8 easy ways you can incorporate English into your daily life

Welcome back, learners!

You’ve probably heard it a million times from teachers, friends, and even from that random YouTuber you stumbled upon at 3 AM: “To master English, you need to practice every day.”

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Practice English every day? But I don’t have time for that. I have work, I have errands to run, I have my favorite show to binge-watch… Not to mention that I need to get that all-important beauty sleep!” Don’t worry, I hear you. I’m not here to give you another lecture on time management or make you feel guilty for cherishing your Netflix time!

The good news is: you can improve your English while still doing your everyday tasks. Yes, you heard that right! There are simple, even fun, ways to incorporate English into your daily routine!

Trust me, you won’t even realize you’re practicing! Curious to know how? Stick around as I share with you 8 easy ways you can incorporate English into your daily life. Let’s dive right in!

1. Change your device’s language setting

In a world where we spend almost as much time scrolling, clicking, and typing as we do breathing, turning your device’s language settings to English is one of the easiest ways to immerse yourself in the language.

Go to your device’s settings, find the ‘language’ or ‘language and input’ section, and switch it to English. It might be a bit confusing at first, but you’ll get the hang of it before long!

Imagine waking up every morning, reaching out for your phone, and starting your day with English. You’ll be exposed to new vocabulary, grammar structures, and common phrases. Plus, it’s an excellent way to get used to the language’s syntax and spelling. From notifications to menus, from apps to error messages, everything you see will be a little English lesson.

And the best part? Your device is always with you. So, whether you’re setting an alarm, responding to emails, or taking a break to play a game, or opening your social media, you’ll be improving your English skills in the process. Plus, your brain will start associating English with daily life, which will make the language feel less foreign and more intuitive over time.

So, what are you waiting for? Go on, change those settings. And just like that, you’ve taken the first step to incorporate English into your daily life. Pretty simple, isn’t it? Now, let’s move on to the next tip…

2. Listen to English songs and podcasts

Incorporating English into your daily life doesn’t have to feel like a chore – it can be fun and enjoyable, too! And there’s no better way to do this than by immersing yourself in the world of English songs and podcasts!

Let’s start with music. If you’re anything like me, you probably have a melody playing in the background while working, commuting, or even cooking. So, why not make those tunes work for you? Choose songs from English-speaking artists and dive into the rhythm of the language.

The lyrics offer a wealth of vocabulary, expressions, and cultural insights. Don’t shy away from pausing, rewinding, and looking up words you don’t understand. Sing along if you can! Not only will you be learning English, but you’ll also be improving your pronunciation and intonation!

Podcasts, on the other hand, are an excellent source for improving your listening skills and understanding different accents. From news and stories to interviews and educational content, the podcast world is a treasure trove of English learning resources. Find a podcast in your area of interest – trust me, there’s a podcast out there for everyone! – and start incorporating it into your routine. Listen while you’re cleaning, driving, or going for a walk.

And remember, the goal is not to understand every single word. Focus on getting the gist and the context. Over time, you’ll find yourself understanding more and more. Plus, you’ll gain insights into the culture, humor, and current events of English-speaking communities!

3. Watch English language TV shows

It’s movie night! Or perhaps, series bingeing night? Good news for you – not only does this promise hours of entertainment, it’s also one of the most fun and effective ways to incorporate English into your everyday life. Grab your popcorn, folks – let’s take our English language learning journey right to your living room!

Consider English language TV shows as a window to the cultural nuances, colloquialisms, and idiomatic expressions that your textbooks might have missed out on. From “Friends” and “The Crown” to “The Big Bang Theory” and “Stranger Things”, each show has its unique flavor of English depending on the setting, era, and the characters’ backgrounds.

Now, if you’re wondering – ‘How can I learn if I can’t understand what they’re saying?’ – here’s where subtitles come into play. Initially, you might find it helpful to watch with subtitles in your native language. As your confidence grows, switch to English subtitles, which is an excellent way to associate spoken words with their written counterparts.

Feel free to pause, rewind, replay any dialogues that you find intriguing, or those you couldn’t grasp the first time. Watching English language TV shows not only helps you understand spoken English better, but also aids you in learning pronunciation, enunciation, and the natural rhythm of the language!

4. Cook from English language recipes

Is there anything more tantalizing than the sizzle of onions hitting a hot pan, the fragrant scent of herbs and spices, and the rewarding taste of a meal made with your own hands?

Well, here’s the icing on the cake – while you’re concocting your next culinary masterpiece, you can also be improving your English skills. Say hello to English language recipes – your new kitchen companion!

Using English recipes for your cooking sessions is an appetizing way to weave English into your daily life. Think about it – each recipe is essentially a step-by-step guide, filled with action verbs, descriptions of ingredients, quantities, and cooking techniques. It’s like a mini English lesson on a recipe card!

Start by searching for recipes of your favorite dishes in English. As you work your way through the list of ingredients and instructions, take note of any words or phrases you’re unfamiliar with. These could be cooking terms like ‘sauté’, ‘poach’, ‘blanch’, or even names of ingredients and spices. Look them up, and you’re already expanding your English vocabulary, one recipe at a time!

