R E A D I N G

STRATEGIES
Read as much as possible. Read for fun. Be prepared. Speed up.

Try to read in English as Reading is at its most Know exactly what each type In exam situations you will
often as enjoyable when the flow is of question often need
possible. A little bit every day uninterrupted, when you get is asking you to do. Is it a to read a text more quickly
or absorbed in a good story or multiple than before.
two helps a lot. Go back and an interesting article, when choice? Is it filling in the gaps Practise reading texts
re-read time flies by. It’s no different of a text? quickly: you can
texts a second time and a when you read in a another How many words do you time yourself. For example,
third time. language. If a text is too have to write? give yourself
This helps to familiarise you difficult, if there are too many How much time do you 3 minutes to read 300 words,
with the words or phrases you don’t have? It's a good then give
use of English in real understand, then reading idea to underline important yourself 2 minutes to read
sentences and becomes difficult, it stops words in any 300 words,
expressions. being fun. Where possible, exam question to help you then try in 1 minute. You can
don’t just read for study and focus on the repeat
work purposes, read things instructions. this idea with the same text
that interest you too. at first, but
then try it with different texts
as you get
better at it.
G
Make predictions.
When a question gives you
multiple
answers to choose from, try
to answer
the question without looking
at the
answers first. Then look at
the answers
and check if one matches
your prediction.
Repeated practice.
The more you listen, the
more you will hear. Go back
to a text you have listened to
before and practise listening
for more ideas. If you are
using a book to study then
these can be a great source
for listening texts. Keep a
record of new words and
phrases you pick out – this
will help your reading,
listening, speaking and
writing.

Timetable regular practice. Expand your range.
For example, 15 minutes at
lunch,
15 minutes before breakfast
– aim
for a manageable amount of
time
which you can dedicate
every day
to listening to something in
English.
L I S T E N I N G
STRATEGIES
Practise in chunks. Repeated practice.
Everything helps, but you are Targeted, focused practice The more you listen, the
more likely to be motivated can really more you will
when you are help to stretch your ability to hear. Go back to a text you
listening to something that understand have listened to
interests you, something you main contexts, and can help before and practise listening
enjoy. If you you to learn for more ideas.
like watching films, then new works and become If you are using a book to
that’s fine, but remember in a familiar with study then these
test you won’t grammar structures and can be a great source for
see the person who is accents. For listening texts.
speaking so it’s also good example, listen to a 2 minute Keep a record of new words
practice to add chunk of a and phrases
noninteractive listenings to podcast - then check you pick out – this will help
your practice. understanding and your reading,
Podcasts, radio stations continue listening to the next listening, speaking and
(online), and international 2 minutes, writing.
news websites often and so on. Try this two or
have short audio news items. three times and
Pick out stories that interest then relax and listen to the
you! rest of the text.
N G
To parents.
Use subtitles for TV
programs and films in
English. Your
child will pick up a lot of
English just by listening to
their
favourite shows or films in
English. Try to avoid dubbed
shows
and switch to the original
soundtrack.
In exams before listening.
Read and listen to
instructions - this will give
you information such as how
many questions you need to
answer in this section.
Underline key words in the
questions – usually nouns
and verbs. Understanding
each context will help you
better understand the answer
options. Always read the
question and think about the
person talking and if they are
giving an opinion or
expressing an attitude or a
feeling, for example. Read
and listen carefully to the
example given at the start of
each part, this will show you
how to answer the questions.
Can you predict any
answers? Name? Noun?
Number? Place? Actual
answer?
 W R I T I N G
STRATEGIES
Make Writing a Daily Read, Read, and Read Never Underestimate the Develop a Clear Message
Exercise Some More! Importance of a Thorough There is nothing more
Practice really does make We learn best by example, Editing Session frustrating than a piece of
perfect! If you compare and gaining writing skills is Editing is a part of the writing writing that doesn’t get
writing to a skill like cooking, no exception to this rule. process that is completely straight to the point. Think
or even playing a sport, you When we read, we learn how underrated and that is about what you want to say,
cannot expect to improve if other people write to convey frequently overlooked. Errors what message you want your
you don’t practice – it’s like their messages in the best in your writing are likely to reader to take away with
expecting to become a pro way possible, and we start to take attention away from the them, and make sure that
football player after one adapt our writing styles to message you are trying to that you make this message
practice with your team. those that we resonate most convey and decrease your clear from the very
Try to set yourself daily with. reader’s trust in your viability beginning.
writing exercises – they need as a writer.
not be long-winded and time- Incorporate daily reading into It is also important to think
consuming, even just your writing exercises; The human brain often about your audience; what
committing yourself to writing maybe even make your overlooks certain small do they want to hear, and
a paragraph a day is enough! practice paragraph a review errors during the how would they like it to be
You can even partner up with or summary of what you read proofreading process, so conveyed? Do you need to
someone else who also that day, taking different using an online editing tool, take on a formal, or a more
wants to improve their writing elements of the author’s like Grammarly, comes informal tone? Would using
skills and read each other’s writing style to develop your highly recommended. humour help develop your
paragraphs to see where own voice. message, or should you get
changes need to be made. straight to the point in a more
businesslike fashion?

