How to quickly learn English at home. How to learn English at home: step by step instructions. Watch this video for helpful tips on how to build any good habit in front of a habit developed over the years and fixed by a conditioned ref.

Sealing 31.08.2020
Sealing

Imagine: Today, over 335 million people use English as the main language! Over one and a half billion of the world's population speaks it fluently!

Do you know why learning English online is so crazy popular?

Perhaps, in the fact that such exciting opportunities open up before us, like hospitable doors:

  • travel free in different countries, significantly saving money on translation services;
  • ✔ qualify for getting a high-paying job or career growth;
  • make new acquaintances and connections in foreign countries;
  • ✔ read books and watch movies in the original voice acting etc.
  • Surely you also have something to add to this list!

We all want to be fluent in English.

We all dream of communicating on it and feeling confident and comfortable.

We all know that English is a symbol of success.

But not everyone is able to constantly go to courses or hire a private tutor.

I got to the States without planning to live there ... but when I got there, I had to learn English from scratch! It's not easy, especially when you are over 40! But the desire has won everything and the result is already there!

- Victor, student of BistroEnglish

The real way out is to teach English for beginners online using the author's method.

What are the real benefits of learning English online?

First of all, you can learn this language online both for a fee and for free, for adults and children. Both video and audio lessons. There are no restrictions on age or location.

This teaching approach has several advantages over other methods:

- Studying at home using video lessons, you yourself create a convenient schedule of lessons;

- You can browse online in your free time, without interrupting your household chores or work.

- You can study in a cafe, office, driving a car, airport, etc .;

- You can learn English online both with a Russian-speaking teacher and with a native speaker - all this with the help of video lessons and audio lessons;

- The frequency of classes can also be selected individually, depending on your schedule.

- You quickly memorize new words, expressions due to vivid pictures and video inserts;

- Bright and vivid images in the video course provide faster memorization of previously unfamiliar concepts;

- And, of course, you can always go back and watch a lesson again!

Learning English for beginners online by yourself at BistroEnglish - what's interesting?

1. Online English courses for beginners have a clear structure.

Each next lesson reinforces the knowledge and skills already acquired.

2. The maximum duration of a lesson is 25 30 minutes.

During this time, you have time to effectively learn the language and not get tired.

3. The presence of constant repetition of the passed material, which allows you to remember for a long time all the necessary information of the lesson.

4. In addition to video lessons, there is a mini-course of audio lessons, voiced by both a Russian-speaking teacher and native speakers. In this way, you develop both your speaking ability and your understanding of speech.

I visualize knowledge, it is much more convenient for me to see the teacher / person, for better assimilation of the material. Therefore, I prefer to study using video lessons and, when I have time, via Skype. I use audio as additional material. Everything works great together - every week I'm getting closer to my goal.

- Andrey, student of the program "English in 4 Weeks 2in1"

Like other techniques, learning English fast online involves 4 ways of perception:

Vision. Many people have a developed visual memory, so images contribute to better perception of information.
Hearing. Speaking of a real native English speaker ensures effective memorization of correct pronunciation.
Letter. During the execution of written assignments, the body perceives information at the visual and tactile levels.
Speech. Repeated pronunciation of a phrase or word contributes to the development of muscle memory of the speech organs.

All of the above can turn learning English from monotonous uninteresting activities into a pleasant pastime.

At the same time, the cost of this training is several times lower compared to conventional courses, and the assimilation of knowledge is much faster due to the individual nature of the lessons.

The teacher is not distracted by extraneous things and other students, accordingly, precious time is not wasted.

Everyone has their own reasons for learning English. Some want to move to another country or go on a trip, others strive to improve their professional and business skills, build a successful career, and still others study the language for self-development and broadening their horizons. If you are interested in how to learn English on your own from scratch without teachers without leaving your home - this article will be useful for you.

Navigating the article

Today, those wishing to master a foreign language at one level or another have more and more opportunities. Language studios, courses and private teachers offer their services. It is possible that it is easier to master all the subtleties and complexities of a foreign language with real professionals. But if you do not have the physical or financial ability to work with qualified teachers, you should not despair: you can learn English on your own from scratch at home. Moreover, this method has unconditional advantages:

Freedom to choose a schedule

You don't have to plan your day with a strict course schedule. You yourself determine the time and duration of your own classes and can vary them depending on your employment.

Individual program

Despite all the advantages, the programs of courses and studios are still somewhat generalized and are designed for the average potential and goals of students. Studying separately, you independently determine which language aspects you need to pay more attention to, and select materials and methods taking into account your personal training and the peculiarities of assimilating knowledge.

Reasonable spending

Any language courses involve financial investments, the amount of which depends both on the prestige of the methods and on the duration of the programs. If you choose to study English at home, the cost of studying can be based on the price of the textbooks and online courses you choose - and even then, you will see a benefit.

Comfort

Going to a teacher across the city on a rainy autumn evening, going to courses after a working day, when dreams of a cozy chair and a cup of tea overshadow any ambitious plans - all this can significantly reduce motivation. But if you decide to learn English yourself, you can forget about these difficulties. You do not waste time traveling, you do not need to leave the house when there is no mood or weather. You just grab a textbook or computer, connect to the Internet and study without leaving your favorite room.

All of this is true if you really decide to learn English from scratch on your own, without leaving your home. Without courses, studios, tutors and teachers. Textbooks and online courses can be your mentors - and, as practice shows, self-study can be just as effective.

Note: When deciding to study English on your own, be prepared to show willpower, patience and endurance. One of the keys to successfully mastering a language is consistency, so make sure you have an inner readiness to practice regularly and can force yourself not to be lazy.

And one more small warning: there is no universal recipe for how to learn English on your own at home from scratch. It all depends on the right teaching materials, the frequency of the lessons, the ability to perceive information and your personal linguistic inclinations. But if you are determined to give it a try and are confident that you can master the language nuances you need without intermediaries, feel free to start. By the way, you can watch an animated video in which we tried to convey the main theses of the article.

Watch this video and in 3 minutes you will learn how to learn English on your own

How to start learning English: defining skills

Proficiency in English at any level relies on 4 important language skills. Let's take a closer look at what these skills are and what each of them is responsible for.

