The 10 things the perfect English student does

If you want to be a good English student and achieve your goals, don’t miss this article with the 10 things the perfect English student does.

If last week I was a bit hard on you with the 10 most common mistakes of the English student and offered some suggestions on how to avoid these failures, this week I feel more optimistic and only bring you solutions, not reproaches. Let’s put aside Van Gaal’s attitude (Always negative! Never positive!), and let’s see how to be more efficient when learning English.

What I bring you next is a list of things you can do to learn English more easily, but the order I’m going to follow is not random, okay? Pay attention, because the items in the following list are in ascending order, from the most basic and necessary to the most complex. The last points will probably only be done by advanced English students, which is a clear sign of the usefulness of these learning strategies. So let’s get to it.

1. Find an English language academy or a private English tutor

This is basic, very basic. If you want to learn English, the first step is to find a language centre, online English academy or an English tutor to help and guide you in your learning. While it is true that some people are capable of learning on their own, having the help of specialists in teaching English as a foreign language is a privilege. So find someone who can help you assess your level and knows how to lead you to your goal.

2. Take notes

As I mentioned last week, there’s no point in attending English classes if you don’t take notes in class. Don’t stand idly by while your teacher fills the board with explanations or answers your questions. Also, put yourself in the teacher’s shoes: imagine copying things or explaining something that students don’t know and seeing that they aren’t even writing down what is being said. It can be frustrating and even rude. So, for your sake and the teacher’s, take notes, for goodness sake!

3. Write up your notes neatly

A student eager to learn English, consistent with their learning, almost always has a good notebook where they keep their own grammar guide, personalised vocabulary lists, etc. This is one of the first steps to being a good English student. Bear in mind that no one can explain something better to you than you can to yourself. While the initial explanation may come from a textbook or a teacher, the one you truly need to understand and assimilate it is one that comes from yourself. Therefore, it is highly recommended to have a good notebook with all your notes organised and written up neatly.

4. Study English regularly

Review and repetition, as I said in the last point of this post, is fundamental. It doesn’t matter if what you want is to improve your speaking, listening, reading or writing, repetition and review are essential. English, like any other language, is like the human body: if you do repetitions and exercise it, you will become strong and healthy. With languages, the more you repeat and revise, the better your level will be. It’s that simple! So make sure you review often, daily or, at least 2 or 3 times a week. Otherwise, your progress will be practically nil.

5. Be open-minded and flexible

I put this point at number 5, and it almost cost me not to put it earlier. One of the most common mistakes of poor English students is thinking that since something is said or done in one way in Spanish, it must be done the same way in English; and if that doesn’t happen, they complain and get frustrated and say: «How strange the English are!» Look, foreign languages are not, fortunately, direct translations of any other language, so you cannot expect an expression like «por si las moscas» to be said «by if the flies». And the same goes for other aspects: grammar, vocabulary, phonetics, spelling, etc. Each language is as it is, and there is no need to look for a logical explanation in relation to our own language, so you must have an open mind and be flexible to linguistic and cultural differences.

6. Watch films and series in English

My tongue dries out from saying this so much. And yet, many people still don’t take advantage of it. Come on, how easy is it to sit down and watch a film or a series? Exactly! Simply choose a cool series, put it in English and add English subtitles. We have already talked about how to work on our English by watching films, so you have no excuse. Furthermore, everyone can choose exactly how to do it and what they want to improve: pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, etc. Grab a notebook, put on a great film or series and start improving your English by leaps and bounds. All advanced English students do it, why wouldn’t you?

7. Use apps and websites to learn English

Just like with series and films, there is an unlimited source of online resources with which we can improve our English on our own. Without going any further, we have specialised apps like Duolingo or Mosalingua that will help us a lot to be consistent. On the other hand, there are many websites with blogs and other resources that can be very useful to you. For example, on our Facebook page we publish daily resources: idioms, quizzes, explanations, articles, etc. Why don’t you follow several Facebook or Twitter accounts to learn English while you spend time on your social media?

8. Read a lot, a lot in English

The benefits of reading cannot be overstated, ever. Seriously, reading is great: it entertains, helps with vocabulary, you learn everything, it clears your mind, etc. And okay, not all of us are avid readers, but hey, I’m sure we all have interests: some of us are interested in languages, others in cinema, others in science, fashion, etc. Everyone has hobbies and interests. So find a website that deals with your topics of interest. If you like to keep up with current news, visit the BBC website, or Newsela if your level isn’t very high. If you like science, go to IFL Science. There’s everything on the internet, so don’t miss out on the opportunity.

9. Find an English YouTube channel

Just as we can read about what we like, we can subscribe to YouTube channels on these topics. I, for example, love the ASAP Science channel, because they publish super interesting scientific explanations. Although the best thing if you feel like learning things or watching interesting videos, is to look at the TED channel or website, which is simply great. But really, it doesn’t matter. You can learn with any YouTube channel that is in English. Just get hooked on one that talks about things that interest you, and that’s it. Without realising it, you will learn a lot of English, developing your oral skills effortlessly.

10. Do language exchanges

Language exchanges are the perfect opportunity to get what we struggle with so much in our own country: an opportunity to practise speaking. And the best thing of all is that language exchanges are completely free and have countless benefits for learning languages. Therefore, I recommend you use exchange apps, as they are perfect for meeting native English speakers in your own city. This way, while you help the other person learn Spanish, they will help you learn English. It’s great! If, on the other hand, you cannot meet in person, you can always use a website like italki, with online language exchanges.

I hope this post has been as useful to you as I enjoyed writing it. I believe these are fundamental things that can make your English learning go from strength to strength and help you achieve your goals as soon as possible.

And until the next post, don’t forget to keep smiling!