How to THINK in English | No More Translating in Your Head!

Summary

This video offers practical strategies to transition from translating in your head to thinking in English, enhancing fluency. It suggests starting with naming objects in English, progressing to simple sentences, and then having self-conversations. The script encourages using English-only dictionaries, incorporating English into daily life, and keeping a daily practice log. It concludes with the idea of recapping the day in English before sleep to solidify learning, aiming to make thinking in English a natural habit.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start by naming objects around you in English to build your vocabulary and focus on pronunciation.
• 📚 Utilize online dictionaries and resources like Youglish to check and improve your pronunciation.
• 🗣️ Practice thinking in simple English sentences about your immediate surroundings to enhance your fluency.
• 📘 Consider using an English-only dictionary, such as a Learner's dictionary, to foster English thinking without relying on translation.
• 🤔 Engage in self-talk in English to simulate conversations and reduce the pressure of real-time communication.
• 🔄 Change one aspect of your daily routine to English, such as your calendar or social media settings, to immerse yourself in the language.
• 📝 Keep a daily log of your English practice to track progress and stay motivated.
• 🌅 Narrate your daily activities in English as you perform them to reinforce your language skills.
• 📚 Learn a new skill or hobby in English to combine enjoyment with language learning.
• 🌙 Recap your day in English before going to sleep to solidify your learning and possibly even dream in English.
• 📈 Share your own tips for consistent English practice in the comments to learn from others and contribute to the community.

Q & A

What is the main goal of the video?

The main goal of the video is to provide tips and strategies to help viewers stop translating in their heads and start thinking in English, thereby increasing their fluency in speaking English.

Why is it important to name objects around you in English when learning the language?

Naming objects in English helps to build vocabulary and association with the language, focusing on pronunciation and making the learner more comfortable with the language in a practical, everyday context.

What is the significance of using an English-only dictionary when learning English?

Using an English-only dictionary helps to build the mind to work in English mode rather than translation mode, promoting understanding and retention of English words and their meanings without relying on the learner's native language.

Why is focusing on pronunciation important when learning English?

Focusing on pronunciation is important because it helps learners to speak English more naturally and effectively, ensuring that they can be understood by native speakers and improving overall communication skills.

What is the purpose of having simple conversations with oneself in English?

Having simple conversations with oneself in English helps to practice speaking without the pressure of real-time conversation, allowing the learner to think in English and gradually improve their fluency and confidence.

What does the video suggest as a method to make thinking in English a part of daily life?

The video suggests changing at least one everyday life thing to English, such as using an English calendar, writing to-do lists or a journal in English, or changing the language settings on digital devices to English.

How can narrating everyday tasks in English help in language learning?

Narrating everyday tasks in English helps to reinforce the language in the learner's mind, making it a part of their daily routine and improving their ability to think and express themselves in English.

What is the benefit of learning how to do one thing in English, as suggested in the video?

Learning how to do one thing in English provides a focused and enjoyable context for language learning, allowing the learner to acquire new vocabulary and expressions related to a specific topic or skill.

Why is it recommended to keep track of daily English practice activities?

Keeping track of daily English practice activities helps to maintain consistency and motivation, allowing the learner to see their progress over time and ensuring that they are actively engaging with the language each day.

What is the suggested method for recapping the day before going to sleep in the context of language learning?

The suggested method is to recap the day in English, which helps to reinforce the language in the learner's mind and may even influence their dreams, continuing the practice during sleep.

How can watching videos and reading instructions in English help in increasing vocabulary?

Watching videos and reading instructions in English exposes the learner to new words and phrases in context, which can help with understanding and memorizing vocabulary related to specific topics or tasks.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Kickstarting English Fluency

The video script introduces a method to enhance English fluency by ceasing mental translation and encouraging direct thought in English. The speaker suggests starting with simple tasks like naming objects in English and focusing on pronunciation to build a strong foundation. The creation of the speaker's YouTube channel and Academy was motivated by the lack of pronunciation resources, highlighting the importance of accurate pronunciation from the beginning. The use of online dictionaries and resources like Youglish is recommended for pronunciation practice. The paragraph emphasizes the significance of learning in context and gradually progressing to simple sentences and self-conversations in English.

