By Kenneth Beare
English as 2nd Language Expert, about.com
Study Skills - For Intermediate Level Learners
Learning
any language takes practice - lots of practice! Often, it's difficult
to know what you should practice. Should you watch a video? Perhaps, it
would be a good idea to do a few quizzes. Of course, you should try to
speak English with your friends. All of these are great ideas, but it's
also important to build a routine. A routine will help you make studying
English a habit. That's the best way to improve your English!
Make Learning a Habit
It's
important to be exposed to many different areas every day. However, you
shouldn't try to study too many different subjects. These suggestions
take a short listening and reading as the basis for daily practice. You
are trying to learn many new things, so don't try to learn too much in
any one area too quickly!
Listen - 15 Minutes
There are a number of intermediate level listening selections that you can use on this site. Here are some suggestions for other sites that offer many listening resources:
Read - 15 Minutes
Choose a subject you like to read about and read for fun. You can find beginning level reading here on the site. Recently, some sites have begun writing in 'easier' English.
Improve your Vocabulary - 10 Minutes
Take
five minutes to write down all the new words you find in your listening
and reading exercises. Keep a notebook, and write in the translation in
your native language.
Grammar - 10 Minutes
Think
about what you are studying in English class (if you are taking it).
Or, if you are studying by yourself, take out your grammar book and find
one grammar point to review. You can also use the beginner grammar
resources at this site. Take a quick look at the grammar and then think
about the listening and your reading. Did you hear or read these forms?
How were they used?
Speaking - 5 Minutes
It
is very important to move your mouth and speak! Even if you only speak
to yourself. Take five minutes and speak out loud (not silently). Try to
quickly summarize what you listened to and what you read. Can you do
it? Of course, it's better if you can do this with a friend. Find a
friend and study together a few times a week. You can practice together.
That's
it! Approximately 45 minutes a day, every day - or at least four times a
week! If you continue to do this, you will be surprised at how quickly
your English improves!
Of course, there are many more ways to
improve your English. However, make a habit of doing these simple
exercises at least four times a week. When you have questions come to
this site and use the intermediate level English resources,
or use your grammar book. Watch a video online, try to use English in
every way you can - even if the language is too difficult.
