Hello everyone.
One issue that makes people say they haven't improve their English is time. I know that we live in a world that seems to go faster. However, we have to find time for everything we need to do. If our goal is to learn English, we need to set a regular time for learning, practicing and revising. I had said this before: at least 20 minutes a day is better than nothing at all. Hence, let's see some alternatives that you can use for practicing your English.
PODCAST.
Most of people have a MP3 device or a mobile phone with a music player so you can listen to podcast. you can go to BBC Learning English (http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/) and you will be able to download for free thousands of audio designed for learner. Then you can listen to then in your way to school or work. If you know any other page for free podcast. Let me know.
TV SHOWS AND MOVIES
I like watching TV at night I usally spend one our watching TV. Pick up a favorite show and watch it in English. If you have internet and sure you also have satellite television so you can watch English speaking shows. I don't miss a episode of "The big bang theory" and I also like "Glee". Another option is going to the movies. Go and watch movies in English: Comedies, dramas, thrillers, whatever; I know that there will be subtitles but try not to read them; if you feel like not going out you can watch TV or movies at home with a DVD player or online. There are lots of pages where you can see movies online for free.
READING
I love reading, 30 minutes before bed...could be more I open a book and start reading. When you read you revise your vocabulary, you practice grammar in a way, and you enjoy a relaxing activity. I prefer reading actual books...but you can read them with your computer or a tablet. If you want to read literature. you can visit Project Gutenberg (http://www.gutenberg.org/) there you will find lots of books for free. Moreover, you can read about any topic you like...there are a lot of magazines taht you can check online so go for it.
HANGING OUT
Make friends who are also learning English. Most of us take English lessons in our universities or we go to an institute. Make them friends and hang out with them. You can have a cup of coffee and chat in English...you can go to a shopping center and chat in English and the best will be have an English conversation club.
There is time for everything. Everybody listens to music, so from now on listen English podcast, everybody watches TV, then watch TV in English (don't cheat without subtitles). Everyone, reads...read in English. Everybody has friends...practice with them.
The most important thing is have fun while learning and set some time of your day for enjoying learning English.
Comments
thank you for a useful blog, Carlos. So many times I've read blogs about improving English and still they are my favourites. I absolutely agree with you, all we need is a time, to spend a little time daily for learning smth. Only regular 'exercises' could give us the result we want to achieve.
Wanna thank everyone for reading. I'm not a professional writer but I do it with passion. And I'm a teacher so I need to share positive experiences.
You can also visit VOA http://www.voanews.com/learningenglish/theclassroom/home/ they have lots of activities for practicing English
Very good advises .
You already said that everythings takes a lot of time and to make a great effort on it. I have to say that if you enjoy something like reading you will improve and you will have fun
I also love reading.
It is really helpful for improving.
Thanks for sharing.
very useful ,
as you said i like watching english movies, and i enjoy when i do that .
thnx for the helpful links
Yes, it takes time and a lot of efforts or even pains to learn English.
There are plenty of good ways to learn English - try to find the best one or whatever works for you. Many people will find it hard to stick at any of them, though. That is why only a few of the learners can get to the advanced level.