Reading

The ability to understand what has been written, analyze and draw conclusions is especially important now, when there is a huge amount of information around that deserves our attention. A complete mastery of the skill means that you can read literary, journalistic and scientific texts in English practically without a dictionary, you can quickly highlight the main ideas and theses in them and even explain them to someone else in your own words.

Writing

Successfully mastering the writing skill in English will allow you not only to actively communicate on social networks, but also to conduct business correspondence, which is especially important if you are studying the language for career purposes. The key aspects in this case are flawless spelling and grammar, the ability to build sentences, and in some cases, knowledge of the basics of business etiquette.

Listening or Listening

It is possible to declare that you know a foreign language well only if you are fluent in listening to it. If you decide to learn English from scratch on your own, you need to give this skill enough attention. Listening to audio and video materials will also improve your speaking practice. A good listening level assumes that you understand at least 65% of what you hear, which means that you can freely communicate with native speakers and perceive important information that they are trying to convey to you.

Speaking

In communication, it is important not only to listen, but also to be able to interact with the interlocutor. A developed speaking skill assumes that you know how to pronounce certain words correctly, build sentences, reason on certain topics, and, of course, have a sufficient vocabulary. That is, your ability to maintain dialogue is implied.

As in any other language, in English all 4 skills are interdependent, and one cannot develop properly without the other. In this case, the answer to the question of how easy it is to learn English is unambiguous: when making up a program of classes for every day, be sure to include exercises in reading, speaking, listening and writing.

Note: Quests for 4 skills do not always have to be present in equal proportions. If you feel that you do not have enough practice in one of them or you are learning English for strictly specific purposes (travel, business correspondence, etc.), you can pay more attention to the necessary skill. But you can't forget about other aspects either: find for them at least 15 minutes of the total class time.

How to learn English on your own at home: making a program


So, you still decided to study English on your own in your favorite room. It remains only to decide where to start. If you really start from scratch, then you will have to start with the most basic - the rules of reading and pronunciation. However, do not stay at this stage too long, and gradually move on to learning other language aspects.

How to learn the alphabet

The English alphabet has 26 letters - 20 consonants and 6 vowels. When starting to learn English from scratch at home, proceed as follows:

  • Start with vowels - Aa, Ee, Ii, Oo, Uu, Yy. Be sure to clarify their sound in transcription - today there is such an opportunity online.
  • Move on to letters similar in spelling and sound to Russian - Bb, Cc, Dd, Kk, Ll, Mm, Nn, Pp, Ss, Tt... This is the easiest way to learn most of the alphabet - at the very least, you will already know what to rely on when reading.
  • Lastly, memorize letters that are not in the Russian alphabet - Ff, Gg, Hh, Jj, Qq, Rr, Vv, Ww, Xx, Zz.

Write down all the letters (both large and small) together with the transcription in a separate notebook and carefully pronounce each of them when writing. This will help you visualize the letters faster - and therefore learn to read more quickly.

How to learn sounds

Most of the letters of the English language have several pronunciation options - it all depends on the position of the syllable and the surrounding letter combinations. You can remember all reading rules using:

  • Special tables that you can find in the tutorial or online.
  • Notebooks where you can record all sounds in groups, including diphthongs (complex sounds of two vowel tones) and triphthongs (complex sounds of three vowel tones).
  • Cards that you can make yourself in any convenient format.
Note: Be sure to find programs that allow you to practice pronunciation aloud - only in this case the reading rules will be fixed in the shortest possible time, and you can boast of the correct pronunciation.

How to improve vocabulary

Experts suggest starting from the following values. For everyday communication, you will need 1500-2000 words, for a comfortable long stay in a language environment - about 5000 thousand, and if you are planning a professional career, the minimum bar will be 20-25 thousand words. But the latter is for a more distant future. In the meantime, proceed in any of these ways:

  • Consistent... Take one topic, highlight its subsections, and make cards with words and expressions for each. Set yourself a challenge - for example, memorize 10 words daily. Stick to your chosen plan. Once the topic is mastered, move on to the next one. Thus, in a year you will master at least 20-25 major lexical sections, which will allow you to communicate quite freely.
  • Visual. Hang cards with their names in English on all the objects in the apartment - the memory will work involuntarily. If you begin to notice that the English equivalent comes to mind when you see this object, remove the card.
  • For auditors. If it is easier for you to memorize by ear, watch movies and TV programs in English (you can turn on subtitles at first), listen to songs and poems, and write down the words and expressions you like. Special audio courses come in handy too.
  • For book lovers. If you like reading more, then you should immediately start by reading and translating texts. Start with the simplest ones, where a maximum of 5-7 words are of interest to you. Over time, find more difficult sources to translate - and you will be surprised at how quickly new vocabulary is fixed in your memory.
Tip: Try to include at least three verbs in the list of words to memorize for the day - they are the basis of the lexical base in English. And do not forget to look into the dictionary at the slightest interest or doubt: for the period of studying the language, it should become your reference book.

English grammar: features and secrets of learning

Determining how to quickly learn English is impossible if you do not have an idea of \u200b\u200bthe grammatical norms and rules of the language. A few words should be said about this separately.

The English language belongs to the analytical type - that is, logical connections between words in a sentence are formed not using endings and suffixes, as in Russian, but due to prepositions, auxiliary and phrasal verbs. Other features of grammar include:

  • clear and consistent word order in sentences;
  • the presence of articles;
  • lack of a grammatical category of gender;
  • special rules for using possessive pronouns;
  • a large number of verb tenses with an orientation towards completeness, duration and regularity.

In fact, learning English grammar is easier than it sounds - just follow three basic rules:

  • Go from simple to complex (for example, from Present Simple to Present Continuous)
  • Try to understand, not memorize.
  • Practice, practice and more practice.

All the basic grammar rules of English are presented in various tables, along with exceptions and examples, so that memorizing them will not be difficult with frequent lessons. Those who master grammar from the very beginning will appreciate the convenience of tables in the process of language learning. And if you find a good collection of exercises and devote at least 10-15 minutes a day to them, you will successfully bring the knowledge "to automatism."

