GapTip - English language learning tips

For most people learning English is a means to an end. English is the vehicle by which you will get a new job, move to a new country, study another subject and move on with your career. As this is the case, use it to find out more about your work, study and the country you are moving to. In this way you will be learning really important and useful information and improving your English too!

15 May 2012 09:33
Berni

Literature is a great gateway to language practice. Read your favourite stories in English. There are lots of shorter versions for English language students. You should read these for enjoyment, not study so forget the dictionary and find a book that you can read easily. Do this for fun and you'll be amazed at how much you will improve your vocabulary and reading skills without any effort!

9 May 2012 09:30
Berni

As the summer approaches we start to think about holidays. See if you can go somewhere where they speak English so you can immerse yourself for a few days. This doesn't have to be the US or UK or Australia there may be a town or city near you where people can speak English. Or, you could pretend you are a tourist!

2 May 2012 09:26
Berni

Are you taking the IELTS or another English language exam? Here's something to remember - a marathon runner needs to train every day BUT he/she will NOT run a marathon every day. You need to practice the bits that are stopping you getting the result you need.

26 Apr 2012 10:06
Berni

Don't get disheartened! Language learning is a stepped process; we go up and then stay at one level for a while before going up again. Just when you think you are not making any progress you will find that you shoot up a bit again! It's like magic!

18 Apr 2012 10:06
Berni

If you don't speak you can't improve your speaking. Practising alone in your bedroom is only of limited value. Gapfillers members have the chance to find speaking buddies on the site and they can practice with each other on Skype. This is a great way of getting some regular practice. Find a Gapfillers buddy who is at the same level and needs the same things as you!

11 Apr 2012 10:05
Berni

'Repetition is the mother of skill' don't worry about doing the same exercises over again, there is no such thing in English learning as 'we've already done that'. You use the same words over and over in your own language don't you?

3 Apr 2012 10:05
Berni

Watch movies with English subtitles and then write down 6 great words or phrases that you will try to use the next time you speak or write English. This way you can enjoy the film without worrying about learning lots of new things but you will still have some direct language benefit from it. 6 words or phrases will be easy to learn and use!!

28 Mar 2012 00:00
Berni

Not everybody who starts to learn English is successful. Lots of people fall by the wayside and give up. Learning a language will not happen overnight you have to persevere and keep working. Will you be one of those who keep going and reach their dream in English?

21 Mar 2012 00:00
Berni

Learning English should be enjoyable but that doesn't mean that it is effortless. Not everything about it is 'fun' - you really DO need to know those irregular verbs!!

14 Mar 2012 10:30
Berni

Find something you enjoy reading it can be a book, a comic, a magazine it doesn't matter you read it (in English of course!) and enjoy yourself. Absorb the information and while you do this you will absorb the English as well!

7 Mar 2012 10:52
Berni

On a warm sunny day what better way to practise your English than by relaxing in the sun and listening to English songs through your headphones! Don't forget to sing along!

1 Mar 2012 12:34
Berni

Remember learning a language is a slow burn not a quick fix - so give yourself time to develop the skills and don't forget that without good practice it's difficult to move forwards.

21 Feb 2012 09:43
Berni

If you are taking the IELTS exam MAKE SURE you get someone to check your writing so you know that you are on track. Do it as soon as you can to give you time to improve your skills

15 Feb 2012 09:41
Berni

Download podcasts (BBC ones have great sound quality!) on your favourite topic or hobby and just let the English 'wash over you'. Pick out a few new words but enjoy the content!

8 Feb 2012 15:03
Berni

Spend time on your writing - less is more when it comes to writing. Get it marked otherwise you can't progress. Did you know that Gapfillers offers a writing correction service? Contact us for more information!

30 Jan 2012 16:57
Berni

If you are taking an exam start to prepare your English early - don't be a last minute Larry!

25 Jan 2012 08:07
Berni

Next time you do listening practice pick out 6 words or phrases that you want to use in your next speaking or writing. Make sure you notice HOW they are used by the speaker!

19 Jan 2012 08:06
Berni

Co-ordinate your skills practice. Listen to a news item then find the same news in written form finally find someone to discuss the news story with and write a short email or diary entry about it. One story can consolidate your vocabulary and allow you enough repetition and practice to remember the words.

11 Jan 2012 08:06
Berni

Make better English your NEW YEAR's Resolution! Do a little everyday! Learn the words of the day, sign up as a full member to get even more daily practice.

