How to Learn English: The Ultimate Guide to Resources and Methods

Are you trying to learn or improve your English? Starting to learn a new language can be really difficult and frustrating. To succeed, we need to find good resources and create a structured routine, as this helps us stay more consistent and keep our learning process organized.

1. Know Your Level:

Knowing your English level should be the first step before beginning your learning journey. You can estimate your English level through free tests like the Cambridge English Placement tests or British Council assessment tests. These tests are not official. They simply help learners estimate their level.

2. Textbooks:

If you're a complete beginner, you might need a more structured approach. Textbooks help language learners organize their learning process and know what to focus on at each level

Personally, I like to follow the textbook and complete all the exercises it includes until I reach the A2/B1 level. Later on, I prefer to use textbooks as a guide to my learning process instead of something I completely follow. One of the textbooks I like is English for Everyone. A more advanced textbook is The Grammar Daily by grammar girl.

3. Tutors:

Having a tutor to guide you through your learning process will not only make it easier to stick to your learning goals, but also make you start practicing right away.

Platforms like Preply allow you to choose from a variety of tutors based on several criteria. If you're interested in using Preply, you can check this article [Preply Review]. italki also has many tutors and it offers one-on-one classes and group classes.

4. Vocabulary:

Many people struggle with memorizing words. To be able to remember words and use them correctly, we need to do two things.

The first is spaced repetition. It simply means to review materials at increasing time intervals. So, for example, when you learn a new word, you revise it after 2 days, then after 5, and so on. One of the platforms for spaced repetition is Anki. You can create your own flashcards or use the ready-made ones. Many ready-made flashcards on Anki contain pronunciation and example sentences

The second thing that helps with remembering words is using them. You can write sentences using these words or try to use them in your daily life.

7. Write:

Write about topics the textbook you're using expects you to master. You can dedicate a notebook to your writing practice. Your writing doesn't have to be perfect.

There are websites dedicated to this like Write & Improve. On the website, you choose your level and then you choose a topic. It shows you a short podcast about the topic you chose and then asks you to write what you think about it. Later, it critiques your writing and estimates your level.

5. Listening:

You can listen passively and actively. While you cook, commute, and work out, play a podcast or an audiobook.

To listen actively, try shadowing. It simply means when a language learner repeats what they hear immediately, following the speaker like a shadow. The focus during shadowing isn’t understanding, but basically repeating. As a person continues to practice, they’ll eventually be able to perceive what they hear. A study found that shadowing activates brain areas responsible for speech production and combrehension [Source]

6. READING:

To make reading a habit, you need to dedicate time to it. Read every day, even if it's only for ten minutes. As a beginner, read the text provided in your textbook and maybe some children's short stories.

As you advance, there is no single source. You can read blogs, news, or books in English. Anything you used to read in your native language, you can read in English.

Practice intensive reading. It simply means trying to analyze the text. Intensive reading allows you to expand your vocabulary, improve reading comprehension, and understand sentence structure.

In contrast, extensive reading is reading for pure enjoyment. When you come across an unfamiliar word try to guess its meaning within the context. It helps you improve your reading speed and fluency.

Each type of reading needs a different level of text difficulty. For intensive reading choose a slightly challenging text that introduces you to new vocabulary, while for extensive reading choose an easier text that you can enjoy.

8. Speaking:

As a beginner, try speaking with a tutor, as tutors help in correcting your mistakes. Once you advance, you can start practicing with native speakers or other advanced language learners. Platforms like HelloTalk connect language learners. You can find language exchange partners or language buddies on platforms like Reddit.

9. Immersion:

We can make use of idle time by listening to a podcast or an audiobook in our target language. Downloading apps like Duolingo, Busuu, or Anki helps learners practice at any time and anywhere. Watch TV shows and movies in English. Following native speakers on social media will expose you to the language more often.

10. Routine:

To stay consistent with your learning goals, you need to create a routine. Instead of making your learning journey chaotic, you can organize everything and know exactly what to focus on. Your routine should include the four skills and immersion. If you want to read more about creating a language learning routine, you can check this article [How to Create a Language Learning Routine]

Conclusion:

Learning or improving a language is a lifelong process. To notice improvement, you need to stay consistent with your learning routine. This guide includes multiple sources for learning English. It's important not to jump between different sources, as you don't need to use all the ones mentioned above. In the beginning, explore a couple of them and then pick your favourites and stick to them.