How to Easily Learn Conversational English: Useful Tricks


If you need to speak English in the shortest possible time, but you do not know how to start, just start with the most important thing - what we talked about above. In addition, we offer you some very useful ideas.

  • Listen more. Start watching movies in English, do not miss the clips of your favorite English-speaking bands, add their songs to your playlist, stay tuned. So you will not only expand your vocabulary, but also learn the expressions typical of the spoken language.
  • Reconfigure the mobile phone interface to English - the same goes for the tablet and computer. Choose English-language sites to find information.
  • Look up the meaning of words in the English-English dictionary - the benefits will be noticed very quickly.
  • Try adding to English-language chats on social networks - and discover new things for yourself every day.

Perhaps, over time, you will also have your own secret techniques for learning English vocabulary. Be sure to use them - the more comfortable the methods, the better the result.

Reading texts: which books to choose for a particular level

At the very initial stage, short children's fairy tales are also suitable for you - in order to get used to literary speech and easily grasp the plot. Having passed to a higher level of knowledge, you can start reading adapted literature. A sample list is below.

Level A-2

  • The Fisherman and His Soul (Oscar Wilde);
  • Dracula (Bram Stocker);
  • Mr. Bean In Town (Richard Curtis).

Level B-1

  • 1984 (George Orwell);
  • Three Men in a Boat (Jerome K. Jerome);
  • Forrest Gump (John Escott).

Level B-2

  • Airport (Arthur Hailey);
  • Four Weddings and a Funeral (Richard Curtis);
  • The Talented Mr. Ripley (Patricia Highsmith).

Level C-1

  • Brave New World (Aldous Huxley);
  • Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte);
  • Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen).

Of course, this list is approximate. You yourself can choose books based on your tastes and level of knowledge. However, do not forget to read them regularly - and if you are familiar with their Russian-language versions, it will be even more interesting for you.

Tip: Do not try to understand the meaning of each word - it is more important to understand the thought. Moreover - in the book you have chosen you should be familiar with a maximum of 70% of the vocabulary - so that you have where to grow and what to learn.

So, the alphabet and phonetics, grammatical rule, memorizing new conversational phrases, a little reading and listening - about such parts your lesson should consist. Spread your time evenly between them - you can always adjust your plan if necessary.

Self-Study English Methods

To successfully learn English from scratch at home, you can use various methods, which are discussed below. However, professional teachers advise combining them all - so you can systematically develop all language skills at once.

Books, textbooks, tutorials

Over the past few years, the following textbooks have been most often included in the lists of the most effective tools for self-study of English:

  • Step by Step English (N. Bonk);
  • "16 lessons of English" (D. Petrov ";
  • English Pronunciation in Use (Johnatan Marks);
  • English Grammar in Use (Raymond Murphy);
  • Speakout (Frances Eales, Steve Oakes).

Each of these tutorials has strengths and benefits that make them key to learning English on your own. However, whichever comprehensive course you choose, be sure to include additional materials (apps, online seminars, chat rooms, etc.) and exercises.

Audio courses, audio lessons

Audio courses are great for those who are more effective at listening to information and want to be able to study English anytime, anywhere. We present to your attention 5 of the most useful and comfortable benefits:

  • English in 6 Weeks (E. Smith);
  • “So They Say In America” (English USA);
  • BBC Grammar Challenge.

All audio materials are available for download. Before downloading them, you can read the detailed course description and determine how it suits your goals and skill level.

Online learning

Learning English at home from scratch is not an easy task, so the Internet and related online training can be called for help.

Online English learning services are gaining popularity - and for good reason:

  • convenience - training is possible at any time of the day or night, only a computer is required;
  • cost - online courses are much cheaper than conventional ones, and if you wish, you can find programs available for free;
  • individual approach - the service selects a program suitable for the student based on the results of the preliminary test;
  • full coverage - online courses are balanced and cover all linguistic aspects, including vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.

One of these popular services is the online self-study guide Lim English. A full-fledged learning platform, a simple, intuitive learning algorithm, progress tracking and an extensive lexical base with "live" colloquial units and expressions will allow you to achieve a high level of English knowledge in the most fun way. The service will be useful for all beginners to learn a foreign language.

English for movies, TV series, songs

If you have already reached the basic level, feel free to include films, songs and series in a foreign language in your learning process. This will not only pleasantly diversify your activities, but will also allow you to quickly master lively conversational speech.

Another advantage is that materials can be very different. Educational bBC video tutorials and documentaries, favorite soap operas, songs of pop and rock bands familiar from childhood, and even comics - all this will help you immerse yourself even deeper into the language environment.

Tip: Do not forget to write out and repeat interesting vocabulary - it will definitely come in handy in live communication.

Immersion in the language environment

By immersion in a language environment, linguists mean complete surroundings with sources of information in English and active interaction with native speakers. For you, this dive may include:

  • reading the press - newspapers and magazines - in English;
  • watching news, serials, TV shows;
  • communication with native speakers live, in social networks and such chats as skype or other instant messengers;
  • living abroad with English-speaking families;
  • switching all home appliances and gadgets to the English interface.

This method can be mildly stressful - but its effectiveness cannot be overestimated. Be sure to try this immersion for at least a few days, and you will notice how much freer your speech has become.

Note: When communicating in English, do not be embarrassed or afraid of mistakes. The Americans and the British are extremely friendly to those who want to learn the language and will definitely support you. Even a short communication with them easily removes the language barrier.

So, we have analyzed the basic methods and rules for building programs for self-study of English. In addition, we have prepared a few more recommendations for you - perhaps they will be useful to you and will help you not to lose interest in the language:

  • Be clear about the length of the lesson - at least 1 hour daily. Whatever happens, try to stick to the chosen time frame - and even practice a little longer.
  • Sing! One song in English before class will relax and allow you to tune in to positive - and result.
  • Type or write something in English... Even a small paragraph will adjust your thinking correctly and help consolidate knowledge.
  • Find a like-minded person... Try learning a language with someone else, as a pair or in a group. This is not only more fun, but also more rewarding - you can test each other, and the spirit of competition will play a role.
  • Make friends who are native speakers... Visitors to social networks and online chats willingly make contact and will certainly help you master the nuances of English.
  • Reward yourself... For a week of steady classes, indulge yourself with something delicious, going to the movies, or some other nice little thing. Encouragement is never superfluous.

