By far, one of the most common complaints I hear in my role as an English language coach is that students often feel stuck on their English learning journey. They do so much, try so many techniques to improve their English and remain as consistent as possible. Yet, they often find themselves in the frustrating experience of feeling like they are no longer progressing.
I’d like to encourage you that feeling stuck in your English learning journey is a common experience among language learners. Periods of stagnation can be frustrating, but they also present an opportunity to reassess your strategies and adopt fresh approaches to reinvigorate your progress.
Here are some effective methods to help you overcome this plateau and advance your English proficiency.
1. Immerse Yourself in English
Immerse yourself in as much English as possible. Engaging in immersion is an effective way to acquire a new language. By surrounding yourself with English in various contexts, you can enhance your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
Of course, this can prove challenging, especially when you live in a country where English is not the main spoken language. To increase your English immersion, try the following:
Watch English Content: Watch vlogs, day-in-the-life videos, movies, and TV shows in English. Platforms like YouTube offer a plethora of content featuring native speakers, providing exposure to natural conversation patterns and colloquial expressions. This method not only improves listening skills but also familiarizes you with different accents and speaking styles. The cool thing about vlogs and day-in-the-life videos, especially, is that you can play these in the background as you carry out your daily tasks. This creates the sense of being surrounded by the language. The result: a boost in your English progress!
Create an English Environment: Transform your daily surroundings (your home, office or car) to incorporate more English. Change the language settings on your devices to English, listen to English music or podcasts during your commute, and place English quotes or vocabulary lists around your home. These minor changes can greatly enhance your daily exposure to the language.
2. Leverage AI Technology
Artificial Intelligence has revolutionized language learning by providing interactive and personalized practice opportunities. These tools can supplement your learning and skyrocket your English journey!
AI-powered applications like ChatGPT are excellent tools for enhancing your English conversation skills. They come equipped with advanced voice functions that allow you to practice speaking and listening in a controlled environment. These applications simulate real-life dialogues, providing you with valuable opportunities to improve your language proficiency.
However, it’s crucial to remember that while AI interactions can be beneficial, they should be supplemented with human tutors. Human tutors can offer nuanced feedback and provide cultural context that AI applications may not be able to provide. They can help you understand the subtleties of language and guide you towards more authentic and natural conversations.
3. Strengthen Grammar Foundations
Studying grammar can be so boring. I know. And as an English coach who teaches grammar, believe me, I understand. However, as boring as grammar is, it is the very foundation of the English language and a solid grasp of grammar is crucial for effective communication. While grammar exercises may seem tedious, they are fundamental to constructing correct sentences and conveying precise meanings.
My students may argue that I don’t encourage being overly fixated on grammar, but they will also point out how much I highlight the value of structured grammar practice. Dedicate time each day to focus on specific grammar topics. Use reputable resources or grammar-focused apps to guide your practice. Focus on one concept at a time. This way, you don’t overwhelm yourself, which can be detrimental to your language acquisition efforts. Regular, focused sessions can help reinforce your understanding and application of grammatical rules.
4. Engage in Extensive Reading
Reading is not only an excellent way to expand your vocabulary, but it also allows you to understand different writing styles and see grammar in context. By immersing yourself in various literary works, you can expose yourself to a wide range of words and phrases, enabling you to enhance your linguistic repertoire.
Reading exposes you to different writing styles, allowing you to appreciate the nuances and techniques employed by various authors. By observing grammar in context, you can better grasp its practical application and gain a deeper understanding of how sentences are structured. In essence, reading serves as a valuable tool for personal and intellectual growth, offering a multitude of benefits for language learners and enthusiasts alike.
When it comes to enhancing their English skills through reading, I only have two rules for my students:
Choose Enjoyable Material: Don’t just read any and everything. Reading needs to be an enjoyable experience for it to be effective. Select books, articles, or blogs on topics that interest you. This ensures that reading remains engaging and not a chore. For instance, if you enjoy mystery novels, reading works by authors like Agatha Christie can be both enjoyable and educational.
Active Reading: Don’t just read mindlessly. While reading, note down unfamiliar words or phrases. After finishing a chapter or section, review these notes, look up definitions, and use the new vocabulary to make sentences. This active engagement reinforces learning and aids retention.
