We all have dreams, goals and aspirations, some are just pipe dreams like becoming a famous explorer when you have a fear of flying, and others like learning a new skill or language is absolutely achievable.
Like any goal in life you have to start with looking at your objectives, and work out how you can achieve them in easy to manage steps.
It doesn’t matter why you want to speak fluent English, it could be for business, travel, pleasure, an exam or to relocate all that matters is that you are motivated and ready to learn.
Take it step by step- as the saying goes “You can’t eat an elephant in one bite.”
- Work out the reason you need fluent English- this will have some influence on what you learn.
- Think about a realistic time frame (if it’s for an exam your date might be less flexible)
- Consider, how much time you can devote each week to lesson, homework and practice.
Select the correct time and place to have English lessons
It is also good to work out what time of day is best for you to have lessons, select wisely.
- Do not just take into consideration your work schedule or family commitments.
- Also think about what time of day you are more receptive to learning, (it is advisable chose lesson that times when your energy is at its highest).
- Think about when your home or your office will be at it quietest with less distractions?
With our online English school you can learn from 05.00 am to 23.30 at night seven days a week, so finding a suitable time will not be difficult.
Get into a routine of learning.
Any new regime, be it sensible eating, exercise, or playing the piano,learning a new language or improving on a language needs time and patience, and you cannot expect it to become a habit overnight, nor can you expect instant results.
It is always best to approach learning a language with a plan.
- Book regular lesson with a native speaking teacher.
- Set aside a little bit of time for homework and study
- Take every opportunity to listen to English on the radio, or TV the more your ears get used to hearing all different English dialects and accents the easier it will come to understand.
- Have no fear, often we understand a language but are frightened to speak – grab the bull by the horns and use your lessons as a safe place to talk and build up your fluency accuracy and confidence.
- Use English at every chance you have, a conversation with clients, giving a tourist directions, ordering a meal, this will build up your skills and confidence.
- Sing along with the radio! If you are driving in your car and a song comes on the radio in English what is to stop you singing along- seriously do you know how many people learned English singing along to Beatles songs back in the day!
- Write down, record save and use new vocabulary – whatever way you choose to save it really doesn’t matter – some people use a word document, an excel file, others a notebook pick what works for you, but record new vocabulary and use the new words till they becomes part of your active everyday vocabulary.
Use it or lose it!
Once you have acquired some English keep using it, as with any language if we do not use it we forget it. So it’s best to use English whenever you can.
If you follow these suggestions you will surprise yourself and be speaking English fluently with ease.
Vocabulary
Absolutely – adverb – completely, totally, utterly, perfectly, entirely, wholly, fully.
Aspirations– noun – a hope or ambition of achieving something.
Back in the day – idiom – talking about a time in the past, usually when you are remembering nice things about that time.
Dialects – noun – a particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group.
Grab the bull by the horns – idiom – to approach, confront, or deal with a problem or difficult situation directly and with clear, confident action.
Have no fear – idiom – do not be afraid.
Influence – verb – some person or thing that has an effect on the character or behaviour of someone.
Objectives – noun – aim, intention, purpose, target, goal, intent.
Pipe dreams – noun – fantasy, false hope, illusion, delusion, daydream.
Realistic – adjective – practical, pragmatic, matter-of-fact, down-to-earth, sensible.
Wisely – adverb – act in a way that shows experience, knowledge, and good judgment.
You can’t eat an elephant in one bite – idiom – to take things step by step.
Contributor: Teacher Rachelle
Rachelle has been an online English teacher at Live-English.net since 2009. She is from the UK. She is a professionally qualified as an English teacher, coach and manager with over 25 years experience. She has a background in health & social care, business & education. She also holds degree in Management, specializing in HR.
Rachelle loves teaching online, especially preparing students for Job Interviews, Cambridge Exams, and Business presentations. Her hobbies include healthy cooking, creative writing, country life , travel, reading, history, and being a grandmother!