05:01

🌟 Advancing English Proficiency

This paragraph delves into strategies for further developing English language skills, such as having self-conversations to practice speaking without external pressure. The speaker recounts personal experiences using this method while learning Spanish. The advice includes setting aside time daily for English practice, changing everyday tools and habits to English versions, and engaging in activities like journaling or narrating daily tasks in English. The paragraph also encourages tracking daily English practice and recapping the day in English before sleep to reinforce learning.

10:06

📈 Continuous Improvement and Community Sharing

The final paragraph of the script invites viewers to reflect on the presented ideas and share which ones are new or exciting to them. It also directs viewers to the next video focusing on vocabulary expansion, which is crucial for the previously discussed techniques. The speaker reminds viewers to subscribe for regular English speaking tips and concludes by appreciating their use of Rachel's English, indicating a community of learners sharing in the journey of mastering English.

Keywords

💡translate

Translating refers to the process of converting a message from one language to another. In the context of the video, it is the act of mentally converting one's thoughts from one's native language to English, which can hinder the development of English fluency. The script mentions that the goal is to 'stop translating in your head and start thinking in English', emphasizing the importance of direct thought in English for better language acquisition.

💡concrete

Concrete, in this video script, means being definite and clear, with specific actions or ideas that can be easily understood and implemented. The speaker uses the term to describe the 'concrete things you can do and practice' to stop translating in one's head, suggesting practical steps that viewers can take to improve their English thinking skills.

💡pronunciation

Pronunciation is the way in which words are articulated when spoken. The video script highlights the importance of focusing on pronunciation when learning English, as it is a critical aspect of language acquisition. For example, the script mentions the need to 'really focus on the pronunciation' when naming objects in English, and the speaker's personal experience with learning languages and the creation of resources to address pronunciation issues.

💡fluency

Fluency in a language refers to the ability to speak or write smoothly, effortlessly, and with ease. The main theme of the video is to increase fluency in English by thinking in English rather than translating from one's native language. The script provides tips and strategies to 'increase fluency speaking English' by changing the way one processes language.

💡dictionary

A dictionary is a reference book or online resource that provides the meanings of words, as well as other information such as pronunciation, usage, and etymology. The video script suggests using an 'English-only dictionary' to build a mind that works in English mode rather than translation mode, which helps in understanding and learning words as English words, not as translations.

💡Learner's dictionary

A Learner's dictionary is a type of dictionary specifically designed for language learners, often providing definitions and explanations in simple language. The script recommends using a Learner's dictionary, such as those from Merriam-Webster, Oxford, or Cambridge, to describe words in English with simple terms, facilitating the learning process for English language learners.

💡conversation

A conversation is an informal talk involving two or more people. The video script encourages the viewer to practice having 'small conversations with yourself in English' as a method to improve language fluency without the pressure of real-time interaction. This self-talk practice is suggested as a step towards being able to converse more naturally in English.

💡context

Context refers to the circumstances or setting in which something occurs, which can affect its meaning. The script mentions learning words 'in context' to help with memory retention, such as noting words in a new environment and looking up their meanings, which aids in associating the words with the situations where they are encountered.

💡recap

To recap means to summarize or review something briefly. The video script suggests recapping the day in English before going to sleep as a way to reinforce the language practice and potentially even dream in English. This nightly recap is presented as an opportunity to reflect on the day's activities in English, thus embedding the language more deeply into one's thought process.

💡practice

Practice refers to the act of performing an activity repeatedly to improve or maintain one's skills. The video script emphasizes the importance of consistent practice in thinking and speaking in English. It provides various methods for practice, such as naming objects, having self-conversations, and changing everyday life things to English, all aimed at fostering the habit of thinking in English.

💡vocabulary

Vocabulary refers to the range of words that a person knows and is able to use in a language. The script mentions increasing vocabulary as a way to enhance the ability to name objects and engage in self-conversations in English. Expanding one's vocabulary is presented as a fundamental step in improving English fluency and the ability to think in English.

