How to Make Progress in English
It happens to the best of us. You learn a new language, work hard, attain a level of fluency, and…….you get complacent and stop. Most people fall into mediocrity – they can read and write and understand native speakers, but there, the skills end. Unless you push on and invest time and energy into perfecting your skills, you will remain an average language learner. Seeing as you are reading this post, I guess you have reached the point where you either want or need to level up your English skills. This post explores how to make progress in English and get to where you want to be.
We examine how to identify gaps, unlearn mistakes, and overcome obstacles to English proficiency.
The tools are apt for any level, regardless of whether you want to move from A2 to B2 or attain the elusive C2.
There are two core reasons why you struggle to improve your English. On the one hand, you may have gotten complacent and a little lazy, while on the other hand, you may have hit a wall. Either way, you start by assessing your current level and setting a time-framed goal. It’s best to do so within the CERF level framework, i.e. identify your desired level between A2 and C2.
Next, you must determine how much time you are willing to invest in improving your English. Be realistic when defining a daily time slot. By daily, I mean daily, because a daily English learning habit propels you toward your goal.
Once you have set your goal and timeframe, it’s time to identify the obstacles stopping your progress.
Identifying Roadblocks
Let’s assume you are stuck on B1, meaning you have a good grasp of English, understand simple grammar points, can converse, and you can write an email without the help of AI. The trouble starts when you want to watch a full-length movie in English or your boss asks you to give a presentation in English. Panic strikes, and you scratch your head, wondering why you haven’t made any progress in English despite frequent use.
We have created a comprehensive questionnaire to help you discover why you haven’t been improving your English.
Your Responses
While completing the questionnaire, you will gain insight into your obstacles to English excellence. We will explore your responses and send you recommendations.
Finding Your Motivation
If you lack motivation, you need to identify your optimum learning setup. Please answer the following questions:
- Where and when do you learn best?
- Do you prefer solo-learning, one-to-one, or a classroom setting?
- What learning activities do you enjoy most?
The idea is to identify your favourite learning setup, create it, and use it as your baseline.
Gathering the Tools and Supports
You now have a clear picture of your ideal learning environment and timeframe. Start creating it by gathering learning resources, signing up for a class, or hiring a private tutor.
Setting Realistic, Timed Goals
Goals help you stay on track and maintain motivation. Consider your availability when establishing a timeframe, and ensure your goals are attainable within the set time.
Scheduling Your Learning Slots
Next, you must look at your weekly schedule and pencil in daily English learning periods. Select regular time slots during optimum learning periods. The regularity will help you build a habit and create learning momentum.
Building a Learning Habit
A solid learning habit propels people toward their learning goals, aiding ebbing motivation and delivering accountability and a sense of achievement. If you have filled in the above questionnaire, we will send you a habit tracker to help you build your English learning habit.
Fill in specific language goals in the boxes alongside the overall timeframe. Every day you work toward that goal, you mark the date with a ✔.
Once a week, evaluate your progress to identify gaps in need of an extra time investment.
Fuelling & Maintaining Your Motivation
Make your learning experience fun to maintain your motivation. The habit tracker will provide accountability and the opportunity to reward yourself.
You can, for example, resolve to reward yourself every time you uphold your daily habit for a full week.
Creating challenges and streaks also fuels motivation, in other words, gamify your learning to make it more enjoyable and stoke your learning passions.
Learning with a Group or Tutor Is Easier
Even though countless learning apps and resources facility solo-learning, joining a class or working with a tutor accelerates your progress. The social aspect beats boredom while delivering conversation opportunities in spades. Collaboration is the most effective accountability tool, meaning your tutor or classmates will stop you from falling behind and help you overcome challenges.
Conversation groups can suits those who prefer informal learning. Whomever you choose, your partner/s will help you progress just by being there.
