One of the most common questions
people ask me is:
“Where do I even start with English?”
Today, I’ll give you my most honest
advice. No complicated theories. No fancy formulas. Just the fundamental
truths — explained as simply as a primary school teacher would.
These are the things you must do
to become fluent, and just as importantly, the mistakes you must stop doing.
1.
Stop Depending on Others — Take Ownership
One of the biggest mistakes learners
make is depending too much on others — teachers, apps, or even
motivation.
Think of it like this: your teacher
or app is a GPS system. It shows you the map, the best route, and warns
you about traffic. But can the GPS drive the car for you?
👉 No. You’re the one who has to take the wheel.
Stop being a passenger in your own
journey. Excuses will always exist — busy days, unexpected events, laziness.
But the people who succeed are the ones who learn to act despite them.
💡 Truth: Don’t wait for motivation to take action.
Take action first — and motivation will follow.
2.
Stop Panic Learning
Many people only learn when an emergency
comes up:
- A child’s PTM.
- A boss coming for dinner.
- A business lunch.
That’s when the panic begins: “I
wish I had practiced earlier. Let me quickly learn some lines today.”
But this doesn’t work. Panic learning
is like trying to build a raft during a flood — it’s stressful, rushed,
and destined to fail.
👉 Real learning happens on calm, sunny days. Practice
a little every day so when the storm comes, you’re ready to sail smoothly.
3.
Don’t Chase Fancy Shortcuts — Old School Works
These days, there are hundreds of
apps and flashy methods. They’re fine, but don’t underestimate the old
school way:
- Talking to friends in English.
- Practicing in front of the mirror.
- Asking questions in class.
- Reading books.
That’s exactly how I learned. Back
in school, I wasn’t fluent and even got mocked. But I practiced daily, brick by
brick. One new word, one sentence, one conversation. Slowly, the wall of
fluency was built.
💡 Fluency isn’t luck. It’s a habit.
As Aristotle said:
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a
habit.”
4.
Use the Easiest Tools — Mirror, Phone, and Exercises
The biggest barrier isn’t lack of
resources. It’s your mind. The lies you tell yourself:
- “It’s too difficult.”
- “People will laugh at me.”
- “I don’t have anyone to practice with.”
All lies.
Instead, use the simplest tools you
already have:
- Mirror:
Your private stage. Practice sentences daily. No judgment.
- Phone:
Record yourself. Notice where you hesitate. Improve step by step.
- TV Shows/Podcasts:
Use the mirroring technique. Pause, repeat, mimic the expressions,
pronunciation, and intonation.
- Workbooks & Quizzes: Old school grammar/vocabulary exercises sharpen your
basics.
👉 Learning doesn’t need fancy setups. Use what you have.
5.
How Long Does It Take to Get Fluent?
This is the second big question
learners ask.
- Quick progress at first: In a few weeks, you’ll notice small wins — learning
new words, understanding simple phrases.
- Then comes the plateau: Progress slows down, and it feels like nothing is
improving. This is where most people quit.
But remember:
👉 Language learning is a marathon, not a sprint.
- Sprint = fast, short race.
- Marathon = long, steady journey with endurance.
Real fluency comes in months and
years, not days. Within 5–6 months, you’ll feel more confident. Within a
couple of years, with daily practice, you can become fluent.
6.
How to Maintain Your Skills
Once you’ve built momentum, the key
is to keep your skills sharp.
There are two types of vocabulary:
- Passive vocabulary:
Words you understand but don’t use.
- Active vocabulary:
Words you use regularly in speaking and writing.
Your goal is to shift words from
passive to active through daily use.
Ways to maintain:
- Read daily (news, articles, books).
- Watch English shows or movies.
- Speak and think in English regularly.
Think of English as a knife.
When new, it’s sharp. But if you put it away and never use it, it rusts.
Reading, listening, and speaking daily are your sharpening stones.
Final Thoughts
Starting your English journey may
feel overwhelming, but the truth is simple:
- Take ownership.
- Practice daily, not in panic.
- Use simple tools.
- Think long-term (marathon, not sprint).
- Keep your skills active.
If you follow these steps, fluency
will not be a dream — it will be your reality.
And remember: the best time to start
was yesterday. The second-best time is today.
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