Learning English online requires hard work and dedication, but it doesn’t mean that the road to mastering the language has to be a long and tedious one. Here at Anglia Education, we aim to help you sharpen your English skills, and to do that, we’ve put together 10 practical ways to improve your English skills and make learning online fun and worthwhile.
1. Read for at least 20 minutes a day
Reading is one of the simplest yet most effective ways of acing English. It helps build vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency. Reading can also help improve other language skills.
Research suggests that reading at least 20 minutes a day is beneficial to all English language learners. From physical books to online articles, reading English texts every day can make learning the language more accessible.
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2. Listen to a podcast or an audiobook
Podcasts are one of the most accessible media formats today, and English language learners like you can take advantage of the wealth of information from various podcasts available online.
Podcasts are episodic recordings of discussions based on a specific topic. Think listening to the radio minus the music in between. Podcasts come in various languages and formats, but English podcasts can help those looking for ways to improve their speaking and listening skills.
Another great way to sharpen your listening skills is through listening to audiobooks. It can also help you work on your pronunciation, grammar, and even vocabulary.
The next time you go out for a run, or while preparing dinner, skip your usual playlist and listen to a chapter of an audiobook, or an episode of your favourite podcast instead.
3. Interact online with other English language learners
Do you know what’s best about learning English? You never have to do it alone! There are thousands of people worldwide who are just like you – learning and mastering English.
So why not take advantage of technology and meet with fellow English learners online? You can join Facebook groups and other online communities specifically made for people looking to improve their English communication skills.
4. Participate in online discussions
Learning English doesn’t have to be boring. Spice things up by joining online discussions about topics that interest you. Reddit and Discord has a group on every possible topic that people find attractive. Participating in healthy online boards and forums is not just a way for you to voice your opinion, but it is also an excellent way to practise your English skills.
5. Read aloud (and record)
You might think that reading aloud is only for kids, but adults who are taking up online English classes can also learn a thing or two from this age-old technique.
When we read aloud, we become more aware of our fluency and pronunciation. Recording ourselves as we read aloud allows us to check for mistakes which helps in improving our speaking skills.
6. Watch English movies and TV series
Netflix, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime are treasure troves of English movies, TV shows, and documentaries. But when you come to think of it, watching movies and TV series is not just entertaining, but it also helps you learn essential English communication skills. Pronunciation, vocabulary, and even non-verbal cues are just some of the English language skills you can pick up when watching movies or TV shows online.
7. Set your device to English
As simple as it sounds, setting the language on your devices such as your mobile phones, tablets, and laptops to English is also an effective way to sharpen your English communication skills. You will learn a different set of vocabulary, and at the same time, you will build on your background knowledge on how to use the English language.
8. Keep a journal
Journalling is a safe place to reflect and jot down your thoughts. It is also a great way to practise your writing skills. Since your journal is primarily intended for you, you don’t have to be conscious about making mistakes. You can also treat your journal as a learning log that shows how you have improved over time.
9. Play English games on your phone
Got extra time on your hands? Why not pass the time you have by playing English learning games online or on your phone? It’s a fun yet productive way to sharpen your language skills, such as vocabulary and spelling, as well as logic and critical thinking skills.
10. Download a dictionary/thesaurus app
We live our lives mostly on our phones, so make the most out of it by downloading a dictionary and thesaurus app that will help you work on your vocabulary, spelling, and even pronunciation for different English words. Trusted dictionaries and thesaurus titles have websites and apps that are chockfull of information about the English language. The best part is that they are all right at our fingertips.
If you are looking for a tried-and-tested way to improve your English language skills, then Anglia Education is the best way to go. There are hundreds of online learning resources available for those who want to master English – from speaking, writing, listening, and reading, Anglia Education has you covered.
Mastering the English language can be fun and easy with Anglia Education.
Kristine
Learn more about how to improve your English skills with our other online blogs here.
