Dictionary App for English
Today I look at the simple but really effective technique of using a dictionary to improve your English.
Using a Dictionary to Help You Learn
Find a good offline dictionary app and prepare for every situation you think of. While you’re going about your normal day, try to have an inner monologue (or pretend dialogue) and search for any words you think of that you don’t know. Once it happens, the words will be easier to remember.
Use Your Preparation Time Wisely
Prepare some common phrases to respond with for situations that you’re likely to get in throughout the day.
Think about what situations you are likely to get into in the day and write some phrases that might help you. I wrote them on the notes on my phone and reviewed them on the train or in any other free time I had.
For example: I was walking up a steep path in Japan, but I didn’t know the Japanese word for steep. So I stopped and looked it up and then rehearsed the phrase in my head. When I walked by some older ladies struggling, I commented on how steep the path was and it sparked a mini conversation. If I hadn’t prepared that, then I would have either just said hello or awkwardly smiled as I tried to think what to say while panicking.
Preparing scenarios for real life situations is one of the most useful things you can do. Always create scenarios in your head and challenge yourself to use them with other people or just with yourself.
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I am not real fantastic with English but I get hold this very easy to read .
Hi Michael
Thank you for all the podcasts that you have recorded. I listened carefully to all of them. You have convinced me that listing to podcasts is a good way to improve my English.
Take care
Michal
Great to hear that Michal, thanks for leaving a comment. I totally agree that podcasts are a great way to improve any language, so I’m really glad I could help in some way with your studies.
What to say about Michael .. I particularly had a few months with him before embarking on my English immersion abroad, and he was one of the motivators of my improvement in English and with every podcast I feel motivated to continue learning English with this boy . Continue my friend the world needs more people like that.
Boy? You make me feel so young! haha. Thank you for the kind words, Leandro. I hope your English studies are still going well.
Hi Michel, I love your podcasts and it’s my first time to say hello to you on the comment page. Just because I heard that you’re not sure if you would keep making your transcripts in the future, here’s my shout! They’re really really extremely helpful for me!! Please keep doing it as long as you can! I will tell about your podcast to my friends who are learning English and encourage them to make a comment too, but it’ll take some time for sure so please don’t conclude so fast..!!! Anyway, thank you for putting such big effort in it all the time!!
Thank you very much, Yuuki. I’m grateful you took the time to come here and leave a comment. I’ll definitely continue the transcripts now that people seem to be using them. That’s great! Also thanks for recommending me to your friends – that really makes my day. Don’t worry – I don’t have any plans on stopping the podcast.
I’m a Chinese student who has been listening your podcasts since last year. I listened each episode 3 or 4 times a week and waited for your updating?. It’s really useful for me to improve my listening skill and my accent!! The transcripts make sense.I wonder if you consider to sign up for italki as a teather ?.
Wow amazing! Thanks for being such an avid listener. I’m really happy I can help with your listening practice. Let me know if there’s anything I can do in the future to help you. I’m already a teacher on italki 😉 I’ve taught 2000+ lessons there. That’s why I love it so much!
I’m a beginner in English,the transcript is very beneficial for me，thank you very much.
Brilliant! Thanks for letting me know
I really like and benefit from the transcript. Please keep them.
Thanks for the feedback, Jorgen. I’ll do my best to keep them, especially if I get more positive feedback on them.