And, of course, the best incentive is an excellent result. Take small online tests regularly, start reading a new book, or watch a new movie. As you realize how much your English is improving, you will feel a burst of enthusiasm for further improvement.

A little about children: how a child can start learning English

Is it possible to teach English to a toddler or preschooler at home? As surprising as it sounds, in some respects it is even easier. The fact is that a 5-6 year old child begins the so-called sensitive period - when he is especially susceptible to learning languages \u200b\u200band easily memorizes not only words, but also grammatical constructions. If you start studying with him right now, further training will go like clockwork.

One of the problems in language learning for children is little or no motivation. If adults study English with a specific goal, directing volitional efforts to achieve it, then the child most often vaguely understands why he needs it. And if you decide to start teaching children at home, then the key to success for you will be an entertaining, playful form.

Various games and competitions help develop the child's interest and captivate him. The most popular methods of learning English for children:

  • poems and songs;
  • watching the child's favorite cartoons (and then films) in the original;
  • online services with games and interesting tasks.
Note: When choosing materials for a child, be guided not only by his age, but also by the relevance of the topic - find stories that he likes. And try not to overload the baby: as soon as you feel that he is losing interest, the lesson can be finished. Usually 30 minutes a day is sufficient.

As you can see, everyone can learn English on their own at home from scratch. The most important thing is desire, diligence, consistency, system, and, of course, interest. If you manage to find the most suitable and comfortable ways and methods of learning a language for yourself, clearly define your goals and will not deviate from what you have planned - in a few months you will be pleasantly pleased with the results. Spend just an hour a day on your own language study to get closer to your cherished goal. And finally: no bees - no honey, no work - no money! Your flawless English is in your hands. Good luck!

Despite the fact that at school a foreign language is included in the group of compulsory disciplines, few manage to master it within the framework of the school course. Therefore, the question of how to learn English on your own from scratch at home is acute.

You can also learn the language at home without outside help. You just need to have clear motivation and choose the right course of study. This will achieve results. I have a collection of advice that I will present to your judgment.

  • First of all, determine the goals for which you are studying the language: passing an international exam, finding a job in a foreign company, communicating with residents of other countries or confidence in traveling abroad. Methodology is determined by intention.
  • I recommend starting the study with mastering the basics. Without this, it is unrealistic to learn the language. Pay attention to the alphabet, reading rules, and grammar. A self-instruction manual will help to cope with the task. Buy it from a bookstore.
  • Once the initial knowledge is stable, choose the contact study option. We are talking about distance courses, a distance learning school or Skype classes. If you have a strong motivation, and the language learning is progressing well, having an interlocutor will not hurt, since external control is the key to successful learning.
  • While mastering the chosen course, pay attention to reading fiction. At first, I recommend using adapted books. In the future, switch to full text. As a result, master the fast reading technique.
  • Novels and detective stories are suitable for learning. Even if the chosen book is not a literary masterpiece, it will help expand the vocabulary with new words and expressions. If you encounter unfamiliar vocabulary while reading, I recommend writing, translating and memorizing it. Over time, you will see that an extensive vocabulary is often repeated in works.
  • Watch movies, TV shows and programs in English. At first, even with effective and intensive training, understanding something is problematic. Over time, get used to foreign speech and you will be able to understand. Spend half an hour watching every day.

Even if you have recently started learning a language, try to talk more often and do not be afraid of mistakes. Learn to express thoughts, and master the technique of constructing phrases with practice.

Ways to learn English in no time

Continuing the topic of the article, I will share the technique of high-speed learning of the English language. I do not know for what purpose you are learning the language, but if you find yourself on the pages of the site, then you need it.

As practice shows, people find themselves in awkward situations due to poor knowledge of the English language. We have to learn the language as part of the school course, but the knowledge gained at school is not enough for work and communication. Many people strive to become better at this issue.

Any foreign language is easier to learn in a country whose inhabitants are native speakers. But not everyone can leave the homeland for such a big goal. How to be?

  1. If you can't afford a short trip to the States or England, recreate an English speaking environment at home.
  2. Study phrases in the target language every day. Give preference to complex phrases containing phraseological phrases. A proverb or speech of a creative person will do.
  3. Put each phrase on shelves, rewrite it several times, print it on paper and hang it on the refrigerator door or in another prominent place. Repeat the studied material out loud, making the correct intonation.
  4. Surround yourself with English. He must accompany you everywhere. The player will help with this. Listening to music or statements in a foreign language, initially you will not understand well. Later, learn to catch words that will eventually grow into understandable phrases.
  5. Download the original English-language TV series to your computer, but with subtitles. Review the episodes before going to bed and discuss with your spouse or child the next day.
  6. An electronic book will become an assistant in the rapid development of English. Download from the Internet and read English-language works. The e-book provides a dictionary that will help you master complex literature, and the voice function will sound the correct pronunciation.
  7. Don't forget about learning English on Skype. Find a teacher on the Internet, discuss class times with him and communicate within the lessons. This technique has many advantages. You can independently choose a teacher and agree on cooperation on favorable terms. He will offer a ton of interactive lessons based on an individual approach.

Video training

The speed of achieving the goal and obtaining the result depends on perseverance, the level of motivation and the course of study chosen in accordance with the possibilities. Work hard and everything will work out. As a result, you will become smarter and feel free anywhere in the world.

Benefits of learning English


Compatriots are of the opinion that a thorough study of foreign languages \u200b\u200bis inappropriate. Popular films, literary works and scientific works have long been translated into Russian. For the sake of other spheres, areas and segments, it makes no sense to master a second language.

If you are in doubt about the need to learn foreign languages, read the material and find out about the benefits of learning English. I studied it for three years and I find this skill useful. I read, communicate and perceive live speech. A lot of experience has accumulated over the years.

Once you master the English language, you will be able to perceive the world differently. This will not happen immediately, but by improving your knowledge and skills, you will gain a generally accepted perception of the world.

Let's consider the main benefits.

