Learning English at the beginning of a new year is a recurring goal that many of us make, but starting is only a small, tiny part of learning. The most important thing is to be consistent with learning because learning a new language is like exercising (which is another common goal at the beginning of the year), you have to do it consistently and over a long period of time to see tangible results.
Hence, it is important not to get bored and frustrated because we will be learning for a long, long time if we really want to learn English. For this reason, here are some recommendations so that you don’t get bored.
Listen to a lot of English materials
Listening to a lot of English materials is one of the best ways to train your brain to learn English faster. When you listen to English texts, you expose yourself to the sounds, words, and structures of the language in a natural and authentic way. You also learn how to understand and communicate in different situations and contexts, such as casual conversations, formal presentations, or academic lectures. Listening to English can also help you improve your pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and fluency, as you can imitate and repeat what you hear. Moreover, listening to English can make your learning more enjoyable and fun, as you can choose materials that interest you, such as music, podcasts, movies, etc. and let’s remember that listening is the way in which we learn our native language.
Learn the similarities
Learning English by using Spanish translations can be a helpful and effective way to improve your language skills. By translating between Spanish and English, you can learn the similarities and differences between the two languages, such as vocabulary, grammar, and word order. You can also use translation to expand your vocabulary and remember words better by using word associations, synonyms, antonyms, and collocations. Moreover, translation can help you practice both your receptive and productive skills, as you need to understand the meaning and context of the original text and express it in another language.
Learn sentences and phrases
Learning English using phrases and sentences is a great way to improve your fluency and accuracy. By learning phrases and sentences, you can learn how words are used in context, how grammar rules apply, and how to express different ideas and functions. It is also easier to learn common and useful expressions that native speakers use in everyday situations, like greetings, apologies, requests, etc. This way you will learn in a more effective and natural way as opposed to learning word by word. And remember to use phrases and sentences appropriate to your level, topic and purpose.
Change up activities
Using different methods to learn English can help you improve your language skills faster and more effectively. Different methods can expose you to different aspects of the language, such as vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and culture. They can also suit your different learning styles, preferences, and goals. For example, you can use books, magazines, or comics to practice your reading skills; you can use songs, videos, or movies to practice your listening skills; you can use online tools, apps, or games to practice your interactive skills; and you can use tutors, classmates, or native speakers to practice your speaking skills. This last point is important to avoid the so called “burnout”.
Finally, using different methods to learn English will help you keep up with your learning, expose you to different topics and ways of learning. Certainly, some will be more fun than others and here you must remember that sometimes you have to make a little more effort to learn. If you follow these tips, or even just the one that works for you, you will notice progress in English faster.