10 Fun Activities for Learning English as a Second Language
How to learn English as a second language?!
Learning English as a second language can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be boring. These 10 fun activities will help you to learn English in an entertaining way that takes advantage of the English-speaking cultures from which these activities are derived. From reading novels written in English to exploring the history of English itself, any of these activities can be great ways to improve your fluency and understanding of the English language without sacrificing your enjoyment.
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| 10 Fun Activities for Learning English as a Second Language |
1) Read Novels
Reading novels in your new language is one of the best ways to quickly become familiar with its culture and history. That’s because literature often explores both, so reading through an English novel will allow you to learn about British or American novels. If you’re studying British history, it might be helpful to read some Dickens; if you’re learning American history, Mark Twain is a good choice. Not sure where to start? Pick up Harry Potter or 1984; they're both classics, but also really fun reads.
2) Watch Movies from Around the World
Watching movies from around the world is an excellent way to expose yourself to different cultures, learn about new places and perspectives, and practice your new language skills. Plus, watching movies can be fun! Why not choose something in another language and invite your friends over? A group activity is great because you’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice speaking; plus it’s a great way to share ideas about culture with others.
3) Go on an Adventure
There’s no better way to learn something than by doing it. That’s why so many programs use an immersion method, in which students are thrown into class and forced to use English with each other and their instructors. If you don’t have access to such a program (or are too scared of public humiliation), organize your own ad-hoc immersion by planning to visit places or go on dates where everyone will be required to speak in English. Even if you're not feeling talkative, having conversations with strangers can lead to new perspectives and experiences that will expose you to words and phrases you otherwise wouldn't hear.
4) Discuss Current Events
When learning a new language, it’s important to practice not only your reading and writing skills but also your speaking and listening abilities. One of the easiest ways to do that is by watching current events videos in English. YouTube is full of news channels from around the world that discuss local, national, and international issues. News stories provide opportunities to learn more about different cultures while also sharpening your ability to speak (and hear) American English. Engaging with these videos will not only teach you about other parts of our world but will help you apply all you’ve learned so far in an authentic context. Remember: if you don’t use it, you lose it!
5) Go to a Museum
Going to a museum may seem like an odd activity to do if you’re trying to learn English, but in actuality, it can be one of your best tools. Most museums are interactive and will give you lots of ways to practice your language skills through listening, reading, speaking and writing. Plus they can teach you cultural references that otherwise might not make sense when they pop up in other areas of your life—like jokes or film quotes. It also gives you an excuse to get out of your apartment or office and into an environment that’s both fun and different than where you spend most of your time. Start with art museums (many offer free admission) or even just online art galleries until you feel comfortable enough go out on your own.
6) Practice Public Speaking
When you go out and about, don’t be afraid to strike up conversations with strangers. Even if you’re more reserved, consider making eye contact with others in public places and saying hello. If that feels uncomfortable, then force yourself to say hi every time you pass someone in your day-to-day life. That small habit can make it easier to do so when next you want to talk to someone who doesn’t speak your language. Not only will speaking more help your fluency but getting used to conversing will also come in handy when starting conversations with those who do speak English!
7) Give Talks
There’s no better way to learn than to teach, so give talks. Choose something you’re passionate about and talk about it in front of a group—whether it’s at work or at your local pub. Not only will you have fun (and feel like you’re on stage), but most people find that giving talks makes them appreciate topics they care about more. And, if you fear public speaking, join Toastmasters to overcome those fears by practicing your speaking skills and interacting with others in similar situations. As with anything else, practice makes perfect!
8) Speak with People in English
Go outside of your comfort zone and speak to people in English. Perhaps it's an immigrant from another country, someone who lives or works near you or even at a grocery store. Don't be afraid to try things like I'm not sure if I can get that, which is common in everyday situations. You want to practice speaking with a variety of people because you never know what will come up in conversation that can help you learn more about certain expressions. Even just saying hi and making some small talk could help you improve your pronunciation and expand your vocabulary!
9) Play Games in English
Playing games in English will not only help you develop your vocabulary, it’ll also get you used to speaking without worrying about making mistakes. It's also great because it can be fun and interactive, especially if you're playing with other people. In addition to common board games like chess or checkers, there are now many role-playing games where characters solve problems using language. These kinds of activities encourage teamwork and developing friendships that are key when trying to learn another language. The game can also serve as a good foundation for practicing new words and expressions later on outside of class.
10) Write Essays or Stories in English
You’re an adult, which means it’s likely that you have more free time than kids do. That also means that you can use your free time to practice and improve your English skills by writing essays or stories in English. Some ways to practice include: write emails in English, post on social media in English, and start a journal about your day-to-day life in English. Get creative with it! If posting on Facebook makes you nervous (or if you don’t want people from work seeing what you say), try starting up your own Tumblr site, making sure to switch all of your content over to private.
To sum up
To learn a new language, you need practice listening to it, speaking it and reading it. But sometimes, people feel uncomfortable practicing with native speakers because they don’t want to appear stupid. One solution is to do what novelist Elmore Leonard advised: If my characters are having a conversation in Spanish, I say their dialogue in Spanish. When they speak Greek, I say it in Greek.
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