Tag: Idioms

  • The hidden secrets that will help you learn English in a weekend

    The hidden secrets that will help you learn English in a weekend

    Unlock the secrets to learn English in a weekend! With dedication and immersion, you can learn vocabulary, grammar, and speaking skills in record time.

    The hidden secrets that will help you learn English in a weekend

    Since you can read and learn English, you could strive to perfect it in one weekend. It will not be easy to learn everything there is to learn in a weekend but if you work hard enough, it can be done. However, implement what you learn is probably the hardest part.

    Speak English daily:

    Do not slip up and start using your native language. Even when you are with your own people, speak in English. If you do not have any way to speak English outside, do it at home. Watch T.V. or read a book and repeat out loud. Not speaking English will not help you learn. You have to use it to remember it!

    Study it:

    Every day, for at least one hour, study the language. Study the words, the history of the words, learn the grammatical rules etc. Even if you spend only half an hour a day, that will work. Think of your English skills as a piece of iron that will rust and break apart if you do not study and oil it.

    Goals:

    Setting goals for yourself is a good way to learn English. Pick common everyday words, and decide to use them regularly by the end of the week or month. You could set any goal you want. This would also turn learning English into a challenge with yourself.

    Be confident:

    Being confident means speaking English when you are outside, even if you are not good at it. Do not apologize for not being able to speak properly, instead ask for help and advice. It is essential to be confident or you will never have the guts to speak out in the open and you will never find out what your level of English is.

    Keep a small notebook with you:

    While you are learning, it would be a good idea to keep a notebook with you at all times. Every time you come across a word that you do not understand, write it down! After that look for its meaning. At the end of your day, go through this list and learn the words on it. Try making sentences in which you can use these new words that you learned. This is a good practice because without writing down the words, chances are that you will forget them.

    Learn to listen:

    Speaking in English outside with other people is not your only problem, you also have to learn to listen. Speaking and listening require two different parts of your body. You have to train your ears to listen to a new language and differential the words. Listen as much as you can. You could also read aloud and this way you would be listening to yourself.

    Do not lose confidence:

    Learning anything new can be emotionally draining, but do not start thinking in a negative way. Instead of thinking “I can’t” think “I will”. Set a date, say a year or two years down the line, when you will be a fluent speaker, reader and writer in English.

    Work hard:

    Everything requires hard work, even learning a language. It is important not to think of it as something that will occur in its own time. You can work hard and reduce your learning time.

    Treat yourself:

    Motivation is the best tool! Treat you and your friends to dinner after you complete a particular goal. Also, ask your friends to test you. This way you will not only look forward to dinner with friends every weekend, but also completing goals on time.

    Thesaurus:

    To develop a vast vocabulary, use a thesaurus. Learn different words with the same meanings, and then use these words in a sentence. Here, you might also see a word that you find fascinating.

    Group study:

    If you know other people trying to learn English, propose a group study. They always work better than trying to study alone. In the group, test each other using flashcards. This will not only be fun, but you will retain more when you are in a group.

    Spellings:

    Do not just learn new words, remember to learn their spellings as well. Spelling as important to learn pronunciations. However, many times in English the words are not always pronounced as they are spelled. I would suggest using an online source to perfect your pronunciations, and then writing each word while pronouncing it aloud. This would develop an association in your brain for the word.

    Pay attention to idioms and colloquialisms:

    To talk as a native speaker talking in English, it is important to pay special attention to idioms and colloquialisms. Make a separate notebook for these and follow the same process as you use for the words.

    Revise:

    Revise every word you have learned during the week on Sunday, or any other day. This way you make sure that the words stay with you. Remember to speak out loud so you hear yourself and your ears are trained to catch the word.

    English movies and songs:

    Whenever you have time on your hands, watch an English movie. This way you will get used to the idea of listening to and speaking English. It will begin to seem like a natural language. Songs can be heard any time, so pick your favorite songs and play them. Pay attention to pronunciations. Do not use subtitles or you will not pay attention to what the person is saying. Books are for readings, when you are watching a movie, listen!

    How to Learn English in a Weekend: Tips and Guides

    Learning English in one weekend is an ambitious goal, but with intense focus and the right strategies, you can make notable progress. Here are some effective tips and guides to help you on your journey:

    1. Immerse Yourself Completely

    Spend the entire weekend surrounded by English. Change the language settings on your phone and other devices to English. Consume all forms of media—TV shows, movies, music, books, and news—in English. This immersion helps to reinforce vocabulary and familiarizes you with common phrases and sentence structures.

