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The Internet, the Highway to Learn English
Updated: Oct 1
The Internet has revolutionized our daily lives and the way we learn. With countless resources available online, there are many effective tools to help you improve your English skills. Here are some useful methods and tools to guide you on your learning journey:
Videos and Films
Learning through videos is highly effective. Platforms like YouTube allow you to learn English and English grammar through videos offering a plethora of educational videos. Additionally, watching films to learn English can improve your listening skills and expose you to different accents and colloquial expressions.
YouTube Channels:
1. English with Lucy
Description: Lucy offers practical English lessons that cover grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural tips engagingly.
2. TED-Ed
Description: TED-Ed features animated educational videos on a wide range of topics with subtitles available in multiple languages, including English.
3. EngVid
Description: EngVid offers free English video lessons taught by experienced native-speaker teachers on various topics like grammar, vocabulary, and idioms.
Films:
1. The King's Speech
Description: A historical drama about King George VI's struggle to overcome his stutter, showcasing British English and historical context.
2. Finding Nemo
Description: An animated family film with clear, easy-to-understand English dialogue, suitable for learners of all ages.
3. The Pursuit of Happiness
Description: A drama based on a true story, featuring Will Smith's character overcoming challenges while pursuing a career, offering motivational dialogue and everyday American English.
Podcasts
Listening to podcasts is a great way to enhance your listening skills. The learn English podcast series provides a wide range of topics and levels, helping you improve your comprehension and pronunciation. Popular podcasts like ESLPod, The English We Speak, and Luke’s English Podcast offer episodes that cover everyday situations, idiomatic expressions, and advanced language nuances.
1. ESL Pod
Description: This long-running podcast offers episodes specifically designed for English learners. It includes dialogues and scripts followed by a detailed explanation of vocabulary and grammar.
2. The English We Speak
Description: Produced by the BBC, this podcast focuses on teaching contemporary English phrases and idioms. Episodes are short and provide clear examples of how to use the expressions in real-life situations.
3. All Ears English
Description: This podcast is designed to help listeners understand native English speakers' conversations and improve their speaking skills. It covers topics like American culture, pronunciation, and practical English usage.
4. Voice of America: Learning English
Description: This podcast provides news and feature stories, narrated at a slower speed with a focus on clear pronunciation. It is perfect for intermediate and advanced learners.
5. 6 Minute English
Description: Another excellent resource from the BBC. This podcast covers a variety of interesting topics in just six minutes. It helps learners build vocabulary and understand common English expressions.
To expand your vocabulary, practice, use apps or websites that offer daily vocabulary exercises and new word suggestions. Websites like Vocabulary.com and apps like Quizlet provide daily word lists, flashcards, and quizzes to help you retain new words and phrases effectively.
1. Read Regularly and Actively
Strategy: Dedicate at least 20-30 minutes daily to reading a variety of materials. Keep a notebook or digital document to jot down new words. Note their meanings, example sentences, and any relevant synonyms or antonyms.
2. Use Flashcards
Strategy: Create flashcards with new words on one side and their meanings and example sentences on the other. Review your flashcards daily, mixing old and new vocabulary to reinforce retention and recall.
3. Engage in Active Writing
Strategy: Incorporate new vocabulary into your writing by keeping a daily journal or blog. After writing, review your entries and check for correct usage of the new vocabulary.
4. Practice with Language Apps
Strategy: Use language-learning apps that focus on vocabulary building, such as Duolingo, Memrise, or Babbel. Set a daily goal for word practice and make it a part of your routine. Track your progress and revisit challenging words regularly.
5. Engage in Conversations
Strategy: Practice speaking with native speakers or fellow learners. Use language exchange platforms like Tandem, HelloTalk, or local language clubs to find conversation partners. Prepare a list of new words you want to practice before each conversation. Try to incorporate them naturally into your discussions.
To master grammar, consider using resources like Perfect English Grammar. For listening skills, seek out advice on how to learn listening skills in English from various online tutorials and courses. Websites like Grammarly and EnglishClub offer comprehensive guides, practice exercises, and real-time feedback to help you refine your grammar and listening abilities.
1. Shadowing Technique
Strategy: Practice the shadowing technique by listening to a short audio clip and then repeating it word-for-word. This helps improve both your listening and speaking skills, as well as your pronunciation and intonation.
2. Grammar and Listening Apps
Strategy: Use apps specifically designed for grammar and listening practice. Apps like Rosetta Stone, Babbel, and Listen wise provide tailored lessons and exercises.
3. Podcasts with Transcripts:
Strategy: Choose podcasts that offer transcripts. Listen to the podcast first, then read the transcript to understand any missed words or phrases and study the grammar used.
Social Media
Engage with online communities and social media groups focused on English learning. Platforms like Reddit, Facebook, and language exchange websites offer opportunities to practice writing and speaking with native speakers. Joining groups like r/EnglishLearning on Reddit or participating in English language forums can provide you with valuable feedback and a sense of community.
1. Follow Educational Content Creators
Strategy: Identify and follow content creators on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter who focus on teaching English. Look for accounts that post daily lessons, tips, vocabulary, idioms, and pronunciation guides.
2. Engage in Daily Challenges
Strategy: Participate in English language challenges such as word-of-the-day, idiom-of-the-day, or grammar quizzes. Use hashtags like #LearnEnglish, #EnglishChallenge, or #WordOfTheDay to find and join these challenges.
Strategy: Practice your English by creating and sharing your own content. Post short videos, stories, or tweets in English about your day, interests, or anything you find interesting. Aim to use new vocabulary and grammar structures you’ve recently learned.
4. Interact with Native Speakers and Learners
Strategy: Actively comment on posts, engage in conversations, and reply to comments from native speakers and fellow learners. This helps you practice writing and understand different usages of the language.
Tip: Join discussions in comment sections or threads about topics that interest you. Try to use correct grammar and varied vocabulary in your responses.
5. Use Platform-Specific Features for Learning
Instagram: Use Instagram Stories to practice speaking. Post short videos where you talk about your day or explain something you’ve learned. Use the “Ask me anything” feature to invite questions in English.
Get in Touch We are always ready to help you on your journey to learning English. Contact us today to find out how you can start studying with us! Send us an email at info@easysl.com.
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