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There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the quickest way to learn English, but there are a few methods that can help you learn
Five tips on the quickest way to learn English
If you want to learn a new language, a language course is always a good place to start. However, there are also some methods that can speed up the learning process – and sometimes make it more entertaining – depending on your individual learning style. As a general rule, surround yourself with your target language as much as possible, both orally and in writing. If you want to learn English, this is particularly easy, as the popularity of the language means that there is a wealth of offers and materials that you can use. The situation is often different for less common languages.
- Use a language learning app: With one of the many language learning apps on the market, you always have an exercise to hand when you reach for your smartphone and can also use short breaks to learn efficiently. English is usually one of the standard offerings. The best-known providers include Babbel, Duolingo and Rosetta Stone.
- 2 Use post-its: If you want to learn a lot of everyday vocabulary in a short space of time, you can put sticky notes on objects in your apartment or house and write the English translation of each term on them. This way, you will see the corresponding term every time you want to use the object and learn the vocabulary as you go. In places where you spend longer periods of time, you can also attach small overviews with grammar rules, idioms or entire verb tables.
- 3 Learn in tandem: Find a native speaker who regularly talks to you in English. This not only trains your listening comprehension, but also gives you practice in speaking. You will usually practise German with your tandem partner in return. Websites from various providers can help you find a suitable language partner. You can also look for language learning meetings in your city. These are advertised on Meetup, for example.
- 4 Watch films and series in English: You can also choose to have the German or English subtitles displayed, depending on how advanced you are as a learner. At the beginning of your learning journey, subtitles in your native language are a good way to grasp the meaning of what is being said as fully as possible; if you feel confident with the basics of English, it is worth switching to the English subtitles to practise spelling and look up unknown words in a targeted manner. Starting with your favorite film makes the process even easier, as you are already familiar with the content and can therefore concentrate better on the language as such. What’s more, you’ll probably have even more fun while learning
- 5. Read a lot in English: If you are not yet ready to devour entire novels or non-fiction books in English, pick up language learning magazines or learning thrillers to browse through. These are specially designed for foreign language learners, are available in different levels of difficulty and always include important vocabulary translations. They often also contain one or two grammar exercises and explanations. If you use English-language blogs and websites on the Internet, browser extensions with a dictionary function will help you if you don’t understand a word: You can translate selected words at the click of a mouse and expand your vocabulary step by step while reading without having to look them up.
