How to Think in English Faster: 10 Easy Techniques
How to Think in English Faster: 10 Easy Techniques
Hello everyone,
Learning English can be tough, but don’t worry – you’re not the only one who finds it hard to keep up with conversations or share your ideas quickly.
Many people who are learning a new language struggle with thinking in that language, especially when it’s English.
The good news is, if you use the right methods and practice regularly, you can teach your brain to think in English more easily and effectively.
In this guide, I’ll go over ten simple techniques to help you think in English faster and boost your language abilities.
Immerse Yourself in English
One of the most effective ways to start thinking in English faster is to surround yourself with the language as much as possible.
This technique, known as immersion, helps your brain become more accustomed to processing English naturally.
Here are some ways to immerse yourself in English:
a) Watch English movies and TV shows:
Start with subtitles in your native language, then switch to English subtitles, and finally try watching without any subtitles.
b) Listen to English podcasts and radio shows:
Choose topics that interest you to make the learning process more enjoyable.
c) Read English books, newspapers, and websites:
Begin with simpler texts and gradually increase the difficulty level.
d) Change your phone and computer settings to English:
This will force you to interact with English throughout your day.
e) Follow English-speaking influencers and personalities on social media:
This exposes you to everyday English usage and current slang.
By constantly exposing yourself to English, you’ll start to internalize the language patterns and structures, making it easier to think in English without consciously translating from your native language.
Practice Internal Monologue
Internal monologue, or self-talk, is the inner voice we all have in our heads.
Training yourself to conduct this internal dialogue in English can significantly boost your ability to think in the language.
Try these exercises to develop your English internal monologue:
a) Narrate your daily activities in English:
As you go about your day, describe what you’re doing in English. For example, “I’m walking to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee.”
b) Express your thoughts and feelings in English:
When you experience emotions or have opinions about something, try to formulate them in English.
When you wake up, go through your to-do list in English.
Before going to bed, summarize the events of your day in English.
By consistently practicing internal monologue in English, you’ll find that your thoughts naturally start to form in the language, making it easier to express yourself when speaking.
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Use English-to-English Dictionaries and Thesauruses
When learning new vocabulary or trying to understand unfamiliar words, it’s tempting to use bilingual dictionaries that translate between your native language and English.
However, using English-to-English dictionaries and thesauruses can help you think in English more directly.
Benefits of using English-to-English resources:
a) Builds connections between English words and concepts:
Instead of relying on translations, you learn to understand English words in the context of other English words.
b) Expands your vocabulary:
You often encounter new words in definitions and synonyms, naturally broadening your lexicon.
c) Improves your ability to explain concepts in English:
By reading and understanding English definitions, you practice expressing ideas using only English words.
d) Enhances your understanding of nuances:
Thesauruses help you grasp the subtle differences between similar words, improving your precision in English.
Start by using learner’s dictionaries, which use simpler language in their definitions.
As your skills improve, graduate to more advanced dictionaries and thesauruses.
Play Word Association Games
Word association games are an excellent way to strengthen the connections between English words in your mind and improve your ability to think quickly in the language.
Here are some word association exercises you can try:
a) Rapid-fire associations:
Choose a word and quickly list as many related words as you can in 30 seconds.
For example, if the word is “beach,” you might think of sand, waves, sun, swimsuit, sunscreen, etc.
b) Category chains:
Pick a category (e.g., animals) and create a chain where each new word starts with the last letter of the previous word.
For example: Dog – Giraffe – Elephant – Tiger – Rabbit…
c) Odd one out:
List four words where three are related, and one doesn’t belong. Explain in English why the odd word doesn’t fit.
For example: Apple, Banana, Carrot, Orange (Carrot is a vegetable, while the others are fruits).
d) Word connections:
Choose two random words and try to connect them using other words or concepts.
For example, connecting “book” and “moon” might lead to: book – story – fantasy – space – moon.
These games help you create mental pathways between English words and concepts, making it easier to access vocabulary and ideas when you need them.
Think in Chunks, Not Individual Words
One common mistake language learners make is trying to translate word-for-word from their native language to English.
This approach is slow and often leads to unnatural-sounding English.
Instead, focus on thinking in chunks or phrases.
Benefits of thinking in chunks:
a) Improves fluency:
You can express ideas more quickly and naturally.
b) Enhances comprehension:
Understanding phrases as units helps you grasp meaning more efficiently.
c) Reduces the mental effort of translation:
You start to internalize English expressions rather than constructing sentences from individual words.
d) Helps with idiomatic expressions:
Many English phrases can’t be translated literally, so learning them as chunks is essential.
To practice thinking in chunks:
a) Learn common phrases and collocations:
For example, instead of learning “heavy” and “rain” separately, learn “heavy rain” as a unit.
b) Study phrasal verbs:
These are essential in English and often don’t have direct translations in other languages.
c) Memorize idioms and proverbs:
These are excellent examples of how English uses chunks to express ideas.
d) Notice sentence starters and transitions:
Pay attention to how native speakers begin sentences and connect ideas.
By focusing on chunks, you’ll find that your English becomes more natural, and your thinking process becomes faster.
Develop a Growth Mindset
Your attitude towards learning English can significantly impact your ability to think in the language.
