So you want to improve your English! But there are hundreds of grammar books, thousands of Youtube videos, a huge range of courses and so many irregular verbs! What should you do? 

Here are Ingla School of English’s top tips on how to improve your English!

Tip 1: Reflect on your current level

It’s always a good idea to get a realistic view of what your level of English is right now. This will help you plan what is the best way to improve your English, and what areas you need to work on. You could use Ingla’s FREE English Level Test to discover your current level. Think about how you feel about your English – Is reading in English easy for you? Or is listening something that you enjoy? Perhaps you love writing, but find it hard to speak in English. Identifying what areas you want to work on will help you make achievable learning goals. 

Tip 2: Come to school

Being in a focused learning environment with others who have the same goals as you will motivate you to make progress in your English. Learn from experienced teachers who know how to clearly explain grammar concepts, new phrases and speaking skills. Of course, if you are in London, we recommend coming into our bright and friendly classrooms in Ingla School of English! If you don’t live on the same shores as us, why not try our online lessons? Online lessons are flexible to your schedule, timezone and location! It’s a way to get excellent tuition from experienced teachers, wherever you are! Ingla even offer you a FREE trial lesson, to see if our school is for you. (Claim your free trial here by sending us a message!)

Tip 3: Do your homework!

I don’t know about you, but I wasn’t very fond of homework when I was a kid! However, if you now want to develop your English skills, and not waste your hard work in the classroom, it’s a great idea to do the homework provided by your teacher. Doing that short exercise or answering those few questions will help you remember and process what you have just learned in school. 

Tip 4: Study extra English

Why not get one good book to help you English? There are plenty to choose from – go for one that incorporates the four skills of language: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Studying extra English at home in your own time will help you take charge of your unique learning path. You can also use a language app on your phone, or make use of the wide range of websites out there that help you learn and practice English.  

Tip 5: Write new words and phrases in a notebook

Lots of research shows that you have to see words at least seven times before you can remember it clearly! Writing down items in a notebook can help you process and remember new phrases that you learn in school or in your extra studies. This will also be an easy way to review vocabulary that you’ve come across before. 

Tip 6: Ask your teacher for help

Teachers have to study hard to be teachers! They put a lot of work into understanding each language concept, so they can then explain it clearly to students. So when you have a question about a phrase you’ve heard, or something you read in a book – ask your teacher! Ask your teacher for advice on the best way to improve those English skills that you want to develop. And if you don’t understand something they have said during a lesson, ask them to clarify what they mean. This is their job, and they love to help students! 

Tip 7: Learn what you love

Do you love comic books? Or are you more interested in biographies of famous people? Maybe you really enjoy make-up and beauty products, or you have children in an English-speaking school. Whatever your interest is, why not learn English through reading about your favourite topic, or watching videos about it? Talk to others, in English, that share your interests. 

Tip 8: Use English in everyday life 

Why not make use of all the English you see in your everyday life? Read the free English newspaper you get on the train or bus. Listen to English music in your favourite genre, be it rap, classical, indie or country! Watch films in English, with English subtitles if that helps you. 

Use English in your home with your family, friends or housemates. Talk about breakfast or dinner in English. Tell them about the items that you bought in the shop, or the concert you’re going to- in English. Use English in your workplace. Talk to your co-workers in English, and don’t google-translate every text message to them! 

Using English in your everyday life is the best way to improve your English skills. 

Learn, live, love English!