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Step 1
Find a source for ESL materials. Local school districts may offer free night classes for immigrants that allow you to attend once a week and complete the assignments on your own time. Free resources are available online at sites such as UsingEnglish.com, where you can find worksheets, quizzes and vocabulary-building exercises at no cost.
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Step 2
Choose several new words in the morning and plan to use them in conversation that day. Select words and phrases that you are likely to hear during the course of your day. For instance, if you work in construction, choose words that allow you to communicate with your boss, such as “frame, concrete, nail gun, ladder, install, window, drywall, studs, level and shingles.” Write your word list on a piece of paper and check it throughout the day.
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Step 3
Surround yourself with English-speaking people. This might take you out of your comfort zone but it is the quickest way to learn ESL. By communicating in English, even if you don’t understand everything, your brain begins adapt to the structure of the language and you begin to recognize common phrases and idioms.
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Step 4
Speak English at home. Talk to your family in English even if you’re unsure about what you are saying. You can repeat the phrase in your native language if you need to, but say it first in English and insist that the rest of your family follow the same plan.
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Step 5
Get out of the house after work and interact with people who speak English. Take the children to a park or go grocery shopping. Listen to the conversations around you and join in when you can. Ask store clerks for a specific product to boost your ESL skills and encourage your children to do the same.
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Step 6
Give it time. Learning to speak English is a major accomplishment and it doesn’t happen overnight. You will make mistakes along the way but each time you correct a mistake, you’re a step closer to speaking fluent English.
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Step 7
Join an online ESL support forum to interact with others who are learning English. Having a network where you can share your ideas and experiences and blow off steam every now and then helps you stay motivated. UsingEnglish.com provides a message board you can access by clicking on “Forums” in the top menu bar.