    2. Focus on Basic Vocabulary and Phrases

    Start with the essentials. Learn common vocabulary and phrases for everyday situations such as greetings, ordering food, shopping, and asking for directions. Here are a few examples:

    • Greetings: Hello, Hi, Good morning, Good evening
    • Common Questions: How are you? What’s your name? Where are you from?
    • Useful Phrases: Thank you, Please, Excuse me, I’m sorry

    3. Use Language Learning Apps

    Download language learning apps like Duolingo, Babbel, or Rosetta Stone. These apps offer structured lessons that focus on vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. They are designed to be interactive and keep you engaged.

    4. Practice Speaking

    Find a language partner or use language exchange platforms like Tandem or HelloTalk to practice speaking with native speakers. If that isn’t possible, try speaking to yourself in English or use voice recognition features in apps to get feedback on your pronunciation.

    5. Listen and Repeat

    Listen to English audio resources like podcasts, songs, or audiobooks. Pause and repeat the sentences to practice pronunciation. Try to mimic the intonation and rhythm of the speakers.

    6. Use Flashcards for Memorization

    Create flashcards with useful vocabulary and phrases. Use apps like Anki or physical flashcards to test yourself repeatedly. This spaced repetition technique will help improve retention.

    7. Work on Common Expressions and Slang

    Get familiar with common English expressions and slang. Understanding and using these will make your speech sound more natural and fluent:

    • Expressions: Break a leg, Piece of cake, Under the weather
    • Slang: Cool, Hang out, Catch up

    8. Write it Down

    Practice writing simple sentences and short paragraphs. Start with a daily journal entry or describe your day in English. Writing helps reinforce learning and improves your ability to construct sentences correctly.

    9. Watch Educational Videos

    Watch YouTube channels like “English Addiction with Mr. Duncan” or TED Talks. These can be helpful for both understanding spoken English and picking up new vocabulary.

    10. Stay Confident and Positive

    Last but not least, stay confident and positive. Learning a language is challenging, but with dedication and the right mindset, you’ll make progress. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes—they are a crucial part of the learning process.

    Sample Schedule:

    Here’s a sample schedule to help you organize your weekend:

    Day 1:

    • Morning: Start with basic vocabulary and phrases; Use language learning apps
    • Afternoon: Practice listening and repeating with podcasts and songs; Create and review flashcards
    • Evening: Watch an English movie or TV show; Write a short summary of what you watched

    Day 2:

    • Morning: Review previous day’s vocabulary; Practice speaking with a language partner or app
    • Afternoon: Learn common expressions and slang; Practice writing sentences
    • Evening: Watch educational videos or TED Talks; Write a journal entry about your weekend

    By following these tips diligently, you’ll be on your way to improving your English skills significantly over the weekend. Good luck!

    Note: Steps to Start Improving instantly;

    • Pick a topic that is trending
    • Decide on your opinion on the topic
    • Prepare a speech on a pen and paper
    • In a gathering of friends or family, make this speech!
  • Techniques for Memorizing Extensive Vocabulary Phrases Idioms

    Techniques for Memorizing Extensive Vocabulary Phrases Idioms

    Mastering a new language requires memorizing extensive vocabulary. Learn effective techniques to expand your word bank.

    Simple Techniques for Memorizing Extensive Vocabulary Phrases Idioms

    The hardest part is memorizing extensive vocabulary all those new words! It has to be done though. You cannot hope to master the language successfully without learning the words and phrases that make it up. The best way to expand your vocabulary and knowledge of idioms is through reading. Hence, making that list of new words is important! However, watching English movies will give you a bigger knowledge of idioms and phrases. Now, when you build your English memorizing extensive vocabulary as well as stock of phrases and idioms, you can disintegrate your learning into two levels:

    Fundamental level:

    There are 2000 to 2500 words which called the foundation blocks of English language. These words are not particularly listed but comprise of each first word for every meaning that you learn to the count. These include certain words like how, why, where which are not replaceable by another word. For phrases and idioms, the cardinal ones will fall in the fundamental category.

    Extensive level:

    Every word, phrase or idiom with similar or opposite meaning and intent as of the fundamental ones will form the memorizing extensive your vocabulary list for a more in-depth learning.

