13 Simple Ways to Improve Your

English
English is one of the most widely spoken language in the world.
Go to any city in the world, whether its Beijing, Dubai or even Harare in
Zimbabwe, and youre likely able to communicate with the locals in English.
Not only that, English is also the primary language used by many companies
in Malaysia, so your employment may very well depend on how proficient you
are in English. In fact, according to a survey by JobStreet, having a good
command in the English language is one of the top deciding factors when
hiring fresh graduates.
So, what do you do if your English isnt that great? Is there a way to improve your
English without spending thousands of ringgit on language classes?
Weve scoured the depths of the internet to find the best resources for you. Here
are thirteen ways for you to improve your English all without spending a
single sen!

1) Surround yourself with English

Put yourself in an English-speaking environment so that you can learn passively
through listening. College is a great time for you to break barriers, so dont just
stick to familiar friends. Make new friends who speak mostly in English, join
college clubs & societies that conduct their activities in English, and most
importantly dont be shy and just converse in English!

2) Learn one new word each day

Dont learn ten or twenty words a day learn just one. This isnt a sprint; its a
marathon. Once youve learnt the word, keep using it throughout the day in
your conversations with friends and family for the day, even if it sounds as
ridiculous as, Youre so funny, I cant stop cachinnating. (It means laugh loudly,
by the way).
Here are some of our favourite learn a word a day sites:

Dictionary.com

WordThink

The Learning Network on The New York Times

3) Read, read and read some more!

Theres no running from it if you want to improve your English, reading is
key. Start with the newspaper, or any online site with topics that you find
interesting, whether its the latest tech news, football, or even gardening! Try
reading fictional novels too, which will expose you to a different style of writing.
Sites like Project Gutenberg offer a wide range of free e-books.

4) Practise English with a friend

Doing it with a friend always makes things easier, since you will hold each
other accountable if one person is slacking off. Speak to each other in English
frequently and dont be afraid to correct one another. To make things more
interesting, you can even have an embarrassing punishment for the person who
skips out on tasks the most often, like missing to learn a word a day!

5) Listen to English radio stations

FlyFM, Hitz.FM and RedFM are some of the most popular English radio stations
in Malaysia. By tuning into these English radio stations, you can train your
listening skills and learn how English sentences are constructed. Most of the
deejays are entertaining to listen to as well, so youll be having some fun at the
same time!

6) Pay attention to your surroundings

Whenever you are out and about, take note of all the billboards, posters and
signboards that are around you. Advertisements are particularly great because
they often use catchy phrases to attract your attention. When youre in the
supermarket, mentally identify the items on display in English. If you dont
know what something is, remember to jot it down and find out later!

7) Start your own blog

Love food? Start a food blog! Know or thing or two about gadgets? Write about
that! Writing down your thoughts, ideas and opinions will not only improve
your English, but also help you articulate and structure whats on your mind. It
doesnt matter if its about your daily agenda or the most random of topics, keep
practising your writing by blogging about your interests!

8) Learn English through song lyrics

Theres no better way to learn while having some fun! Pick your favourite tune,
look up the lyrics online and sing along! Songs are great way to learn a new
language (not just English!) becausethey contain useful vocabulary and lots of
everyday words and phrases, so you wont be stuck learning words that no one
uses anymore. Phrases that are learnt through songs tend to stick better too,
because of the catchy tune that comes with it.
Pro Tip: LyricsTraining is a great site where you can choose your favourite song,
and while the song is playing, you need to fill in the blanks. Its a fun way to
practise your listening skills!

9) Record yourself speaking

You probably know how English words are supposed to sound like, but do you
know how it sounds when they come out of your mouth? Words may sound a
little different because you may not be pronouncing words properly. Record
yourself reading an article or a book, and go back and listen to what you said,
making sure you notice your strengths and weaknesses.

10) Watch movies and TV shows

Movies and TV shows (or even YouTube videos) are a great way to improve your
English, and have fun at the same time! Films and videos are usually made for
native speakers, so youll be hearing the English language just as how you
would in real life spoken quickly with lots of colloquial, everyday phrases as
well as slang. Watch whatever that interests you, whether its a superhero
blockbuster movie, Jimmy Fallons Tonight Show on YouTube or Game of
Thrones!

11) Learn as many words as you can

from a single category
Are you a foodie? Learn all the words related to food and cooking! If youre
into photography, then pick up words related to that field instead. You may think
that this may be too specific, but youll be surprised how many words in the
English language are related. For example, if youve learnt the word flamb as
part of your food vocabulary, you will realise that words like
flammable, inflammation and flambeau are all connected, and has something to
do with flame!

12) Imitate your favourite actor

Personally, Ive tried this before and it is really fun to do! All you have to do
is pick your a celebrity like Robert De Niro or Arnold Schwarzenegger and try
speaking like them. Listen to some dialogue and phrases, and repeat what they
say. Shadowing someones way of speaking can help improve intonation &
pronunciation, and perhaps get rid of some Malaysian slang.

13) And most importantly, keep

speaking & practising!
This is where most students stumble. Due to lack of confidence, students tend to
avoid speaking in English for fear of saying the wrong thing. Dont be afraid! In
order for you to be able to improve, you MUST keep practising and speaking out
loud. Find every opportunity to speak in English, whether its giving directions
to a stranger, ordering a burger from McDonalds or conversing among your
friends.
Always remember that in order to improve in anything, you need lots and
lots of practice!