This post is drawn from personal experience.
Over the past five years, I’ve seen a radical improvement in my English skills. While my English isn’t perfect—and you might spot some grammatical mistakes in this very post—the tips I’m about to share will give you confidence and drastically reduce errors in both your written and spoken English.
Why These Tips Matter
When I was growing up, I was often advised to read books to improve my English and vocabulary. But honestly, I wasn’t comfortable reading books back then. Although reading remains one of the best ways to enhance your English, I want to suggest a few other exercises that have worked wonders for me. These tips will help you improve your skills while keeping yourself entertained and gaining knowledge at the same time.
Tips to Improve Your English
1. Watch American & British TV Shows
TV shows are a great way to improve your English. Start by watching with subtitles, and gradually phase them out. When you encounter a new word, pause, look up the meaning, and then continue watching. Here are some shows you can start with:
- For Adults (18+):
- Friends
- How I Met Your Mother
- Blackadder
- The Big Bang Theory
- Modern Family
- For Everyone:
- Jeeves & Wooster
- White Collar
- Heroes
- Suits
2. Read Blog Posts
Dive into blog posts on topics that interest you, like technology or current events. The more you read, the better you’ll get. Make it a habit to read daily.
3. Explore Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a goldmine for improving your English. Commit to reading at least one long article every day. This will expand your vocabulary and expose you to different writing styles.
4. Start Your Own Blog
Starting a blog is a fantastic way to practice your writing. Ask a friend who’s better at English to review your posts and provide feedback. Don’t forget to proofread your posts 3-4 times before publishing.
5. Think in English
One of the best ways to improve your fluency is to start thinking in English instead of your mother tongue. This will help you form sentences more naturally and improve your spoken skills.
6. Practice Complex Explanations
Challenge yourself by using more complex ways to explain simple things. This helps in expanding your vocabulary and understanding of sentence structure.
7. Ditch SMS Lingo
I can’t stress this enough—stop using SMS lingo. Writing full sentences properly not only improves your writing but also enhances your typing skills. This habit will pay off in the long run.
8. Learn New Words Daily
Whenever you come across a new word, look up its definition immediately. Try to use that word at least three times throughout the day to reinforce your learning.
9. Argue with Yourself
This might sound funny, but pick a topic and start debating both sides in your mind. This exercise will improve your ability to think critically and articulate your thoughts in English.
10. Embrace Corrections
Ask your friends to correct you whenever you make a mistake. It may be frustrating at the moment, but that frustration will ensure the mistake sticks with you forever. Also, never be satisfied with your first draft—keep refining it until you’re happy with the result.
11. Engage on Twitter
Start tweeting! The character limit forces you to be concise and clear, which is great practice for improving your writing skills over time.
12. Avoid Literal Translations
Don’t translate your thoughts directly from your mother tongue to English. This often results in awkward phrasing. For example, instead of saying, “You have the tickets?” say, “Do you have the tickets?” Also, avoid using local language slang in your English conversations.
13. Expand Your Vocabulary
Try using alternative words for commonly used terms. Instead of saying “OK” repeatedly, mix it up with “Alright” or “Sure.”
14. Avoid Repetition
Repeating the same word over and over again shows a limited vocabulary and weakens your point. Make an effort to vary your language.
15. Welcome Feedback
Be open to corrections. I invite readers to point out any mistakes in this post by leaving a comment below. It’s a great way to learn and improve.
16. Avoid Spelling Mistakes
Take care to avoid spelling mistakes. This not only builds discipline but also enhances your credibility, especially in professional settings.
Bonus: How to Search for Definitions on Google
Whenever you encounter a new word, simply type define:<word> in Google. For example, define:contrafibularity.
Final Thoughts
Improving your English is a continuous journey. By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you’ll see noticeable improvements in both your written and spoken skills. Remember, practice makes perfect!
Tags: SoftSkills, English