Puoi ascoltare questo podcast e leggere contemporaneamente una trascrizione completa sul mio sito speakwithnick.it podcast. Ma prima di seguire la trascrizione ti invito ad ascoltare senza leggere. Con un approccio positivo e curioso, accetta il fatto che non capirai tutto all’inizio, cerca di intuire il significato, poi dopo usa la trascrizione per arrivare ad una comprensione completa. Buon ascolto! 

September is a perfect moment to plan your new routines for these last months of 2024. It’s now time to put into action all those dreams you had during the holidays, like changing your job, redecorating the house … and finally making some real progress with your English!

The great news is if you understand most of what I’m saying, you don’t need any more boring English lessons, you simply need exposure to the language and practice!

So, make the most of September’s energy and take notes about these fantastic, simple and practical ways to integrate English into your life, start today!

1. Choose a new English listening

Do you remember how you learnt your first language as a child? It was easy because you were continuously exposed to your mother tongue for years. The fact is, if you want to become proficient in English but you’re not in an English speaking country, you need to create regular moments where you are exposed to the language. 

Your new language input, your new listening, could be a new Netflix series, a youtube channel or a podcast like this, but make sure it’s something you are really interested in: a passion or a hobby, something you need for work. It’s also important that it’s a native English speaker and one that you wish to emulate, so consider the speaker’s accent and style. 

Youtube is a great place because the videos are usually short, you can slow down the speed and read the subtitles. Once you have understood the language, try ‘shadowing’ the speaker by repeating what they say. Record yourself on your phone and compare your pronunciation to the original. As a final challenge you can try to summarise what you have heard, speaking out loud using your own words.

2. Choose a new English book to read

Reading is another important language input that will improve your English. It will help you acquire new vocabulary, grammatical structures, rhythm and style. Read actively, which means taking notes about the new language, summarising passages and asking yourself questions about what you have read. 

Remember you don’t have to start with a 300 page novel. Depending on your experience, articles, short stories and children’s books are all great options. Audio books that include the transcript give you the extra benefits of improving not just your reading, but also your listening and pronunciation. Take your time and set an appointment for your reading in your diary, just 10 minutes a day is great and of course, if the story hooks you just keep going!

3. Write and speak out loud

If you don’t know where to start or what to say in English, remember the obvious and best place to begin is with your own life! Create “English moments” in your day at home or at work. 

Describing your activities is an important skill. Start by writing down some of the phrases and vocabulary you need. Then make a conscious decision to speak out loud in English on your own or with family and friends about what you are doing. 

Speak with no fear of mistakes, because real practice is more important than precision, just remember that the more you practise the better you will become, but don’t wait to be ready!  I know it feels strange to speak out loud in a different language at the beginning, I remember my first months in Italy, it just means you’re not used to it yet, so persevere. I invite you to enjoy the feeling of producing the new sounds in the new language.

When you start to become more confident speaking about a certain activity, take it to the next level by talking about it in the past or future tense. For example, “I’m baking a cake for Maya’s birthday.”, “Yesterday I baked a cake …”, “Tomorrow I’m going to bake a cake …”

And now, my top hack to integrate English into your life is … 
Join an English speaking community!

You can learn to communicate in English without living in an English speaking country! Joining an English speaking group means you can combine the inputs of listening and reading with the outputs of speaking and writing, all at the same time in real life exchanges of conversation, not boring exercises or simulations of language.

In a group you can overcome common fears and blocks like the shame of speaking English and making mistakes, because you realise you are not alone and that there are other people like you who want to speak and improve without being judged. In a group of friends you are supported and motivated and will gradually build your confidence.

You will form friendships with people who share similar goals to you. Supporting each other and celebrating successes will ensure that your language learning is enjoyable, social and truly effective.

Also regular group meetings provide a consistent schedule, helping you to maintain a steady pace of learning and practice. And knowing that others are counting on you helps to ensure that you stay on target and committed to your language transformation.

For all these reasons and more I created my membership, Second Nature English. It’s a place where practice and real life are one and the same! It’s a place where you have the chance to speak English everyday in a positive community with my guidance. If you want more information about my membership then sign up to the waiting list on my website: https://www.speakwithnick.it/second-nature-english/
The doors will open again very soon!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this podcast and found it useful and interesting. On my website you can listen and read the transcript at the same time. There’s also a language focus to help you with some of the more unusual phrases I use. The link is in the description.

Speak to you very soon.
Ciao for now.