How to Improve Your English

Some of this advice is especially for students who are studying English at a language school in England, but will be useful for others too.

How to Improve Your Speaking 

How to Improve Your Pronunciation

How to Improve Your Vocabulary

How to Improve Your Speaking 

• If you are in a school with students of different nationalities, mix as much as possible with people who speak other languages.  Many students find it difficult or embarrassing to speak English with students who speak their language, so create a need to speak English.  For example, try to sit with people from different countries at lunchtime or at social programme events.  You could also try doing your homework together, then you can discuss it in English.

• If you are living with a host family maybe they speak to you a lot.  If not, you can start conversations by asking them questions.  Then they will answer and perhaps ask you questions too. Then you are having a conversation!  If you want some help with starting conversations go to the worksheet on this site.

• The best way to improve your speaking is to make English friends, but that's not always easy.  If there is someone you know who is near your age ask them to go out with you.  Even if you don't like that person much, you might meet their friends who you do like!

• Are there any clubs or evening classes you could join?  What are you interested in?  Ask somebody at your school to help you.  It's a great way of meeting people with the same interests and practising your English too.

• Are you shy?  If so here is a way to improve your speaking without speaking!  By "chatting" on the internet with people you use the same type of language that you use for speaking.  You need to find a key-pal and "chat" to them regularly about topics that you are interested in.  This will make you feel more confident when you meet people and need to talk face to face.

How to Improve your Pronunciation

• When you are in your country with your friends do you ever imitate how English people speak your language? (I'm sure you do!).  Try imitating English people when you speak English too.  Notice what the differences are in your pronunciation.

• Find a book that has a cassette with it.  Read and listen at the same time.  Notice any interesting pronunciation.  Now do it again but this time try to read it aloud yourself at the same time as the cassette.

• When you are in your English class ask your teacher to repeat words or sentences if the pronunciation is difficult.

• If you can practise in a language lab, be very strict with yourself! Repeat what you hear on the tape, then listen.  What are the differences between your pronunciation and the voice on the tape.

How to Improve Your Vocabulary

• English has a very big vocabulary so you can't learn it all.  You need to learn words that you think will be useful for you.

• In class listen to the teacher's or other students' explanations.  If you don't understand ask them to repeat or explain another way. Don't just look in your dictionary all the time.  The teacher will explain in a more memorable way and if you are busy with your dictionary, you may miss something important.

• Write the words you learn in class.  You could just write a translation, but it's better to write an example sentence.

• Learn a few words everyday and give yourself a test every week!

• Try to use words you've just learnt.

• Reading and listening will help your vocabulary, but don't choose anything too difficult.  Find a book or cassette that is graded to just a bit higher than your level.  You should know most words but not all.  If you try to read or listen to something that is too difficult you won't understand enough to be able to guess the meaning of the words you don't know.

• You should be able to find crosswords and other puzzles for practising vocabulary if you like this sort of thing.