Resources and methods to improve your English language skills

Knowing English will not only expand your job prospects but also take you almost anywhere in the world and allow you to experience various cultures.

Even if your English level is high, there are some resources and methods that can help you improve. Some of these practices are quite simple, so you can incorporate them into your daily life to further enhance your proficiency without even realizing it.

Keep reading to discover some of the most important ones:

1. Take an English course

There are many subsidized English courses designed to suit your level. The key is to choose an option that challenges you, as that's the only way you'll truly learn.

You might find it interesting to study for a professional certification (such as the English B1) or to apply it to a specific sector or specialization (such as a professional English course for tourism).

The best part is that many of these courses can be done online, making them perfect for balancing with your day-to-day commitments and learning at your own pace. All you need is a device with an internet connection to get started.

2. Practice active listening

Active listening plays a crucial role in improving language comprehension and speaking accuracy. To make it more enjoyable, you can try these two resources:

• Music: You can choose your favorite music genre, but it's essential to have the lyrics handy. If there are words you don't understand, don't hesitate to look up the translation. Reading the lyrics will help you understand what the song is saying, which is very practical for your learning.
• Movies or series: If you're a fan of TV series, you can watch them in their original version with subtitles. It might take a bit of getting used to, but once you do, you'll realize it's the best option. Not only will you enjoy them more with the original audio, but you'll also learn as you go.
• Change your mobile phone language: Your phone can be more helpful than you think. Simply switch the language to English. Your mind will adapt to the language as you need to access various features, and you'll also learn technical English that is very useful in today's world.

3. Speak as much as possible

Speaking is considered one of the most challenging language skills to master, but it's also the one that will help you progress the most in your learning journey. Plus, it's fun once you know what you're saying and what's being said to you.

• Voice chats are very useful for practicing the language with people from all around the world. You can use your usual social media or try some new ones. This way, you can also delve into different accents and their nuances.
• If you're studying English through a course, you'll eventually need to speak with your classmates. However, practice English, even when you're not in class. A good option is to create a chat group, but it can also be for gaming, making fun plans, or whatever you come up with; just try to express yourselves in English as much as possible.
• Another valuable resource to aid your learning is to record yourself speaking English. While it may seem a bit strange, it will help you gauge your level and identify errors for correction. You can try recording yourself several times until you're satisfied with the results.

4. Develop your reading skills

The brain needs some time to absorb the words and expressions of a new language. With some resources, you can develop your reading skills to facilitate learning:

• English books can be a good starting point, especially if you've already read them in your native language. The key is to focus on simpler books to begin with.
• You might want to try comics as well, as the visuals can help you understand what the characters are trying to convey and even learn more obscure expressions.
• English articles on the web also help you discover new vocabulary. The great advantage of reading through this medium is that you can find articles as specialized as you want, which is useful if you want to learn specific English, such as that applied to the fields of law or technology.

5. Don't stop writing

Of course, mastering writing or "writing" is also important. With a bit of determination and hard work, you can achieve it.

The best way is to practice, and you can do that on the internet. You might start by writing comments on blogs; they don't need to be very complex, and you can make them more elaborate as your learning progresses.

If your level is sufficient, it might be a good idea to create a blog in English. This way, you can write content about a specific topic or share things you're passionate about.

This idea is interesting because the topics are interactive; that is, you can create a blog and receive comments. By responding to them, you'll start speaking in English, almost without realizing it.

Keep these 5 resources and methods in mind, and you'll see how your English language skills improve.