4 Jan 2012 08:05
Berni

Use your holday time to absorb some English language! Watch all the movies and traditional programmes that are broadcast at this time of year and ENJOY!

29 Dec 2011 08:05
Berni

Can you speak on a topic fluently and accurately for 1 minute? This is great practice for IELTS. Choose a topic (anything, cars, fruit, flowers..) and try it! Record yourself & see how you sound. Then increase until you have your 2 minutes presentation for Part 2 of the IELTS!

22 Dec 2011 08:04
Berni

Study does not all have to be intense. Relax and read a book or magazine, listen to a song or watch a film. If it's English it will help you!

15 Dec 2011 17:26
Berni

Look around where you are now. Do you know the English word for everything you see? Get out your bi-lingual dictionary and find out!

7 Dec 2011 08:00
Berni

If you want to improve your pronunciation, listen and repeat as exactly as you can while looking in the mirror. This shows you where your lips, teeth and tongue should be for the various sounds and words. Try it with a friend for a fun activity!

30 Nov 2011 15:53
Berni

Tip thirty three: Don't lose heart - keep on working and trying and you'll get there in the end. If you want to get there faster then find yourself a really supportive coach or teacher who will guide you and keep you motivated!

23 Nov 2011 16:55
Berni

Tip thirty two: Tell yourself everyday that your English is great and that it can only get better and better - especially of you practise regularly!

10 Nov 2011 17:38
Berni

Sorry we've let these slip recently - we're back on track now with our weekly GapTip!! :-)

10 Nov 2011 17:37
Berni

Tip thirty one: Read a story: Sit, relax and read a story in English. choose something short, something you like - crime, romance, science fiction, fantasy - it doesn't matter. Short or long whatever you can manage. Why not try one of the latest graphic novels?

30 May 2011 18:58
Berni

Tip thirty: Try these speaking practice tips. Here are some silly but fund things you can do by yourself to improve your speaking skills have fun and see some improvements!

10 Goofy ways to practise speaking skills

23 May 2011 18:52
Berni

Tip twenty nine: Use English subtitles if you are watching a movie. Watching movies is an enjoyable way of getting some English and enjoying a film. Students often say they use subtitles but this is distracting and they are not able to get much English language input. Here's a tip - use English language subtitles instead of those in your own language then you have double the chance of exposure to English and it won't spoil the film!

16 May 2011 16:53
Berni

Tip twenty eight: Take up your free Gapfillers Skype call! All new Gapfillers members are offered a free 20-minute Skype call. This is for you to have a chance to speak English but also to help us find out what you want for your English and advise you how to reach this goal using Gapfillers. We're waiting to help you!

9 May 2011 16:49
Berni

Tip twenty seven: Join a Gapfillers study group! We have study groups you can join on Gapfillers so that you can interact with other members, meet in the chat room, organise your own Skype sessions and support each other. Each group is mentored by a Gapfillers teacher so you will be directed by them and also have some speaking session with your group teacher.

2 May 2011 14:57
Berni

Tip twenty six: Do the Gapfillers latest exercises. We post a short unit of 4 exercises every day to give you the 'little and often' practice you need to progress your English language skills. This is ready made study material which saves you time and makes sure that you are exposed to a wide range of skills and topics.

25 Apr 2011 14:55
Berni

Tip twenty five: Choose things you enjoy! There is so much to choose from so why spend your time on things you don't like or aren't interested in? This doesn't mean don't challenge yourself - challenge is good just make sure you are engaged with the content.

18 Apr 2011 12:21
Berni

Tip twenty four: Ask for help if you need it! If you join Gapfillers then you can use the contact form to ask us any questions about the site or your English. If you see an interesting comment from someone else then put your own comment there too. We love it when you all talk to us!!

28 Mar 2011 12:14
Berni

Tip twenty three: Don't lose heart, keep going! If you learn just one word then you know more than you did 10 minutes ago!

21 Mar 2011 13:03
Berni

Tip twenty two: Take small steps! 'don't bite off more than you can chew' Learning a language takes time (like many good things) and you will be able to deepen your knowledge if you take it slowly.

14 Mar 2011 11:28
Berni

Tip twenty one: Watch TV! go on why not? Learning a language is not an easy ride but that doesn't mean it can't be fun! Exposure to English in whatever form is of benefit and if it's enjoyable so much the better.

