10 Easy Steps to Think in English
Do you want to stop translating in your head and just think directly in English? It may seem impossible, but I promise you can! Like most things, it gets easier with practice and repetition. So, we’ve compiled a list of 10 steps to help you start speaking and thinking in English!
Set Realistic Daily, Weekly, and Yearly Goals
Before you can start practicing, you should set realistic goals for yourself. Think about how much time you can give to English practice and how quickly you want to advance in fluency. Try to set aside a few hours every week, ideally a bit of time every day. Maybe set aside time for one 10-minute lesson a day, try and learn 10 new words a week, or decide to try and be at the next fluency level by the end of the year. Then, you can incorporate any tips and tricks on this list to help you reach those goals!
Surround Yourself with English
This one may seem obvious, but it is easier said than done. Unless you live in a predominantly English-speaking area, finding enough English speakers to immerse yourself in the language can be a challenge. But it is possible! Make a deal with any American friends to only speak English when you’re together (or organize a “language swap” with them if they’re trying to learn your native language!). You can find fellow English learners and make a weekly meetup where you are only allowed to speak English for a certain amount of time. If possible, we highly recommend planning your next vacation to the US or another English-speaking country, and while you’re there, speak only English, even in your hotel room.
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Consume English Content
You may be doing this already, but be more mindful and specific about what language you watch shows and movies in or even what language you post on social media! Set the language to English on your streaming services, especially with English subtitles; listening and reading simultaneously is a great way to train your brain to see, hear, and think in English! You can even set your phone to English if you are fluent enough. Since people quickly glance at their phones, and there is no time to translate from a glance, you will train your brain to recognize and think in English right away!
Keep a Journal in English
Another great thing you can incorporate into your day to practice English is writing a daily journal, specifically in English! If you are an early-level learner, you can just write a few sentences about what you have done that day. Or, if you are more advanced, you can write about how you feel about things in your life, like a normal journal. This is also a great excuse to learn new vocabulary based on your life!
Join a Language Exchange or Chat Room
If you want to practice speaking English but don’t have any American friends, that’s okay! There are lots of online communities of language learners looking to practice as well! You can choose to form a group of fellow English learners and schedule time to speak together all in English, or find someone else looking to practice your native language and do a “language exchange.” Use language exchange websites such as Speaky or Tandem to practice English with native speakers.
Narrate Your Daily Activities in English
This may sound silly, but trust me: Narrating your daily activities out loud in English is a great way to speed up your thinking in English! Next time you’re alone and cleaning the house, doing your homework, gardening, or anything else, explain out loud in real time what you are doing in English! It will help you practice finding vocabulary more quickly and thinking in English. This may be the easiest activity to try because you can do it whenever, wherever, and you don’t need anything but yourself and your brain to do it!
Play English Word Games
Last but not least, the most fun thing on this list! Playing word games is very popular in the US. We grew up doing word searches to learn vocabulary in school. As adults, we do crosswords in the newspaper or play games like “Words with Friends” or “Daily Wordle” on our phones. You can have a cup of coffee and do the Sunday crossword or download a word game app on your phone to play and practice while on the train or bus. Doing word-based puzzles makes you think about words in a different way than just in a textbook. Often, the clues or jokes will be in the wordplay of the question, so direct translation into your native language won’t necessarily help with the answer. It’s a great way to train your brain to think in English!
Conclusion: Start Thinking in English Today!
Learning a new language can be hard work, but it can also be fun! By incorporating one or more of these little tricks, you can work to rewire your brain into thinking in English, helping to speed up your learning. Whether you incorporate a daily journal, find friends to make an English-speaking group, or attempt the Sunday Crossword, you will be thinking in English in no time! Try them out and let us know which of these tips you like best. Happy learning!
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