Cooking from English recipes also helps you understand and follow sequential information in English. And the best part? You get a delicious, home-cooked meal at the end of it all, almost as a reward for your English practice!

5. Read English contents

Let’s dive into the vibrant world of English literature!

Be it a high-stakes novel, a laughter-inducing comic, or a thought-provoking blog, reading is an absolutely brilliant way to expose yourself to the intricacies of the English language, and have a fabulous time while doing so!

The joy of reading English literature is two-fold. Firstly, you get the chance to see the language in action. It’s like a real-life demonstration of vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure, all unfolding right before your eyes. Each paragraph, each sentence, each word adds a new layer to your understanding of how the language works.

Secondly, the act of reading itself is an immersive experience that can captivate your mind and engage your senses. It’s like being transported into another world, where you can explore different cultures, ideas, and perspectives – all in English! And the best part? You can do it at your own pace, revisiting passages as needed or breezing through chapters when you’re feeling confident.

If you’re a beginner, start with something light and fun, like comics or simple blogs. They often use conversational English, which can be easier to understand and more useful in day-to-day interactions. As your confidence grows, gradually move on to novels and more complex blogs or articles. You’ll be amazed at how your vocabulary, comprehension, and even your pronunciation improve when you read out loud.

So, whether it’s a gripping mystery novel, a heartwarming comic strip, or a compelling blog post, make English literature a part of your daily routine. The more you read, the more you’ll see your English skills flourish!

6. Join English speaking communities that share your hobby

Sometimes, the best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in it – and what better way than to combine it with something you love? By joining an English-speaking community centered around your hobby, you’re not just learning English, you’re living it!

Whether you’re an avid gamer, a budding chef, a bookworm, a fitness enthusiast, or an amateur photographer, there’s bound to be a group out there for you. Facebook Groups, Discord servers, twitters and the latest one, thread, harbor numerous communities where people gather to discuss shared interests in English.

Take the plunge and dive into these discussions. Use English to talk about your latest culinary success, debate who the best superhero is, or ask for advice on how to perfect your yoga pose. Not only will you improve your language skills, but you’ll also get to do something you’re passionate about.

Being a part of these communities allows you to see English in action. You’ll encounter new phrases, colloquial language, industry-specific jargon, and even memes that can enhance your vocabulary and understanding of the language.

Remember, it’s not just about the language; it’s about the community and the shared experiences. Don’t be shy – your next friend might just be a post or comment away!

7. Play English language games

If there’s one thing that can make learning English more enjoyable, it’s turning it into a game. Quite literally. English language video games are a fun and interactive way to immerse yourself in the language and pick up new words and phrases as you navigate through exciting virtual worlds.

I have a personal story to share with you on this. When I was just beginning to learn English, my first English game was Pokemon. Trust me when I say, I knew barely any English when I first picked up my Game Boy. But boy, did I want to catch ’em all!

So, there I was, a young trainer, journeying through the region with an overpowered Charizard by my side, and yet, still struggling to understand what the NPCs were trying to tell me. What does it mean when my attack “rose”? Like why are they suddenly mentioning a flower? What on earth was an “HM”? And why couldn’t I get past this pesky tree?

Nevertheless, despite my language limitations, I persevered. And you know what? I managed to beat the Elite Four. The satisfaction of victory was immense, but what was even more rewarding was realizing how much English I had learned in the process.

Every Pokemon caught, every Gym battle, and every NPC interaction had unknowingly increased my English vocabulary. I was picking up terms about health, directions, trading, and much more – all while just playing a game.

Similarly, I learned countless new words and phrases playing Harvest Moon, a game about farming life. I learned about crops, animals, the changing seasons, and even a bit about rural culture and festivals – all in English!

So, don’t hesitate to immerse yourself in an English language game. Whether it’s an RPG, a strategy game, a puzzle, or a simulation like Harvest Moon, you’ll be surprised at how much you can learn while having fun. It’s a win-win situation!

8. Write a journal in English

Writing a journal can be your quiet companion in your English learning journey. You can write about your day, your thoughts, your dreams, or even create fictional stories. The beauty of journaling lies in its flexibility; there are no rules to follow, only words to be written!

The act of writing in English encourages you to think in English. It helps solidify sentence structures, improves your grammar, and makes you more comfortable with expressing yourself in English. Over time, you will notice that you’re not only writing more fluently but also thinking more naturally in English.

So, grab that notebook, or open that note-taking app, and start writing. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a sentence or a paragraph. Every word counts!

Summary

And there you have it! Eight easy and accessible ways you can incorporate English learning into your daily life. As I’m sure you’re realizing by now, English learning doesn’t have to be confined to textbooks and classrooms; in fact, it can be as simple as changing your phone’s language setting or as entertaining as immersing yourself in a gripping new video game.

Remember, the aim here isn’t just to memorize vocabulary and grammar. Instead, it’s about making English a part of your everyday life, understanding the context and the nuances, and ultimately gaining the confidence to use it freely and fluently.

So let’s start this journey today! Choose the methods that resonate with you the most, mix and match them, or better yet, try them all!

Next steps

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