10 Tips on How to Learn English

Learning English on your own can be pretty challenging. Anyone who has tried self-learning instead of enrolling in an English course knows this. How can you stick to your goal, find time for regular practice, and ultimately learn English? Should you choose online English classes or a traditional language course? Or maybe try self-learning at home? Here are 10 tips and tricks on how to learn English effectively.

1. Remember the context

In every language, there are words that change meaning depending on the context. Some beginners ambitiously try to learn vocabulary in order from the dictionary. Few people can actually remember vocabulary this way, and even if they manage to recite a list of words from A to Z, they won’t know when or how to use them in real-life situations. A much better method is using authentic English materials or, for lower levels, using texts or audio materials specifically designed for learning. This way, you learn words and phrases in context, understand when to use them, and develop a sense of the language. How to learn English? Always think about the context!

2. Repetition is key

Learning any new skill requires practice, whether it’s riding a bike, playing the guitar, or learning English. Our brain has two types of memory: short-term and long-term. To transfer vocabulary from short-term to long-term memory, we may need several weeks! Spending, for instance, three hours studying English at home might make you feel like you’ve learned a lot. But the next day, you might realize you don’t remember most of it. This doesn’t mean those three hours were wasted! But… it’s far better to learn smaller amounts of vocabulary and review it regularly than trying to memorize a huge list all at once. Such methods often backfire and demotivate learners. How to learn English? By practicing often.

3. Improve your memory

Learning English is closely tied to both short-term and long-term memory. As you can imagine, memory plays a crucial role in language learning. Like muscles, memory can be trained. However, training your memory won’t help much if you are chronically tired or neglecting your diet. Firstly, make sure you’re getting enough sleep. If you sleep less than six hours a night, you may find it harder to concentrate during the day. Secondly, make sure your body gets enough vegetables and healthy fats. Try to limit simple sugars (like sweets) and fast food. Some foods that are good for memory include walnuts, oily fish, and broccoli.

Once you take care of sleep and nutrition, it’s important to establish new habits. Many people try to multitask, which prevents them from fully focusing on one task. Multitasking doesn’t speed anything up—in fact, it reduces productivity by up to 40%! Doing tasks one by one is far more efficient. To improve your memory further, you can play online brain-training games. How to learn English? By improving your memory.

4. Organize yourself

Learning English is much more enjoyable when the materials are clearly and neatly organized. Writing down new information helps you remember it faster. A good method is to use colorful pens, draw charts and diagrams. The more diverse and interesting your notes are, the better. Having a dedicated notebook for English is definitely helpful for effective learning. You could even divide your notes into two sections: one for vocabulary and another for grammar rules and exercises. How to learn English? In an organized way.

5. Choose the right level

A common mistake learners make is choosing the wrong level of difficulty. If you’re a beginner, don’t jump straight into watching films in English without subtitles—you might only understand a few words, which will lower your motivation. Conversely, if you’re more advanced, it’s important to set new goals so that your skills continue to develop. It’s useful to take advantage of online tools that assess your level at the start. That way, you get a clear picture of your current abilities and advice on how to progress. How to learn English? By choosing the right level.

6. Use your imagination

The quickest and most effective way for children to learn is through play, imagination, and role-playing. It might seem childish, but this works just as well for adults. When you’re actively involved in something, like preparing a scene, it’s much easier to remember the phrases and vocabulary you’ve used, compared to learning from notes. It’s helpful to find someone with whom you can practice conversations and new phrases. You can even write a “script” for a scene or conversation. This helps break down the barrier to speaking. The more fun the conversation, the easier it is to remember it—and the new words you used. How to learn English? By using your imagination.

7. Know your learning style

Do you know your learning style? If not, it’s worth figuring it out, as it can greatly help with learning English. According to educator Neil Fleming, there are three main types of learners:

You are a visual learner if you remember things better when you write them down rather than hear them. You prefer learning through watching or reading and dislike listening to lectures. Visual learners remember details like colors and faces but may struggle with names. Around 65% of people are visual learners.

You are an auditory learner if you remember things best by hearing them. You enjoy speaking in public and may also have musical talent. Auditory learners remember both faces and names. About 30% of people are auditory learners.

Kinesthetic learners are the smallest group, making up only about 5% of the population. You are a kinesthetic learner if you remember things best by doing them rather than by seeing or hearing them. You have lots of energy, enjoy physical activity, and often use gestures while speaking.

8. Use flashcards

Flashcards are an old but effective method. You can make them yourself (which kinesthetic learners will love) or use online flashcards. Just by writing the words on flashcards, you’re already starting to memorize them. When studying, place the cards with words you’ve mastered in one pile and the ones you’re still learning in another. This way, you can track your progress, which boosts motivation. Don’t forget to write examples of how each word is used in context. A more modern form of flashcards includes English language games, which can help with spelling and don’t require much preparation time. For those who don’t enjoy traditional flashcards, games like “Spelling Bee” can be a fun alternative. How to learn English? By using flashcards and language games.

9. Use mind-mapping techniques

Mind mapping helps organize information visually. For instance, if you’re learning vocabulary related to “work”, you can divide it into categories like job titles, phrases about work, and vocabulary related to workplaces. You can also create a separate category for grammar rules and tenses. This method helps break down the material into manageable chunks and creates logical connections. How to learn English? By creating mind maps.

10. Take it step by step

In learning English, as with anything else, it’s important to set realistic goals. If your main goal is to reach B1 level in a year, set smaller monthly goals. If you’re starting from scratch, expecting to reach this level in a month might leave you disappointed and demotivated. For example, a more realistic goal could be to learn 50 new words per month instead of 1000 in a week. Also, remember that everyone learns at a different pace—don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone started somewhere, and even the best English speakers didn’t reach their level in a single day. How to learn English? Step by step.​