Highlights

Translate in your head can be frustrating, but there are concrete practices to stop this and start thinking in English.

The video provides tips and strategies to increase English fluency by thinking in English.

Start by naming one reason why you want to think in English to set a clear goal for 2020.

Begin with simple tasks like naming objects around you in English to practice vocabulary and pronunciation.

Focus on pronunciation by using resources like online dictionaries and Youglish for native speaker examples.

Consider using an English-only dictionary to build an English mindset and avoid translation.

Practice thinking in simple sentences about your environment to enhance descriptive abilities.

Learn and memorize phrases in context to aid retention and understanding.

Engage in small conversations with yourself in English to practice speaking without pressure.

Set aside time daily for self-conversations in English to build fluency over 30 days.

Change everyday life elements to English, such as calendars, to-do lists, and social media settings.

Narrate daily activities in English to immerse yourself in the language throughout the day.

Learn new skills or tasks in English to expand your vocabulary and comprehension.

Keep a daily log in English to track your language practice and motivate consistent learning.

Recap your day in English before sleep to reinforce learning and possibly enhance dreaming in English.

Share your English practice tips in the comments for a community exchange of ideas.

Watch the next video for tips on increasing vocabulary to further aid in thinking and speaking in English.

Transcripts

If you’re translating in your head, then you know that that’s a frustrating way to speak English.

But the good news is there are concrete things you can do and practice to stop

translating in your head and start thinking in English.

In this video we’re going to give you tips and strategies to start thinking in English,

stop translating in your head, and increase fluency speaking English.

And what a better way to start 2020 than with this goal.

First, I want you to name one reason why you want to start thinking in English.

I want to learn to think in English so I can easily participate in conversation.

Whatever your reason is, I know it’s a good one.

And I think in 2020, you can make that happen.

The first tip is to start simple and name objects around you in English.

I remember when I was learning German and I was doing this, I had to learn the article as well, der, die, das.

We don’t have that in English, but it doesn’t hurt to really focus on the pronunciation

as you're thinking of simple objects.

In fact, that’s why I started my YouTube channel and even my Academy –

when I was learning German, French, and Italian as an opera student,

I couldn’t find any resources that focused enough on pronunciation.

And I knew that to be effective, I needed the right pronunciation right from the beginning.

So I created my YouTube channel and my Academy to put pronunciation forward.

So take a moment as you’re naming objects to think about pronunciation.

Closet.

Box.

Million subscriber button.

Cool.

Globe.

Window.

And if you’re not sure about the pronunciation, listen to some native speakers.

You can use an online dictionary. Also, Youglish is a great resource for this.

Computer, compute.

They’re all saying with a flap.

Compu-- rarararara. A flap instead of TT, a T sound.

Computer. Computer.

Middle syllable stress.

If you can add this step, of focusing on the pronunciation and listening to native speakers,

awesome. If not, if you only have 15 seconds, and you’re naming as many as you can, that’s okay too.

So that’s step one and it’s simple.

Take a moment, look around you, and name all of the objects that you can in English.

If you can do that very easily, then you can move on. But if that’s a challenge for you,

spend some time on object naming.

Every time you’re in a new room, a new environment, take a few seconds to do it.

Note words you don’t know, look them up, learn them.

The context will help you remember them.

The next step is to think in simple sentences.

Stop right now and think of the beginning of a sentence: I’m---.

I’m hungry, I’m tired, I’m working.

Do it in English. I’ll wait a few seconds. You're starting with 'I'm...'

Now look around you.

What can you say about anything in your environment?

This chair is comfy.

The drawer is open.

My desk is messy.

That one’s easy because it’s almost always true.

If there’s something you can't describe, look up the words you need in a dictionary, memorize it.

Memorize that phrase.

Learning in context like this will help.

Speaking of dictionaries, see if you can do this.

Get an English-only dictionary rather than a translating dictionary

between English and your native language.

If you come across a word in English that you don’t know, use the English-only dictionary,

a Learner's dictionary.

Can you see what we’re doing here?

We’re building your mind to work in English mode rather than translation mode.

