As the new school year begins, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how you can improve your English skills. Whether you’re returning to class or starting a new course, now is a great opportunity to get organised and develop good study habits that will make learning English easier and more effective.
The key to success in learning a language is consistency, and with the right strategies and study habits, you’ll be able to maximise and recognise your progress in English.
What are good study habits?
Good study habits are things that help you learn better, retain information effectively and make the learning process smoother. You should repeat good study habits often until they become part of your daily routine. For example, setting aside time every day for English practice is a good habit, as it helps you stay on track and makes learning feel less overwhelming. The goal is to make learning English something you do naturally.
The benefits of good study habits
There are many benefits to developing strong study habits:
- They allow you to see your progress on your language learning journey. You’ll be able to see how much you’ve learnt, and the skills you have developed effectively.
- Good study habits can help reduce stress and anxiety. For example, having a routine can help you feel prepared about what you need to do and feel proud once you’ve ‘ticked off’ something you wanted to achieve in English.
- They can keep you motivated. When learning becomes part of your daily life, you’ll feel accomplished and inspired to keep going. As you see your skills improve, you’ll gain more confidence in your English abilities.
5 ideas to help you have the best study habits
Don’t worry about mistakes. Don’t think, just speak!
One of the most important habits for improving your English is to speak as much as possible. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes – they’re a natural part of learning, and even people whose first language is English make mistakes.
The more you practise speaking, the more confident you’ll become. Instead of overthinking what you want to say, just let the words flow – the goal is not perfection, but progress.
With time, your grammar, vocabulary and accuracy will improve. Every conversation is an opportunity to learn, so take advantage of every chance to speak in English, whether in class, with friends or online.
Surround yourself with English; listen to music, watch films & shows
Improve your English by surrounding yourself with the language in your everyday life. Watch English films and TV shows, listen to songs in English and try to read English books or articles. You’ll pick up new words, improve your listening and reading skills, and understand how English is used in different situations. Try to find content that interests you to make learning more enjoyable.
Make realistic goals and study schedules
Having clear goals will help you stay focused and track your progress. For example, instead of saying, I want to be fluent in English, set a goal like, I will learn and use 10 new words every week or I will practise speaking for 15 minutes a day.
Then, create a study schedule that fits into your daily life. Remember that you don’t need to study for hours every day; just 20 minutes of practice can make a big difference over time.
Record yourself speaking
A great way to improve your pronunciation and speaking skills is by recording yourself. Listen to the recording back and pay attention to areas where you can improve, like your pronunciation, intonation or fluency. You can also ask teachers or friends for feedback.
Learn new words through context
Trying to remember long lists of vocabulary can be difficult. Instead, try to learn new language by seeing or hearing words and phrases used in real sentences, for example in the TV shows and films you watch in English, as we mentioned above.
When you come across a new word, pay attention to how it’s used in a sentence and what it means in that specific context. Try to learn one new word each day and use it in your own conversations. This makes learning vocabulary more manageable and easier to remember.
Learn more about learning vocabulary fast and effectively here.
By developing good study habits, you can make learning English more enjoyable and effective. By sticking to these best study habits, you’ll see how much you’ve improved, and feel accomplished by taking charge of your own language learning journey.
Activity
Choose if the statements about good study habits are True (T) or False (F).
1 You can learn new language by watching TV programmes. T/F
2 You can record yourself to improve your pronunciation. T/F
3 You need to study every day for 20 minutes to improve your English. T/F
4 Be careful not to make mistakes when you speak. T/F
5 Try to write a list of vocabulary to remember. T/F
6 Having good study habits can make you feel more relaxed and enjoy learning. T/F
Answers
1 T
2 T
3 F
4 F
5 F
6 T
