How to learn English effectively
I was asked to speak at Ha Huy Tap High School in Vinh. They have an English club. The topic of the meeting is how to learn English effectively. These are my speaking notes. I haven’t finished writing this post. It’s meant to go along with my talk. For now, anyone can use this to get better at English.
LEARNING ENGLISH EFFECTIVELY
Effective for you might be different for someone else
Try different study techniques
What works best for you?
Start a new technique, define what success looks like
For example, Are you better at remembering words by writing them instead of reading them?
Make English part of your life
Do what you enjoy, but do it in English
For example, do you like video games? Play them in English
Do you like music? Listen to songs in English
Learn more about your hobbies and interests but in English
STUDY TIPS
Learn English as a tool to complete a goal
For example, your goal is to go to university in another country
Tool you’re using to complete that goal is English
When you look at English as a tool, it’s easier to focus
Make an English study schedule
Stick to it
Each study item should have: What you’re doing and which skill it’s practicing
For example, every Wednesday night at 9 I will complete 3 Lingoclip songs to get better at listening
Be persistent and don’t give up
Lisa’s Study Guides on YouTube
SELF-CONFIDENCE
Don’t be afraid to talk to foreigners
You will still be alive after you talk with them
Ask simple OPEN questions like, “What do you think about Vietnam?”
CLOSED question example: “ Do you like Vietnam?” (closed questions can be answered with yes/no)
OPEN questions are better
SPEAKING
Sid Efromovich and SHOWER TALK
5 techniques to speak any language by Sid Efromovich on YouTube
Go to English clubs often (make it a habit, go every week)
List of English clubs in Vinh on my website
Use apps like Tandem and Speaky (talk with people the same sex as you who are close to your age with shared hobbies, don’t share your location)
tandem.net and speaky.com
Talk with your teachers, friends and family in English often
Ask OPEN questions
Have conversations, not just 1 or 2 sentences
USING VIDEO GAMES TO GET BETTER AT ENGLISH
Try casual, easy games even if you’re not a gamer
For example, Verb Smash
Real English for Gamers
Change the language of your game to English
Talk with other people in English when playing online multiplayer games (chatting or voice chatting)
LISTENING
YouTube videos, movies, shows, anime
Watch with subtitles and without
Learn English with TV Series on YouTube
Friends, Harry Potter, Stranger Things
PRONUNCIATION
Make list of new words every 2 weeks
Practice pronunciation every night before bed for 10 minutes
Use ELSA Speak and Google to check your pronunciation
Search Google for “how to say (new word)”
Getting better at pronunciation is like going to the gym
VOCABULARY
Keep a notebook of new words
Write the English and Vietnamese translations
Make example sentences with them
Put them on the wall next to your bed so you see them often
Don’t let the new words die in your notebook
Use new words in conversation to make them part of your life
Use Google to check your pronunciation
READING
WebToons and other webcomics
Pictures help you understand what’s happening in the story
Find a webcomic with a story you’re interested in
WRITING
Keep a simple journal (write in it every night)
Try writing short stories of your life experiences
Use Grammarly to check your grammar
CONCLUSION
Improve your English skills along with your self-confidence (talk in English as much as you can)
Take initiative (seek out foreigners to talk with)
Be proactive (complete your self-study schedule consistently)
Be persistent (don’t give up)