Think about why you're learning English.
Do you dream of travelling and chatting with people you meet?
Maybe you want to understand your favourite movies and TV shows without subtitles?
Or perhaps you need English for your job or studies?
Everyone has different reasons for learning a new language, and that means everyone will use it in slightly different ways. You don't need to know everything about everything in English to become a confident communicator.
The key is to focus on the areas that are important to you.
Why Worry About What You Don't Need?
Imagine spending hours learning complex vocabulary about engineering when your real goal is to feel comfortable ordering food in a restaurant or making small talk with colleagues.
While it's great to learn new things, focusing your energy on the English you'll actually use will help you feel more confident, faster.
Think about your native language.
Do you know every single word? Probably not!
You know the words and phrases you need for your daily life, your hobbies, and your work or studies.
Learning English effectively is similar – it's about building a strong foundation in the areas that are relevant to you.
Identify Your English Needs
Take a moment to think about the situations where you want to use English.
Here are some examples:
Travel: Asking for directions, ordering food, booking accommodation, and having simple conversations.
Socialising: Talking about your hobbies, making friends, understanding social media, and discussing everyday topics.
Work/Studies: Participating in meetings, writing emails, understanding lectures, and giving presentations (if applicable).
Entertainment: Watching movies, listening to music, listening to podcasts, and reading books.
Once you have a clearer idea of your needs, you can start to focus your learning.
How to Target Your Learning and Build Confidence:
Vocabulary Focus: Instead of trying to memorise long lists of random words, concentrate on vocabulary related to your specific interests and needs. For example, if you love cooking, learn words for ingredients and cooking methods.
Phrase Power: Learn common phrases and expressions used in the situations you identified. For travel, this might include phrases for asking "How much does this cost?" or "Where is the nearest train station?".
Practice Makes Progress: Seek out opportunities to practice speaking in those specific areas. If you need English for work, try practising simple work-related conversations with a language partner. If you love movies, try discussing them in English online.
Don't Be Afraid to Keep it Simple: In the beginning, focus on getting your message across clearly using simpler language. As your confidence grows, you can gradually introduce more complex vocabulary and grammar.
Celebrate Small Wins: Every time you successfully communicate in a situation that was important to you, take a moment to acknowledge your progress. This will build your confidence and motivate you to keep going.
Watch this video to give you some unusual tips that might reignite your love of improving your English…
Here are the links that Vinh wants to share with you in this video:
Art of conversation (free) training ➡ https://bit.ly/3XeCgvC - 3 communication frameworks to master conversations 🗣️
FREE 3 Part Video Series ➡ https://gifts.vinhgiang.com/youtube - A self-guided 3-part video series to uncover communication habits holding you back.
Unlock Your English Potential, Your Way
Learning English is a personal journey.
By focusing on the areas that are meaningful to you, you'll not only learn more effectively but also gain the confidence to use your English in real-life situations.
You don't need to be an expert in everything – just be confident in the English that helps you connect with the world in the ways that matter most to you.
So, identify your focus, practice with purpose, and unlock your English potential, your way!
Share with us…
Why are you learning and trying to improve your English?