Link to original video by English Avenue

How To Improve English Fluently || Practice English Speaking || Learn English Through My Journey

Outline Video How To Improve English Fluently || Practice English Speaking || Learn English Through My Journey

Short Summary:

This video details Jenny's journey to English fluency in five months. Key points include immersing herself in the language through music (Ed Sheeran, Adele, Bruno Mars), podcasts (English Class 101, BBC Learning English), language exchange partners (Tandem, HelloTalk), reading (Pride and Prejudice), writing (journaling, short stories), and utilizing online resources (Duolingo, Memrise, YouTube). The applications are improved communication, career opportunities, and building international relationships. The methods emphasized are consistent practice, setting realistic goals, embracing mistakes, and finding joy in the learning process.

Detailed Summary:

The video is structured as a personal narrative of Jenny's English learning journey. It can be broken down into the following sections:

  1. Initial Struggles and Mindset Shift: Jenny initially felt overwhelmed by the task of learning English, comparing herself to others and feeling discouraged. However, she realized the importance of focusing on her own pace and perseverance. This section highlights the crucial shift from comparison to self-acceptance and dedication.

  2. Creating an Immersive Learning Environment: Jenny transformed her room into an English-language haven, using posters, vocabulary cards, and English music (mentioning Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" as a key example) to surround herself with the language. This demonstrates the power of creating a stimulating and supportive learning environment.

  3. The Power of Listening and Speaking: Jenny emphasizes the importance of listening to native speakers through podcasts and YouTube channels (English Class 101, BBC Learning English) to improve her comprehension and pronunciation. She also highlights the crucial role of speaking practice, achieved through language exchange partners on platforms like Tandem and HelloTalk. This section stresses the active engagement necessary for fluency.

  4. Goal Setting and Maintaining Motivation: Jenny describes setting specific, achievable goals (e.g., reading one book a month, watching two English movies a week) and using varied content (TED Talks, cooking shows, travel vlogs) to prevent monotony. Visualizing her future self speaking English fluently also fueled her motivation. This section underscores the importance of strategic planning and self-encouragement.

  5. Embracing the Accent and the Importance of Reading and Writing: Jenny addresses the common fear of having an accent, advocating for embracing it as part of one's identity. She details her practice of mimicking pronunciation from movies (mentioning a scene from "Friends"). She also emphasizes the benefits of reading (Pride and Prejudice) aloud and writing in a journal to improve fluency and expression.

  6. Music as a Learning Tool: Jenny explains how music (Adele's "Someone Like You," Bruno Mars' "Count On Me") helped her learn vocabulary, rhythm, and intonation. Creating playlists became a fun part of her learning process. This section showcases the enjoyable and effective use of music in language acquisition.

  7. Overcoming the Fear of Speaking: Jenny describes her initial fear of speaking English in group settings and how she overcame it by practicing in controlled environments (recording herself), joining online speaking clubs, and embracing vulnerability. This section highlights the importance of facing fears and seeking supportive communities.

  8. Incorporating Fun and Culture: Jenny integrated games, language apps, and watching movies with subtitles into her learning. She also emphasizes the importance of understanding the culture through documentaries, travel vlogs, and even cooking traditional dishes. This section demonstrates the value of making learning enjoyable and culturally relevant.

  9. Utilizing Online Resources and Setting Realistic Goals: Jenny lists various online resources (Duolingo, Memrise, YouTube channels focusing on conversational English) and stresses the importance of setting realistic, manageable goals and celebrating small victories. This section emphasizes the abundance of available tools and the need for a sustainable approach.

  10. The Impact of Fluency and a Spontaneous Trip to England: Jenny discusses the positive impact of fluency on her life (job opportunities, international connections) and recounts a humorous trip to England, where she faced and overcame communication challenges. This section illustrates the real-world applications of fluency and the value of embracing mistakes.

  11. Further Techniques and Reflection: Jenny shares additional techniques like shadowing, using idioms, storytelling, and incorporating English into her daily life. The concluding section emphasizes the ongoing nature of language learning and the importance of enjoying the journey. The video ends with a message of encouragement and self-belief.