What’s the best way to learn English?

Maybe you think you need to focus on learning all the grammar and vocabulary you can?

Or do you believe the only real way to progress is to live in an English-speaking country?

I can understand if you think studying all the language in a special order is the way to go.

Many language courses and books are sold on the idea that studying grammar points in order with vocabulary grouped by topic is the best way to learn.

In reality, experts who study how we learn languages don’t think this works. The sad truth is that many of the big language companies don’t create learning based on research, they make products via their books and courses that are easy to sell.

That’s why many students who work hard find it difficult to progress past intermediate level.

Now for the second idea, the popular belief that the best way to learn a language is to go live in an English-speaking country.

If you have the opportunity, then go for it. It will definitely help your language skills to be surrounded by authentic English. We need to be honest though, between work, money and school it’s not something that everyone can do.

Remember, many people have learned a language without moving. So it’s possible, but how?

In this blog post, we’ll cover the four main areas that everyone agrees are essential to your success in learning English - that don’t involve a ticket to London or New York!

1. Linguistic – learning the language itself

There are 8 main linguistic elements to learning a language. Let's review what they are.

Even if you decide to concentrate on just one or two, remember that they are all connected.

This is probably what you focus on if you take structured classes and that’s great just remember there’s more to learning English like...

2. Cultural – understanding the culture

Everybody knows that people from different places often do things differently!

Dinner time in England and Greece for example isn’t typically at the same time.

Imagine the confusion between two people making a plan to meet and eat when dinner is from 6 in London and from 8 in Athens.

Another good example is that the English may expect different levels of politeness/formality in some situations.

When I first came to Spain I found it unusual to hear ‘give me’ in shops. In the UK I would always say ‘can I have... please’.

If you want to do business with the U.S, it might be important to work on your small talk and the idea that in England we love to talk about the weather is 100% true!

Many times as a teacher if my advanced students had problems understanding a text or something they’d watched it was because of a cultural reference - maybe a cartoon character or a famous TV cook from the past. Things you can’t find in the dictionary!

‘To speak a language is to take on a world, a culture.’ - Frantz Fanon

3. Methodological – your language learning method

What strategies do you use to learn? I mean: what’s your method?

It’s true that different things work for different people but most successful language learners have a few things in common.

Your English studying should include recording and organising new language like vocabulary and grammar and regularly reviewing and practising it.

It’s important that you try to see English in context too, on screen or through reading or even listening to podcasts if that's your thing!

Most importantly you should be comfortable taking control of your work and learning on your own.

That’s a skill we integrate into every Watch and Learn course because it’s crucial to your success.

4. Self – staying focused and motivated

The last part of the puzzle is self. There are a number of things that affect your English. The best teacher and strategies won’t work if you are too exhausted to use them or too scared to ever try speaking.

Don’t underestimate the importance of time management and showing up to study even when you don’t feel enthusiastic.

Remember to create a learning environment and schedule that works for you.

If you can’t manage three hours of class a week could you try to read a news article every day? Or watch a TED talk every week?

To be successful in your learning journey you must find the right mix of language, culture, method and self for you.

At Watch and Learn we combine the above four strands to help you learn English.

We use authentic material to cover real language. We look at what is really happening on screen and lay out the crucial cultural references which are often the key to unlocking understanding.

To boost your learning we combine strategy training in each online course so you aren’t just left with a list of words but a learning framework and community that helps your English grow.

Go to our course page to get started now!