How to Learn English by Speaking at Home
How to Learn English by Speaking at Home (Apps, Movies, and Friendly Tips)
Why is it important to speak English fluently in today’s globalized world? What are the advantages of learning English through speaking practice at home? Can watching movies, TV shows, and YouTube videos in English help improve comprehension and pronunciation?
In this article, I will address all of these questions and provide you with additional ideas on how to learn conversational English from the comfort of your home.
I’ve compiled all the information about learning the English language at home for myself (since I’m also enhancing my English skills), and now I want to share this wealth of information with you.
This article will capture your interest not only because it encompasses widely known facts but also because it includes INSIGHTS you won’t readily find online.
Mastering the English language in the 21st century is of paramount importance. If you share this belief, you’re among the 97% of students who agree.
However, let’s delve into the advantages of studying English from home…
Contents
Advantages of learning English through speaking practice at home.
Advantage 1: Enhanced Speaking Confidence
Why should you focus on speaking English at home?
So…
Building your speaking confidence is crucial for effective communication.
When you practice speaking at home, you create a comfortable environment to make mistakes…
Learn from them…
And…
Gradually gain the confidence to engage in conversations with others.
Advantage 2: Seamless Integration of Learning into Daily Life
Why is integrating English learning into your daily life important?
Hmm… Let’s see…
Learning through speaking practice at home allows you to seamlessly blend language acquisition with your routine activities.
You can narrate your actions, describe your surroundings…
And…
Think in English, turning every moment into a valuable learning opportunity.
Advantage 3: Personalized Learning Experience
Why does a personalized learning experience matter?
Speaking practice at home enables you to tailor YOUR learning journey to YOUR specific needs and interests.
You can choose topics that resonate with you…
You can focus on areas you want to improve…
And…
Progress at a pace that feels comfortable, ensuring a more effective and enjoyable learning experience.
Advantage 4: Immediate Application of Knowledge
Why is immediate application important for language learning?
When you practice speaking English at home, you immediately apply the concepts and vocabulary you’ve learned.
This active usage reinforces YOUR memory and understanding, making it EASIER for you to retain and recall information when you engage in real conversations.
Advantage 5: Overcoming Social Anxiety
Why is speaking English at home a great way to overcome social anxiety?
For many, many, many speaking in front of others can be intimidating…
By practicing at home, you can gradually build your skills without the pressure of an audience.
As you become more comfortable and proficient, you’ll find it easier to transition to speaking in social settings with increased confidence.
Do you think you can only learn English at home with the help of a tutor? No!
In fact, when I started learning the English language, I thought it was only possible if you attended English courses in a group or had a private English tutor.
But…
Over the past few years, everything has changed dramatically!
And…
So many NEW opportunities have emerged that you won’t even believe it!
So, here are a few of my favorite ways to learn English by speaking at home below…
10 Fun and Easy Ways to Learn English by Speaking at Home
Sing Karaoke
How to turn singing into English practice?
Karaoke is a fantastic way to improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and vocabulary.
Choose your favorite English songs and sing along, focusing on enunciating words clearly and matching the melody.
You’ll have a blast while enhancing your speaking skills.
Read Out Loud.
Grab a book…
A magazine…
Or…
An online article in English and read it aloud.
This helps you work on your intonation, pacing, and overall fluency. By vocalizing the words, you’ll internalize language patterns and become more comfortable with spoken English.
Host an English Night Dinner
Invite friends or family for a themed dinner night where everyone speaks only English. This immersive experience encourages conversations and boosts your confidence in using English in social settings.
Play Monopoly in English
Play games like Monopoly using English instructions and interactions.
Discuss strategies…
Negotiate deals…
And…
Express your moves in English, making learning a playful and interactive experience.
Exercise with Workout Videos
How to combine exercise with language learning?
Follow English workout videos or fitness routines and repeat the instructions out loud.
This not only keeps you active…
But…
Also improves your ability to understand and communicate in different contexts.
