5 SIMPLE HABITS that helped me to become FLUENT in English. Useful Habits To Improve Your English

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares five simple habits that significantly improved their English fluency. They emphasize the importance of understanding one's learning style, setting practical goals, and developing discipline through small, consistent daily practices. The speaker suggests starting with 10 minutes of active learning daily, gradually increasing time, and incorporating passive learning through listening to English during routine activities. They also recommend creating a dedicated learning space, journaling in English, and seizing every opportunity to speak the language to enhance fluency.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Learning English as an adult is possible and can be achieved through consistent effort and the right habits.
• 🎯 Having a clear and practical reason for learning English is crucial for maintaining motivation and commitment.
• 📈 Small, consistent daily habits can lead to significant progress over time, more so than sporadic intensive study sessions.
• ⏱ Starting with short, manageable study sessions (like 10 minutes a day) can help build discipline and gradually increase study time.
• 🚫 Strictly stopping after the set study time helps create a hunger for learning and avoids burnout.
• 🎧 Engaging in passive learning by listening to English during routine activities can enhance language absorption.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Combining physical activity with language learning, such as listening to English while walking, can optimize time usage.
• 📚 Creating a dedicated learning space, even if it's just a mental association, helps the mind focus and signals it's time to learn.
• 📝 Keeping a journal in English is a powerful tool for organizing thoughts, tracking progress, and improving writing skills.
• 🗣️ Actively seeking out opportunities to speak English, even through self-talk or conversation clubs, is essential for fluency.
• 🌐 Utilizing online resources and local community events can provide a wealth of opportunities to practice and immerse oneself in English.

Q & A

What are the five simple habits mentioned in the video that helped the speaker become fluent in English?

The speaker does not explicitly list five habits but emphasizes the importance of understanding oneself, including one's learning style, habits, and goals. They also discuss the power of small changes and habits, the discipline developed through short daily study sessions, the benefits of passive learning, the importance of having a dedicated learning space, and the value of journaling in the language being learned.

Why did the speaker start learning English again in their 30s?

The speaker began learning English again in their 30s to move to another country, specifically Canada, and to find a job there, which required a certain level of English proficiency.

What is the significance of having a 'big reason' for learning English according to the speaker?

The speaker believes that having a 'big reason' is crucial because it motivates one to commit to learning English and persevere through difficult times. Their reasons were practical, such as moving to Canada and advancing at work, which required a high level of English proficiency.

How does the speaker suggest developing discipline for learning English?

The speaker suggests starting with short, 10-minute study sessions every day and strictly stopping after the time is up to develop discipline. This creates a sense of hunger for learning, which can lead to gradually increasing the study time.

What is the role of passive learning in the speaker's language learning routine?

Passive learning plays a role in the speaker's routine by allowing them to immerse in the language during daily activities like cooking or cleaning by listening to English podcasts, music, or YouTube videos.

Why is having a dedicated space for learning English important according to the speaker?

Having a dedicated space for learning English helps the mind associate that area with learning, making it easier to focus and dive into deep learning.

How did the speaker use YouTube to aid in their language learning?

The speaker used YouTube to listen to comedy shows and other content in English, which helped them understand the language's nuances, speed, and humor, indicating a high level of fluency.

What is the significance of journaling in the language learning process as per the speaker?

Journaling in the language being learned is significant as it serves as a tool for organizing thoughts, tracking progress, and practicing writing skills. It also helps in identifying and correcting mistakes over time.

How does the speaker recommend practicing speaking English when there are no immediate conversation partners?

The speaker recommends practicing speaking English through self-talk, using the gem technique, and talking to a mirror. They also suggest joining online courses, conversation clubs, or finding exchange partners to practice speaking in real-world scenarios.

What is the gem technique mentioned by the speaker?

The gem technique is not explicitly defined in the script, but it likely refers to a method of self-practice where one talks to oneself or uses a mirror to simulate conversations, which can help improve fluency and confidence in speaking English.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Introduction to English Fluency Habits

The speaker begins by welcoming viewers to their channel and introduces the topic of sharing five simple habits that helped them become fluent in English. They emphasize that these habits can be beneficial for anyone, regardless of age, who wishes to improve their English proficiency. The speaker shares their personal journey of learning English as an adult and how they found more progress through self-study than in traditional schooling. They also stress the importance of understanding one's own learning style, habits, and goals, and having a strong reason for learning English, such as practical needs like moving to a new country or career advancement.

05:01

📈 Consistency Over Intensity

The speaker discusses the importance of consistency in language learning, advocating for daily short study sessions over intense but sporadic ones. They introduce a technique of studying just 10 minutes a day and strictly stopping after that time to develop discipline and a hunger for learning. The speaker explains that this approach leads to gradual increases in study time and emphasizes the effectiveness of this method in developing discipline, which is more sustainable than relying solely on motivation.

