5 Ways to Improve your English

Not sure how to get your English to the next level? Check out these different ways to improve your language level and get you speaking like a native.

 

1. Listen to Podcasts

Listening to English podcasts can be a brilliant way to improve listening skills and expand your vocabulary. There are loads of podcasts available for free on platforms like Spotify and Global Player. You can listen to podcasts for example 6 Minute English from the BBC or Luke’s English Podcast which are specially designed for non-natives to learn English. However, I personally recommend choosing a blog based on your interests or your work. This way you can learn English whilst also learning about something you enjoy or topics you need to know in a daily basis in your job.

Pros

  • Lots of free podcasts out there.
  • Some offer worksheets to help you study English. Check out my self-study sheets based on podcasts (and series).

Cons

  • Some podcasts require you to pay a subscription and this can be expensive.
  • Some can be long…. Really long. Try to choose short ones especially at the start.
  • As you can’t see faces it requires a lot of concentration and can be quite difficult. Therefore they are better for higher levels.

 

2. Watch series

We are so lucky these days that there are so many series in English. Most streaming services allow you to change the language and listen to British, American or Australian series in original version. Netflix and other streaming services even offer subtitles so you can can pick up extra vocabulary.

Pros

  • You can pick up natural English.
  • There are some websites that even offer worksheets so you can learn English watching series. Check out the Atkinson English self-study sheets on my blog!
  • As you can see the actors it is often easier to understand

Cons

  • Be careful what series you choose! A series about superheroes or a series set 300 years ago is not going to teach you relevant English vocabulary.
  • Series can often have long episodes and it can be tiring to watch a series in another language.
  • Netflix subtitles are renowned for having mistakes and being different from the audio.

 

3.YouTube

There are some brilliant Youtube channels out there. I personally like the Eat Sleep Dream English by Tom Rees and Youtube Channel English with Lucy, but there are hundreds out there.

Pros

  • You can choose videos on topics of interest.
  • Fun and convenient way to study English.
  • You can select closed captions to get subtitles.

Cons

  • The closed captions often have mistakes.
  • Videos can be interrupted by adverts if you don’t have a paid prediction to Youtube.

 

4.Get a language exchange partner (Intercambio)

This is one of my favourite ways to learn English. A language exchange partner or ‘Intercambio’ as they are called in Spanish speaking countries, is when speakers of both languages come together to practise each other’s language. For example, a Spanish speaker and a native English speaker. Some websites offer intercambio events and others like Tandem have adds for people looking for language exchange partners.

Pros

  • You get to meet people face to face to speak English.
  • You can meet native people.
  • It’s social and a way to meet new people

Cons

  • If you are in a small village in a remote town in Spain, for example, it is not so easy to find a language exchange partner.

 

5.Apps

Apps like Duolingo and Fluentu offer an easy way to learn English using your phone. 

Pros

  • Easy and convenient.
  • Good for people who don’t have a lot of time to study.

Cons

  • Some apps can be quite expensive.
  • They are often very limited and are no substitute for having English classes with a real teacher.