I have spent decades teaching students English. Over the years, I have learned just as much from them as they have from me. One thing that has always fascinated me is how they approach the process of language learning.
Here are ten practices that I have noticed over the years from truly terrific language learners:
- Do make sure you have something to record new items of language (notebook, smart-phone, laptop etc.).
- Don’t rely solely on your memory – you won’t be able to recall everything – write things down and practise using them in different ways.
- Do make sure you have access to a good English-English dictionary (get one on your phone so you can access it wherever you are).
- Don’t miss an opportunity to pick up new words and check their meaning. Listen, read and watch and make it your practice to collect one or two words as you do this.
- Do go over the day’s lesson; make a note of anything you don’t understand and be ready to ask your teacher (or put a question in our Facebook group).
- Don’t be afraid to ask your teacher to go over things or explain them again – it’s an opportunity to make sure everything is clear before moving on. This Facebook group is an opportunity to do just that!
- Do watch TV in English if you have the chance. If you are in the UK it’s a good way to engage with the culture and make sure you are immersing yourself in the language – TV is an invaluable language resource (use English subtitles to help you at first).
- Don’t feel that you have to understand everything. Relax and enjoy the experience, if you can get a good overview of the conversation or TV programme that might be enough (then, as in No 6, ask your teacher for more information).
- Do write a learner diary – a few lines after each day’s study will not only give you a lovely record of your course, but it is also an interesting and personal way to make a record of your learning. This can be useful for language recycling and sharing with teachers and/or classmates. It will also help you to see how you are progressing.
- Do enjoy your learning experience – something you enjoy and are absorbed in will be both successful and valuable. If something is not going well, leave it and do something fun – when you come back, you’ll see it will be better – short breaks are good.
Thank you to all my students over the years who gave me the chance to observe their learning and the opportunity to pass some of their ideas on to you. I am very thankful to have been able to teach and to help brilliant students and professionals pass the IELTS over these past many, many years. I am now dedicated to helping you achieve your IELTS dreams!