There are two skills that stand out as golden tickets to a promising career: fluent English communication and coding skills. While both are important, learning basic English first makes it much easier to learn programming concepts. This article will show you simple ways to learn English speaking at home, even if you are just starting out.
Most Popular Ways to Learn English
Nowadays, there are many ways to learn English speaking at home. Here are some of the most popular options available to language learners:
- WhatsApp: There are small companies that provide language learning services through WhatsApp. You can connect with tutors or language partners for audio chat sessions to practice speaking and receive personalized feedback.
- Talk with Friends: If you have friends who want to improve English, try speaking with them in English. It’s a great way to practice.
- AI Chatbots: There are AI apps like Gemini Live that help you practice English and answer your questions.
- Online Courses and Apps: There are many free and paid courses and apps that teach English.
These tools, along with consistent practice, help you learn the English language faster. Most importantly, every interaction with the language, no matter how small, contributes to your overall progress!
The Challenge of Staying Motivated
Many people start learning English with lots of energy but then stop too soon. This happens because:
- They want to learn fast and get discouraged when it takes time.
- They get bored with practicing.
- They feel more comfortable speaking in their own language.
But wait! There are small hacks to keep learning and improve faster.
Simple Steps to Learn English Speaking at Home
Instead of jumping into difficult lessons, try to use English in your everyday life. Start creating an immersive English environment at home. Here’s how you can do it:
A. Start Small, Think Big:
First, use basic English words and phrases when talking to your family and friends. As you get more comfortable, try adding more English words to your conversations. You can even start replacing some of the phrases and greetings you normally use with their English versions.
Some of the common phrases are:
| Category | Phrases |
|---|---|
| Agreement | Absolutely!, Of course!, That’s right!, Perfect!, I couldn’t agree more! |
| Disagreement | I’m afraid not., That’s not quite right., I disagree., In my opinion…, I beg to differ. |
| Emphasis | Actually…, In fact…, To tell you the truth…, As a matter of fact…, Believe me… |
| Asking for Information | Could you please clarify that?, I’m curious to know…, Can you tell me more about…, I’d like to know…, What about… |
| Offering Advice | Here’s my suggestion., In my experience…, You might want to consider…, I would recommend…, Try… |
| Describing Feelings | I feel inspired by…, I’m excited about…, I’m heartbroken over…, I’m grateful for…, I’m proud of… |
| Expressing Opinion | I believe…, In my opinion…, From my perspective…, I think…, I feel… |
| Warning or Caution | Be careful with…, Watch out for…, That could be dangerous., I would advise against…, Keep in mind… |
| Encouragement | You’re doing great!, Keep up the good work!, I believe in you!, You’re on the right track!, I know you can do it! |
| Appreciation | Thank you so much!, I appreciate your help., I’m truly grateful for…, You’re amazing!, Best regards! |
- Informal Greetings:
- Hey
- Hey there
- What’s up?
- How’s it going?
- Howdy (more common in certain regions, like the Southern US)
- Yo! (very casual, often used among friends)
- Long time no see! (used when you haven’t seen someone in a while)
- More Formal Greetings:
- Good morning/afternoon/evening (used depending on the time of day)
- It’s a pleasure to meet you (used when meeting someone for the first time).
- How do you do? (quite formal, less common nowadays)
- Other Greetings for Specific Situations:
- Welcome! (used to greet someone arriving at a place)
- Congratulations! (used to express good wishes for an achievement)
- Happy birthday!
- Happy holidays!
- Cheers! (informal, often used when raising a toast)
B. Think in English:
Try to think in English, even if it’s just for a few minutes a day. Talk to yourself in English about what you’re doing, even if it’s just in your head. If you can, try writing a diary in English, even if it’s only a few sentences at first.
C. Surround Yourself with English:
If you like reading the news on your phone, find some English news channels on WhatsApp. Put English labels on things around your house. Also, try to read English books and magazines, listen to English music, and watch English movies and TV shows:
- News: If you’re used to reading news on your phone, subscribe to WhatsApp news channels or other sources that provide English-language news updates. Try “The Times of India” or “The Hindu” for reliable news coverage.
- Books and magazines: Start with simplified or graded readers if you’re a beginner. As you progress, explore classic novels, contemporary fiction, or magazines on topics that interest you.
- Music: Listen to English songs and try to understand the lyrics. You can find translations online or use apps that display lyrics in real-time.
- Movies and TV shows: Start with movies or shows with subtitles in your native language, and gradually transition to English subtitles or no subtitles at all. Popular streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime offer a wide selection of English-language content.
D. Use Technology
Your phone can be a great tool for learning English! There are lots of fun language learning games you can play:
Popular choices are:
- Duolingo: Offers bite-sized lessons, progress tracking, and a playful approach to language learning.
- Memrise: Uses flashcards and mnemonic techniques to help you memorize vocabulary and grammar rules.
- Babbel: Focuses on conversational skills and real-life scenarios.
- Rosetta Stone: Helps you learn by doing fun activities and checking your pronunciation.
You can also chat with AI apps like ChatGPT or Gemini to practice your English in a safe and judgment-free environment. You can ask questions, engage in dialogues, and receive instant feedback on your grammar and vocabulary.
E. Puzzles and Word games
Play puzzles like word search and word chain to improve vocabulary.
Word chain (Last Letter-First Letter): This engaging game challenges players to think quickly and creatively. The first person says a word, and the next person must say a word that begins with the last letter of the previous word. It’s a fantastic way to expand your vocabulary and have a blast with friends or family!
Example:
- Person 1: Apple
- Person 2: Elephant
- Person 3: Tiger
- Person 1: Rabbit
And so on…
It’s a great way to have fun and learn at the same time!
Word search puzzles are like fun treasure hunts! You get a big grid of letters, and hidden inside are words you need to find. The words can go across, down, or even diagonally. It’s a great way to learn new words and have fun at the same time.
By doing these things, you’ll get used to English and learn faster.
Also Read: Tips for Writing Effective CBSE English Essays
Conclusion
Start with small steps, keep practicing, and you’ll see your English get better and better. Every new word and phrase you learn, brings you one step closer to your goals. Knowing English well will help you find great jobs in today’s growing tech world and give you chances to work all over the globe. With dedication and the right approach, you can learn English speaking at home.
Every small thing you do helps. Keep trying, and soon you’ll see how much your English has improved!