10:03

🎧 Passive Learning Through Immersion

The speaker shares their experience with passive learning, which involves immersing oneself in the language during daily activities like cooking or cleaning. They mention using this time to listen to English podcasts, music, or YouTube videos, which helped improve their listening skills and overall language absorption. The speaker also talks about the benefits of having a dedicated space or mental cue for learning, which helps the mind associate that space with the learning process and enhances focus.

15:05

📝 Journaling as a Language Learning Tool

The speaker highlights the benefits of journaling in the language one is learning, explaining how it helped them organize thoughts and track progress. They mention starting with simple sentences and gradually progressing to more complex ones, which aids in recognizing and correcting mistakes over time. The speaker also introduces the concept of language lettering, using one's non-native language to learn another foreign language, which they are currently experimenting with in their French learning journey.

🗣️ Speaking Practice and Real-World Application

The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of speaking practice, suggesting various methods such as self-talk, joining conversation clubs, or finding exchange partners. They mention the availability of numerous opportunities to practice speaking English, especially in English-speaking countries, and encourage viewers to be creative in finding ways to practice. The speaker also invites feedback on the video's content and encourages viewers to like and subscribe for more language learning tips.

Keywords

💡Fluency

Fluency refers to the ability to speak a language smoothly and effortlessly, without having to think too much about grammar or vocabulary. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of achieving fluency in English, which is a central theme. The speaker shares personal experiences and habits that contributed to becoming fluent, such as practicing consistently and immersing oneself in the language.

💡Habits

Habits are regular practices or routines that people perform almost automatically. The video discusses the role of simple, consistent habits in language learning, suggesting that even small daily practices can lead to significant improvements over time. The speaker recommends developing habits like studying a little each day and incorporating English into daily activities.

💡Self-study

Self-study involves learning without the direct guidance of a teacher, often through self-directed resources and activities. The video highlights the speaker's journey of learning English as an adult through self-study, which underscores the message that anyone can learn a language independently with the right tools and techniques.

💡Consistency

Consistency means maintaining regularity in an activity over time. In the context of the video, consistency is portrayed as a key factor in language learning. The speaker suggests that studying English a little each day is more effective than sporadic, intensive study sessions.

💡Passive Learning

Passive learning is a method of acquiring knowledge or skills without active participation, often through exposure to the material. The video mentions passive learning as a way to immerse oneself in the language, such as listening to English while doing household chores, which helps in becoming familiar with the language's rhythm and speed.

💡Active Learning

Active learning involves engaging with the material through activities that require participation and reflection. The speaker contrasts passive learning with active learning, recommending a routine of active study, such as dedicated practice sessions, to complement passive exposure to the language.

💡Dedicated Space

A dedicated space is a specific area set aside for a particular purpose, such as studying. The video suggests creating a mental or physical space for learning English, which helps the mind associate that space with the learning process and facilitates focus and productivity.

💡Journaling

Journaling is the practice of regularly writing down one's thoughts, experiences, or learnings. In the video, the speaker shares how keeping a journal in English was instrumental in their language learning journey. It serves as a tool for reflection, tracking progress, and practicing writing skills.

💡Language Lettering

Language lettering is a technique where one uses a non-native language to learn another foreign language. The speaker mentions using English to learn French through journaling, suggesting that this method can help consolidate knowledge of the first foreign language while acquiring a new one.

💡Speaking Practice

Speaking practice involves actively using the language to communicate, which is crucial for developing speaking skills. The video encourages finding opportunities to speak English, such as through conversation clubs, online courses, or interacting with native speakers, to enhance fluency.

Highlights

Five simple habits can significantly improve English fluency.

English is the speaker's second language, learned as an adult.

Self-study in one year can be more effective than six years of traditional learning.

Learning English is possible at any age, with the right tools and techniques.

Understanding one's learning style, habits, and goals is crucial for commitment.

Having a practical reason for learning English is essential for motivation.

Small, consistent daily habits can lead to significant language improvement.

Starting with 10 minutes of daily practice can build discipline and increase study time gradually.

Passive learning through listening to English during daily activities can enhance language absorption.

Creating a dedicated learning space, even a mental one, can improve focus and efficiency.

Using YouTube for language learning can provide a vast array of content and improve listening skills.

Journaling in English can be a powerful tool for organizing thoughts and tracking progress.

Language lettering, using English to learn French, can consolidate English skills.

Starting journal entries with simple sentences allows for gradual improvement and confidence building.

Practicing speaking through self-talk and engaging with native speakers is crucial for fluency.

