Have you got the overall mechanics of the English language down in your head? You have studied a bunch of vocabulary, common phrases, and grammar tenses. The thing is, when you are speaking in English, you still find yourself translating in your head in the middle of a conversation over coffee. There are awkward pauses, and you are quickly trying to search your memory banks for the proper tense to express your ideas.
As much as you want to enjoy exchanging ideas with your English-speaking friend or co-worker over coffee in a social environment, you both can’t help but feel that the conversation is strained.
Don’t worry! It will get easier. And the wonderful thing is…you are doing exactly what you need to do to get your English-speaking skills to the next level. YES, that’s right. English language immersion!
Just to make surer you are checking ALL the right boxes for your language immersion and FAST improvement, here are key habits to immerse yourself in English!
1. Read books in English and take notes
Reading books in English can be an enjoyable and enriching pass-time activity. You can start by reading for two minutes each day and increase the time as you go along.
Reading will serve to exercise your brain's frontal lobe; the part that oversees vocabulary, reading and comprehension skills.
Take notes. Bring them with you. Add unfamiliar words and have FUN using them in your conversations in social environments.
2. Take classes at a local language institute
Okay, it may have been a while or even your first time going to an after school extracurricular program to enrich yourself but worthwhile!
By attending English class at a local language institute, you will be able to refresh your grammar while at the same time, meeting other like-minded language enthusiasts who also want to improve their English language skills.
In doing so, you will have the opportunity to practice speaking English in the language institute along with your newly made friends outside of the language centre.
3. Meet someone who speaks English
Reach out and be social! Find your group of English speakers. You can do this by going to your local shops, cafes, restaurants, grocery stores or at a meet-up with English speakers in your country. You can join an English chat group on social media and find dates and locations for language exchanges. Practice with people who speak English too.
4. Travel to a country that speaks English
If you can, travel to an English-speaking country. IF you can't travel to an English-speaking country then try to travel to a cosmopolitan city in your country where people are more likely to speak English and find events going on there. Attend the events and seek to immerse yourself in English.
Practice speaking with these English-speaking people. Open conversation with them. Ask questions and engage in dialogue.
5. Watch movies in English
The best thing about watching movies in English is that you can virtually expose yourself to situations in another culture. Filled with entertaining visuals, you will build vocabulary and listening comprehension, QUICKLY!
6. Listen to songs in English.
I know! Understanding the English language can be one thing but listening to English from native English speakers and listening to music can be extremely fast and overwhelming sometimes. So... you can look up the lyrics. Sing them! Have fun. This will also help you with local language and listening comprehension.
Which English-immersion experience or habit would you like to incorporate into your English-language adventure? Please let us know in the comment section below.