Chat with Friends Online
Engage in online conversations with friends in English.
Texting…
Voice messages…
AND…
Video calls can help you practice casual language, slang, and modern communication styles.
Record Yourself
How does recording aid your language progress?
Record monologues or conversations in English.
By listening to yourself, you can identify areas for improvement, work on pronunciation, and track your progress over time.
Cook and Follow Recipes in English
Choose recipes written in English and follow along while speaking out the instructions.
This not only enhances your vocabulary related to cooking!
But…
Also lets you practice giving and understanding directions.
Create a Storytelling Night
Have a storytelling night where you and your friends or family take turns telling stories in English.
This encourages creativity, improves your narrative skills…
And…
Helps you think on your feet in the language.
Memorize Your Favorite Movie Lines
Memorize iconic lines from English movies and try reciting them with the same intonation and emotion. This practice enhances your speaking and mimicking abilities.
Incredible, isn’t it?
In reality, there are so many ways to learn the English language from home that counting them is a challenge.
Moreover, you can come up with your own methods.
And if you do…
It would be fantastic if you could share your ideas with me on our social media handles – LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook!
Find our account linked in this article and tell us about your ways of learning English from home.Â
And I continue.
So…
10 Best apps to learn English (Free and Paid)
OK!BRO
Key features
The OK!BRO AI app provides a platform for honing your English conversation skills. Through interactive sessions, you engage in real-time conversations with AI (virtual partner), enhancing your speaking abilities.
The app focuses on practical dialogues and contextual usage, allowing you to practice expressing yourself naturally.
Pricing
OK!BRO offers various options for English conversation practice, with prices starting from $1 per 10 minutes lesson.
Duolingo
Key Features
Duolingo stands as the most widely used language-learning app, likely familiar to you and perhaps employed to study multiple languages.
The app engages users with 5-minute games to learn English vocabulary and a touch of grammar. Tasks often revolve around translating words into or from English and speaking English phrases into your device’s microphone.
Pricing
While Duolingo offers basic features for free, there’s a premium version called Duolingo Plus, which costs $6.99 per month.
The British Council Learn English Grammar
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/
Key features
Dedicated entirely to English grammar instruction, this widely used app offers comprehensive learning resources. It caters to learners across various proficiency levels, including Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced.
Each stage encompasses 12 distinct grammar topics, providing a structured approach to learning. The app boasts a repository of over 1000 example questions, facilitating effective practice and making the time invested worthwhile.
Pricing
The app is available for free, supported by numerous advertisements integrated within the app.
LingoDeer
Key Features
LingoDeer’s comprehensive courses are thoughtfully crafted to guide learners from absolute beginners to intermediate levels in English proficiency. Unlike many other learning apps, LingoDeer focuses on introducing new vocabulary in context, making the understanding of grammar smoother.
Each lesson is brief and presented through an array of games, videos, and puzzles.
LingoDeer’s approach facilitates gradual progression while ensuring that learners grasp the intricacies of English language usage in real-life scenarios.
Pricing
LingoDeer’s English course offers the first unit free of charge. For continued access, users are required to purchase a subscription. These subscription plans include: $11.99 for one month, $29.99 for three months, $55.99 for a year, or a lifetime option at $119.99.
Grammarly
Key features
For intermediate to advanced ESL learners who frequently use their phones to write in English, Grammarly proves invaluable. Whether composing messages to friends, tweeting, or drafting work emails in English, this tool becomes a constant companion.
Grammarly operates as an automatic spelling and grammar correction tool, functional across various applications.
Pricing
Grammarly offers both a free basic version, which suffices for many users, and a premium version. Grammarly Premium is available at the following prices:
$29.95 for one month
$59.95 for three months
$139.95 for a year
Mondly
Key Features
Mondly is an application tailored to enhancing English speaking skills. Employing advanced speech-recognition technology, it provides instant feedback on users’ spoken English. The app incorporates audio clips featuring native speakers posing questions, and learners are prompted to respond by speaking into their device’s microphone.
