If you can increase your exposure and contact to the language, your vocabulary will expand and your passive knowledge will increase. Try the following tips to increase your exposure to English.
- Listen to the radio in English. Even if it’s just on in the background while you do something else, it will help over time.
- Read magazines or books in English. If you want a business focus try Business Spotlight magazine. http://www.business-spotlight.de/
- Listen to audio books. Read the paper book at the same time so you hear and read the words simultaneously. This should help with pronunciation.
- Watch the news in English. Ten or fifteen minutes at a time will give you an overview of what’s happening in the news.
- Watch films or your favourite series in English. If it’s too difficult at the beginning you can watch with German subtitles until you get better.
- Try the Ted.com website to listen to presentations and talks in English. You can watch some with the transcript in English and/or German if that helps.
At some point you have to just speak! Practice makes perfect. The most important thing is that you are not afraid of making mistakes.
Everybody makes mistakes when learning a new language. It’s totally natural and to be expected. Do not let your mistakes stop you from speaking. You will get better, the more you speak. If you don’t speak, you won’t get better. It’s that simple!
- Find a tandem partner in your area where you can do a language exchange.
- Join a local conversation class in your city / area.
- Take a class at the local VHS or language school.
- Work with a private language trainer. Your personal needs will be quickly identified and a personalised learning plan can be created to help you improve in the most efficient way.
I have extensive experience of helping people who are learning and improving English. If you would like further information about how I can help you, please feel free to contact me for more information.
Good luck and have fun learning English!
Louise