7 Practical Tips for Thinking in English to Enhance Your Fluency
Do you feel happy with your fluency in English? Have you ever stopped to think about your approach to thinking in English? In today's post, I'm going to share some practical tips on how to start thinking in English to enhance your fluency.
Tip 1: Use an English-to-English Dictionary
When you encounter a new word in English, look it up in an English-to-English dictionary instead of immediately translating it into your native language. Read the definition, including synonyms and examples of usage, to get a sense of how the word is used in English. This helps reduce the habit of translating in your head.
Tip 2: Create Mind Maps
After looking up a word's definition and getting a sense of it, write the word down. If you have time, create a mind map around the word using English words you already know. While you don't have to do this with every new word, focus on words that are relevant to you and your life. Avoid writing definitions in your native language; keep everything in English. You can add synonyms, draw pictures, or doodle with the word, but try to keep it all in English. Brainstorm related words and play word association games to reinforce your learning.
Tip 3: Think in Simple English Sentences
Get into the habit of using any opportunity to think in simple English sentences. Start by describing your surroundings or daily activities in English. It can be as simple as "I am brushing my teeth" or "The sky is blue." Gradually, you'll get used to forming thoughts in English. Don't worry about finding the perfect word; use the English you already know and put it into sentences. Remember, it's not about perfection—nobody can see inside your head and correct you.
Tip 4: Immerse Yourself in English
Surround yourself with the English language. The time I felt most fluent in my second language, Spanish, was when I was living in Spain for a short period. While you might not be able to live in an English-speaking country, you can surround yourself with English books, films, music, and other materials. Change the settings on your phone to English. This daily exposure will help you get used to the sounds, rhythm, and structure of the language.
Tip 5: Label Your Environment
Invest in lots of Post-it notes and start labeling your environment. Initially, you can use basic vocabulary for objects in your house. Get creative and use groups of words or even sentences to label your surroundings. This helps reinforce vocabulary and makes learning more interactive.
Tip 6: Engage in Self-Talk
Have conversations with yourself. I often talk about habit formation, and self-talk is a habit that's very useful to develop. Every morning, ask yourself how you are feeling. For example, "How am I feeling this morning? I have a lot to do today. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed." The purpose isn't to form perfectly constructed sentences but to get into the habit of asking yourself questions in English and replying without translating or overthinking.
Tip 7: Keep an English Journal
In the 1990s, Julia Cameron wrote a book called The Artist's Way, in which she explored how journaling can unlock creativity. She proposed a technique called morning pages, where every morning, she would write down her thoughts in a stream-of-consciousness fashion. This technique can also be used to unlock English or any second language. Write down your thoughts as they pop into your head to improve your fluency and creativity.