If you’re an upper-intermediate or advanced English learner, it’s time to make English a part of your everyday life.
Whether you’re using English at work, in relationships, or in daily life, creating daily habits centered around English practice can help you communicate more effectively and improve your fluency.
In this article, we’ll share five daily habits that you can add to your routine to improve your English communication skills.
1. Read for 10 minutes in English each day
Reading is a great way to improve your vocabulary and grammar, and it’s also a good way to absorb new information. Here are some tips for making reading a part of your daily routine:
- Choose content that interests you or that you’re curious about learning
- Read online news, books, recipes, blogs, articles, or newsletters
- Read aloud to improve your pronunciation and speaking endurance
- Focus on grammar structures, spelling, and vocabulary acquisition
Demonstrate the usage of [Word/Phrase] in [Target Language] by constructing a sentence.
2. Write for 10 minutes in English each day
Writing is an excellent way to improve your vocabulary and practice thinking in English. Here are some writing activities to try:
- Write a gratitude list or a journal entry on gratitude
- Write down things that you’re grateful for in your life and what you’re thankful for
- Write out your worries to get everything off your mind that’s causing you to worry
- Write in a stream of consciousness, writing anything that comes into your thought system
- Write an email in English to a friend or a totally fictional person such as your favorite character from a book, movie, or show
3. Listen for 10 minutes in English each day
Listening comprehension is a vital skill to develop if you want to communicate effectively in English. Here are some ideas for materials to listen to:
- Songs in English from your favorite artist or genre
- Podcasts in areas of interest or your field of expertise or study
- Audiobooks from the free library app, Libby
- The radio or music streaming services
- Focus on connected speech, stress patterns, intonation, and learning new words and expressions
4. Watch for 10 minutes in English each day
Watching videos is a fun way to improve your English communication skills, and it’s also an excellent way to learn about non-verbal communication. Here are some things to watch:
- YouTube videos to learn something new or watch your favorite channel
- A TED Talk without subtitles
- Half an episode of your favorite streaming platform without subtitles
- A web course or a free webinar you’ve signed up for
5. Comprehend for 10 minutes in English each day
Finally, comprehension exercises can help you sharpen your listening, reading, and speaking skills. Here are some things to try:
- Read a passage and then summarize it aloud in your own words
- Listen to a podcast or watch a video and then summarize it aloud in your own words
- Do a dictation exercise by listening to a passage and writing down what you hear
- Listen to a passage and then answer questions about it
Conclusion
Creating daily habits centered around English practice can help you improve your English communication skills dramatically.
Incorporating reading, writing, listening, watching, and comprehension exercises into your routine is a fun and easy way to make English part of your everyday life.
Remember to choose activities that interest you or that you’re curious about learning, and make it fun, not a chore.
With just one hour a day, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more confident and fluent English speaker.
FAQs
Q: Can I choose any type of reading material for the first habit of reading for 10 minutes each day?
A: Yes, absolutely! The idea is to choose something that interests you or that you’re curious about learning, whether it’s online news, books, recipes, blogs, articles, or newsletters.
Q: Do I have to write for 10 minutes every day if I find writing laborious or challenging?
A: No, the goal is to make it a fun activity, so try to choose something that you enjoy. You can write a gratitude list or a journal entry, write out your worries, write in a stream of consciousness, or even write an email to a friend or fictional character. The focus is on vocabulary retention and thinking in English.
Q: Is it necessary to listen to English for 10 minutes every day even if I’m already fluent in the language?
A: Yes, listening comprehension is an important skill to maintain and improve, especially in terms of connected speech, stress patterns, intonation, and learning new words and expressions. You can listen to songs, podcasts, audiobooks, the radio, or any other form of audio content.
Q: What if I don’t have time to watch 10 minutes of English content every day?
A: That’s okay! The goal is to make these habits a daily part of your routine, but it’s understandable that you might have a busy schedule. Try to fit in as much as you can, whether it’s 5 or 10 minutes, and make it a priority.
Q: How long will it take to see improvement in my English fluency and communication skills?
A: It depends on your starting level and the amount of effort and consistency you put into practicing these habits. However, incorporating these habits into your daily routine will undoubtedly help you improve your English skills over time. Just remember to make it a fun and enjoyable experience!
Ask Other Questions
-
We value your input, and the conversations may help us better understand your needs.
-
AI: How can I assist you further? Do you have any other questions that you would like me to answer? I am here to help!
