Learning English can be a scary feat for foreigners that are non-native English speakers. That’s why a one-to-one English class at an established English learning centre like ULC is perfect for non-native learners. It means more attention and focus on a single student, in addition to personalised guidance and allowing the student to set their own pace.
Do you feel like you could use some preparation before your next class? Well, have no fear! This post is here to help. We’ll share a few tips and recommend how you can prepare yourself better for private English lessons in Singapore, so that you can make the most of them.
1. List Down Questions
Questions are often the first point of contact for people seeking to improve in learning a new language. While under stress learning and mentally exhausted, you might forget the questions you had.
Listing them down in advance will help you prepare yourself better to maximise learning opportunities in your lesson. In addition, you’ll be more confident and improve your level of interaction in class. One-to-one English classes mean that the focus is all on you, so use it well!
2. Set Achievable Goals
Setting reasonable goals in your one-on-one English lessons helps track the progress you make and introduce a more systematic, accountable way of learning. In addition, it will totally boost your confidence when you meet them!
Set realistic goals depending on the pace you want to learn at, for example:
- Today, I will learn 20 to 40 new words. The lower limit gives you a more forgiving target, while the higher limit is for days that you want to challenge yourself.
- Memorise commonly used words. Most languages, including English, can be spoken almost fluently by learning commonly spoken words.
- Start using the language daily, every chance you get. Speak to everyone in English, even those that speak your native tongue. The more you speak, the better you’ll get.
Don’t be intimidated and have fun! Learning a new language is a lot of work, but a lot of fun. Just remember, non-native speakers speak more than one language. Millions of native English speakers worldwide only speak one.
3. Tap On Technology
We live in the age of technology, so use it! Record yourself practising speaking in English on your phone or a recorder and bring it to your one-to-one English class for feedback from your teacher. Doing so can help you identify areas to work on as you are learning the language and you can clarify misconceptions or doubts too. Or maybe you can look for an online language exchange partner using apps such as Tandem for some free practice before class, and share your own native tongue with someone that wants to learn it.
With technology, the sky’s the limit and the possibilities are endless. You can access language practice apps, simplified dictionaries, and browse social media in English. You can even look for children’s books with audio support and try to follow them to pick .
4. Practice Hearing The Language
Often, speaking isn’t the same as listening, but both are equally important in picking up a new language.
Outside of your one-to-one English classes, you can practice listening by looking for radio programmes, TV shows, simple movies, songs, and music in English. The more you listen, the quicker you will start picking up and understanding words from how it was used.
5. Read & Write Regularly
Read and write whenever you can beyond your one-on-one English lessons ! Children’s books are a good place to start, or find a texting buddy and have text conversations in English.
People vary in their learning styles. Some learn visually and some learn by audio. If you learn visually, find newspapers, social media, blogs, and chats in English. By frequently seeing words on a screen or book, you’ll retain words faster.
Prepare to Master English With ULC
All these tips will have you well on your way to being fluent in English, however the most effective way to truly master the language is consistently attending private English lessons in Singapore.
The one-on-one attention that an English tutor can give you allows you to progress at your own pace, and not have to cater to someone else’s pace. Contact ULC now and let’s chat about getting you some one-to-one English classes!
