Learning any language is pretty easy, basic, and routine up until the intermediate level, where one is simply memorizing vocabulary, learning basic grammar structures, and repeating these words and ways of speaking very repetitively. Yes, there is a lot of time and effort to get to this level, but what stops a language learner from jumping from the intermediate level to the advanced level? The roadblock is now we have to go from the routine to the creative, make the language our own and natural for us, in order to take that jump to the native sound. How do we do this?
Tip #1: English is a lifestyle, not a diet!
It’s time to make English a vital part of your everyday life, not something temporary. This means, listening and seeing English on a daily basis to create an English immersion simulation in your life. How do we do this? Listen to podcasts and music, watch tv and the news in English. And most importantly, read daily for just 10-15 minutes and your English level will skyrocket!
Tip #2: Yes, reading is a must!
Now most people are not big fans of reading, but let’s reflect back to when we were children learning our native language. How did we increase our vocabulary and improve our speaking and writing skills? This happens through the words that jump out to us from the pages of a goodread. So my recommendation to stay motivated with this goal is to choose reading material that suits your interests, like a short news article, a chapter from a book, or a blog. Once you start this great habit, trust me, you won’t be able to stop! The results are almost immediate in English vocabulary acquisition and improved speaking and writing skills with complex grammar structures.
Tip #3: Be an active learner!
Learning is not just receiving information, that’s just part 1 and we call that the input or passive learning. What we are looking for is the output or the action one takes after receiving information; in other words, we are looking for an active learner. An active learner will produce English daily, but how can we do this if we have no one to practice with? Keep it simple, read out loud, act out a conversation, and mimic what you hear and see on the television. With writing, it doesn’t matter where you are, it can be done anywhere and anytime. Write a text message to an English speaking friend or write a journal entry and see how quickly your English level will advance! These simple activities will improve pronunciation and fluency at an exponential rate!
Tip #4: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes!
The biggest obstacle to achieving the native level sound in any language is fear. The fear of making a mistake, sounding ridiculous, or not being understood by the listener. Let’s change how we look at fear and not view it as a failure, but as an opportunity to improve and be successful. Take a chance, leave fear behind, and naturally you will make leaps and bounds in your English language journey!
Take a jump into the Advanced English Grammar Course and begin reaching your native English speaker sound!
Excellent post! I’m going to put an extra effort following these tips to improve my English level. Thank you very much!
You’re very welcome! At first that extra effort takes a lot of discipline, but then very quickly it becomes routine and simply a part of everyday life, so I encourage you to go for it!
I really enjoyed it! That’s so true. When I went to USA, it was my first international trip so I was so afraid to make mistakes but at the end, that’s how I learned so much about the real expressions for daily routines. So, don’t be afraid to say something wrong 😄
Thanks for sharing! Once were able to leave fear behind, learning a language and advancing becomes so much fun!
Thanks for this piece of advice dear teacher Jenna!
I am practicing everyday English and makin it my lifestyle 😄
One advice that a friend of mine gave me many years ago, when she was helping me to learn English is to try to act as someone you admire. She told me that when you are learning a new language you develop another personality married to that language, so, you can try to act as someone you admire, for example, you can try to play as Brad Pitt, try to imitate his corporal language, his accent, his stand position. That can make you gain some confidence.
Great article @JennaChristine our biggest obstacle as you say is fear. We can always achieve any skill with constancy and jumping into the English world and enjoy the way of learning this language, there are many roads to achieve your goal, the key is to choose the best one for you.
Thanks for your tips! I’ll put them in practice from today, your post gave me the push that I needed 😃
Great post! I changed the language on my devices to English. Thank you so much for the tips 😃
I had the opportunity to catch a job where i must interact with teams in English, given that i am intermediate level, to work using english has been to most biggest think has happened to me in my english improvement.
Thank you for the tips.
Excelentes tips!.
Thank you, very interesting article, I am trying to message with english platzi students every day and with some coworkers despite in my work I only need english for reading.
Great, I just enrolled to your course, and starting doing as you recommend.
Nice to acquire knowledge through you. 😊
Thank you for this post. It remeber me that I must to put in practice my english, and better whit those tips that you give us. I am in the route then I hope achieve the advanced grammar soon.
You’re very welcome! Keep studying, practice without fear, and you will achieve your goals!
Awesome! This very year, I’ve been applying all those tips that you just shared, and, I must say my English has skyrocketed, so now I’m good, but I won’t stop till be excellent.