    Tips for memorizing extensive vocabulary

    • One word at a time: Do not try to learn the entire dictionary in a weekend. That will not do you any good! Start small. Once you find a new word, incorporate it in your daily use.
    • Spend every spare minute reading: Read, read, and read! Books will expand your vocabulary to a large extent. Pay close attention to what you are reading. If you do not understand a word, use a dictionary to find its meaning.
    • Context skills: Usually, while reading it is easy to decipher the meaning of a word from the sentence it is used in i.e. the context. In this sentence, you can figure out that the word ‘decipher’ means to understand or convert into normal language. If you come across a word that you cannot completely understand, before turning to the dictionary, trying figuring out what the word could mean. Then, you can cross check with the dictionary to see if you were right. This will build your context skills and it is important in English because a lot of words are similar and pronounced in the same way. Some words even have the same spelling but mean something completely different.
    • Practice: Of course, practice makes perfect. Use the new vocabulary you have, or you might forget it before you even get a chance to use it. After learning a word and understanding the context it is used in, make it a point to put that word in your sentences.
    • Use the dictionary: I know I said do not learn the dictionary in a day, but skimming through it and picking out words that fascinate you is a good exercise. Learn these words and use them so you get used to the context they are used in.
    • Play with words: Play games like scrabble or words with friends or razzle. These games can increase your vocabulary in a fun way. Ask friends to help you along the way. Since these games have a competitive twist, you intend to learn new words faster. Even Pictionary is a good game to learn new words. Since you are drawing the words out, the meaning of the word stays with you.
    • Crosswords: Make it a point to do the crossword every day. They can be a little overwhelming but with a little help, one can usually manage to complete the whole thing. They not only give you knew words as you go through the thesaurus, but your general knowledge also expands. I think this is a brilliant exercise for learning a language.
    • Write a journal: Start a written journal where you pen down your thoughts in English. This way you can practice writing as well. Remember to use the words you learned that day.
    • Listen: When others speak, listen! Observe how native English speaker use their words. Do not hesitate in asking what they mean if you don’t understand something. When you learn listen, you will also learn the usage of idioms, phrases, slang and colloquialisms. This will make you more fluent as well as understandable.
    • Associations: When you learn a new word, associate it with something so that you have an easier time recalling it later. It could be a color, a feeling, another word, or anything else. For example, ‘quintessential’ – one of my favorite words – means ‘the perfect example of something’. You can associate it with your favorite dish, your favorite actress or actor, your parents. Use these associations to remember the word.
    • Make a list of words: In a diary you keep with you, make a list of all the words you come across in a day. When you get home or in your free time, open a dictionary and find the meanings of each word you collected.
    • Learn the roots: Make it a point to learn the roots of the words. This is an interesting way to remember the words. Mostly every word in English has roots in either Latin or Greek. It is fun to learn how the word came about. Languages keep evolving, so a word that meant something in the 17th century would not mean the same today.
    • Use the word: Again, this point is so important that I am repeating is over and over again. If you do not use the words you learn; you will forget them. Learn to use the words. Make is a habit.
    • Prefixes and suffixes: English has a lot of words that use prefixes and suffixes. A prefix is a word that is added before another word. A suffix on the other hand is a morpheme that is added to the end of a word.

    Note: Steps to Start Improving instantly

    • Pick a subject or a noun,
    • Look for words and descriptive phrases in the dictionary which can describe or narrate about the subject,
    • Note down the relevant words with its meaning/s, synonyms and antonyms,
    • Now, using those words, construct descriptive sentences about the subject and place phrases in the right sequence,
    • Also, Repeat the process with other topics, objects and nouns.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Why is reading important for expanding vocabulary?
    Reading extensively exposes you to new words, idioms, and phrases in context, which makes it easier to understand and remember them.

    2. How can I use context skills to learn new words effectively?
    While reading, try to guess the meaning of unfamiliar words based on the surrounding context before checking the dictionary. This practice strengthens your ability to decipher meanings independently.

    3. What are some fun ways to learn new words?
    Playing word games like Scrabble, Words with Friends, and crossword puzzles can make learning new words engaging and enjoyable.

    4. How can keeping a journal help improve my vocabulary?
    Writing in a journal allows you to practice using new words and phrases in context, reinforcing their meanings and improving your recall.

    5. What makes associations an effective technique for memorizing words?
    Associating new words with familiar concepts, feelings, or images helps create mental connections, making the words easier to remember.

    6. Why should I focus on learning word roots, prefixes, and suffixes?
    Understanding the roots, prefixes, and suffixes of words helps you break down and comprehend complex words, making it easier to learn and remember them.

    7. How can listening to native speakers improve my use of idioms and phrases?
    Listening to native speakers helps you understand the natural usage of idioms, phrases, and colloquialisms, enhancing your fluency and comprehension.

    8. What should I do if I come across a word I cannot figure out through context?
    After attempting to deduce its meaning, consult a dictionary to verify or correct your guess. This double-checking process solidifies your understanding.

    9. Why is it important to use new words regularly?
    Regular use of new vocabulary reinforces memory, ensuring that you retain and can accurately employ the words in different contexts.

    10. What are the benefits of learning a new word each day?
    Learning a new word daily builds your vocabulary gradually without overwhelming you, making it an efficient and manageable way to expand your word bank.