This week the Orange class have been learning about learning! They came up with some brilliant top tips for learning a language.
This included learning vocabulary to talk about studying languages, reading an article about hyperglots (a person who studies and speaks many different languages) and discussing how to be a successful language learner. In one of the lessons, the activity was to write their top 5 tips for learning a language, to share with their classmates. What they came up with was so good, we thought we should share with the wider world! Here’s a selection of the best tips:
“One way to learn language is to practise writing for 10 minutes every day, this will improve both vocabulary and grammar.”
This is a great way to practise what you’ve studied in class, by putting it into a personalised context. Why not ask for corrections from your teacher too?
“Also I recommend reading for 30 minutes per day, this will increase your vocabulary bank. Reading is important to look at the words and know what the word means, don’t translate the word from any translation, look it up in the dictionary to know what it means.”
Using the Oxford Learners Dictionary will give you lots of extra information about the vocabulary and how to use it.
“It might sound obvious, but listening for at least 30 minutes per day is really important. Listen English radio (e.g. BBC) especially if you aren’t learning at the moment (when you brush your teeth)”
You could also listen whilst cooking or doing exercise, or on your commute to work, school or university – it’s a great way to liven up boring routine activities!
“On top of that, why not use your phone to learn a new language? There are many applications that help you to learn a new language, such as British council apps.”
Depending on your level, you can also use authentic apps such as news sites or TED talks.
“You absolutely have to practise the language as much as you can, in streets, cafe or in restaurants.”
That’s one of the benefits of coming to study in the UK, it’s much easier to practise as you’re surrounded by English and can speak to people wherever you go. Of course, it’s still possible to practise even if you’re in your own country, why not join one of our online classes, social activities or conversation club to meet and chat to other students?
We hope these tips help you with your language learning journey and that you have as much success as the students in the Orange class!
For more information about our English lessons please take a look:
General English
IELTS Preparation
English for work
