Blog for English teachers

Here you can find the latest information for ESL/EFL teachers and tutors.

Is it possible to learn English in 3 months and how to do it?

Is it possible to learn English in 3 months and how to do it?

One of the most popular New Year's resolutions is: "I'll start learning English next year." Often these experiences fall into one of two categories. The first, those who actively started, but set themselves too ambitious plans. The latter, on the contrary, do not set any deadlines for achieving the goal. Similar practices end the same way.

The impulse gradually fades away, and people give up learning English halfway through. In order not to waste precious time in vain, it is better to immediately accept a few facts.

Enrol now

Get your TEFL TESOL certification

Teach English! It is the best way to earn money.
Travel, work online, get a job abroad, or be
an EFL and ESL teacher in your country.
Get it now

Before you learn English, be aware of the following:

  • it is a time-consuming process;
  • language is not the ultimate goal, but a means to achieve it;
  • define a clear language level you are aiming for;
  • find a purpose, a reason.

The more clearly you can visualize the end result, the more concrete your action plan will become. Having opened the veil of secrecy, we will answer that in 3 months it is really possible to improve the level of the language and acquire the necessary knowledge. Let us consider in more detail what factors the result depends on.

Is it possible to quickly learn English from scratch?

If you need to learn English in a short time, then there is probably a need for work, study or place of residence. And such reasons have the best effect on maintaining motivation. Let's see if a self-respecting teacher can promise that in 3 months you will be able to fully master English at the level of a native speaker who was born and raised in an English-speaking country. The answer seems obvious. But, learning to speak and understand by ear is really real. The key word is learn. If you imagine a foreign language as a measuring cup, then having 0% at the beginning of the journey, you can boast of 10-20% after a couple of months. However, today's variety of courses promises fast results with minimal effort. But, as you already understood, this approach is more of a hope or a push than a main learning tool. Let's look at methods that will not bring the claimed effect.

Frame twenty-five

Referring to mnemonics and some ability of our brain to remember information unconsciously, this approach states that it is possible to learn from 100-500 words per day. Cards with new words quickly replace each other in a short period of time on the computer screen. It is believed that this technology allows you to influence the subconscious and remember a large amount of information. In reality, such iterations adversely affect vision and the nervous system. In addition, not every person has a similar reaction to external changes. It is known that mnemonic techniques work in the case of creating your own association. With such a quick change of cards, it is extremely difficult to come up with a situation that will be associated with a new phrase in a foreign language. Do not forget that repetition plays an important role in memorization. Therefore, having learned 100 words in a day, the next day you will have to repeat 200 already. Such torment will inevitably lead to a break in learning. It is better to use a proven method. Use flash cards, create your own associations at your own pace, and don't chase word count per day. Service can help you reduce the time it takes to create relationships between expressions.

Books "English in 2 weeks"

Every year there are more and more such works with catchy titles. The majority is based on an ordinary story using the techniques of psychology, that the modern education system does not make it possible to learn the language. Based on the author's colorful examples of unsuccessful attempts, a hypothesis is built on a completely new technique. In such books you will find tables of tenses and popular phrases needed when traveling. With the same success, you can independently find similar on the Internet. It is not enough just to learn the phrases and read the rules. It takes practice. It includes not only solving exercises, but also live speech, communication and listening. The main disadvantage of such tutorials is the lack of work on pronunciation. Since the meaning of these books is to simplify everything possible, many write transcriptions in Russian letters. This is perhaps the worst thing that can happen. There is a completely different system of staging sounds, which are very different from Russian ones. If you made a grammatical mistake in a sentence, one way or another, foreigners will understand you. But if you speak Russian sounds, then the language barrier is provided. Next, we will tell you how to work with pronunciation.

English in 16 hours with Dmitry Petrov

A television show has not lost its popularity over the years, and more and more people sincerely believe in the success of such an undertaking. The format of such a program involves the study of grammar and basic vocabulary for everyday communication. On the table of tenses, the facilitator briefly explains the purpose of grammatical structures, and uses a common template for examples. Simplifying conversational English, the program gives hope to learn to speak in 16 hours. On the one hand, there really are some “patterns” that are easier to remember than to understand. On the other hand, this technique only works on very short sentences. If you want to tell a story using different turns and complex sentences, then this method will hardly help. The use of grammar is much broader than understanding the three directions (present, past, future). The grammar-translation method is considered the oldest of the entire system of methods. It does not allow you to gain freedom in communication as long as there is an attachment to the translation of words. Not to mention the fact that working out only one time can take from 8 to 12 hours, and memorizing more qualitatively in 16 hours is something from the realm of fantasy.

