"How Do I Improve My English?"

Without a doubt, the #1 question I get asked is, “Megan, how can I improve my English?” The first, I don’t know, thousand times it happened, it was fine. But after ten years of hearing this question, it started to get under my skin. I’m ashamed to say it, but it got to the point that I felt like rolling my eyes when I heard it yet again.

Why did I develop a hatred for this question? Well, there are two reasons.

1) It’s such a huge question. There is no easy answer. So when a student asks it in the five minutes before the next class or asks it as they’re heading out the door, it’s hard to answer.

2) Everyone already knows the answer. It’s like asking the question, “How can I lose weight?” We all already know how to lose weight. When we ask that question, we’re more or less hoping this person has an answer we’ve never heard before. We’re hoping they have the magical pill that will solve all our problems. How do you lose weight? Put in the work. Eat right and move your body. How do you improve your English? Put in the work. Learn and practice.

All complaining aside, I do understand why students ask this question. And I understand why they come to me, a native speaker, for advice. So here is how I answer this difficult question— I ask a question back. 

Question: What do you want to improve?

You can’t improve everything all at once. Instead, focus on one part at a time. Do you want to improve your pronunciation? Your vocabulary? Your listening skills? Your conversational skills? Your ability to speak smoothly without hesitating? Students hit plateaus or get overwhelmed with “improving their English.” But that’s a huge task. It much more productive to hone in on one aspect at a time.

Once students have answered the question, “What do I want to improve?” then I tell them to do two things:

1.    Find independent ways to study (where you don’t need someone else)

Students often get stuck in the idea that learning only happens when they have a good teacher or they can’t practice English without speaking directly to a native speaker. If you’re only learning in a classroom, then you probably aren’t learning as much as you could, and not everyone can practice speaking to a native speaker every day. I encourage students to find ways to practice independently. If they want to practice listening, then watch TV shows. If they want to do practice speaking, then record themselves talking or talk to themselves while they’re doing daily tasks (tons of polyglots advise talking to yourself in your target language while in the shower!)

2.    Look for ways to include practice every day

If they want to practice speaking, make it a point to chat with your classmate in your target language before class starts. If they want to learn vocabulary words, choose five words a week to focus on and work on implementing them in class or in homework. If they want to practice writing, keep a simple diary.  

So those are my simple tips for how to answer this difficult question! Now, whenever anyone asks me “How can I improve my English?” I immediately ask them what they specifically want to improve. Then, I can give them more detailed advice from there.