It’s the first week of the new year and for many of us, it’s time to make some new goals or resolutions as we enter this new period. I like to think of January as a fresh start where there are lots of possibilities.
So my question to you is- What are your English goals for this year? Are you ready to make some changes?
Like the money and diet and health goals that many of us make each year, improving the way you speak English can really improve your life.
Have you ever thought about how better communication skills can earn you more money, make you more friends, keep you happier? Weird, huh?
Well, it’s true. Improving your communication skills, even in your native language, can give you an advantage in your life. Just think what you could do with better English.
Here are a few tips for improving your English…
1. Read
Make sure you are reading a variety of things in English. While reading doesn’t help your pronunciation, it does help almost everything else.
Reading will allow you to experience vocabulary and grammar in a real way and give you the time to see it and think about it. I recommend that you read a mixture of things. You could try a novel, a newspaper, a business magazine, a health magazine, a textbook, or even a children’s book.
Read a little from one or more sources everyday. People who read a lot get a deeper understanding of English than those who don’t.
2. Listen
Listen to English through TV, DVD’s, radio, podcasts, and audio books. As with reading, you need to hear a variety of English to really be able to comprehend all that is going on in life.
This is especially important if you don’t live in an English-speaking environment.
3. Practice
Try out new vocabulary. Many people feel that they have a very limited vocabulary and find themselves saying the same things again and again.
I recommend that you pick up new words, phrases, and common sayings from the books and audios that hopefully you are using everyday.
Write a couple of these words or phrases down in a special notebook everyday and challenge yourself to use them at least once or twice that day.
Usage is the key! Just knowing something doesn’t mean that it’s part of your personal vocabulary bank. I always say that you need to experience a new word or phrase at least 10 times before you “own” it.
Make a goal for yourself to do some real, measurable things everyday. For example- a goal of reading one newspaper article a day, listening to Talk Radio on the way to work, and keeping a vocabulary notebook can have a HUGE impact on your English.
Imagine how your English could be this time next year if you just did a little something everyday starting with today. So I give you this challenge to do something (and hopefully it’s something fun) everyday that will improve your English.
If you would like, go to american accent web site and tell me what your English goals are this year. I’d love to hear from you.
To your SUCCESS in English!
Sheri Summers
P.S. If you want to make this year the one where you really improve your English PRONUNICIATION, we now have a payment plan for our outstanding American Accent Audios program. Go to Amerikan Accent Audios web site and get started now.
Thank you for this informative article. I strongly believe that there are three mantras to improve – practice, practice and practice. It is important to talk in English even if you are not 100% confident to develop fluency in spoken English.
i want to improve my english
I’ve probleM in tenses when i speak sometime i want to talk about past but i said all the things in present how i can improve it?
Hi vishali, you should use point of view method. It is very powerful way to learn English grammar automatically. Click here to watch the video to learn more.
I totally agree the way to improve the English but i do agree to practice make the man perfect