These are important

considerations that need to
be taken into account before
you even begin the writing
Sit Down and Write!
Sometimes the most difficult
step in the writing process is
the act of actually sitting
down and getting the writing
done. By this point, you
should have a clear plan of
what you want to say, and a
general idea of how you want
to say it.

It may seem daunting, but

remember that the hard work
is now done! All you need to
do is convince yourself that
you are capable (which you
are), sit down in front of your
n0tebook or computer, and
execute your communication!
 SPEAKING
STRATEGIES
Practice speaking regularly Focus on pronunciation Improve your vocabulary
Here is a fact that many Paying attention to the Having a larger vocabulary
learners forget. Speaking a sounds and rhythm of the will give you more options
foreign language is a skill English language can help when speaking and make it
and not a state of mind. One you improve your easier for you to express
of the best ways to improve pronunciation and make your yourself. You can improve
your speaking skills is to speech clearer and more your vocabulary by reading,
practice speaking as much understandable to others. listening to podcasts and
as possible. This can be You can achieve it through lectures, and doing word
done through conversations listening to native speakers, games and quizzes.
with native English speakers, practising tongue twisters,
participating in language and working with a language When it comes to the
exchange programs, or tutor or accent coach. challenge of memorizing all
joining speaking clubs or the new words you discover,
groups. spaced repetition is one of
the scientifically proven ways
to do that. Check out our
detailed guide to the most
effective flashcard apps for
language learners to find a
spaced repetition app that
works for you.
Work on your grammar
Grammatical mistakes
should never be the reason
why you don't practice
English. This is how all
language learners start. That
said, if you want to take your
English speaking skills to the
next level, good grammar is
essential for clear and
effective communication.
When you speak with correct
grammar, it is easier for
listeners to understand and
follow your message.
Improving your grammar can
also help you express
yourself more accurately and
precisely, making you a more
confident and effective
speaker.
To improve your
understanding of grammar,
you can try the following
strategies:
Study English grammar
rules: There are many
resources available, such as
textbooks, websites, and
Slow down
Don't try to speak fast. If you
talk too quickly, it can be
difficult for listeners to
understand you. Practice
speaking at a slower pace,
and focus on enunciating
each word clearly before
adding pace to your speech.
Being understood is far more
important for you as an
English language learner.
Listen to and imitate native
speakers
One of the best ways to learn
to speak like a native
speaker is to listen to and
imitate their speech patterns
and rhythms. By listening to
and then repeating what
native speakers say, you can
learn to speak with the same
beats and intonations they
use. This can help you
develop a more natural-
sounding accent and
improve your fluency.
For example, watch a piece
of a video on YouTube
where a native English
speaker says something.
Pause the video, repeat the
exact words, and do your
best to mimic the intonation
and speech rhythm. Record
yourself and compare the
audio to spot issues for the
best results. Rinse and
repeat.