The best way to learn English is to practise it every day. Set a goal for yourself, such as learning one new word a day, and stick to it. Listen to songs and news bulletins in English and try to copy the pronunciation. This will help you remember words and improve your listening skills. Watch TV shows and movies with subtitles if you can.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary is the range of words that a person knows, either in general or in a particular language. Learners need to build a vocabulary to be able to learn new words and phrases. Vocabulary is a fundamental component of learning any language. Without it, it is difficult to progress from beginner level to advanced.
There are many ways to develop one’s English vocabulary. Students can begin to use a dictionary (whether digital or traditional) and find out the meanings of new words they encounter in reading and writing. They can also ask their teacher for clarifications if they are unsure about the meaning of a word.
Teachers can also explicitly teach vocabulary in their classroom using resources such as the Word Selection Grid (staff only). The Grid provides a framework for selecting and teaching individual words and supports evidence-based practices, such as presenting student-friendly definitions, exploring varied contexts, and leveraging multiple-meaning words and idioms.
It is essential to start with a strong base of basic vocabulary to be able to progress to higher levels in English. The more words you know, the easier it will be for you to learn new grammar and sentence structure. To expand your vocabulary, try studying new words every day. Try to keep a list of the new words and make flashcards to practise them. Watch English movies, TV shows, and listen to English music. This will help you understand the rhythm, intonation, and pronunciation of English speakers.
Grammar
Grammar is the set of rules that dictate how words are arranged to form sentences. It includes morphology (the internal structure of words) and syntax (how word parts like adverbs and verbs fit together to make a sentence). Grammar is both prescriptive and descriptive, meaning it describes how a language should be used, and also how speakers and writers use the language naturally.
While many students hate grammar, it is a necessary part of learning English. Without grammar, written and spoken communication would be incomprehensible. Spelling errors, diction mistakes, comma splices, omitted subject, object, verb and conjunctions, and parallelism errors can all make it difficult for audiences to understand a message.
To learn English effectively, it is important to practise regularly. Start by reviewing your vocabulary and grammar before every class. Study in short sessions throughout the day, such as during your commute or during down time at home. Use a variety of learning materials including books, YouTube videos, games and conversations. It is also a good idea to find an English tutor online to help you with your pronunciation and intonation.
Try to memorise English phrases and idioms rather than single words. This will improve your listening skills as well as your memory. Remember that the best way to learn English is through a strong context; so listen to English TV shows and movies with subtitles, read English books or newspapers and converse with native speakers.
Listening
Many students focus on English speaking skills but forget that listening is just as important. You can’t respond to someone in a conversation without hearing them, so this is a crucial skill.
You should listen to as much natural English speech as possible. This means watching English TV shows, movies and listening to podcasts and radio. Listening to music is also a great way to practise your listening. The key is choosing materials that you enjoy, as this will keep you motivated and engaged. Try to listen to something new each day, but don’t over-do it. You don’t want to force yourself to listen to material that is too hard for you to understand.
Work on your intonation, which is the pitch of your voice. This can help you convey emotion, like sounding surprised or stern. Also, practice listening for stress in English words. Normally, a word will have one stress, but it’s important to learn how to distinguish between different stresses.
If you have a good understanding of English vocabulary, you should be able to follow most conversations in English. If you don’t, be sure to work on your English vocabulary by using flash cards and online English games. Also, consider learning the basics of grammar and time markers (verb systems and how to talk about the timing of actions). This will make it easier for you to understand native English speakers.
Speaking
A big part of learning English is speaking. You can improve your pronunciation, vocabulary and confidence by listening to English speakers speak and practising yourself. It is also important to try and interact with people who are native English speakers, even if you don’t understand them at first. Listening passively is okay, but if you can find ways to actually interact (such as asking for directions or talking about a favourite book), then this will really help your speaking skills.
Reading English books and newspapers is another great way to learn new words and phrases. Try to read a few minutes each day, and don’t just skim through the articles, read them all. This will give you a good idea of sentence structure and the different types of vocabulary that are used in the English language. It’s also a good idea to practise your pronunciation by recording yourself and playing back the recording. This will allow you to hear what you sound like and see how much progress you’re making.
Finally, make sure you are using materials that are designed for your level of English. It is tempting to jump right into content made for fluent English speakers, but if you’re just starting out, this will only confuse you and slow your progress. Find resources that are designed for intermediate-level English learners and work your way up from there.