English in a dream

Learn with minimal effort, which can be more enticing. The process of dreams is difficult to control, not to mention the fact that the body uses this time to replenish strength and rest. As an experiment, you can try sleeping with your headphones on while playing your favorite audiobook. However, in the morning, make sure that you do not remember either the plot or the new phrases. In the sleep phase, the brain is not able to process new information and create neural connections using memory. But you can listen to podcasts before bed, the benefits of which we will discuss later.

English by email

A way that allows you to train daily. From a practical standpoint, this is a great idea. It is better to practice a little every day than 5 hours a day once a week. This will become a pleasant habit, and not a burden for beginners. But do not forget that such letters are aimed at the majority. This is far from your individual training plan. Some topics will be familiar to you, while others are quite complex. Therefore, you will have to filter and choose the appropriate and high-quality material from the mailing list yourself.

Intensive "Learn English in a week"

With the advent of social media, new English courses are popping up every day, and their promising titles are confusing. Such statements should not be taken literally. As we have already figured out, the language can be learned at home on your own to some extent. And if the marathon promises to master all levels in a month or even 3, it is worth considering. To communicate in English, the quality of knowledge is important, not their quantity. It is hardly possible to effectively work out all the grammar in speech and by ear in 2 weeks. The number of hours of practice depends on individual characteristics. Some people need a little more time to remember. But if such an intensive contains a clear program, group classes, individual lessons with a teacher and listening tasks, then it will be able to increase the level of language proficiency, and it is unlikely that it will take a week.

How to learn English on your own in 3 months?

Textbooks

Knowing which methods will not lead to results, it's time to turn to real techniques that have been tested in the experience of many linguists and teachers. All of them work together, since there is no single principle to pull up all the skills evenly. Before you start, you should decide on the level of the language. This will help you create a clear learning plan. By understanding your current capabilities, you will be able to identify the topics and grammar you need to know to advance to the next level. As it turned out, just knowing is not enough, you need to use new knowledge. Let's look at effective ways.

Enrol now

Get your TEFL TESOL certification

Teach English! It is the best way to earn money.
Travel, work online, get a job abroad, or be
an EFL and ESL teacher in your country.
Get it now

Work on pronunciation

Increasing vocabulary is an important ingredient in a language. People with visual memory may neglect audio materials. In the case of learning English, this is a failure. Remembering new words on the cards, be sure to listen to their correct pronunciation in the online dictionary. In this way, you will not only double your efforts to memorize new phrases, but also work on your listening comprehension and be able to choose the best accent for yourself.

Lessons with a teacher

Self-study requires high self-discipline and organization. Not every person is able to regularly devote time to a new habit due to circumstances. But you still need to find materials and choose a program. Not to mention, the lack of feedback on grammar or pronunciation can only make matters worse. Rely on an experienced educator who will choose a strategy, measure progress, and work on specific challenges. Homework will be a repetition of what has been learned in the lesson and proof of the quality of the assimilation of the material. If you have any doubts about how to choose the right teacher, start with a trial lesson.

Video in original

Watching movies and series in the original is one of the most fun ways to learn. But few know his secret. Mastering any skill takes practice. Therefore, watching a video is work, not leisure. It is necessary to write out new expressions, pay attention to grammar in speech. The best option would be to discuss the plot in English with a friend or teacher. Write down questions for discussion, write down the answers on the recorder, and then listen, analyzing what was said from a grammatical and lexical point of view.

Speaking practice

What is the point in memorizing words and rules if there is no application in practice? If you are studying without a teacher, find a partner. Modern technology allows you to find a Skype from any country, try the Tandem. The main rule is to communicate. Find common hobbies and interests, share your opinion and comment on the opposite point of view. Talking on the phone is not like what you've seen in a textbook. Thus, you will bypass the problem of the language barrier and the fear of speaking.

