Good habits for English learners

I’m not good at getting up in the morning! Every day, it’s a bit of a struggle! I’m not very good at going to bed at a sensible time either! But when I DO go to bed earlier and get up earlier, I can get so much more work done in the morning. Every time I’m forced to get out of bed early, I wonder why I don’t do it more often!

Now what does all this have to do with learning English? Just like getting up early can change my productivity, forming good habits can transform how you learn English. So what are some good habits for learning English?

 
1. Look after yourself
I used to have students come to my lessons after staying up all night looking at social media and without eating breakfast. As you can imagine, they didn’t learn much! You learn more easily when you look after your physical health. A good night’s sleep, healthy food and regular exercise all help your brain to work better. And when your brain is working well, you can do everything better, including learning English.

2. Your routine
As I said at the start, I know that it would be good for me to start my day earlier so I can get more work done in the morning. Your life might be very different from mine but is there anything you need to change about your daily routine in order to make more time for learning or practising your English? When is the best time for you to fit some English into your day? Maybe before you go to work or during your lunch break. Or perhaps after the children have gone to bed. Find out what works best for you and make it a habit. (Read more about routines here.)

3. Finding time
A lot of people say they’re too busy to learn English and I know this really is true for some people. But many of us, myself included, could probably find some time in the day to study or practise with a little thought and planning. For example, could you read something in English on the train? Could you listen to a podcast while cooking dinner? Instead of watching TV, could you watch a Netflix show in English?

4. Have fun
Can you combine learning English with something you enjoy? If you love music, listen to songs in English. If you’re addicted to YouTube, find videos for English learners. If you like sport, read the sports news online. If you’re into fashion, buy a fashion magazine in English. Making English fun means you’ll be more likely to keep going with your learning.

5. Be consistent
Studying and practising English for 15 minutes every day is better than spending two hours on it on a Saturday and then leaving it for another whole week. Little and often is the way to go. Just a few minutes a day can make a big difference to your progress and your confidence. Consistency is important for successful learning.

6. Record and review
How often do you feel frustrated because you can’t remember what you learnt yesterday? When you learn some new words or grammar, it’s important to write it down. You could use your phone to make notes but using pen and paper works better. Then you need to review your notes, maybe the next day or two days later, and then again after a few more days. This way, you’ll remember a lot more.

7. Find a study buddy
Learning English with a friend or partner can make learning more fun and motivating and you get somebody you can practise your English with as well. Even if you don’t have much time to meet, just chatting about your studies on WhatsApp or in a Facebook group can help. When you tell somebody what you’re doing or what you’re going to do, it’s more likely that you’ll actually do it! (Don't know how to find somebody? Read this.)

8. Set goals
If you set yourself some small and realistic goals, this will help you with your learning. Your goals shouldn’t be too big or unrealistic, like “I’m going to be fluent in a month”. Smaller and more measurable goals work better, like “I’m going to learn ten new words a day for the next month” or “I’m going to learn how to use a new tense each week.” (Read more about setting goals here.)

9. Stay positive
When you achieve the goals you set for yourself (see point 8), this will help you to feel motivated to keep going. Think about what you have learnt or what you’ve been able to do in English this week and celebrate your wins. Also, don’t compare yourself with other people. It’s not a competition! Just work on being better than you were last week.

10. Relax
Do you need to change the way you think about mistakes? So many learners are worried about making a mistake and being laughed at. You need to see mistakes as an opportunity to learn instead of a failure. And try not to worry about what other people think. If they laugh, then they are mean and that’s their problem, not yours! (Read more about this here.)


Remember, making small changes to your habits can lead to big improvements in your English. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming—just start with one or two things that seem manageable, and build from there. Over time, these little adjustments will become part of your routine, and you’ll notice the difference in your learning. So, what’s one habit you can start working on today? Give it a try and see how it helps your English progress!

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