Warming-up to Study English
Just as there are exercises to help you warm up before you play some
basketball or other sport, there are exercises which can help you warm
up to study English. Here are some simple exercises to help you warm up.
Study English I: Activating Your Vocabulary
Activate your vocabulary by thinking or speaking briefly about the
subject you are about to work on. For example, if you are going to study
English on topics that focuses on vacations, take a moment to think
about your last vacation, what you did, what you enjoyed, etc. This
simple exercise will help your brain warm-up to vocabulary that you are
likely to encounter as you study English about this particular subject.
Study English II: Activating Your Grammar
Activate your grammar by thinking about the general grammar area
before you begin to study. For example, if you are going to study
English grammar focusing on the past, stop to think about what you did
last weekend, where you went, etc. to help activate what you already
understand about using the past. As with activating vocabulary, you'll
help your brain bring up what it knows about the past simple in an easy
way before you begin to focus on studying English grammar in detail.
Study English III: Singing a Song
Before class begins, or before you sit down to study English sing a
song in English to yourself. Make sure to use a song that you understand
and know very well. This short and fun exercise will help your brain
focus on the English language in a relaxing manner. It's important to be
relaxed when you study English! Singing a song also helps activate the
creative side of your brain which can help you come up with more
examples as your practice conversation or do some creative writing.
Study English IV: Typing e a Short Paragraph in English
If you going to study English at your desk, begin by typing a simple
paragraph in English. You can type about your day, your hobbies, your
friends, etc. Anything will do. Typing helps activate the kinetic part
of your brain that helps improve learning through physical activity. I
also recommend typing while you study your English grammar. This will
help solidify your knowledge with movement.
Study English V: A Thousand Words ...
As the saying goes in English: A picture is worth a thousand words.
Help activate the creative side of your brain by trying to describe a
photo or other image. You can combine use this also to activate your
vocabulary by choosing a picture that has something to do with the
subject your are going to study in English.
Study English - Tips for Success
Here are some tips for success to help you as you study English.
Study English Every Day
It's important to study English every day. However, don't exaggerate!
Study for thirty minutes every day instead of two hours once a week.
Short, steady practice is much better for learning than long periods on
an irregular basis. This habit of studying English every day will help
keep English in your brain fresh.
Study English Using Different Methods to Learn
Don't just use one way to study English. Use a variety of methods
which will help all the parts of your brain (multiple intelligences)
help you. For example, if you are learning new vocabulary, create a word
map, describe a picture, make a list and study that, type out the words
five times. All of these methods together help to reinforce your
learning.
Study English by Finding some Friends
There is nothing like having a few friends to study English together.
You can practice the exercises together, have conversations together
(in English!), and, as you study English together, help each other with
exercises you may not understand.
Study English by Choosing Topics that Interest You
One of the most important things to do is to study English using
topics that you like. This will help motivate you because you will also
be learning about a topic you find interesting while you study English.