Podcasts

For those who are already familiar with listening, there may be a problem: everything is clear when I see subtitles. In a real conversation, there is a high probability of confusion and fear. Podcasts in the original will come to the rescue. In the beginning, it will be difficult to perceive speech without visual accompaniment, but with daily training, you will see the result in a couple of months. Dictation will serve as an additional and effective practice. Find a short audio clip and try to write down what you hear. Then listen back and analyze the phrases that were lost during the recording process.

Reading

Reading is considered an integral part of vocabulary replenishment. There is a lot of adapted literature, in which the text in the original is duplicated by a Russian translation. This practice will not work. Try to read original works. Knowing your language level, you can easily find a list of suitable books. This will help you not to translate, but to understand the essence and meaning of the story. For best results, discuss the book with your teacher or friend using the new phrases.

Personal diary

An unobtrusive but useful way to reinforce learned vocabulary and grammar is to keep personal notes. Write down your impressions of the day, using the new knowledge. No need to show them to anyone, just start. And gradually, it will become a habit and a daily practice. Consistency is one of the most important factors for success in any business.

Social networks

Thanks to modern technology, we have the opportunity to get to know our favorite actors and singers from other countries better. Follow famous people who motivate you. Watch them, read their posts, and don't be afraid to leave your opinion in the comments. So you can work out new knowledge in practice and find pen pals. The language is also subject to change due to fashion and time, so this is the best way to get acquainted with slang and popular abbreviations. Otherwise, you will sound like a robot that communicates in the language of a textbook.

Songs

I think you have noticed how quickly and easily a new song in your native language is remembered. It is enough to listen several times to learn the text forever. A good way of mnemonics is rhyming. Practiced mainly with preschool children to learn numbers, the alphabet and animals. But why not use this method for self-study? Find foreign songs you like and work with the lyrics. You will have to find the meanings of new expressions, remember the passed grammar, but the result is worth it. After understanding, you can sing along to your favorite artist. And after a while, do it without the help of text. This is an effective and fun way that many teachers practice with older students.

How to increase motivation for independent language learning?

Time is the most important value

The goal of learning English on your own in 3 months seems vague and fantastic without some extras. The difficulty of self-learning in constancy. When a person does not see daily changes and results, the desire to continue gradually disappears. But as we have already found out, the ability to communicate in English is a long-term prospect. It depends on the current and desired level and efforts. After all, we do not expect the result the next day after visiting the gym. In order not to lose the incentive, it is necessary to set the right goal, which will always remind you why you spend so much time and energy on the language. The Smart Goal will help you formulate your intention to learn a language.

The goal should be:

  • specific;
  • measurable;
  • achievable;
  • actual;
  • limited in time.

From this scheme, it is obvious that “learn English quickly” is a vague wording. To be proud of your result, define it. Moving to another country, getting a new position or enrolling in a foreign university will be clear guides. They are also easy to measure, since you need a certain level of language. The concept of objective possibilities may be different for everyone, but try to assess how realistic your goals are. If such desires are imposed by society or parents, then they are unlikely to be relevant to you. English can be learned all your life, but do not drive yourself into a rigid framework. The optimal time frame for achieving small goals is half a year or 1 year. If you are looking for a suitable target for learning, we recommend that you read the article , with a large selection of opportunities that knowledge of the language opens up.

Conclusion

Enrol now

Get your TEFL TESOL certification

Teach English! It is the best way to earn money.
Travel, work online, get a job abroad, or be
an EFL and ESL teacher in your country.
Get it now

In addition to various tests and international exams, only confidence in your abilities will prove that you have reached the required level of knowledge. There is no single way to learn a language, and it is difficult to even write a single recipe that will work for everyone. Therefore, there are only two constant ingredients in learning: persistence and practice. Try all the options and opportunities to replenish your vocabulary. Don't be afraid to start conversations with foreigners abroad. The more practice the better. Translate all hobbies and interests into English mode, then you will inevitably begin to immerse yourself in the language environment on a daily basis. Write in the comments what methods you have already tried. We hope that this article will help you to make learning effective. The desire to become a teacher and work in any country will also be an excellent motivation to learn the language. If you already know it at a high level, we invite you to take the TEFL/TESOL online course with a 50% discount. The certificate you will receive after completing this course will allow you to teach students all over the world.

Liked the article?
Share with friends!