Adopting a growth mindset – the belief that your abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work – is crucial for success.
Ways to cultivate a growth mindset for language learning:
a) Embrace mistakes:
View errors as opportunities to learn rather than failures.
b) Focus on progress, not perfection:
Celebrate small improvements in your ability to think and express yourself in English.
c) Challenge yourself:
Step out of your comfort zone by engaging in conversations or tasks that stretch your English skills.
d) Be patient:
Remember that developing the ability to think in a new language takes time and consistent effort.
e) Use positive self-talk:
Encourage yourself in English, saying things like “I’m making progress” or “I can learn this.”
By maintaining a positive and growth-oriented mindset, you’ll be more resilient in the face of challenges and more likely to persist in your efforts to think in English.
Practice Active Listening
Active listening is a powerful technique that can significantly improve your ability to process and think in English.
It involves fully concentrating on what is being said rather than passively hearing the words.
Here’s how to practice active listening in English:
a) Focus intently on the speaker:
Give your full attention to what’s being said, avoiding distractions.
b) Listen for main ideas:
Try to grasp the overall message rather than getting caught up in every word.
c) Visualize what’s being described:
Create mental images to reinforce your understanding.
d) Notice intonation and emphasis:
Pay attention to how the speaker’s tone and stress convey meaning.
e) Resist the urge to translate:
Try to understand directly in English without reverting to your native language.
f) Summarize what you’ve heard:
After listening, try to recap the main points in English, either out loud or in your head.
Active listening helps train your brain to process English more efficiently, making it easier to think and respond in the language.
Use Mnemonics and Memory Techniques
Mnemonics and other memory techniques can be powerful tools for internalizing English vocabulary and structures, making it easier to access them when you need to think or speak in English.
Some effective memory techniques include:
a) Acronyms:
Create memorable acronyms for lists of words or grammar rules. For example, “FANBOYS” for coordinating conjunctions (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So).
b) Method of Loci:
Associate words or phrases with specific locations in a familiar place, like your home. Mentally walk through the space to recall the information.
c) Rhymes and songs:
Create short rhymes or melodies to remember grammar rules or vocabulary. Many learners find the “Conjunction Junction” song from Schoolhouse Rock helpful for remembering conjunctions.
d) Visual associations:
Create vivid, often absurd, mental images that connect English words with their meanings or with similar-sounding words in your native language.
e) Chunking:
Group related information together to make it easier to remember. For example, learn phrasal verbs related to a specific topic (e.g., business: “set up,” “close down,” “take over”).
By using these techniques, you can more easily store and retrieve English language information, facilitating faster thinking in the language.
Engage in English Conversations Regularly
There’s no substitute for real-world practice when it comes to improving your ability to think in English.
Regular conversations in English force your brain to process and produce the language in real-time.
Ways to increase your English conversation practice:
a) Join language exchange platforms:
Websites and apps like Tandem, HelloTalk, or Conversation Exchange connect you with native English speakers who want to learn your language.
b) Attend English conversation meetups:
Look for local groups or online communities that host English conversation practice sessions.
c) Take online English classes:
Platforms like italki, Verbling, or Preply offer one-on-one lessons with native English teachers.
d) Participate in English-speaking online communities:
Join forums, social media groups, or online gaming communities where English is the primary language.
e) Practice with friends or family members who are also learning English:
Set aside time to speak only in English together.
f) Talk to yourself in English:
If you can’t find a conversation partner, practice speaking your thoughts aloud in English.
Regular conversation practice helps you develop the ability to think on your feet in English, reducing the time between thought and expression.
Write in English Daily
Writing is an excellent way to organize your thoughts and practice expressing yourself in English.
By making writing a daily habit, you can improve your ability to think in English more fluently.
Try these writing exercises:
Write about your day, your thoughts, or your goals.
b) Participate in online writing communities:
Join platforms like Lang-8 or Reddit’s r/WriteStreakEN to get feedback on your writing from native speakers.
c) Write summaries of articles or videos:
After reading an English article or watching a video, try to summarize the main points in your own words.
d) Engage in creative writing:
Write short stories, poems, or even start a blog in English.
e) Practice freewriting:
Set a timer for 5-10 minutes and write continuously in English without stopping to edit or correct yourself.
f) Correspond with English-speaking pen pals:
Exchange emails or letters with native English speakers to practice written communication.
Writing helps consolidate your knowledge of English vocabulary and grammar, and the act of composing your thoughts in written form can transfer to improved ability to think in English in other contexts.
Conclusion
It takes time and practice to get better at thinking in English quickly.
There are ten ways to help you improve, like surrounding yourself with English, talking to yourself in your head, using English resources, playing word games, thinking in groups of words, having a positive attitude, listening carefully, using memory tricks, talking to people, and writing every day.
Everyone learns differently, so you might need to mix and match these ways to find what works best for you.
The important thing is to keep practicing, challenge yourself, and stay positive.
The more you practice, the easier it will become to think in English.
This will not only make your English better, but it will also help you communicate with others, understand different cultures, and grow as a person.
So, keep practicing, stay motivated, and enjoy getting better at thinking and speaking in English!
