10 Ways to Improve Your English Outside the Classroom
Do you want to improve your English outside of the classroom? Here are 10 creative strategies to enhance your language skills outside the classroom!
1. Listen to Music through English
Listening to music may seem like an obvious way to improve your English outside of the classroom, however it is popular for a good reason. Music is the one universal language that scientifically alters our brain chemistry and can influence emotions and mood. Therefore, listening to music in English won’t only help improve your language skills, but it may also have positive effects on your mood and overall well-being.
2. Consume English Media
These days we are all guilty of spending too much time staring at a screen – but why not use that to improve your English? Watching TV shows, movies, or scrolling through platforms like TikTok in English helps you familiarize yourself with slang, expressions, and accents. For more listening practice, check out our previous blog on Irish Movies and Series to Improve Your Listening Skills!
3. Change the Language Settings on your Devices
Changing your language settings on all of your devices and social media networks is another great way to become more familiar with the language. It may not seem like much but having your socials in English means you are practicing every time you log in.
4. Read in English Every Day
Similar to music, reading benefits your overall well-being. It’s great for empathy, mitigating stress, sharpens memory and of course improves your vocabulary. Here’s a video with excellent book recommendations for English learners!
5. Listen to English Podcasts or Audiobooks!
We’re lucky to live in a generation where audiobooks and podcasts are so accessible. From cooking to commuting, you can improve your English effortlessly.
6. Join an English Language Exchange Meetup
Joining a group is an excellent way to enhance your English skills while meeting new people and socializing in a fun and welcoming environment. Below are some helpful links for finding social opportunities in Dublin, Malta, and Liverpool, where you can practice speaking English and make new connections:
7. Play Online Word Games through English
Playing any game online is a fun and interactive way to improve your English outside of the classroom. For a list of 30 great word games, check out this blog.
8. Follow a Cooking or Baking Recipe through English
Everyone needs to eat, and nothing beats a homemade meal. Challenge yourself by following a recipe in English. It’s a great way to learn new vocabulary that you might not encounter in daily conversation. Plus, there are thousands of free recipes available online, making it easy and accessible.
9. Play ‘I spy’ with your Friends through English
This classic game might be new to you if you didn’t grow up in an English-speaking country. One player chooses an object, then says, ‘I spy with my little eye something beginning with (b).’ Players take turns guessing until someone gets it right.
10. Start an English journal
Start a journal in English. Writing about your day, even in small ways, can significantly improve your language skills.
By incorporating even one of these simple activities into your daily life you can improve your English in a fun and engaging way. Start today and watch your language skills grow!
Written by Caoimhe O’Keeffe