Getting involved in English learning is a huge part of understanding the language. You can't say you've done it until you've done it! Check out these Helpful Hints so that you can say that you've done it!

Getting Involved Hint 1: Remember; learning is not a spectator sport. You see, when we watch a game of basketball, we’re spectators, and we must stay in the stands. We can’t jump onto the court and try to take on (Yao Ming) or they’d remove us from the stadium!
Learning is different. Learning is most effective when we are involved. It doesn’t matter how you learn English, whether it be on the internet, in a classroom or with a tutor, to get the maximum benefit from the activities, you must get involved!

Getting Involved Hint 2: Be proactive – get out there and practise your English! You will get lots more practise if you go out and look for it rather than wait for it to come to you.

Getting Involved Hint 3: Organise a dinner party or a lunch with other English learners. At the get-together, talk about learning English and share your English stories. Not only are you hearing how other people are learning and getting ideas but you are actively practising your English.

Getting Involved Hint 4: You may have heard the term “Practice makes perfect”. That’s not entirely true. If you are practicing something incorrectly then you will never be perfect at it no matter how much time you spend practicing. E.g. If you are practising saying a word incorrectly then no how matter how many times you say it incorrectly, you will never have perfect pronunciation of that word. Adopt the phrase “perfect practice makes perfect”.

Getting Involved Hint 5: Get involved in English groups. Practice your English speaking in a fun and engaging environment. Can’t find an English group? Maybe you should think about starting one yourself.

Getting Involved Hint 6: Get creative! Exercise your brain and get your creative thought processes flowing with games and thought challenges. E.g. find-a-word games, word-last-letter game.

Getting Involved Hint 7: Subscribe to The Monthly ESL Newsletter. It provides lots of up-to-date information about English events and all things to do with learning the language. Best of all, it’s free. Click here to sign up.

Getting Involved Hint 8: Find someone to study with, even if it is tutor. Two brains are always better than one and chances are you will benefit much more if you’re learning with someone else. You can bounce ideas around and solve problems that may have taken you a lot longer with someone else there.

Getting Involved Hint 9: Offer to help a friend or relative with their English. Teaching helps to give you a greater understanding of the topic that you are teaching.

Getting Involved Hint 10: Learn from a range of sources. Not one source can teach you all there is to know. Seek out multiple sources to gain a greater awareness of the English language. 

Getting Involved Hint 11: Learn using different methods. One method may be good for one language point, but completely useless for a different point. Find out what works for you.

Getting Involved Hint 12: Find a mentor. Finding a mentor will help you set your goals as well as giving you an idea as to how to achieve them. A mentor can also help you avoid failure because they have already taken the journey to learn English. 

Getting Involved Hint 13: Be hungry for knowledge. Being eager to learn can benefit you in 3 main ways:  

1. You will find learning easier and you will have more fun
2. People will be more willing to help you. It’s true; if you want to learn it will be easier to find people who want to help you.
3. You will save time because you have more help and you are having fun.

What are you waiting for? Start getting involved and experience all that Simply ESL has to offer!