STOP TRANSLATING IN YOUR HEAD | Tips For Thinking In English

Summary

In this English lesson, teacher Tiffani shares ten tips to help learners think and speak English confidently. She emphasizes immersing in English through media, speaking out loud, using images for vocabulary, thinking in English during daily activities, and practicing during quiet moments. Tiffani also advises avoiding over-reliance on translation apps, using context clues, keeping an English journal, engaging with native speakers, and being patient and persistent. She concludes with a light-hearted story about women's unique ability to understand each other's thoughts without speaking.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Immerse yourself in English by surrounding yourself with English-speaking environments, such as watching movies, listening to music, and reading books in English.
• 🗣️ Speak out loud in English to practice thinking and articulating thoughts in English, which helps in becoming more comfortable and confident.
• 🖼️ Use images to connect English words with their meanings, which can make the learning process more enjoyable and effective.
• 🏡 Think in English during everyday activities, such as cooking or driving, to practice using English in real-life situations.
• 🤔 Practice thinking in English during quiet moments to encourage calm and focused thinking in the language.
• 📚 Keep a journal in English to practice writing and organizing thoughts in English, which can improve both writing skills and thinking in English.
• 💬 Engage in conversations with native English speakers to gain confidence and practice thinking and speaking in English more quickly.
• 🚫 Avoid relying too much on translation apps, which can hinder the ability to think in English; instead, challenge yourself to express thoughts in English.
• 🔍 Use context clues to understand unfamiliar words or expressions in English, focusing on the overall message rather than individual translations.
• 🌟 Be patient and persistent in your efforts to think in English, recognizing that it is a skill that takes time and practice to develop.
• 📈 Remember that immersing yourself in English and practicing regularly will lead to improvement, so stay committed to your language learning journey.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the English lesson provided by Teacher Tiffani?

The main focus of the lesson is to help students stop translating in their minds and start thinking and speaking in English with confidence.

What is the first tip given by Teacher Tiffani to improve English thinking and speaking skills?

The first tip is to surround oneself with English by immersing in English-speaking environments, such as watching movies, listening to music, and reading books in English.

How did the student in South Korea manage to achieve a high level of English proficiency according to the story shared by Teacher Tiffani?

The student achieved a high level of English proficiency by immersing himself in English through watching movies, YouTube videos, and listening to podcasts in English.

What is the second tip provided by Teacher Tiffani to enhance English language skills?

The second tip is to speak out loud, practicing English in various situations, which helps in organizing thoughts in English and speaking with confidence.

Why is it beneficial to describe one's environment or activities in English, as suggested in the lesson?

Describing one's environment or activities in English helps to become more comfortable with thinking in English and forces the organization of thoughts in English before speaking.

What is the significance of using images to learn English vocabulary as mentioned in the third tip?

Using images helps to connect English words to their meanings visually, activating a different side of the brain and making the learning process more enjoyable and effective.

How can keeping a journal in English, as suggested in the eighth tip, contribute to improving English skills?

Keeping a journal in English helps practice thinking in English and simultaneously improves writing skills by organizing thoughts and experiences in the language.

What is the advice given in the sixth tip regarding the use of translation apps while learning English?

The advice is to avoid relying on translation apps too much and to challenge oneself to find alternative ways to express thoughts in English without heavy dependence on translations.

Why is it important to engage in conversations with native English speakers as per the ninth tip?

Engaging in conversations with native English speakers helps gain confidence in English and facilitates faster thinking in English through practical use of the language.

What is the key message in the story told by Teacher Tiffani about women's unique ability to understand each other's thoughts without speaking?

The key message is that women have an innate ability to understand each other's thoughts without verbal communication, which is a unique and powerful form of non-verbal communication.

What is the final advice given by Teacher Tiffani to learners in terms of patience and persistence in learning to think in English?

The final advice is to be patient and persistent, recognizing that thinking in English is a skill that takes time to develop, and to keep practicing despite difficulties.