Stop Translating in Your Head
Students often ask me how they can stop translating in their head from English into their native language while talking. This is a fantastic question and I thought it’s best to respond to this in a full episode today. Can you relate to this?
In this episode, I give a few tips on how you can avoid translating in your head, but while also understanding this is a totally natural part of language learning.
1. Collocations
Don’t think about English as learning single words, but instead, think of learning phrases / groups of words, also known as collocations.
English speakers speak in these phrases rather than focusing on each individual word, and if you can get into the habit of doing this, you will avoid this problem too.
Start learning more in context, rather than focusing on word lists. Check out a full podcast episode I made on the topic of collocations here.
2. Concepts
Try to think of words as concepts rather than translating to words in your language. Rather than thinking “Dog = 犬” see if you can think of the word “Dog” and simply imagine a fluffy dog.
A more abstract example: The word “disgust”. When you study it, make the feeling and face of being disgusted.
3. Immersion
Immersion and self-narration will help too. Get more input! The more you surround yourself with the English language, the more you will be able to think like native speakers and therefore stop translating.
Bonus: Patience!
This comes at the end of nearly every English tip list – patience! These things take time, so don’t get frustrated. Take your time and enjoy the process.
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Hello Michael 🙂
I prefer two short episodes instead of one long one. It’s difficult to maintain focus beyond 20 minutes. Honestly, one episode a week is enough for me. If it’s not enough for someone, they can always listen again for a better understanding 😉 Thank you for your work. See you in the next episode 🙂
Hi Aneta. Thanks for your feedback! You make a good point about maintaining focus and I understand that. Recently the podcast length and format has been changing slightly – but totally naturally. I tend to talk until the topic ends naturally. I’ll keep these time possibilities in mind for the future and see how people like them
Hi Michael, Yes, I noticed that the latest episodes have gotten longer 🙂 and that is ok. Fortunately the episodes are not boring 😉 haha Keep going 🙂
Hello Michael I’m Abrar from Oman
I fall in love with your podcast and videos l’m in the last year of school and my dream is to study in UK also I love British accent and I’m trying to learn it and master it from your videos and podcasts ❤. Keep going Best wishes. Abrar Alsaidi
Hi Abrar! That’s great to hear – thank you 🙂
Best of luck with your plan to come to the UK. I’m sure you can do it
I would love to listen to you more! Yes we want more episodes every week. It seems fantastic..
Thanks so much, Linah! That’s amazing to hear
Hello Michael , I have been listening to your podcast for almost one year and it’s so helpful and enjoyable.and I hope to download 2 episodes per week because your podcast it’s essential in my day.
Hi Noura! Thanks for sticking with me for so long. That’s amazing! I appreciate the feedback too. I’ll experiment with doing 2 episodes per week in the future.