How To Learn English By Yourself - Self-Taught

Hello everyone, I am teacher Guil, here today to show you some of my language learning paths, these tips are basically what I do to better myself.

Understand your motivation and deadline

Begin by understanding the reasons why you want to learn. Is that for a trip, work needs, life abroad, etc?

How quickly you can learn is directly related to the amount of time you spend exposing yourself to the new language (quantity and quality).

Immerse Yourself in the Language

• Surround yourself with people who speak the new language, movies, music, etc.

I am currently taking Italian classes, so what I do is, I try to spend all class long speaking only in Italian, and when I don't know a word I ask my teacher: "How can I say "this" in Italian? ("Come si dice "questo" in italiano?), of course, always keep the dictionary by my side.

• Change your device settings to the target language

Though each hour in class enhance and boost your learning, practising only during the class can make your learning progress quite slow, you should instead add more stimuli in your days. Choose the habits that will take you closer to your objectives.

How to Immerse

Down below, I try to explain briefly what are some of the passive exposures (stimuli) I like, and how it may enhance learning.

Passive exposure involves receiving sensory information (through your ears, eyes, and nose). This exposure helps the brain form foundational representations of the stimuli, facilitating faster learning during subsequent active training sessions. Take a look at the suggestions I'm presenting in the following sequence.

Podcasts

• LearnEnglish podcast from the British Council - Excellent for beginners, covers everyday situations with transcripts and exercises
• Espresso English - Over 350 episodes on grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation for beginners to intermediate
• All Ears English Podcast - Covers slang, IELTS prep, and more for intermediate learners
• Luke's English Podcast - Award-winning show using humor to teach British English
• Stories Podcast - Simple stories like myths and fairy tales for easy listening practice

Series

• Outlander - Appreciate the linguistic diversity of Scotland and the use of Gaelic in the show
• Peaky Blinders - Set in post-World War I England, the series provide discussions about British history and culture. 
• The Good Place - Tackles philosophical questions about morality, ethics, and the afterlife, providing a unique opportunity to discuss these topics in English.
• Seinfeld - Often touches on social norms and everyday dilemmas. Discussing these themes can enhance your conversational skills and cultural understanding.

Books

• Gulliver's travels by Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels addresses themes of culture, politics, and human nature. 
• The little prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - Addresses profound themes about childhood, innocence, and human nature.
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley - Discus themes such as the rise of technology, social engineering, and the effects of World Wars. Understanding the novel's background will provide valuable cultural insights.
• Neuromancer by William Gibson - The Neuromancer Book Goes As Fast As The TikTok Generation. I am not surprised that Apple is now working to make it into a TV series.
• Extraordinary Tales Book by Edgar Allan Poe - Have influenced modern literature and horror genres.

Blog Posts

• Unlock Learning Hub - Here you will find things that are curious and inspiring to the members of our community.
• English Vocabulary in Use series - Vocabulary books for different levels to build your word power
• Practical English Usage by Michael Swan - Explanations and practice for common English problem areas
• English Idioms in Use series - Helps you understand and use common English idioms
• English Collocations in Use series - Teaches frequently used word combinations

Movies

• The Wizard of Oz directed by Victor Fleming - A beloved classic film, is a 1939 American musical fantasy.
• BlackBerry by Matt Johnson - The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry.
• Mr. Deeds goes to town directed by Frank Capra - Moving from a small town in Vermont he heads to New York City upon inheriting a massive fortune, and is immediately hounded by those who wish to take advantage of him
• An Irish Goodbye The short film explores the relationship between the brothers and the challenges they face after their mother's death. It is described as a comedy set on a rural farm. (Short film - 23 minutes)

Extra Tip - Create flashcards or a vocabulary journal to keep track of new words and their definitions.

In my next blog post, I will bring more details on how to learn something actively, emphasizing experiential learning, where individuals acquire knowledge and skills through direct experience and active engagement rather than passive absorption of information.