8 Fun Ways to Immerse in the English language
There are many fun ways to learn the English language. Immersion means becoming involved in all aspects of learning English. This will help you build your confidence so that you can communicate socially and in business with people worldwide including native English speakers. You can learn English in a way that helps you and relates to your life. By immersing yourselves in learning the English language, you can achieve your goals and communicate well in all areas of English. Here are 8 fun ways to immerse in the English language:
Technology
We all have access to a mobile phone, tablet or computer. There are many ways to immerse yourself in learning.
There are many apps (Duolingo for example) which are free or for which there is a small charge, which can help you learn English ‘on the go’ whether on the way to work, in a coffee or lunch break and allows you to practise for 10 or 15 minutes per day at a time to suit you.
Watch YouTube clips – this can be done at a time to suit you on a regular basis which will also teach you new vocabulary.
Take lessons with an online teacher using Skype (Spoken English Practice for example) where you can talk with a native English speaker (whether with a native British English or American English speaker and the choice is yours). These native English speakers can help you improve your conversational skills, give tips on grammar and any other areas of learning the language on a one-to-one basis which will help build your confidence without feeling embarrassed about making mistakes in front of other people.
Radio and podcasts
Listen to radio programmes in English and listen to Podcasts in iTunes. This is an excellent way of listening to spoken English and can be done at any time of the day to fit into your daily life. Sing along to any songs you know in English.
Films
Whether you watch American or British English films, or a combination of both, this is a great way to get involved by immersion by choosing films of interest. Start with films with sub-titles and then re-watch the films without the subtitles to concentrate on the film itself and ensuring you listen to the accents and new vocabulary.
Books/Magazines/newspapers
Read different types of books, magazines and newspapers whether as ‘hard copies’ or via the Internet on a tablet or computer. Choose easier books or articles in the beginning and then progress to harder articles and books. This also helps you to keep up to date with what is happening in the world. Also try reading poems. Always make a note of new vocabulary and the meanings of these new words.
Label items you use regularly in your daily life
Label everything from windows, doors, glasses, crockery, cutlery, tables, chairs, lamps to furniture in English. Label everything you use on a daily basis. Then remove the labels and see if you can remember the correct word(s). Use a dictionary if you do not know the word in the beginning.
Start an English-speaking club
Start an English-speaking club with friends who also want to learn English. Meet regularly, whether at home or for lunch or doing different activities together. Choose different topics to discuss and help each other to learn English.
Go shopping
Make a shopping list with words in English. This will help you learn all food items you buy each week in English. Keep a note of these new words and see how many you can remember each week when you prepare your next shopping list. Perhaps trying buying new items for a new recipe you would like to try and cook.
Volunteer/Couchsurfing
There are many volunteering organisations throughout the world where you can go and volunteer and help for example with wildlife or farming. WWOOF.net (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farming) is an example of a worldwide organisation involved in educational experience world-wide teaching about farming. There is also a firm called Couchsurfing (couchsurfing.com) which will give you experience different opportunities together with meeting new people and travelling as well as improving your English.
Although travelling can help you improve your English, immersion in the English language especially as a beginner can help you improve more quickly and in doing so helps build your confidence. It does not always have to cost money to learn English. Immersions helps you relate to native English speakers. Practise makes perfect so practise regularly so practise as often as you can each week even if it is just for 10 or 15 minutes per day. Buy a good dictionary to help you learn these new words. Immersion can also teach you the culture of that country whether British English, American English or Australian English.
