3+1 Habits of Successful English Learners
What do successful English learners do differently from others? OK, the truth is that there is no secret formula to being a great language learner. However, there are some everyday habits that can help!✏️Fake it till you make itPeople often say that children learn languages more easily than adults. But why is that? Well, it is true that most children are not afraid of making mistakes – they are always much more willing to try one more time, and they’re used to receiving guidance. And did we mention that they get really excited when they accomplish something new?So, instead of focusing on every single mishap, error or mistake, be a brave learner and celebrate all your small achievements! Learning English is like learning to ride a bike: you will fall off your bicycle, but you will certainly get the hang of it after a while. Remember, practice makes perfect!Tip: Why not stop thinking of yourself as a student? Just think of yourself as an English speaker and don’t be afraid of taking risks and making mistakes!✏️Take advantage of dead timeHow would you entertain yourself in a mind-numbing queue? Internet is here to help! In the age of smartphones, listening to English is probably the easiest thing to practise for a few minutes every day. For example, you could take advantage of thousands of videos on YouTube, which can help you have fun and work on your listening skills at the same time. Even just ten to fifteen minutes can be much more beneficial than you think.There are also many apps that could help you revise information and vocabulary through flashcards. Well, when retrieving a memory, our brains always ‘revisit’ the nerve pathways created when the memory was formed. So, repeatedly recalling information helps strengthen those connections. Remembering new vocabulary is easier than it sounds!Tip: Always keep your eyes open for phrases, idioms, collocations and oxymorons. For example, having English songs playing in the background when doing the housework or commuting is a great way to get used to idiomatic phrases without feeling pressured. And bear in mind that there are a lot of words in English that look or sound alike but have very different meanings. Keep a list of words you always confuse and learn most of the notorious commonlyconfused words!✏️Find your learning styleWhen you learn something new, do you like to get the information in pictures or sounds and words? Would your teacher agree that you are a visual learner? Do you know what a kinaesthetic learner is?There are lot of options when it comes to learning materials. If a method isn’t working for you, then find another method. As soon as you accept that what works for others may not work for you and you find the right tools, learning English will become much easier!Tip: Don’t forget that you should always focus on all skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. As any English teacher knows, most learners have weaknesses in some skills, but taking a balanced approach always helps. After all, you can’t build a house without a strong foundation!✏️Stay patient and activeBear in mind that perfectionism and rushing will get you nowhere! Learning a language is like trying to lose weight – it takes time and effort. You simply cannot improve at lightning speed – nobody can!And that’s why you should be patient and active: start reading books and magazines in English use Netflix for language learning set up an English-speaking club with other students listen to an interesting podcast in English when you’re bored. Learning a new language doesn’t just happen, so take control of your own learning!Tip: Even if you are not young anymore, don’t be afraid of making learning fun! We all have an inner child inside us who is playful and sees learning as an exciting adventure! There is always a wide range of options, such as adventurous board games and free online resources, which can help.What habits have helped you to learn English? Share your ideas and tips in the comments below!...
