Learning English by yourself – is it possible?

1. Setting Goals

This tip is relevant to any method of self-learning English. Whichever method you choose, it is important to set specific goals that include deadlines. Setting goals is crucial for measuring your progress and increasing your motivation to achieve them. However, it is not recommended to set vague goals like “speaking English like a native speaker within 6 months.” While this goal has a deadline, it is very general and almost impossible to achieve. Additionally, unrealistic goals can hurt your morale.

Examples of specific goals are:

• “I want to learn 30 new words in the next month.”
• “I want to be able to have a simple conversation and introduce myself in English within two months.”
• “I want to be able to write a short story in English within three months.”

You need to make sure that you choose specific goals that are ambitious, but also realistic, so that you can work on them and aim to improve a little bit every day. This way, with perseverance and focused practice, you will be able to achieve them.

2. Self-Learning English Through TV Shows and Movies

Self-learning English through TV and movies is a method that is easy to love, because who doesn’t like to watch a good TV show or movie? But it is important to know that this method is not suitable for everyone. In order to improve your English with TV, you need a basic to intermediate vocabulary in English.

Our natural state when watching TV in English is with Hebrew subtitles. Although even just listening to English improves your English to some extent, in practice, focusing on the Hebrew subtitles interferes with the natural learning process. So here’s a tip: if you switch your subtitles to English, you’ll have no choice but to read what’s happening in the TV show or movie in English. It is important to balance listening to the actors in the show and reading from the subtitles.

Self-learning through TV shows and movies helps you to be exposed to new words and expressions in different situations, to improve your comprehension skills of spoken English, and to improve your correct pronunciation of words.

3. Self-Learning English Through Songs

The method of learning English through music is another great way to develop your English vocabulary and improve your listening skills. By learning English through songs, you can also do something you enjoy and learn English at the same time.

There are several strategies for learning with songs. First, it is recommended to learn based on songs by artists or bands that you already know and love. This way, the learning is also experiential and you have a base of knowledge about the songs. Listen to the songs while reading the lyrics. Found a word you don’t know? Translate it and write it down next to it. This way you can develop your vocabulary effectively.

Another aspect of how songs help with learning English is correct pronunciation. Listening to music can help you develop standard pronunciation in English and teach you to pronounce words and expressions like native English speakers. However, it is important to remember that just as not every Israeli singer is Naomi Shemer, there are also singers in English who do not stick to standard pronunciation.

4. Self-Learning English Through Apps

Today, English learning apps have become perhaps the most popular tools for self-study. Apps allow for attractive learning that feels like a game. In addition, apps allow learning from any digital device and anywhere you are comfortable, while addressing the different aspects of English: speaking, reading, grammar, and vocabulary.

An example of a quality app that combines the advantages of English learning apps and learning through songs is SingIt. The innovative SingIt app lets you learn English with the songs you love, with a search and recommendation interface like Spotify and similar services. The platform includes active learning based on a personalized playlist and at your own pace, and also tests you with short quizzes to see that you are improving. Thus, by combining these two ways of learning English, SingIt has the potential to dramatically improve your English quickly.

Conclusion

Self-learning English is a great way to improve your language skills at your own pace and in a way that is enjoyable for you. By combining different methods, you can create a learning plan that is tailored to your individual needs and goals.