What if you could learn English and have fun without studying textbooks? That would be great right? I mean, I technically learnt English (along with around 400 million other people) without consciously studying it.
There is a time and a place for grammar, vocabulary and writing books, but you shouldn’t use them all of the time. You probably shouldn’t be doing grammar quizzes or vocabulary tests all the time either. You’ll get bored and lose your motivation to learn English.
Sometimes you just need to use English in new ways to enjoy it again (and make some friends in the process). Yes, you might be doing a degree at university, but you should also take some time off from all the difficult stuff.
So, here are five fun ways to learn and practice English without opening a text book!
Everyone uses YouTube. It’s one of the most visited sites on the internet, and it’s a great learning tool.
While there are a lot of decent English teaching videos on there, I suggest that you skip these completely for now. Instead, choose to watch videos about things that interest you. For example, you could watch recipe videos, make-up tutorials, or film reviews. There are also a number of long (40minute +) documentaries on YouTube if you’re feeling really enthusiastic.
Pros:
Cons:
Here I am saying read online reviews, not trust them! But seriously, if you want to buy something, like a book or a movie, why not check out the reviews for it in English. You can either try amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, or just internet search for the product + review.
Pros:
Cons:
If you enjoy playing computer games, chances are you already own a computer, PlayStation, Xbox, or something similar. Choose to join in an English speaking party the next time you play your favourite games online.
Pros:
Cons:
Twitter is a great way to keep up-to-date on world news. You can follow famous people to see what they are talking about. You can also join conversations by tweeting. I use Twitter sometimes, so Tweet me.
Pros:
Cons:
Facebook groups are currently one of the most interactive places on the internet. By joining a Facebook group, such as the English For Study one, you can take parts in discussions, answer questions, ask for help, and much more. You probably already do this in your own language, so join and English one and practice!
Pros:
Cons:
There you have it; Five ways that you can practice English without opening a textbook (though, you will still probably need those textbooks, so don’t burn them yet!)
Sam is the founder and creator of English For Study. He's also lecturer in EAP/Academic English. Apart from making Academic English easy, he likes learning languages, lifting weights and eating good food.