Like many people, you might not have the time or opportunity to learn English with a teacher or in a class. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t learn English successfully.
There are so many ways you can learn English on your own, but the secret is to know where to start and then, where to put your time and effort.
So here’s my three-step plan for learning English independently. It works better if you already know some English and you aren’t starting from the very beginning.
1. Know your starting point
You need to know what point you’re at with your English, and what your top priorities should be. For example, do you need to review grammar, build vocabulary or get more fluent? If you can, get an initial consultation or lesson with an English teacher or coach. You should try to find out:
– the most important weak areas to develop
– how to break these down into smaller steps
– the areas that don’t need work right now
As a bonus tip, record the session so that you can listen again. This is also important for the third step.
Contact me on this page if you want more help deciding what your English priorities should be!
2. Make a plan
This is where you start to take real action with your English. If you need to improve your grammar, vocabulary or listening, you’ll have to find exercises and materials. You can find a lot on the internet, but there are also plenty of books which you can work through.
If your goal is fluency or pronunciation, you’ll need to find speaking opportunities. A great way to start is with my free 5-Step Action Plan which helps you build your fluency on your own.
Then, when you have the materials and exercises to get started, think of a way to fit them in with your daily life. How much time can you dedicate to English every day? Why not make a plan for the first week to see how it goes. You can always adapt your plan for future weeks.
As a bonus tip, dedicate time on days 30, 60 and 90 to review your progress. What’s working for you, and what needs more work? This helps you to stay accountable and to measure your progress.
3. Stick to the plan
This sounds obvious, but it’s so easy to get distracted. It’s just as important to decide what you won’t do as it is to decide what you will do!
If you have limited time for English, decide what you don’t need. For example, language learning apps and games might just waste your time. Think about what helps you the most, and ignore everything else.
Bonus tip: Book a follow-up session after 90 days to see where you have made progress, and to set new goals. Have you improved your fluency and accuracy? Again, record it so that you can compare it to the first session.
Speak English Fluently and Confidently!
Join us in the English Fluency Club to get live group lessons every month. It’s ideal if you want regular speaking opportunities. You also get two personal lessons which you can use for private coaching so that you find out your real English level. There’s lots more as well, with complete fluency programs, weekly challenges AND the Fast Phrase Finder!