Consistency in language learning habits leads to increased fluency over time.

Transcripts

hello all and welcome back to my Channel

today I want to share with you five

simple habits that made me fluent in

English and if you're just beginning or

looking for some stuff that can improve

your fluency this simple habits can help

you so let's jump right into

that if you're new here English is not

my native language it is actually my C

language I learned it as an adult I mean

I learned it properly I actually had

English in school but then there was a

huge gap when I didn't use it at all and

after that I began my journey of

learning English in my 30s to move to

another country I can say that I began

learning English all over again and I

found that I made more progress in one

year of self-study than I did in six

years of learning English in school and

on this Channel I want to share my

experience and show that you can learn

English on your own even if you are 30

40 50 or more at any age and speak

fluently become Advanced it is all

possible there are so many amazing

opportunities around us these days that

can make your learning progress

incredible you just need some tools and

techniques and I'm going to share mine

in this video

but first of all there is one crucial

thing that many people underestimate or

overlook this key element is that you

need to understand yourself your

learning style your habits your goals

you need to have your big

reason without this for example I would

have never committed to learning English

I would have quit probably when it

became too difficult which by the way

was because without a good reason

sticking to a new habit or goal is

almost impossible my reasons were pretty

practical and simple first I wanted to

move to Canada and for that I needed a

certain level of English then I wanted

to find a job there and for that I

needed an even higher level of English

and then I wanted to advance at work and

for that I needed to be a really good

communicator like C1 or even C2 level

you can have other different reasons I

just know that for me it has to be

something really practical not that I

like the way the language sounds or that

it's for my

self-improvement that doesn't work for

me like it didn't when I was trying to

learn Italian because I thought it was

really beautiful so yeah my reasons have

to be very practical like it was for

English now it is for French again yours

can be different really but you should

have them so knowing yourself is

essential actually I believe in the

power of small changes small habits

small steps that can compound over time

and lead to incredible new results and

you don't have to study for hours every

day but if you study even a little each

day it will take you much further than

studying intensely for a couple weeks

and then dropping everything because it

doesn't stick trust me proven many times

but how to develop that

consistency which I would say is the

most difficult thing to do to show up

every day to be

committed and I have a great hack for

you you have to be hungry let me explain

so if you want to learn English and

speak fluence ly start practicing just

10 minutes a day so Monday 10 minutes

Tuesday 10 minutes Wednesday 10 minutes

and so on 10 minutes it's not that much

so it won't be difficult to start but

there is a very strict rule here once

the 10 minutes are over you close the

book turn off the video or whatever

you're doing in other words stop

studying and go do your own things just

turn on the pomodora timer or whatever

timer you use and as soon as those 10

minutes are up you just leave your

English no matter how interesting it is

no matter how motivated you are because

in the first stages it is not about

learning actually it is about developing

discipline and I'll tell you why it's

effective it is effective because you

will feel hungry for English and

tomorrow you will want to do at least 15

minutes a day and so on so this week 10

minutes a day next week 15 minutes a day

and so you increase the dose to 20

minutes a day or more if you need this

way you won have feelings of rejection

or I don't want to do this the main

thing is to gradually increase the dose

by the way even if you decide to devote

only 20 minutes a day to studying you'll

say like yes that's my limit I can't do

more uh it may not seem like much but it

will add up to 14 hours a month and 170

hours a year that's insane amount of

time that will do miracle for your

learning that's what consistency does

this is how you will develop your

discipline motivation is what makes us

start but discipline is what keeps us

going so give it a try and let me know

in the comments below if it works for

you so this was about Active Learning

and um I also did a lot of passive

learning during the day that I was

trying to incorporate into my daily

routine I always worked full-time

because I needed to support myself so I

didn't have a lot of free time and

whenever possible I try to immerse

myself in the language as much as they

could while I was doing some activities

at home like cooking or cleaning I used

this opportunity to listen and absorb as

much English into my brain as possible

in fact now I really enjoy listening to

English sometimes I would listen to

something and only then realize if it

was in English or in my native language

but it wasn't always like that there was

time when it was difficult to understand

everything so to encourage myself I

listened to what I was interested in I

listened to podcasts music or YouTube

videos it was a great listening practice

every day I also have a habit of working

a lot like really a lot and my record is

25,000 steps a day uh and usually I try

to get at least 10,000 steps a day I

also listen to something while working

and combining these two very useful

activities is the best best way to

improve so my advice is to try to

optimize your time and find ways to

incorporate it into your daily routine

just keep in mind that this is passive

learning and that's a good practice to

become familiar with the melody and

speed of the language but it will never

be as effective as actively working with

English content on a daily basis so I

complemented it with active learning

routine that I mentioned earlier

the next thing really useful for me was

to have a dedicated space for learning

