by Ciara Gillan
Updated by Valentina Rampazzo on August 30, 2024
What is the best way to learn English?
If you clicked on this article, you are most likely looking for the best way to learn English. English is nowadays the language of tourism, computers, and diplomacy and one of the most widely spoken worldwide, with around 1.5 billion speakers (both native and those who use English as a second language). Early full immersion in the language, a strong vocabulary foundation, leveraging social media platforms and TV, or attending an English course are all efficient ways to learn the language.
Where to start, though? Here are 8 tips to make your language learning journey a little bit easier but successful nonetheless.
Identify your current level of proficiency in English and decide what you want to achieve next. Assessing your starting point will allow you to not waste any time on subjects you are already familiar with and feel confident using. You probably have heard of SMART goals. Be specific outlining from the start what topics you want to learn next and how you can get there (I want to be able to make a reservation, rather than I want to be fluent in English); ensure to have a way of measuring your success and that your next step is achievable and realistic (Learn 5 expressions a day, rather than Expand my vocabulary). Ask yourself if what you are learning next fits the bigger picture and is relevant (I will use my new skills to book my next holiday) and in line with what you want to achieve by the end of the journey. Finally, give yourself a timeframe, during which you’ll consistently work towards your goal (I need to book my holidays next month).
Now that you are all set on what you want to achieve, time to immerse yourself as much as you can in the language. Luckily, in this day and age, you can expose yourself to English in plenty of ways. From novels to recipes, from your phone settings to the subtitles on your smart TV, from singing the lyrics of your favorite song to tuning in to the best podcasts to learn English while you go for that run. Social media too are a newer but effective way to propel your fluency in the language. Follow your favorite creators and interact with them. This is a natural, effortless, and costless way to expose yourself to English and notice how the language is used in more informal contexts.
While your learning style might not entail loads of writing stuff down, creating a written database of the new terminology you come across while learning English can help you refer to or retrieve it more easily when necessary. Create content buckets and add to each of them that expression or phrase you learned. This practice will also give you a concrete sense of your progress in English, helping you visualize your ever-growing lexicon. As a bonus tip, try a technique called “sentence mining” too: this approach entails memorizing full sentences and phrases, instead of focusing on single words. This technique will help you form mental associations, better comprehend the nuances a word can have depending on its context, and overall retain more easily new information.
Parts of the speech, English sentence structures, clauses, and verbal tenses, learning English grammar is paramount to navigating the language. Grammar rules are the foundations to which you will add up more vocabulary and expressions as you continue along your language-learning journey. Learning English grammar will arm you with patterns to create sentences and understand the underlying meanings of the language (Has the action already happened or will it shortly? Is someone expressing a probability of something occurring?).
As obvious as it seems, attending a language class also made our list of tricks on how to best learn English. If why you need to speak to learn English is evident to you, the opportunities to do so, especially when living in a non-English speaking country, might be few. If your schedule allows for it, offline institutions are a good option. However, with increasingly busy schedules, online schools are gradually taking over. Take Lingoda, whose offer extends to learning Business English too, provides utter flexibility to book the best-suitable classes and ensure you get taught by native-level certified teachers. With an extended variety of English accents, class formulas, and small or private classes, we are sure you’ll find the perfect environment for you to practice safely the language.
The more variegated the resources and materials you use, the more comprehensive your learning experience will be. Alternate between active study: drilling, repetition, writing rules and vocabulary down; and passive learning such as listening to the radio, or watching an American TV series on Netflix. Ensure they are aligned with your learning objectives, and don’t be afraid to experiment with your language exposure.
The most effective way to learn English is through consistent and dedicated practice. Consistent exposure to the language ensures you internalize grammar rules, expand your vocabulary, and improve your pronunciation naturally. When you practice regularly, you’re more likely to retain information and make progress over time. And as a bonus, consistency fosters a sense of accomplishment, keeping you engaged and inspired to continue going. “How can I maintain such a practice?” you may ask. Well, there’s plenty out there to help you: set up time for daily exercises, or find a language buddy to keep you accountable. Alternatively, sign up for a Language Sprint: Lingoda’s offers tailored to build a daily habit around language learning. Schedule your hour-long lesson, each day for 60 days and start seeing faster progress. We guarantee the reward is worth it.
You have established a consistent language practice, built a vocabulary and expressions database, and exposed yourself to as much English as possible. Now, time for the most important tip of all: every step forward, no matter how small, is a cause for celebration. When you celebrate your successes, language learning becomes more enjoyable and rewarding. And to maintain that momentum going as long as you can, honoring the effort you made is essential. It becomes a moment to reflect: on what you have achieved, on which challenges you overcame, and on what you could do differently with the next goal you are setting for yourself. Remember, every victory, no matter how big or small, is a stepping stone towards your ultimate goal of fluency.
Learning English can be a rewarding and fulfilling journey. A strong foundation in English grammar is crucial for effective communication. Focus on understanding the basics and gradually build upon your knowledge, expanding with time your vocabulary too. Immerse yourself into the language from day one and start climbing the ladder to fluency one step at a time. Assess your goals and create a plan that is realistic but never dull. Remember that consistency is key. Make English learning a daily habit and, most importantly, don’t forget to celebrate your progress along the way.
A variety of resources, immersion into the language from the very start, and consistency are the right ingredients to ensure an effective English learning experience. Ensure to expose yourself to English from day one, change your phone or laptop settings, follow your favorite creators on social media, and binge-watch that series. Don’t forget about the foundation of the language and set time apart for your grammar exercises too and ensure to create a database of the vocabulary you learn for faster retrieval and to track your progress too. Online classes such as those offered by Lingoda also allow you to practice your conversational skills at the time that best suits your schedule and in a safe space with a small cohort of students and encouraging native-level teachers. Make language learning a daily habit, just as brushing your teeth, and don’t forget to celebrate your victories!
As with anything else you put your mind to, you can also learn English by yourself. Start by assessing your level and making a plan of the objectives you want to achieve. Online resources are countless: from apps to language exchange websites or lessons, both 1:1 or in groups. Ensure to vary the type of inputs you expose yourself to: the wider the variety, the more comprehensive the development of all linguistic skills will be. Ensure to practice regularly and to seek feedback from a peer or a native speakers. Finally, embrace mistakes and transform them into a trampoline to achieve your next linguistic goal.
