{"id":37355,"date":"2017-10-25T14:34:36","date_gmt":"2017-10-25T12:34:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/?p=37355\/"},"modified":"2022-08-25T14:08:13","modified_gmt":"2022-08-25T12:08:13","slug":"6-language-hacks-to-learn-english-faster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/6-language-hacks-to-learn-english-faster\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Language Hacks to Learn English Faster"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s October and you\u2019ve just signed up for an English course. Maybe you want to pass an official exam. Maybe you need to use English at work. Or maybe you just want to travel the world and have meaningful conversations with the people you meet. Whatever the reason, we all know that English is essential in the 21st Century. But, just turning up to class and doing the minimal amount of homework isn\u2019t going to help you reach your goals as fast as you\u2019d like.<\/p>\n

Here are Oxford House’s top tips to help you learn English faster.<\/p>\n

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1. Make English about you<\/span><\/h2>\n

In class, your teacher has to keep everyone happy, so he or she might not always do exactly what you want to do, and that\u2019s okay because we get to try new things. When it comes to what you do at home, however, that\u2019s a whole new kettle of fish<\/span><\/em>. There, you can practise the things you love to do in English without worrying about your teacher or your classmates.
\nAre you a football fanatic? Then read the latest football news in English<\/a>. Do you like writing? Then create your own blog<\/a> and write about whatever takes your fancy<\/em><\/span>. Do you enjoy meeting new people from all over the world? Then join an international meetup<\/a>. Whatever you do, the more you enjoy it, the more likely you are to continue you doing it. And we all know that practice makes perfect!<\/p>\n

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2. Routine, routine, routine<\/span><\/h2>\n

Once you\u2019ve found something you enjoy, try and incorporate it into your daily routine. There are things we do – without thinking – everyday, like brushing our teeth, checking Facebook or watching TV. Why not add English to this? It doesn\u2019t even have to take up any extra time at all.<\/p>\n

Try changing the language of your TV while watching programmes which are originally in English, listening to a podcast<\/a> on your commute<\/em><\/span> to work, reading the news on your phone<\/a> while you are having your morning coffee or setting your phone or social media accounts to English. As soon as it becomes routine you\u2019ll do it without a second thought<\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n

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3. Pay attention to the English around you<\/span><\/h2>\n

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\"Learn<\/p>\n

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Although you may not live in an English speaking country, in today\u2019s globalised world you\u2019ll find English everywhere you look. Whether it\u2019s online, on the street, or in your favourite restaurant, there\u2019s no getting away from it.<\/p>\n

Instead of ignoring it, take notice every time you come across<\/em><\/span> something in English. Carry a notebook in your bag and write down new vocabulary. Check things you don\u2019t understand on WordReference<\/a>. Take photos of signs you see and show them to your teacher or classmates. You could even ask for the menu in English when you go out for dinner.<\/p>\n

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4. Don\u2019t be afraid<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many students would say that improving their speaking is one of their main objectives when it comes to learning a language. It\u2019s also the thing which most people (myself included) find extremely difficult. Perhaps we are worried our accent sounds awful<\/em><\/span>, and we don\u2019t want to say something out loud unless we are 100% sure it sounds correct. Often we end up spending so long thinking about what we want to say that by the time we pluck up the courage<\/em><\/span> to say it, the conversation has changed.<\/p>\n

The only way to avoid this is to make mistakes<\/a> and not worry about sounding silly<\/em>. More often than not, the reason you are speaking English is because the person you are talking to doesn\u2019t speak your language. And that\u2019s a reason to be proud, not ashamed! Also, if you do make a mistake, there\u2019s a good chance the person will correct you and you\u2019ll learn something new.<\/p>\n

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5. Get others involved<\/span><\/h2>\n

 
\n\"Learn<\/p>\n

Why suffer alone? In class you study as a group, so why not outside of class too? Sharing your learning objectives with a peer<\/em><\/span> will help hold you accountable<\/em><\/span>. Start a class Whatsapp group (English only), ask each other what you\u2019ve done in English that week, post questions about homework on OH connect. You could even go to the school 30 minutes early and meet your classmates in the garden for a coffee and discuss your weekend, a book you are reading or the latest Bar\u00e7a match.<\/p>\n

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6. Challenge yourself<\/span><\/h2>\n

As humans, we tend to do things which are easy. Watching films with subtitles and using Google translate is fine, but it\u2019s not going to help you progress rapidly. Always try and push yourself as hard as possible. Buy a graded reader<\/a> which is a level higher than you are studying at, watch short videos<\/a> (without subtitles) over and over again until you understand the gist<\/em><\/span> of what they are trying to say and then read the transcription to check, spend thirty minutes a week speaking English with someone who is better than you. Whatever you decide to do, set yourself targets and make sure you stick to them. Here is a table you can use to help you keep track.<\/p>\n\r\n\t\t\t