5. Practice Speaking Regularly
Speaking is often the most challenging skill to develop, but regular practice is essential for fluency. This is why, as an English coach, I prioritize speaking practice with my students. Many students find it much easier to understand what they read and even listen to. Unfortunately, when they need to express themselves through speech, they often lack the confidence or fluency to do so effectively.
I understand, though, that speaking practice can be quite the challenge when you live in a country where English is not the most commonly spoken language. Even when you meet someone who speaks English, they often still prefer to have conversations in their native language. To circumvent that, I suggest the following approaches:
Language Exchange Partners: Connect with native English speakers or fellow learners for language exchange. Platforms like Tandem, Instagram, Facebook groups or local language clubs can facilitate these connections. Regular conversations help build confidence and improve spontaneous speaking abilities.
Self-Practice: If finding a speaking partner is challenging, practice speaking on your own. Describe your day, narrate stories, or discuss your opinions on various topics aloud. Recording yourself can also help you identify areas for improvement. It can also make speaking to yourself feel a little less strange.
6. Set Specific, Achievable Goals
One of the biggest reasons students feel frustrated in their language learning journey is that they have unrealistic expectations. Many students hope to see nearly instant results which can be discouraging. Setting clear, attainable goals provides direction and motivation.
“SMART” Goals: Ensure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, instead of aiming to “improve vocabulary,” set a goal to “learn and use ten new business-related English words each week.”
Track your progress: Maintain a journal or use apps to monitor your progress. Regularly reviewing your achievements can boost motivation and highlight areas needing more focus.
7. Incorporate English into Daily Activities
Find ways to integrate English practice into your daily routine. Incorporating English into your daily activities is a great way to improve language skills while doing things you enjoy. Here are some ideas:
1. Cooking: Follow recipes in English. This helps with reading comprehension, introduces new vocabulary, and connects words to real-life actions. For an extra challenge, try narrating your steps out loud as you cook.
2. Hobbies: Develop new or engage in your regular hobbies in English. If you like writing, follow English-language tutorials or join English-speaking groups for writers. This way, you’re learning language skills in a familiar context.
3. Social Media: Join English-speaking communities around topics you enjoy, whether on Reddit, Facebook groups, or Instagram pages. Engaging in comments and discussions helps build confidence in written expression.
4. Exercise: Follow workout videos or listen to guided meditations in English. This not only helps with listening skills, but also introduces exercise-related vocabulary.
5. Journaling: Write a few sentences each day about your thoughts or experiences in English. This builds writing skills and helps you express personal ideas.
Integrating English into your daily activities makes learning feel natural and enjoyable. By engaging in real-world language use, you’ll develop fluency and confidence over time.
8. Seek Professional Guidance
Sometimes, personalized instruction can make a significant difference.
Personalized instruction can indeed have a profound impact. One effective way to receive tailored guidance is by hiring a qualified English tutor or English Coach. A tutor or coach can offer individualized lessons, addressing your specific needs and helping you overcome any challenges you may face. They can correct your mistakes and provide strategies to enhance your English skills.
In addition to hiring a tutor or coach, attending workshops or courses can also be beneficial. Seek out workshops that focus on areas you find challenging, whether it’s improving pronunciation or honing your business English skills. These workshops provide a structured environment where you can learn from experts and interact with peers who share similar goals.
By investing in personalized instruction, whether through coaching, tutoring or attending workshops, you are taking proactive steps towards improving your English proficiency. These targeted approaches can make a significant difference in your language learning journey.
Additional Reading and Resources
5 Best AI Language Learning Apps
How English Immersion can Help you Prepare for IELTS
5 Rules for Immersive English Learning
Artificial Intelligence in English language learning
Conclusion
Remember, language learning is a marathon, not a sprint. Consistency, patience, and a positive mindset are key. By implementing these strategies and maintaining regular practice, you can make significant progress in your language learning journey. It’s important to remember that learning a language is not something that happens overnight. It requires time, effort, and dedication. Consistency is crucial - setting aside regular time to study and practice will help you build momentum and reinforce what you’ve learned. Patience is also important, as progress may not always be immediate or linear. There will be ups and downs, but staying positive and persevering will ultimately lead to success. So, keep going, stay committed, and enjoy the process of learning a new language.