Introduction
Learning a language has a lot of benefits. It widens your career opportunities and boosts your communication skills. English is the most spoken language in the world and mandatory in several education systems across the globe. There are around 1.5 billion English speakers, including native and non-native speakers.
Many English learners set a goal of mastering the language but do not know how to do it. If you are trying to learn English at home and looking for tips to utilize your time effectively, we have great advice for you. In this article, we will share some ways in which you can improve your skills in English.
10 Smart Ways to Learn English at Home
Incorporate these 10 smart strategies in your routine to learn English from the comfort of your home.
- Read Books
We cannot stress enough the importance of developing a reading habit. If you are already a reader, good for you. If not, try to pick a genre you enjoy and start with an easy read. Set an achievable target of how many pages you can read daily. If you enjoy the process or come to enjoy reading, gradually step up the limit and choose books of a higher standard. Also, try to read out loud whatever you read to practice pronunciation of words.
A reading habit can be a fun way to boost your English vocabulary. Various authors have varying writing styles, which means that you get to read new words and phrases from every author. Make a note of the new words you encounter in a book and look up the meanings to increase your vocabulary. Apart from that, reading books also improves comprehension skills.
- Listen to Podcasts
Podcasts are available on a variety of topics. Listen to podcasts on topics of your interest by hosts who are native speakers. This will not only boost your listening skills but also get you familiar with a wide range of accents. Podcasts may be in the form of videos or audios and often come with captions. If you cannot follow the speech, refer to the captions. You may also rewind it to listen to a part again.
- Watch Movies and Series
A lot of people love to watch movies for entertainment. But, you can learn English by watching movies and series too. Turn on English subtitles for the movies and series you watch. Read the words as you listen to the audio during the movie. This will not only make sure that you follow the speech but also let you learn the correct spellings and pronunciation.
If done right, watching audio visual content like movies, series and short films can boost your listening skills and vocabulary. Read this article to find out our selection of movies that will help you in this matter.
- Socialize Digitally
There are several social media platforms where you can connect with friends, peers and even new people. Use them to socialize digitally and start conversations in English. This will boost your confidence in English. If you make mistakes in your speech or text, request others to rectify those and explain that you are learning the language.
- Write Blogs
If you like writing, consider starting your own blog. It can be a personalized space for sharing your ideas, experiences, and opinions on things you like. You might even be able to reach a large audience through your content and interact with them in the comments. This hobby will boost your writing skills considerably.
- Converse in English
If you are a non-native speaker, it might be unusual to converse with your known ones in a foreign language, that is, English. However, it would be a great way to work on your speaking skills if you are trying to learn the language. Try to form your speech in English in your mind for having normal conversations about the day, weather, etc.
- Follow News Articles
Reading news is a good habit and it is even better if you read it in English, especially when you want to learn the language. Choose the topics you want to follow such as sports, entertainment, science, etc. and read articles on them. You are likely to encounter a lot of technical jargons specific to an industry. This will not only broaden your knowledge in the fields of your interest but also add to your vocabulary.
- Lyrics Training
Lyrics training simply refers to learning words of a song through lyrics and music videos. To use this method, pick out your favorite English songs and sing along by imitating the tune and pronunciation. You can also switch to karaoke where you have to sing the lyrics from captions along with music. It can be an interesting way to develop pronunciation and vocabulary.
- Use Online Tools
The internet is a source of countless language learning tools, both paid and free. If you use them effectively, it will affect your English learning in a positive way. To make things easier, we have listed some free online tools for improving skills in English.
- Enroll in an Online Course
Well, this method is not exactly a hobby that you can just enjoy in your leisure time. If you want to kick-start your English learning journey, we advise you to sign up for an online course. While attending classes in-person might be better, online classes are more flexible. A professional will be able to guide you through a significant progress in your path of learning English.
Conclusion
We hope that you found this article useful. Learning a language is a lengthy process and it definitely requires consistent practice and dedication. By following our tips, you will begin to notice a change in your English proficiency level. Good luck!
FAQs
- How can I learn English online for free?
You can consider signing up for a free online course for English. Alongside, use our list of free online tools to use your free time for learning.
- What app can you learn English for free?
Duolingo is an app where you can learn English for free. Some alternatives are Babbel, Rosetta Stone, and Busuu.
- What is the shortest time to learn English?
There is no fixed time for anyone to learn English. Realistically, if you are a beginner, you will need a minimum of one year to master the basics.
- Can I improve my English online?
The benefits of solely relying on online tools to improve are limited. We suggest you attend professional classes and make an efficient use of online resources to improve your English.
- Should I learn British or American English?
Whether you should learn British or American English depends on your personal preferences and location. For instance, if you plan to immigrate to the United States, you should consider learning American English. Similarly, if you want to attend college in the UK, you should go for British English.
