🎯 Find a Language Challenge of the Week: Embrace New English Learning Experiences 🗣️

Want to improve your English in the comfort or your home or city? Well, look no further!

My advice to you is to find a "Language Challenge of the Week"!

What is a Language Challenge and Why Does it Matter?

A "Language Challenge" is an active interaction with English, or any language you are learning, in your free time. Stepping outside your usual routine and incorporating new English activities in your daily life can and will significantly enhance your language skills! Challenging yourself with diverse and meaningful interactions with English helps you adapt to various contexts and improve both your comprehension and communication abilities. 

Try This:

1. Watch with Variation 🎥: If you watch TV shows in English, try watching with English subtitles or without any subtitles to enhance listening and comprehension.

2. Language Exchange 💬: Attend a language exchange event in your area and practice conversational English with native speakers.

3. Recipe Reading 🍽️: Cook a meal using a recipe written in English to practice reading comprehension and following instructions.

4. Device Settings 📱: Switch your phone's language to English for a day to immerse yourself in everyday English usage.

5. Social Media 📲: Watch English YouTube videos or follow English-speaking influencers to familiarize yourself with colloquial expressions.

6. Podcasts & Music 🎵: Listen to English-speaking podcasts or an English music playlist to improve your listening skills.

7. Read Articles 📰: Find an article on a topic that interests you on an English news site or blog, and read it to practice understanding different writing styles.

An Example in Action

Imagine you normally read news articles in your native language. This week, try reading an article from an English news website about a topic you are passionate about. In doing this, you are exposing yourself to new vocabulary and phrasing in a familiar context, making it easier to understand and retain.

Additional Tip

Document your new vocabulary or interesting expressions you encounter during these activities in a journal. Review and use them in sentences to reinforce your learning.

Helpful Tools

• Facebook – Find language exchange groups in your city. In Toulouse, there is the Blabla Language Exchange that is often posting about upcoming events to do just this. (another post to come on language exchanges very soon!) 

• BBC Good Food – English recipes to try.

• Spotify – Explore English podcasts and playlists. One of my favorites is The Daily! 

• Medium – Read engaging and interesting articles and opinions on diverse topics in English.

Engage

What new English challenge are you taking on this week? Share your experiences and any new discoveries in the comments!