English that is not exactly a physical

space but perhaps your mental space if

you know what I mean um let me just

explain when you have a dedicated space

to study your mind Associates that area

with learning when I'm in that space I

even subconscious iously know it's time

to focus I'm already inhaling the spirit

of learning it is easier for me to dive

into deep learning and as for the space

it doesn't have to be a table chair and

shelves or even separate room it can be

any object for example your study lamp

you turn it on and you're ready to

absorb new information ready to deep

work I had a l like that and worked like

a charm for me some people even make a

special YouTube account for that and um

it is very convenient if you think about

it the YouTube algorithm will recommend

you only content related to learning

English you can save content you want to

watch create playlists like fanatic

exercises you want to use every day to

practice certain sounds and so on

YouTube has tons of content on any topic

with British English American English

Australian English you can find very

cool and high quality content and by the

way one of the huge milestones for me

was that I started to understand comedy

TV show hosts like Jimmy Fallon or even

sat mayor that I found on YouTube and

sat mayor speaks really fast just listen

to him and as you probably know when you

understand and can make jokes in a

foreign language that is one of the

signs that you really fluent so the fact

that I could understand their jokes was

a real milestone for

me one more thing that has helped me a

lot was writing in a journal on a

regular basis I actually started keeping

a journal to organize my life my

thoughts and it was in my native life

language I loved journaling and writing

it was and still is the best way for me

to organize my thoughts it also has a

huge healing effect I can freely express

my feelings on paper and uh it helps me

to look at the situation differently

with an open mind to make the right

decision and um keeping journal in

English was a real game changer in my

learning it wasn't just a journal it was

my learning tool I think it is very

important to start writing in the

language you are learning even if you

are a beginner and unfortunately I don't

have my old English journals with me but

here is my journal for learning French

and um you can see that I use the

lettering technique to learn French um

so language lettering is the use of a

non-native language to learn another

foreign language uh in this way I use

English to learn French

and people say that this approach will

allow you to consolidate your English

and at the same time learn French

through it so I'm just starting out um

and um I want to try this approach since

I'm at the beginning of my journey of

learning French you can see that there

is more English than French and um as I

progress the percentage of French will

be more and English less so we'll see

how it works for me so yeah Journal is

something that can help you a lot with

your language learning it can be your

planner thought keeper um progress or

goal track or vocabulary Journal

literally anything the key here is to

write in the language you are learning

if you don't know what to write write

what you plan to do during the day um

just a few sentences or what you see

every day or what makes you EX it write

something new you learned today for

instance I'm very interested in

different language learning techniques

and strategies so I read a lot of

different scientific literature on this

topic and I summarize um this works and

um write them down in my language

Journal uh here is how it looks now

but if you're a beginner and I always

give this advice uh it is important to

start with small steps like short and

very simple sentences I mean it's your

kingdom your writing space you can write

whatever you want but the key to

learning anything and language in

particular is to move from something

simple to something complex because once

you master something simple you can

build on that foundation and that's how

it works so first start with the simple

sentences or structures Master them and

then you can move on to writing longer

and more complex sentences but it is the

short and simple ones that you should

start with this way you can easily see

what you can improve on also when we

learn something new especially a foreign

language by

ourselves it is very difficult to

monitor our progress and see the results

but with journaling you have access to

your old entries and uh you can see

improvements you can see your growth

Writing Practice will also help you see

your mistakes those mistakes that you

usually make and don't even notice when

you speak you might not even realize it

but when you go back to your old notes

um and um you notice mistakes you think

oh my God I couldn't make that stupid

mistake and you realize that you have

become so much better so yeah keeping a

journal in a foreign language can really

help you see your

improvements the last one is to use

every opportunity to speak there were

times when I had no one to practice with

so I had to get creative and try

different techniques I practiced selft

talk the gem technique um talking to a

mirror and as soon as I got the

opportunity I started practicing my

skills in the real world talking to

native speakers and this days it's even

easier to do it you have so many options

you can just join online courses

conversation clubs find an exchange

partner and communicate with them if you

already live in an english- speaking

country you can participate in local

activities and traditions volunteer for

Community projects or local

organizations you can join clubs or

groups that match your interests like

hiking reading or photography clubs for

example the Toronto Public Library here

has wonderful book clubs in both French

and English absolutely for free love

them so yeah there are lots of

opportunities to practice your speaking

you can adjust or change all this habits

according to your lifestyle and goals

and these kind of small habits will make

your learning more enjoyable so

incorporate them into your routine be

consistent and watch how your fluency

increases if you found this video

helpful please don't forget to give it a

like And subscribe to the channel and I

see you in my next video