Many people who are learning the English language want to know, “how can I start thinking in English?”
We all naturally think in our first language, to start thinking in English you need to know the words instinctively without thinking about them. We don’t use a language in just one way, we read it, we speak it, we listen to it and we think in it. That’s what you have do with English.
A good way free way to start doing that is to label ordinary things in your home. For example in your kitchen label the kettle, toaster, sink, cooker and cupboard etc.
When you see the words every day, say to yourself in English ‘this is the kettle, I am making cup of coffee’. You will start to instinctively think about those items in those English words.
By writing the words down and using them every day you will begin to remember and use them.
I have been learning Greek and a way that I got my brain to think about the days of the week in Greek was to have them written on a board in my kitchen for my daily house plan and chores. Each day I look at the board to see what needs doing and see the word for that day fo the week. Very quickly I began thinking about that day in that language.
The only way to start thinking in English is to use English.
- Build you vocabulary by reading in English every day even if it is just one page. You could read the meaning for a new word you are learning in an English dictionary.
- Speak to yourself or someone else every day.
- Listen to English radio or a podcast while you are doing every tasks like cleaning the house or travelling to work.
- Write regularly in English not just words but sentences. You could write down a new word you’ve learned in a sentence.
Immerse yourself in the language as much as possible and you will start thinking in English.
Author: Amanda Settle, Cambly Tutor
If you’d like to keep this conversation going with Amanda, give her a call on Cambly or make a reservation with her here: https://www.cambly.com/en/student/tutor/Amanda%20Se