How to master the most popular language in the world?

T

The history of the English language is steeped in history, and constantly growing. Today, 67 countries list English as their primary dialect, with an additional 27 who use it as their secondary dialect. In Europe, English gained popularity in the mid-20th century, where 51% of its population is now fluent. Before this, the primary business languages in Europe were Latin, and more recently, French. The English language is commonly used as a middleman for diplomacy, trade, technology, and general communication between many countries. Because of this rise in popularity, an estimated 1.5 billion students are looking for the best tips for learning English.

Students looking to learn English have a variety of options available to them. This language is the most commonly used dialect in the world. In fact, 66% of English speakers have learned it as a second language! Because of this, many language learning programs have engineered platforms specifically for English students. In this blog, we will share a few top tips for students learning English. These tips can help you learn everything from the alphabet, to full sentences and phrases. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide to learning this versatile language!

Learning English: 20 Tips 

1. Start With the Basics – This can vary depending on your needs. Some people need to be fluent in reading English for work, while some need to speak it first. Whichever it is, you will need to prioritize that method of learning into chunks of language. If you are not limited to either, then you can begin with the Alphabet and gradually learn new vocabulary. The key is to not overwhelm yourself before you’ve even started working on your English skills.

2. Keep a Vocabulary Diary – Always record new words after you’ve identified them. This is an excellent way to engage your language skills, making it easier to recall them later. To keep it organized, tab sections of this diary based on either alphabetization, genre, grammatical rules, or Engish vocabulary sections!

3. Authentic Materials – Instead of relying solely on textbooks, which are a popular method, try English literature and fiction. Many popular English books are also available in your native language. If you have the same book in two languages, you can put these new words into context. Try chipping away at the books 1 chapter at a time, recording new words and phrases.

4. Find an English Speaker – This could be as simple as enlisting help from a friend, or starting your own club! Remember, English is the most popular language in the world. Finding someone to listen to and take pointers from could be as simple as visiting your Facebook homepage! English learners can also take advantage of video lessons and audio recordings to emulate a wide range of English language resources.

5. Consume English Media – This could come in many forms, but the goal is to diversify your intake of English. This may be watching English-speaking movies, listening to English podcasts, or simply changing your social media language to English. With so much English-speaking media available, adult language learners can find a great variety to learn from.

6. Embrace Translation Tools – Don’t be afraid to make full use out of translation tools. With the ever-expanding internet, we have many of them at our fingertips. Gone are the days where we stop mid-sentence to flip through a dictionary. We can now leave the book at home and simply pull out our phone!

7. Reading Often – Reading extensively expands our vocabulary in our native languages, but it’s even more useful for English students. When you read, your mind internalizes repetitive words, drawing new connections between them. Reading has been proven to significantly increase our ability to learn in general. So make time to extensively read in English!

8. Get Talking! – Studies have shown that this increases our retention of words over time.It’s also important to perfect your pronunciation and understanding of phonetics. This can only be achieved by actually speaking the language you’re trying to learn. Try putting together comprehension questions to recite aloud, or vocabulary notes. Whether this is with a friend, with a computer, or simply to yourself, make sure you’re speaking English.

9. Make Time – To learn English faster, make sure you’re fully committed to the learning process. It doesn’t help to spend 5 minutes a day here or there. You need to put in the time to see the benefit for language learners. You can begin with 30 minutes every evening, then over time start putting in an hour or two. If you do this daily, you will decrease your chances of forgetting what you’ve learned.

10. Drop What Doesn’t Work – It’s okay to drop language activities that don’t keep you motivated. With so many methods to improve English out there, you can always find something else. For example, if you’re stumped on comprehension, it might mean you haven’t learned enough vocabulary and grammar. In this case, you can simply drop your comprehension exercise and go back to reading English vocabulary lists for a while.

11. Mind Your Environment – Different learning environments work best for different people. One student might find learning to be most comfortable and enjoyable from the living room. One student might feel less motivated from the couch, and work better at a desk or in a library. The key is to experiment and find the best place to learn from. Figure out what distracts you, what motivates you, and go from there.

12. Interactive Notes – Want to keep the ball rolling? Post phrases around your house on your appliances, doors, tables, etc. This will not only increase your chances of recalling the phrase, but it will act as a friendly reminder. Sometimes we get busy with life and neglect our learning, but these notes can keep you on track.

13. Visit an English Speaking Country – Reward yourself for all of your progress by going on vacation! By visiting English-speaking countries, you can practice what you have learned and feel more immersed in the language. Order a drink, ask for directions, thank a server – find any reason to show off your new skills! This is also a great way to pay attention to grammar and English accents so you can emulate fluent speakers. You will also easily find a conversation partner to practice English conversations with!

14. Stay Positive – If you feel like you aren’t progressing as much as you should, don’t feel disheartened. Remember that 66% of English speakers have been through the same process. Try joining forums and groups online that are in the same boat as you. By encouraging others, you can boost your own morale and stay motivated!

15. Set Realistic Goals – Unfortunately, there are many language services online that prey on our impatience. Some say you can learn English in 3 months, others say you only need to put in 5 minutes of work a day. It’s important to be realistic with yourself. Learning English can take anywhere from 9 months to 2 years depending on where you live, and where you’re starting from. European students who share the same alphabet as English will have a much easier time than Mandarin students. Accept that it could take several months before you see real progress.

16. Learn about English-Speaking Countries – One of the best ways to truly understand a language at a basic level is by learning about the people who speak it. This doesn’t have to be a history lesson – you can learn about anything. A popular method is delving into that country’s popular culture. In English-speaking countries, there are many ways to engage with pop culture. Try reading the news, learning about current events, or start up a new TV show on Netflix.

17. Listen to Yourself – Try recording yourself speaking English in daily life and playing it back. This acts as a great comparison tool for learning. If you’re looking for a fun exercise, find a Youtube video where someone is speaking English, repeat what they say, and record the differences.

18. Test Yourself – If you’re learning English outside the classroom environment, you’re going to need tests. Luckily there are plenty of standardized English exams available online, ranging in difficulty. To get the most from this experience, try and take these tests every few months to measure your progress.

19. Find the Right Apps – It’s important to find useful apps to help you in your English learning process. With the rise of smartphones, we have access to a wide array of helpful language apps. You may find that you use more than one! Different apps deliver different benefits. LillyPad is a great app for English students because it covers a variety of learning methods.

20. Try the Lilly’s Gold Method! – This feature on the LillyPad app is great for first-time English learners. It’s based on the GoldList method, aiming to strengthen your memory gradually over time. This in-app feature remembers what you’ve learned previously, and tests you by recalling old phrases, and recording what you don’t remember. For several weeks you will gradually learn the phrases you couldn’t recall before. This method is proven to be effective for English students.

Learn English with LillyPad!

Now you’re reading to start learning, you might be wondering how to combine these tips into real activities. This is where LillyPad comes in. LillyPad has everything you need to improve your English grammar, listening skills, and English vocabulary. For language learners looking for listening exercises from an Ai native speaker, Lilly makes the perfect English language teacher for your one-stop grammar lessons and audio stories. Keep reading to learn more about improving your English levels.