There is a thing called a Learner’s dictionary, and it describes every word in English,

in simple words and terms.

Try it. Merriam-Webster has one,

Oxford, Cambridge.

If you have to learn and understand a word by reading in English,

by studying what it means in English, then you’ll know it as an English word.

Not as a translation of your language.

So you’ve named single words, and you’ve made simple sentences.

The next step is …

Have small conversations with yourself in English.

With yourself? Yes,

you don’t feel pressure to speak quickly, to come up with the next thing.

You can keep the pace slow, relaxed.

I absolutely did this when learning Spanish.

In fact, I remember a car trip I did by myself

from Sarasota to Gainesville where the whole time I spoke to myself in Spanish.

If this is hard for you, stop and give up.

No! It will get better and easier with practice.

Do it every day.

Set aside 2 minutes every day to have a simple conversation with yourself.

Give yourself 30 days.

Do this every day for 30 days. Don't take a day off.

If you have five minutes one day, do it for five minutes.

A whole conversation, as simple as it needs to be, in English.

In 30 days, you’ll see. Wow. I did improve.

This is worth my time.

And rededicate 30 more days.

Once you’re able to do this, I think you’re able to do step 4, which is really exciting.

Change at least one of your everyday life things to English.

Everyday life things?

What's that?

Switch your calendar to English.

Use the English months and days of the week and write what you’re going to be doing in English.

Or do you do to-do lists? Try it in English. A grocery list. Or change your Facebook settings

so that your language is in English.

Everything you see, you've got a friend request, and so on, will be in English.

Maybe try internet searches in English.

Or read an English newspaper, or listen to news in English.

Do you write a journal?

Try writing it in English. Yes! I love this.

Take one everyday thing and do it in English.

Switch your brain.

Every morning when you wake up, before you get out of bed,

take two minutes to think about your day in English.

Here’s another idea of an everyday thing you can do in English:

take one thing like getting dressed, making breakfast,

getting from your car to your desk, cleaning up.

As you’re doing it, in your head, narrate in English.

Laundry day.

That's light, that should go there.

Let's see. Does this need to be sprayed for stains? Yeah.

Better spray it. Al l right, let's load up the washing machine.

That's too light, that should go there.

Okay, shove it all in.

Let's get some soap. Where is that?

Here it is.

Put it in there, close the door, press 'start', there we go!

And here's another one I love: learn how to do one thing in English.

It can be really small, like, how to poach an egg.

Research it and learn about it in English only,

watch only English videos and read only English instructions.

Or maybe it’s something bigger, a bigger project like how to knit or how to draw.

Take an online course in English only on that topic.

Pick something you’re dying to know how to do anyway.

This will make it a super-enjoyable lesson.

The next step is something

you’re actually going to want to be doing all along, with all the steps, and that’s...

keep track so you’re doing it every day.

Once you choose that you want to think English and stop translating in your head,

write down every day what you do.

And of course, do this in English.

It could look like this:

Today I named everything around me that I could think of in English two different times.

I watched a 3-minute news story in English.

Just having a place to write it down can motivate you to do it.

And the last thing is something you can do every night after you lay down for bed,

but before you fall asleep.

Recap your day in English.

You’re taking advantage of this opportunity that you’ll have every day,

no matter where you are or what your day was like:

no one I know falls asleep the moment their head hits the pillow.

What a lovely day that was.

I got to meet my mom for lunch, go for a walk in the afternoon,

and I even had time to watch a movie after I put the kids down to bed.

And who knows, by putting your mind in English mode just before bed,

maybe you’re even setting yourself up to dream in English, continuing your practice.

The brain does amazing things with what it’s learned that day while you sleep.

What have you done to build a consistent English practice to help you start to think in English?

Put it in the comments so others can learn from your best tips.

Which of these ideas is new to you?

Or which are you most excited about?

Let me know.

The next video I want you to watch is one with tips on increasing your vocabulary.

This can help with naming objects, and, of course,

starting to have those conversations with yourself in your head.

Please don’t forget to subscribe with notifications,

I make new videos on speaking English every Tuesday.

That’s it, and thanks so much for using Rachel’s English.