So you sit in the IELTS exam, palms sweating, hands shaking and what’s worse, you can’t remember how to spell the simplest words. I’m sure you worked hard for this exam, probably stayed up all night just to memorize the few vocabularies that you imagined will be on the exam. You’ve definitely overworked yourself. You can’t cram to learn a language. Even if you pass the exam, you’ll find it difficult to survive in the real world. Learning a language is a life commitment, a passion, you have to love it and believe in it. Here I have compiled 5 EXTREMELY useful tips for you to learn English with minimal pressure!
- Try to blend into the English environment.
We all talk to ourselves from time to time. Make sure you try to speak to yourself in English though. You can try labeling your bedroom, naming each and everything so that you are familiar with all the various bedroom/ household items, so that these words are constantly being refreshed in your memory.
- Speak to strangers, be confident with the way you speak.
You don’t need perfect grammar to speak English. It is OK to speak with a few grammatical mistakes. Everyone does it. Use your instincts and speak the first words that come to your mind. Very often, you’ll find yourself right rather than wrong. Even if you’re wrong, there’s no big deal, someone will correct you.
- Don’t use flashcards to memorize your vocabulary
Learning words from flash cards limit your language capacity because you will translate the meaning in your head before actually thinking in English. The most important exercise is to train yourself to think in English all the time, so that it comes naturally.
- Read/ Listen to one podcast repetitively
It is important that you read a range of information so that you are familiar with vocabulary in different fields. However, it is also crucial that you pick something that you like so that you can read or listen to it over and over again. This can be in all contexts, but make sure it’s short and precise, nothing long or lengthy because you’ll be reading it every day. The point of this exercise is to understand everything in the article, from spelling to grammar.
- Record your own voice while reading out loud.
Make sure you read out loud for about 15-20 minutes a day. This would improve your pronunciation dramatically as you’ll get use to the English syllables and rhythm. I understand how weird it may seem to record your own voice while reading, but you’ll realize your pronunciation mistakes much more quickly when listening to it.
Last but not least, never give up! Persistence is the major key to learn any language. GOOD LUCK!