7 Mar 2011 20:28
Berni

Tip twenty: Talk to yourself! Practise sentences , phrases and pronunciation as you walk along (try not to get arrested!!) Here are some other ideas for improving your speaking skills on your own.(10 Goofy ways to practise speaking skills)

28 Feb 2011 10:48
Berni

Tip nineteen: try eavesdropping! If you are on a bus or train and people are speaking English try (in a subtle way of course!) to listen to their conversation. It's good authentic practice. Choose to listen to the vocabulary or phrases they use rather than the content

21 Feb 2011 08:18
Berni

Tip eighteen: record yourself! Do you know what you sound like in English? Maybe not? Say something into your recorder and then playback and listen. Be critical: think about the grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. Happy? No? Then do it again and see if you can improve. Keep it short and try it little and often.

14 Feb 2011 18:46
Berni

Tip seventeen: To give your formal English a boost look at model examples. If you are writing something or giving a presentation part of your preparation should be looking at GOOD examples in native English and use these as a model for preparing your own presentation, letter, email, report or letter.

7 Feb 2011 17:53
Berni

Tip sixteen: Try and read something every day. Reading exposes you to new vocabulary and re-enforces grammar structure. It doesn't matter what you choose (use your travel time to do it) a newspaper, magazine, tube advert or story book. Don't worry about words you don't know - if you understand the general idea that's fine. The more you do this the more you will understand!

Here are some tips on keeping motivated with your language learning

31 Jan 2011 08:18
Berni

Tip fifteen: Recycle - re-doing exercises is a good thing! Language learning does not go in a straight line, it rather goes round in circles so repeating exercises is beneficial! You can see if you have progressed and you will also pick up one or two extra things that you may have missed the first time round!

24 Jan 2011 07:44
Berni

Tip Fourteen: Set a goal. If you don't know your destination you won't be able to get there! Decide where you want your English to be in the next six months or a year. Be honest - 'I want to be able to stand up and present well', or 'I want to be able to read a book with ease' - what ever it is define it and then work out the steps (or ask your teacher or us here on Gapfillers) for help to get there!

18 Jan 2011 07:37
Berni

Tip Thirteen: For the New Year sit down and really look at your English level. Find out all the mistakes that you keep making and make a resolution to sort them out! Find out how to do a language audit here.

12 Jan 2011 16:56
Berni

Tip twelve: For some quick comprehension why not try a poem. There are lots to choose from on Gapfillers! Then write one to practise writing (on Gapfillers you can contribute to our poetry wiki).

27 Dec 2010 11:18
Berni

Tip eleven: Be realistic about your progress - inputs = outputs! The more you do the more you will progress.

Gapfillers has a great offer to help you to do this!

13 Dec 2010 23:22
Berni

Tip nine: When reading and listening don't worry if you don't understand every word. Only check those that stop you understanding the piece.

For more information on vocabulary

6 Dec 2010 14:04
Berni

Tip eight: a little practice every day will keep your skills growing! Use Gapfillers to help you!

26 Nov 2010 16:22
Berni

Tip seven: make sure you re-visit your work and try exercises again. You need to keep recycling your new language to really learn it! Don't feel that you've 'done that!' Learning languages doesn't work like that!

19 Nov 2010 19:32
Berni

Tip six: When you learn a new word try to use it as soon as you can - that way you will be able to 'test it out' and remember it better.

12 Nov 2010 17:54
Berni

Tip 5: Keep a vocabulary 'notebook' - this can be an actual book or online. It will help you to remember new words and consolidate your learning - use it for other bits of language too.

Other ideas for improving vocabulary 10 Ways to increase your vocab & English vocab on the GO

5 Nov 2010 18:41
Berni

Tip 4: Try not to translate from your own language when writing - it rarely works. If you can't express your idea in English, choose a different idea that you can!

(Or ask for help - do it here through a message in Member Home)

29 Oct 2010 08:17
Berni

Tip 3: Make sure you get a good idea of what you need to learn as well as what you want to learn!

Why not try the test on Gapfillers - make sure you do it all!

25 Oct 2010 23:38
Berni

Tip 2: Make sure you have a good grammar book for reference

See here for help on choosing grammar books

15 Oct 2010 08:17
Berni

Tip 1: Make sure you have both a bilingual and an English to English dictionary

8 Oct 2010 17:45
Berni