Top tips for learning English when you don’t have much time

We all have busy schedules these days: working, cleaning, running errands, taking care of the kids, making time for friends, visiting the family – the list goes on! How is one supposed to learn a new language effectively with all these other tasks? Keep on reading to find out some helpful, quick and easy ways to learn English if you don’t have much time.

First things first: before you grab that cup of coffee in the morning look up three words that you don’t know yet using a dictionary or the Internet. Learning three new words a day a will add up to 21 new words a week!

Don’t worry if you are not 100% sure on how to effectively and correctly use these words, the point is to at least expose yourself to new vocabulary. During your next class, ask your teacher to clarify their meaning or usage, or simply try using them! If you use any words incorrectly, your teacher will let you know.

Next, listen to English TV or music (audio books or podcasts are excellent too). You can do this in your free time, while you are cleaning the house, or on the way to work. Even if you don’t understand everything, your ears are being exposed to English and you will slowly build up your comprehension skills.

Do combine this tip with the previous one I mentioned and write down the words you’re unsure of to use them as your ‘words of the day’. Also, hearing these words in context will help you understand them more and help you get used to the way we use them.

I have one final tip, it’s perhaps a little weird: think in English, and if nobody is around, think out loud in English! I know your mind might automatically switch to your native language at first, however make yourself repeat your thoughts again in English: translate your thoughts! It’s such an easy way to practice and it takes hardly any time. You can still drive to work, do the shopping, pick up the kids and nobody knows you’re simultaneously learning English. It might seem silly at first, but trust me; it’s a great way to squeeze in English during your busy day.

For example, tell yourself what you are doing -walking to the car, turning on the car and reversing out of the driveway – think it in English! Again, when you don’t know a word remember to look it up and write it down. I can’t stress this enough. It’s the best way to learn new vocabulary. I hope to see you in class soon so I can hear if my tips have been helpful!