Pricing
While Mondly offers a basic membership for free, its premium version is available at a cost of $9.99 per month or a discounted rate of $49.99 for an annual subscription.
Fluentu
Key features
Often dubbed as the “YouTube for language learners,” Fluentu hosts a diverse collection of videos in English, complete with English subtitles and subtitles in various other languages. The added feature allows you to include additional subtitles in your preferred language. When encountering an unfamiliar English word, simply hovering over it reveals a definition.
Fluentu grants the liberty to rewind and rewatch videos as needed, fostering a thorough understanding. A wide array of videos spans various categories and topics, searchable by keyword. After each video, an associated quiz gauges your comprehension, incorporating video snippets to reinforce learning.
Pricing
Fluentu offers a 14-day free trial to all users. Following that, a basic plan is available at $15 per month, while the premium plan costs $30 for one month.
For those opting for a yearly subscription, the cost stands at $120 for the basic plan and $240 for the premium plan.
Beelinguapp
Key features
Beelinguapp presently supports twelve languages: Spanish, German, Portuguese, Korean, French, Hindi, Russian, Turkish, Chinese, Arabic, Italian, Japanese, and English.
Beelinguapp serves as a repository of free stories presented in English, accompanied by translations in your native language displayed simultaneously.
Pricing
Beelinguapp offers a versatile range of pricing options. The free version is robust and suitable for most users. Beyond that, various choices are available:
Individual Stories: You can purchase individual stories for approximately $1 each.
Monthly Subscription: For $1.99 per month, you can access all stories.
Lifetime Subscription: A lifetime subscription, which allows access to all stories, can be purchased for $24.99.
Tandem
Key features
Among the array of language exchange apps, Tandem stands out as a prominent choice, particularly in the Western world. Its concept is straightforward: connecting ESL learners with fluent English speakers who, in turn, aim to learn the native language of the ESL learner.
The core idea revolves around a mutual exchange of language skills. This entails spending half the time communicating in your native language and the other half in English, fostering practice for both parties without cost. Users can engage in text conversations, voice messages, and even video chats, should they establish a trustworthy rapport.
Tandem Pro, an upgraded version, enables users to connect with members in specific cities or their hometowns, facilitating potential in-person meetings, while also eliminating advertisements from the platform.
Pricing
Tandem offers a free downloadable version that typically meets the needs of most users. However, several upgrades are available for added features. For unlimited message translations, available at $2.99, aiding those grappling with reading messages. Tandem Pro, the premium version, comes with the following pricing options:
$6.99 for one month
$21.99 for six months
$34.99 for a year
Furthermore, Tandem offers the option to book video lessons with private tutors at varying prices.
Udemy
Key features
Udemy stands as a diverse repository of online courses, designed to facilitate the acquisition of new skills.
While not exclusive to language learning, Udemy’s extensive array of subjects spans everything from HTML coding and photography to intriguing topics like communicating with spirits. Within this vast catalog, numerous English courses are available, each with its own distinctive focus and strengths.
These English courses predominantly comprise pre-recorded video lessons supplemented by corresponding exercises. These resources are downloadable and can be accessed on both mobile devices and computers. The courses undergo review, enabling you to gauge their effectiveness based on feedback from other users.
Pricing
Udemy offers an extensive selection of courses, with prices that can vary widely. Typically, a well-reviewed course may range between $20 and $200, contingent on the breadth of resources included.
Great! Apps for learning English. Anything else? Yes, of course!
As I mentioned earlier, there are a million and one ways to learn English without leaving your home.
We’ve already talked about several wonderful methods for learning English (karaoke singing being my favorite, by the way), and then we discussed language learning apps.
Now…
Let’s delve into the best movies for learning English.
I should note that everyone’s list will be different. Below, I’ll share my top 5 movies for English language learning.
I must confess that I plan to expand this list further, and I’d be truly grateful if you could help me by sharing which movies aid you in learning English. Just visit our social media platforms and comment on this article with your favorite movies.