  • Broadening your horizons ... The English-speaking audience of the World Wide Web is larger than the Russian-speaking part. Outside the window is the information era, where it is considered the key to success not only in business, but also in life, possession of a foreign language expands opportunities in terms of development.
  • Watching movies in original ... As a result, it will be possible to enjoy the sound of the voice of your favorite actor, and not the translator who voices the roles. The game of English words and original humor will never slip away.
  • Understanding music ... Popular charts are filled with foreign musical compositions. Knowing the language, you can understand the meaning of the song, feel the composition and get to know the personality of the performer.
  • Communication with foreigners ... Fluency in a language fosters the unification of cultures. People travel and communicate with residents of other countries. It is much nicer and more convenient when you can talk to foreigners. This makes the trip more enjoyable.
  • Opening the path to success and wealth ... After reading a few books about success, it turns out that not everything boils down to money. The success of Westerners is based on the perception of the world and inner philosophy. You can read the translation of such books, but then you will only be able to understand the essence of the teaching. Only the original helps to absorb knowledge.

Studying a foreign language, you discover a huge number of foreigners around you. I like talking to people who have come to Russia from afar. It helps to make friends and makes the world "home". If you don't know the language yet, it's never too late to start learning.

Why is English an international language?


The final part of the article will be devoted to the factors thanks to which the English language gained international status. The English language ranks fourth in the world in terms of the number of speakers. But this does not prevent it from remaining international. History will tell what contributed to this.

From 1066 until the 14th century, England was ruled by French kings. As a result, the structure of Old English has changed. It's about simplifying grammar and adding new words.

Two centuries later, the rules of writing appeared, which have survived to our times. At that time, 6 million people spoke English. Thanks to the English colonies, the number of native speakers increased and the formation of an international language began.

Britain was a maritime nation. After the discovery of America by Columbus, expeditions set out to the South American shores. The researchers were interested in values \u200b\u200band treasures, and so that each voyage ended in success, colonies were formed on new lands. The first such settlement was organized in 1607 in Virginia.

After some time, residents of many countries began to migrate to America in search of a better life. Since they spoke their native language, an international language was indispensable, and the role of it went to English.

The British living in the new settlements brought traditions along with the language. Local residents were forced to speak it. The establishment of the English language as an international language was facilitated by British colonial policy.

British imperialism lasted three centuries, and by the 19th century the country's influence had spread throughout the world. The colonies later gained independence, leaving English as the national language. This contributed to the strengthening of the international status.

Today the English language is an integral part of the world community, economy, culture, technology and science. It doesn't matter if you want to become a doctor, police officer, reporter or financier, English will help you succeed.

Knowing the language, you will be able to communicate with foreign friends and colleagues, draw information from an inexhaustible English-language source.

You've probably already read hundreds of articles on the Internet on how to learn English on your own and for free. Still not able to achieve the desired level of knowledge? The thing is that many offer theoretical advice without backing it up with practice. So we decided to put together a practical self-study guide. In this article, we will tell you whether it is possible to learn English without someone's help, explain what materials MUST be used for self-study and what resources can be used additionally so that you will not be bored with learning English at home. You can save yourself a free PDF that lists all 156 resources, and at the end of the article we will give you the editor's choice - a list of the "best of the best" materials.

Is it possible to learn English on your own

Let's first find out whether it's realistic to learn English on your own or is it not worth spending time and energy on this lesson. Let's say right away that it is quite possible to learn English on your own and for free, because there are thousands of learning resources on the Internet that will help you do this. Why isn't everyone able to master the language at the desired level? You probably know people whose self-study has become a waste of time. Or maybe you yourself have already tried unsuccessfully to learn English more than once?

We can say with confidence that there are only three factors that determine whether you can learn English on your own:

  1. Your desire to learn a language.
  2. Willingness to work.
  3. An effective way to learn a language.

If both the first and the second factor are present, then it is only for the third link - the ability to find for yourself the most effective way to learn English on your own. This article is precisely designed to solve the problem of the third factor: we will tell you how to organize an effective educational process, what materials you will need.

At the same time, we want to warn you right away: self-study is an interesting process, but not easy, and it is especially difficult for beginners. For those who learn a language from scratch, we still recommend using the services. Under his watchful supervision and expert guidance, you will get around faster than self-training. Do you want to walk this path without any help? We have already written an article on this topic "", but it is aimed specifically at beginners. In the same article, we will share resources for all English learners, so beginners should start by studying the first article and then return to this material.

How to learn English correctly on your own

We've put together 6 simple guidelines for you on how best to learn English on your own. These tips are based on the experiences of our teachers and students. To make self-training effective for you, follow all the recommendations, then positive results will not be long in coming.

1. Set a specific goal

All further actions for independent study of the English language depend on your learning goal. Consider whether you want to master general conversational or business English, want to reach the intermediate level, or want to reach the top. You can look at and choose a similar target for yourself. Also, reaching an intermediate level is a great target, and then you will build a good knowledge base. Find out 8 more reasons to get to this step from the article "".

2. Make a class schedule

It would seem that the whole charm of self-study lies precisely in the fact that your English lessons are not tied to any particular moment: you learn the language when it is convenient for you. However, in reality it turns out as in the well-known anecdote. Your conscience torments you: "When will you sit down to English?" And you answered her: “Well, no, today I can't, I'm so tired. Let's never. Will it ever suit you? " Agree, with this approach, learning English is impossible. Therefore, take yourself into a tight knit and make a specific schedule, for example, study for an hour daily or 3-4 times a week for 1.5 hours. Of course, having a schedule will not protect you from procrastination, but you will already know that you have not just “legally postponed the lesson, I'll teach you later”, but skipped it. A gnawing conscience is a good motivator!

3. Select the required resources

As we have already said, we have many sources of knowledge, and such an abundance of useful resources does not always have a positive effect on learning. So, many people decide to learn English and in one day they buy all the available textbooks, bookmark 541 sites for learning English, install 37 applications for learning the language. On the one hand, such zeal is commendable. On the other hand, each textbook and each website has its own principles of presenting the material, so if you study on different resources every day, you risk creating a mess in your head and after a week or two you will realize that you do not know what to do. Below we will provide you with a list of good time-tested resources for learning English in terms of English proficiency. Take a couple of days to choose no more than 1-2 resources for each skill.

