How to Think in English And Learn From That

If you’ve been translating from your head, like most people do, then you know it’s one tough way to learn a language. And now that you are here, I’m guessing you are curious to find out how to think in English.

While it’s not my native tongue, I’ve been using English as my primary language for the last 2 decades. And it’s one of the skills I’m proud to have acquired, speaking from the heart.

I mean, it connects me with interesting people around the world, pretty much like we are doing right now, right here! English comes with several advantages; more job and/or business opportunities, new friends, and so on.

That’s why I advocate thinking in English. It contributed significantly to my ability to speak the tongue easily. And I strongly believe that it can work for you too. If you are open to the idea, I’m happy to share some practical tips to help train your mind.

Eight tips you can follow to train your mind to think and learn English

Whether your goal is to talk with people, prepare for an exam, or do business, you will only be able to reach that goal faster if you start thinking in English.

It fosters an intuitive understanding of word usage in various contexts, which is vital for having an effective conversation. And that’s especially true in real-life scenarios where language variations matter.

1) Immerse yourself in English

This doesn’t mean you need to travel to Britain, the US, or Australia, where English is the primary language.

Surrounding yourself with the language can be as simple as watching your favorite TV shows or movies in English. It can be as easy as listening to TED Talks, reading a book, or even joining available language communities online.

This kind of exposure helps your mind to get used to English thinking patterns, which makes it possible to speak good English within a short time.

2) Speak to yourself in English

Yeah, it might seem a little awkward to speak to yourself, especially if someone catches you doing it. But I tell you what, it ain’t foolish.

It helps train the brain for the new things you are engaging with, so be sure to practice verbalizing everything you are thinking about in English.

Moreover, speaking to yourself encourages your mind to begin thinking in English, whether you are recounting your day, describing something, or expressing your emotions.

3) Learn English one word at a time

We are not talking about cramming as many words as you can here, so don’t stress much about it. Look around you, and in your mind, start naming the objects you see around you one by one.

Make it a habit to name the things surrounding you, whatever it is, wherever you are, and soon things will start popping up in your head, wherever you are.

4) Describe your day

Another exercise I hear experts suggesting is to describe your day-to-day activities.

For instance, you can start describing your day using the simple present verb forms. Think about things like, “I put my shoes on,” “She works at the bar,” etc.

I also hear people saying that it’s a great idea to make it a habit to plan your day from the mind. Of course, this would need other verb tenses because the skill level is a little bit higher. But that shouldn’t scare you.

Example:

Today after work, I’ll go buy a mug of white coffee at Tim Hortons Coffee Shop. I’ll then take an Uber to meet up with Larry. He has booked a meeting room at the Central Park Tower for 11 a.m. I can’t afford to be late.

5) Create an English journal

Yeah, you’ll want to keep a journal (or a notebook) where you record what you are thinking in clear, concise English. In addition to helping you polish your writing, it also reinforces the habit of thinking in English.

6) Consider using English every day

It’s important that you incorporate English into your daily routine. You can label your household items in English, think about your to-do list in English, or mentally plan your day in English.

Small, consistent efforts like these will contribute to a gradual shift toward thinking in English.

7) Get an English-speaking partner

It’s easier to enhance your English proficiency with a companion, especially if English is their first language. I noticed a huge improvement when I started engaging in Zoom meetings with my clients and foreign friends.

Regular meetings, chats, and phone calls got me a step closer to what my goal was back then: reaching fluency. So be sure to find someone you can practice with to help enhance your English thinking ability.

I remember reading a funny joke and a long string of funny comments on the joke from someone I’m following on Quora. It was a really interesting discussion about thinking in English as a way of improving your skill level.

It’s funny how, of all the places one can look for a conversation partner, someone decides to look at dating apps! Well, that would have been just a joke, but it seems to be working for some people.

But hey, I’d rather you just get a private tutor on LiveXP or your favorite language platform for professional guidance instead. You’ll surely have more to gain.

8) Make use of available online resources

Think of YouTube videos, TED Talks, movies, games, and, most importantly, online language platforms like LiveXP or Duolingo.

They are simply your best chance to speak English with ease. Yes, sometimes you might need to spend money on quality tutoring.

But I tell you what, it’s worth the trouble. With LiveXP, you don’t need to commit yourself fully at first. Most learners consider starting off with the trial lesson and then going for the full subscription after gaining more confidence with LiveXP tutors. And there’s always the chance to check out different tutors.

Thinking in English levels up your English level

Before writing this post, I took time researching online, confirming whether my points were valid and if they were worth sharing. Came across several websites and YouTube channels where professional language tutors share expert tips and advice.

It seems like most tutors agree that language acquisition takes more than just knowing enough vocabulary. It takes more than understanding grammar rules.

You see, when we tune our minds to the new things we are doing, we form a unique bond with it. And that’s how we end up being able to remember the things we think about, in this case, the language.

Final thoughts

Thinking in English can significantly boost your skill level. It’s a holistic approach that combines various aspects of language acquisition, from vocabulary building to enhanced English-speaking skills.

By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you are not only speeding up the learning process but also developing a more intuitive and complex knowledge of the dialect.