciation and intonation. Audio recordings can help you boost both your listening and speaking skills. It’s okay if you don’t understand everything you hear or read. The context is very important and will give you many clues about the meaning of new words or expressions. So, soon, you will start understanding information because of the context. 7. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes
Speak while learning. We all make mistakes. Even teachers make mistakes—in their native language. You make mistakes in your native language, too. So, it’s natural to make a mistake in a foreign language. Don’t let fear of mistakes hold you back. Mistakes are an important part of the learning process. Making mistakes is a great way to learn! Use English frequently. Try to use English grammatical structure and avoid translating directly. Try starting by using short and simple expressions. Expand your sentences gradually. 8. Practice, practice, practice!
Practice. “Practice makes perfect”. You master a language via practice. Use every opportunity you get to practice. If you don’t use it, you lose it. So, practice frequently. 9. Use a variety of resources
Study from different sources. Combine written text with audio-visual methods. Use the internet, movies, reality shows, newspapers, and magazines, to find various authentic vocabulary and structures to learn to speak in a native-like manner. 10. Develop the four language skills simultaneously
Engage all skills. Focus on all core skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This will give you more confidence. If you only know how to write and read, as some traditional teaching methods focus on, then you won’t feel confident speaking English or when others are speaking. Begin Applying the Steps
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, you need to find a course that uses a method that suits your learning style. VIP English Learners helps students naturally acquire the language – just as we learn our own languages. The School offers self-study, private classes, an English environment, and above all, gives you the chance to use in-class and out-of-class activities to practice your English. Find out more about how you can customize the VIP English Learners course to your needs.