4. Look for an interlocutor

Some people think that English can be learned "offline" using only books, audio and video materials. However, it is not. You can read Agatha Christie in the original and listen to BBC news, but what's the point if you find it difficult to speak English. You can speak in the target language only with the help of an interlocutor. Read on to find out how to find yourself a speaking partner.

5. Track your progress

This is an important point for those who decide to learn English on their own at home. Be sure to complete the quiz assignments to track your progress. You can do various online tests, such as tests to determine the level of knowledge. It is important to check your mistakes. It is quite difficult to self-study, so we wrote a help article for you "". From it you will learn how to control your learning process.

6. Don't take long breaks in your studies.

Everyone has days when it seems that there is absolutely no time to learn English. In this case, we recommend finding literally 5-10 minutes and performing one of the exercises from the article "". If you still had to take a break in training, try not to drag it out, otherwise the accumulated knowledge will start flying out of your head and you will completely abandon your studies.

How to learn English for free at home: 156 useful materials

And now we present you with the resources you will definitely need to effectively learn English on your own. You will see the entire list of resources in a PDF file that you can save to your computer for free:

  • Grammar book
  • Those who learn English on their own often complain that they cannot learn English grammar. In this case, we recommend taking an additional one to the main textbook, with exercises on grammar. When choosing such a book, be guided by our article "". Go through the tutorial from the first lesson to the last, without skipping anything, then the material will be easier to understand.

  • A textbook for expanding vocabulary
  • A good vocabulary will allow you to express your thoughts accurately, so try to constantly learn new words. It is advisable to take new vocabulary not only from your main textbook, but also from specialized manuals. A reliable source of the right words will be one of the. The practical exercises in these books will teach you how to use the learned words correctly in your speech.

  • Pronunciation guide
  • Correct pronunciation is necessary for the interlocutor to understand you, so this skill also needs to be developed. If, when studying English with a teacher, you can do without a special manual, because the teacher will teach you to pronounce the sounds correctly, then when studying English on your own at home you will need a textbook. Can you take one of the following tutorials: English Pronunciation in Use, New Headway Pronunciation Course, Tree or Three? , Ship or Sheep? , How Now, Brown Cow? , Elements of Pronunciation. In them you will find many listening and pronunciation exercises.

  • Vocabulary
  • A good vocabulary is an indispensable attribute of an English learner. We recommend using a Russian-English online dictionary first, such as multitran.ru or lingvolive.ru. When you reach an intermediate level of knowledge, start using an English-English dictionary such as macmillandictionary.com or dictionary.cambridge.org.

    Would you like to use teaching aids? We recommend reading our article "", in which we talked about the benefits of using the manuals, and also indicated who can learn English without them.

    Additional Resources

    The listed textbooks are enough for you to improve your English skills, but sometimes you want to take a break from books and diversify your learning with some interesting materials. We've compiled a selection of the best resources for you to help you learn English on your own.

    1. We speak English
    2. To learn how to communicate in English, you need to try to speak it as often as possible. Where to find a partner for communication? On one of the language exchange sites such as italki.com or es.coeffee.com. You will find even more ideas and resources for finding an interlocutor in the article "".

    3. Learning new words

      New vocabulary can be learned not only from the manual, but also using more modern and fun methods:

      • Install word learning apps: Anki for Android and iOS, Easy Ten for and iOS, or Fun Easy Learn English for Android and iOS. Learning 10 words will take no more than 5-7 minutes, we think even a busy person will have time to study with applications.
      • Learn words using visual dictionaries such as online-languages.info or oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com. An association with a picture is remembered better and faster than a single word.
      • Run tests on englishteststore.net and esl.fis.edu. You can check how well you remember new vocabulary and see how it is used in speech.
      • Solve crosswords:.
    4. Improving your English listening comprehension

      Improving your listening comprehension on your own is quite easy. We recommend the following methods:

      • Listen to audio materials:.
      • To watch news: . You can first watch videos with subtitles, and then without them.
      • Watch fascinating training videos and video lectures:.
      • Listen to interesting audiobooks:.
      • Listen to music: .
    5. Improving knowledge of grammar
    6. Remember: without knowing grammar, it is impossible to speak English normally. So let's see what methods, besides the exercises from the textbook, you can use to understand grammar once and for all.

    • Learn grammar using clear articles in Russian: engblog.ru.
    • Run tests:. Performing at least one debriefing test every day will help you gradually eradicate your mistakes.
    • Watch tutorial videos:. Also visit the wonderful resource engvid.com. Check out the videos with the teacher Ronnie: her fiery sense of humor and engaging lessons will appeal to even those who hate grammar.
    • Use apps to learn grammar: Johnny Grammar for and iOS or Learn English Grammar for Android and LearnEnglish Grammar for iOS. These simple programs for the gadget diversify the way to work or a trip to the country.
  • We read in English
  • Reading is the easiest skill to work with on your own. How to do it:

    • Read adapted literature:. Such books can be read by people with a Beginner level and above.
    • Read books in original:.
    • Read fascinating articles:. A small interesting article - the optimal "dose" for those who want to learn English at home on their own.
    • Read the news: Install the Yahoo News Digest or BBC News application on your smartphone or tablet, then you will be in the know and can improve your English every day.
    • Read magazines:.
  • Improving pronunciation
  • Improving pronunciation during self-study is not very easy: in order to analyze your speech and find mistakes in it, you need to have experience in learning English and know exactly HOW all sounds should sound. But this difficulty can be dealt with by using the following techniques:

    • Learn to pronounce sounds correctly:.
    • Practice speaking tongue twisters: on download-esl.com there are tongue twisters voiced by native speakers. Say at least a couple of them every day, and your pronunciation will improve in a couple of months, and it will become much easier to pronounce difficult English sounds.
  • We write in English
  • You can learn to write in English without the help of a teacher. The catch is that if you decide to learn English on your own, there will be no one to check your written work. There are services for communicating with foreigners, on these sites they offer something like a language exchange: you check the text in Russian, and a native English speaker checks your written work in English. However, keep in mind that illiterate people can sit on such sites, so no one can guarantee the reliability of the check. In addition, your reviewer will at best just correct your mistakes, but not explain them. Therefore, if it is important for you to learn how to write well in English, you should think about lessons with a teacher. In addition, the following will help you:

    • Learn to write correctly: ...
    • Work on pronunciation -.
    • Online dictations - dictationsonline.com.
    • We've brought you a detailed, practical guide on how to learn English on your own and for free, and have identified the best resources to help you succeed in this field. Now it's up to you. This path can be difficult at first, because learning something new is never easy. Remember, when you first got on the bike, you probably fell more than once before learning to ride. It will not be easy to "steer English" either, but gradually you will be able to pick up speed and masterfully handle it. We wish you success in your studies!

