Happy New Year!
Do you have English goals for 2019? (Goals = objectives, intentions)
Here are 5 easy and fun ideas to help you improve your English. Choose one, two, or all five. The most important thing is to make them part of your routine- part of your day, every day. Good luck!
1) Music in English: Listen, write, sing!
Lyrics = words of a song
We recommend these activities:
Choose an English song. Then…
Find the song on the internet. Search on www.YouTube.com
Listen to the song without stopping.
Listen to the song again. Pause (stop) when you want. Repeat.
If you understand all or most of the words, write them as you listen.
Then search YouTube or the internet for “song name + lyrics”
Read the lyrics as you listen to the song. Repeat.
Sing along with the song! Imitate (copy) the accent.
After you know the song very well, search “song name + karaoke” Now it’s your turn! Sing with the music!
For example: “Hey Jude” by The Beatles
Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQER0A0ej0M
Lyrics: http://www.songlyrics.com/the-beatles/hey-jude-lyrics/
Song and Lyrics on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhXU8c8qwXs
Karaoke: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hey+jude+karaoke
2) Live more of your life in English!
Break the habit of translating into your language.
We recommend these activities:
Talk to yourself in English when nobody is listening! In the shower, when cooking, when walking your dog, anywhere!
You may feel strange at first, but remember: nobody is listening. (You can sing in the shower in English, too!)
Change the language on your cell phone to English.
Read one news story in English every day. See if these are a good level for you:
http://www.thetimesinplainenglish.com/
Write about your experiences every day in an English diary. Don’t worry about your grammar and spelling, just write!
3) New words: make them YOURS!
Frequent = common; happens often
Frequency = the number of times that something happens during a period of time (High frequency English words are common.)
Flash card = a small card. One side has the new word; the other side has a picture, definition, or the word in your language.
We recommend these activities:
When you see or hear a new word:
Try to understand the word first, then check the dictionary.
Check the English frequency. Memorize common English words. In this online dictionary https://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/learn/red-words.html, frequent English words are red and have 1, 2 or 3 stars to indicate frequency.
Write it in a personal vocabulary list. Keep the list in a small notebook or your cell phone. Write the correct pronunciation after the word. (Use the “pronunciation” button at www.macmillandictionary.com to hear the word.)
Practice A LOT.
Listen to and imitate the pronunciation. Repeat many times.
Write it 5 times.
Use it in a sentence.
Make flash cards. Carry them with you! Practice your new words when you take the subway or bus, wait on line at the supermarket - whenever you have a few minutes.
4) Writing: practice gratitude in English!
We recommend this activity:
Every night, write 5 sentences in English: “I am thankful for _________.”
You can be thankful for something that is important, small, funny, or serious – you choose.
5 things that we at Let’s Go Speak English are thankful for:
1. We are thankful for our awesome students.
2. We are thankful for hot coffee.
3. We are thankful for the beautiful parks in New York City.
4. We are thankful for the opportunity to help English learners in our great city.
5. We are thankful that you are visiting this blog!
5) Practice English in the real world!
We recommend this activity:
Study with a private tutor who will help you learn and practice English while enjoying New York City. Contact us!
