How to Improve Your English at Home

So you’re taking English courses, but want to keep improving your English skills outside of the classroom. How do you do it? Well, you’re in luck! The options are endless.

Let’s look into some of the best ways to improve your English from home:

1. Watch TV shows and movies in English. The important part is to pick a show or movie that is originally filmed in English! This will ensure that you’re hearing common phrases, different accents, and even slang words. Start watching with subtitles in your native language, then change the subtitles to English, and finally, use no subtitles at all. This will show your progress!  Recommendation: Friends and Stranger Things. Both TV shows are spoken in casual American English and will help with learning everyday vocabulary and slang. 
   

2. Read your favorite books in English. If you have a book you love in your native language, try reading the same book in English! You can also try articles, blogs, or comics on topics you are interested in. This will help expand your English vocabulary and understanding of sentence structure.  Recommendation: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This novel is from the point of view of a young girl, but discusses important social issues in the American south during the 1930s. The English is straightforward and casual; perfect for ESL learners! 
   

3. Listen to podcasts in English. Podcasts are more popular than ever! You can even get some household chores finished while working on your English comprehension at the same time.  Recommendation: This American Life: a weekly podcast that delves into thought-provoking stories from everyday Americans. It covers a wide range of topics including human interest, social issues, and personal narratives, all made with humor and empathy! 
   

4. Label your house in English. Make labels for the everyday items in your house with their English names. Go through your bathroom, your kitchen, your closet! These labels, which might feel silly at first, will help you with common household vocabulary!  Recommendation: After grocery shopping for the week, make English Vocabulary labels for the food you’re bringing home. Although not every food item will have an English name, some might surprise you! 

Learning another language is hard work! Time and effort are necessary, and these four methods can help you supplement your English learning from home.