      © 2020 site, copying of materials is possible only with a direct active link to the source.

    In this material we will try to give you the basics of the English language from the very beginning. If you are still quite a beginner, but at least know the alphabet, then after spending some time on this article, you can learn your first words and start making sentences.

    We have prepared for you English exercises specifically for beginners from scratch, as well as video grammar lessons and many useful links to other important articles on our site that will help you learn. Although many study methods are known today, independent work plays an important role in skill training. Therefore, read the article carefully and learn new topics with us.

    English from scratch: where to start?

    Everyone knows that every language, both native and foreign, consists of words, and words - of letters and sounds. Therefore, if we want to take the first steps in independent language learning and learn English from scratch on our own, we will have to start with its smallest elements - letters and sounds.

    English alphabet

    The English alphabet consists of 26 letters. Some of them resemble Russian letters and are easy to remember (for example, Mm, Kk, Oo and others), and some (for example, Hh, Gg, Qq and others) are not at all like them.

    You can read more about the English alphabet .

    Now is the time to complete a simple online alphabet practice exercise. A letter will be shown in the upper field, and you need to select its correct pronunciation. This is an effective exercise to repeat letters and remember them for sure.
    • [hey / ei]
    • [bi / bi:]
    • [si / si:]
    • [di / di:]
    • [and / i:]
    • [eff / ef]
    • [ji / dʒi:]
    • [h / eitʃ]
    • [ay / ai]
    • [jay / dʒei]
    • [kei / kei]
    • [email / el]
    • [uh / em]
    • [en / en]
    • [oh / ou]
    • [pi / pi:]
    • [kyu / kju:]
    • [ap / a: r]
    • [es / es]
    • [ti / ti:]
    • [yu / ju:]
    • [vi / vi:]
    • [double-u / `dʌbl]
    • [ex / eks]
    • [wai / wai]
    • [zi / zi:]

    Letters and sounds

    When studying English letters, you have to take into account that vowels are read differently in different environments. For example, the letter A can be read as:

    • - plate
    • [æ] - cat
    • - car
    • - hare
    • [ɔ] - what

    In addition, some consonants can convey different sounds in words. For example, the letter C can be read as:

    • [s] - cinema
    • [k] - cry

    English letters can be combined into letter combinations, the reading rules of which at the initial stage also need to be memorized. For example,

    • sh - [ʃ]
    • tch -
    • ea -, [e]

    Usually, transcription is required at this stage, which conveys the sound. Using it, you can learn the correct pronunciation of letters, and in the future, words. But for learners of English for beginners, we made the task easier, and now all letters and sounds can be perceived by ear, listening to material about English phonetics.

    Reading rules, types of syllables and letter combinations can be found .

    English dictionary for beginners

    An effective way to learn words for beginners from scratch is thematic. That is, nouns, adjectives, verbs need to be combined into one topic and taught in context. You can memorize words one at a time, make groups of them, combine them into phrases, make up short sentences. This is one of the most effective ways to learn English quickly and easily. For example, let's take five basic conversational topics and select groups of suitable words for them:

    1. Family - family:

    • Mother [ˈmʌðə] - mother
    • Father [ˈfɑːðə] - dad
    • Sister [ˈsɪstə] - sister
    • Brother [ˈbrʌðə] - brother
    • Son - son
    • Daughter [ˈdɔːtə] - daughter
    • Small - small
    • Big - big
    • Love - to love

    2. Greetings

    • Hello - hello
    • Good - good
    • Morning [ˈmɔːnɪŋ] - morning
    • Evening [ˈiːvnɪŋ] - evening
    • Afternoon [ɑːftəˈnuːn] - day
    • Night - night
    • Meet - meet, get acquainted
    • See - to see
    • How - how
    • Fine - excellent

    3. Appearance

    • Eye - eye
    • Nose - nose
    • Mouth - mouth
    • Hair - hair
    • Face - face
    • Long - long
    • Short [ʃɔːt] - short, low
    • Tall - high
    • Thin [θɪn] - thin
    • Round - round
    • Man - man, man
    • Woman [ˈwʊmən] - woman
    • Boy - boy
    • Girl - girl

    4. About me

    • Name - name
    • Year - year
    • Old [əʊld] - old
    • Live - live
    • Study [ˈstʌdɪ] - study
    • Work - to work
    • Like - to like
    • Hobby [ˈhɒbɪ] - hobby

    5. Seasons and weather

    • Spring - spring
    • Summer [ˈsʌmə] - summer
    • Winter [ˈwɪntə] - winter
    • Autumn [ˈɔːtəm] - autumn
    • Sun - sun
    • Rain - rain
    • Snow - snow
    • Shine [ʃaɪn] - to shine
    • Sky - sky
    Assignment: Learn words from the list, and then complete the online exercise in which you need to translate words from Russian into English by choosing from the proposed options.
    • Mother
    • Father
    • Sister
    • Brother
    • Daughter
    • Evening
    • Night
    • Mouth
    • Short
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Winter
    • Autumn

    In each topic, we have mentioned the minimum number of words required for beginners. Gradually, you need to replenish the topics with new words. The same word can appear in several topics. In addition, you can group words by parts of speech: pronouns, numerals, verbs, prepositions. It is important to remember that it is easier to learn and remember words in context. You can learn 100 more words by reference, broken down just like this.

    On our site you can use to replenish your vocabulary. Words in them are grouped by level and by topic:

    English numerals

    Numbers in English are one of the very first words that are memorized in the classroom.