My criteria for selecting the best movies for learning English were as follows:
- The movie should have uncomplicated vocabulary.
- The film should be rewatchable multiple times.
So, below is my list of movies that you can use to learn English from the comfort of your home.
My Top 5 best films for learning English from home
Harry Potter (2001-2011)
For English learners, the Harry Potter movies are a valuable resource.
The storyline follows the journey of Harry and his friends, who attend the enchanting Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Within the wizarding universe created by author J.K. Rowling, there exists a unique assortment of creatures, history, and a language spectrum ranging from fundamental English to fantastical terms invented by Rowling herself.
Interestingly, some of these whimsical expressions have even become part of the lexicon for fans. Take, for instance, “muggle,” an amusing insult used to describe those who lack magical abilities.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
For an encounter with a timeless cinematic gem in English, consider watching “The Shawshank Redemption.”
Regarded by numerous as one of the finest films ever crafted, its hallmark is the unexpected twist in its concluding moments.
“The Shawshank Redemption” derives its narrative from a Stephen King novel. The plot centers on the journey of an educated man who finds himself condemned to life imprisonment for a murder conviction. Over the span of two decades, he forges a deep camaraderie with a fellow inmate named Red, portrayed by the illustrious Morgan Freeman. This poignant tale navigates themes of friendship, resilience, and the transformative power of human connection in the most unlikely of circumstances.
Forrest Gump (1994)
The cinematic narrative of “Forrest Gump” unfolds to encompass the entirety of Forrest Gump’s life. Portrayed by Tom Hanks, Forrest is characterized by his gentle disposition and modest intellectual capacity. In this context, “slow” refers to his limited cognitive abilities.
Unwittingly, Forrest finds himself entangled in significant historical moments, including the Vietnam War and even teaching Elvis Presley how to dance!
The film exudes charm and humor, with Tom Hanks’s portrayal of Forrest Gump contributing to its endearing quality.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
“Pulp Fiction” is quintessentially a “Tarantino movie,” a term attributed to films directed by Quentin Tarantino, one of the most renowned filmmakers in history.
For English learners, watching “Pulp Fiction” with subtitles proves beneficial. This approach allows you to pause the movie periodically, jotting down any new slang expressions encountered.
To comprehend the meaning of such slang terms, consulting resources like Urbandictionary.com can be invaluable.
The film not only provides an immersive experience but also offers exposure to casual language use, enriched with slang and idiomatic expressions.
The Theory of Everything (2014)
“The Theory of Everything” falls within the category of a “biopic,” a genre that delves into the life of notable individuals.
This particular English film recounts the remarkable journey of Stephen Hawking, a globally acclaimed scientist. The narrative centers on his profound relationship with Jane Wilde and his battle with a debilitating illness that led to his paralysis. This paralysis confines Hawking to a wheelchair, rendering him unable to walk.
An aspect that renders “The Theory of Everything” conducive for English learning lies in the distinct British accents of its characters.
Recap
So…
Explore our treasure trove of useful insights on mastering English.
Delve into “Common Proverbs: Meanings and Examples” for a deeper understanding.
Don’t miss our comprehensive guide on the nuances between British and American English.
And…
Cap it off by learning effective strategies on how to conquer the fear of speaking English
In lieu of a conclusion…
I would like to provide you with a few tips for learning the English language.
I’m confident they will be beneficial for learners at any level.
Strategies for Effective English Language Learning
- Set achievable language goals on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
- Practice real-life conversations through role-playing scenarios.
- Engage in conversations (with family members or friends).
- Improve pronunciation by repeating challenging words.
- Record yourself speaking and listen to the recordings.
- Monitor your progress and celebrate milestones.
- Reinforce retention by creating flashcards.
- Seek feedback from native speakers.
- Consider structured learning.
- Mimic the speech patterns.
- Listen to native speakers.
- Start with simple texts.
- Enhance vocabulary.
