Today we’ve decided to look at one of the most popular topics discussed by many ESL students. Almost all adult learners work full time nowadays and as we all know, there is hardly any free time left for learning or improving a foreign language.
However, we do believe that motivation is crucial for any type of activity including language learning.
Let’s look at some ways that can be used to learn or improve your language skills in the situation of almost zero spare time:
1) Find and arrange lessons via Skype.
It is the most convenient way of studying as it has lots of benefits for both parties.
• You don’t have to spend time getting to a language school or your private tutor’s house, nor do you have to spend time returning home. Such lessons can be held in absolutely any place where a computer and stable Internet connection are available (your home, cafes, libraries, etc.).
• You don’t have to cancel your lessons when you’re on a business trip or otherwise away.
• All study materials such can be transferred instantly or right before the lesson begins. Therefore, you save money by not purchasing expensive books.
• You can have lessons with a teacher from any part of the world, including native speakers from an English speaking country.
• Some professional teachers record their lessons and send them as an mp3 file to the student who can listen again and again to the lesson.
2) Listen to authentic materials online.
There are loads of websites that offer users to download or stream various genres of recordings like podcasts, video clips, educational video, seminars, etc.
3) Use your e-readers.
Almost all of us have an e-reader. Yes, some people might find it hard to read an e-book as the whole reading experience is slightly different to the one with a paper book. However, advantages of such devices are really hard to ignore: you can download any book you like and as many books as you wish; you can find authentic texts and also their adapted versions, which is great for those who have just started learning foreign languages.
4) Practice speaking and writing via forums.
There are a great number of forums online that provide a unique opportunity to chat with native speakers as well as other language learners. You can share your ideas on learning techniques, discuss topics that interest you and even arrange a video chat and practice speaking skills.
5) Listen to songs and audio books.
If you commute to work by car, you can listen to a CD or an mp3; if you travel by train or bus, you can use your mp3 player and enjoy an audio version of your favourite book.
6) Travel and communicate.
If you love travelling or you have to travel a lot due to your business arrangements, use this opportunity to get acquainted with people and practice speaking with them.
So, now we have at least six ways of learning and improving a foreign language.
What learning tips do you usually use?
Share with us.
Team ELA
