Learning a new language takes consistent effort, discipline, and desire. There’s no quick solution to go from 0 to 1 for a new language learner. However, if you’re familiar with learning a language and have been doing so for some time, you can improve your English significantly in a relatively short period.
How can you quickly improve your English?
Immerse Yourself
The fastest way to improve your English ability is to live the language. Now, that’s easier said than done. As an international student living in another country, English isn’t the first language people speak, and that limits who you can communicate with to improve your conversational skills. Luckily, there are more ways than one to immerse yourself in a language.
“When you start learning different languages, I convert everything. Like my computer, I put in English, my cellphone, I put in English. I try to watch movies in English, listen to music in English, sing in English, and try to immerse myself.” — Juliana Pereira, Journalist and Geotechnical Engineering Ph.D student at Purdue University
In case you missed it, you can rewatch our informative Facebook Live session with TOEFL and Juliana Pereira to hear her story in its entirety.
How can you quickly improve your English?
Immerse Yourself
The fastest way to improve your English ability is to live the language. Now, that’s easier said than done. As an international student living in another country, English isn’t the first language people speak, and that limits who you can communicate with to improve your conversational skills. Luckily, there are more ways than one to immerse yourself in a language.
“When you start learning different languages, I convert everything. Like my computer, I put in English, my cellphone, I put in English. I try to watch movies in English, listen to music in English, sing in English, and try to immerse myself.” — Juliana Pereira, Journalist and Geotechnical Engineering Ph.D student at Purdue University
In case you missed it, you can rewatch our informative Facebook Live session with TOEFL and Juliana Pereira to hear her story in its entirety.
As inconvenient as it may be, converting your devices and essential items to English can force you to learn English at all times of the day. Considering the average person uses their phone for nearly four hours a day, that’s a BIG chunk of your day dedicated to learning English. There’s no replacement for interaction, though.
If you want to immerse yourself, here’s what Valeria Renée Rivera’s life looked like when she was in El Salvador:
Use an English Language App
Language applications are a great supplement to any English study plan. They won’t get you from 0 to 1 necessarily, but they can expand your vocabulary, fix your grammar, and improve your pronunciation. There are tons of options on the market — some fun, some effective, and some, both. If you’re interested in learning which apps are worth your time, you should check out our recent article on the 7 Best Apps to Learn English for Students Studying Abroad.
Shadowing
Shadowing is the process of mimicking what you hear. When you’re watching movies, tv shows, or listening to English music, listen for words or phrases that they say. How do they pronounce specific phrases? What words do they string together to convey their message? If you’re planning on moving to the US or UK to study abroad, the best way to learn native English is to replicate how it’s spoken in the country you’re moving to.
Avoid Burnout
Even our best efforts won’t let us master a new language overnight. It’s a long process that takes months of consistent learning. Sometimes you’ll feel like you aren’t making any progress; other days you’ll think you’re unstoppable. Don’t let your best days overwork you and don’t let your worst days force you to give up. In due time, we’ll all get to where we need to be.
Valeria Renée Rivera knows a thing or two about burnout, and she had this to share, “I always tell people, make time for yourself; set a time — two hours in your day, an hour — whatever it is, just, you know, watch a movie, listen to some music. Whatever it is that relaxes you, it’s very important.”
Conclusion
Ultimately, the fastest way to learn may not be the best. Making English a seamless part of your life through an effective study plan, English language apps, and self-care will give you all the tools you need to master the English language.
If you’re looking for additional resources on your student journey, StudyUSA.com is an invaluable resource. Study in the USA is your all-in-one destination for all your study abroad needs: from connecting you with your dream university to guiding you through the visa process, and everything in between.
If you want to immerse yourself, here’s what Valeria Renée Rivera’s life looked like when she was in El Salvador:
- 7 out of 8 classes were in English
- She spoke with friends in Spanglish (a combination of English and Spanish)
- She read lots of English books in her free time
- She listened to music in English
- She watched TV in English
Use an English Language App
Language applications are a great supplement to any English study plan. They won’t get you from 0 to 1 necessarily, but they can expand your vocabulary, fix your grammar, and improve your pronunciation. There are tons of options on the market — some fun, some effective, and some, both. If you’re interested in learning which apps are worth your time, you should check out our recent article on the 7 Best Apps to Learn English for Students Studying Abroad.
Shadowing
Shadowing is the process of mimicking what you hear. When you’re watching movies, tv shows, or listening to English music, listen for words or phrases that they say. How do they pronounce specific phrases? What words do they string together to convey their message? If you’re planning on moving to the US or UK to study abroad, the best way to learn native English is to replicate how it’s spoken in the country you’re moving to.
Avoid Burnout
Even our best efforts won’t let us master a new language overnight. It’s a long process that takes months of consistent learning. Sometimes you’ll feel like you aren’t making any progress; other days you’ll think you’re unstoppable. Don’t let your best days overwork you and don’t let your worst days force you to give up. In due time, we’ll all get to where we need to be.
Valeria Renée Rivera knows a thing or two about burnout, and she had this to share, “I always tell people, make time for yourself; set a time — two hours in your day, an hour — whatever it is, just, you know, watch a movie, listen to some music. Whatever it is that relaxes you, it’s very important.”
Conclusion
Ultimately, the fastest way to learn may not be the best. Making English a seamless part of your life through an effective study plan, English language apps, and self-care will give you all the tools you need to master the English language.
If you’re looking for additional resources on your student journey, StudyUSA.com is an invaluable resource. Study in the USA is your all-in-one destination for all your study abroad needs: from connecting you with your dream university to guiding you through the visa process, and everything in between.
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