Welcome to this Active English Experience
I’m Nick Simcock

Some days, there’s simply no time for English. Does that happen to you?

You’ve got work to do, places to go, people to see, and a hundred other things on your mind.

But the truth is, you don’t need to find extra time for your English.

This week in ESN, my English-speaking community, we’re talking about small habits and how to make them part of our everyday lives.

Because the problem with waiting for the perfect moment is that it might never come!

So here’s an idea:

Instead of finding time for English, try bringing English into something you already do.

Maybe you enjoy making coffee in the morning, cooking dinner, walking your dog or spending time in the garden.

Choose something you do regularly, and try talking in English while you’re doing it.

Talk in short phrases out loud about what you see, what you are doing, what you’re thinking, how you feel, maybe what you’re planning to do later.

Here’s an example: imagine talking about your mid-morning coffee.

I think I’ll have my morning coffee. I need a break. I can try this new Brazilian coffee we bought. Oh, that smells wonderful. OK, here’s my favourite cup. No sugar for me. Do we still have some chocolate I wonder? Is it warm enough to drink it on the balcony or shall I sit on the sofa with my book? I think I’ll go outside, but I need a jumper.

And that is it! Just a few sentences about an ordinary moment in your life.

Now, here’s something interesting.

When you start speaking, you’ll probably discover that there are things you don’t know how to say in English.

And that’s absolutely fine!

In fact, it’s something very useful

because you now know what English you actually need.

Perhaps you can find the phrase you need online, write it in a notebook and try using it tomorrow.

So here’s your Active English Experience for today:

Choose one small activity you already do every day.

Tomorrow, while you’re doing the activity, speak out loud in English for just two minutes.

Use the English you already have. Keep it simple.

And if you get stuck, don’t worry. Make a note of what you wanted to say and find the English you need afterwards.

Then try again the next day.

Little by little, you’ll build up the language you need to talk about your real life.

Remember, the aim isn’t to speak perfectly, it’s to make speaking English a normal part of your life.

Two minutes. One ordinary activity. A little English every day.

Why not start today?