    • 1-one
    • 2- two
    • 3- three [θriː]
    • 4-four
    • 5- five
    • 6-six
    • 7- seven
    • 8-eight
    • 9-nine
    • 10-ten

    The first ten, which you must know, provides the basis for any subsequent numerals - numbers in the second ten (for example, 16 - sixteen), tens (for example, 70 - seventy) and ordinal numbers (for example, tenth - tenth).

    • 100- hundred [ˈhʌndrəd]
    • 1000-thousand [ˈθaʊzənd]
    • 1000000-million [ˈmɪljən]

    Numbers are memorized as separate words and participate in the formation of compound numbers. For example,

    2341 - two thousand three hundred forty-one

    You can learn more about numbers and numbers in English

    Now go through the exercise on this topic:

    • thousand
    • three
    • hundred
    • forty
    • thousand
    • hundred
    • forty
    • hundred
    • sixty
    • seven

    Times of the English language.

    Even the most extensive vocabulary cannot provide full-fledged communication in English. English grammar is an important part of learning. In order to master the English language from scratch on your own, you must definitely understand the English tenses system. Despite the seeming cumbersomeness and multi-layered nature, this system, upon detailed examination, is quite logical and understandable. A set of grammatical rules will help you correctly build sentences and express yourself in a foreign language. There are nine basic tenses in English - three types of present, three past and three future... These times are divided into three groups - the simple tenses group, the long tenses group, and the completed tenses group. Each group has similar characteristics that distinguish them from each other. All these nine times can be put into a table like this:

    Even when you look at such a simplified tablet, you can see common features and patterns between groups and times. Simple group times indicate regular, routine activities. The times of a continuous (Continuous) group are actions that occur at a certain moment. The times of the completed (Perfect) group are actions that have completed by a certain moment.

    In addition to these main tenses, there are several more that combine the signs of different groups. But if you are good with these nine, the additional tenses will no longer be difficult, and you can easily integrate them into your spoken language.

    The verb to be - the basis of the English language for beginners

    But before you deal with the forms of verbs and groups of tenses, you can learn how to make short sentences with the verb to be (to be). Using this verb, you can call yourself:

    I am Lima. - I am Lima.

    And tell about your occupation:

    I am a student. - I am a student.

    with him you can describe the appearance and character:

    He is tall. - He is tall.

    We are kind. - We are kind.

    subjects:

    The boxes are green. - The boxes are green.

    and the weather:

    It was rainy. - It was raining.

    To be needed to name the age:

    He is 25. - He is twenty-five (years old).

    That is, with the help of one single verb, you can make up many sentences of the main conversational topics.

    An important point to remember: an English sentence must have a complete stem - subject and predicate... Even if in the Russian version one of them is missing. If you compare the English sentence and the Russian translation in the examples above, it is easy to see. That is why people who are just beginning to comprehend the basics of English often make sentences with the verb to be in the present tense with a mistake - they simply forget about it, because it is not in the Russian version.

    The verb to be in the present tense has three whole forms - is, am and are... The choice of the form depends on the pronoun or noun to which it refers.

    Pronouns of the English language.

    Pronouns in English vary by person and by number. If you bring the main pronouns into a table, you get the following picture:

    Singular

    Plural

    Eminent case

    (who what?)

    Object.case

    Will attract.

    Eminent case

    (who what?)

    Object.case

    (who? what? to whom? what? etc.)

    Will attract.

    me (mnot)

    my (my)

    we (we)

    us (us)

    our (our)

    you (you)

    you (you)

    your (your)

    You (you)

    you (you)

    your (your)

    he (he)

    she (she)

    it (he, she, it)

    him (to him)

    her (her)

    it (him, her)

    his

    her (her)

    its (him, her)

    They (they)

    them (im)

    their (them)

    This table will be useful not only for students or teachers, but also for any foreign language learner. Of course, this list of English pronouns is not complete, but at the initial stage, you should first focus on them.

    English articles

    There are official words in English, which are not in Russian. These are articles. The article defines a noun and is of two types - definite (the) and indefinite (a / an)... The names of the articles themselves contain their meaning. To be fluent in English, you need to learn how to use this grammatical category.

    The indefinite article a denotes a singular countable noun that is first mentioned in speech. About him nothing is known and this is one of a number of the same items. A has a variation - before nouns beginning with a vowel, it has the form an.

    If the speakers from the context understand what the subject is talking about or in the previous sentences this noun has already been mentioned, then the article the is placed before it. The use of the definite article is not limited to singular countable nouns. It can appear in front of both uncountable and plural nouns.

    There are many nuances in the use of articles that are being learned gradually.

    A few conversational phrases for beginners from scratch

    With a minimal active conversational vocabulary, and knowing a few basic rules of English grammar, you can compose conversational phrases for some common situations. We advise you to stock up on such common expressions as, for example,

    1. Introduction:

    • Hello! - Hello!
    • How are you? - How are you?
    • I'm fine. - Perfectly.
    • Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.

    2. About myself:

    • I am Lima. - I'm Lima.
    • I am sixteen. - I am sixteen years old.
    • I am from America. - I'm from America.
    • I live in New York. - I live in New York.
    • I am a student. - I am a student.

    3. About family:

    • My family is not big. - My family is not big.
    • I have a mother, a father and a brother. - I have a mom, dad and a brother.
    • My mother is a housewife. - My mother a housewife.
    • My father is a manager. - My dad is a manager.
    • My brother's name is Tom. - My brother's name is Tom.
    • He is twelve years old. - He's twelve.
    • Tell
    • about
    • family
    • family
    • mother
    • father
    • sisters
    • father
    • father
    • sales
    • promoter
    • mother
    • housewife

    Continue with Lim English!

    Having started learning English from scratch with the alphabet and reading rules, we learned to read simple words. Then we began to accumulate vocabulary - we learned words by topic, added numbers and pronouns to them. The rules for using the tenses of the English language and articles helped us to compose colloquial phrases and sentences, as well as learn how to read texts. Next, we recommend learning English for beginners from scratch on your own using. Each lesson you will replenish your vocabulary, grammar rules are practiced by exercises, and video English lessons for beginners are attached to the rules.

    Learning English from scratch on your own on our website is an easy and affordable way to gain the necessary knowledge and learn to understand a foreign language.

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