5 Habits That Are Slowing Down Your English Learning

Have you been learning English for several years, but the progress is barely noticeable? Do you know hundreds of words, watch TV series in the original, but get lost when you need to talk to a native speaker? These are common problems. Victoria Kodak, a teacher at the online school "Inglex", tells the publication Lifehacker about how to deal with them.

Photo: Paulus Rusyanto | Dreamstime.com

Many people study a language for years but never get beyond the level of “I understand, but I can’t speak.”

The reason is that most students develop bad habits that slow down their progress. What are these habits and how to get rid of them?

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Problem #1: Passive use of language

You watch educational videos, read articles in English, learn new words, and even save them in apps or a personal dictionary. But when you try to say something, your thoughts get confused and the right words don’t come. Why does this happen?

The thing is, knowledge remains passive. You are used to perceiving information, not using it. It's like learning to drive: you can watch videos about driving, but never get behind the wheel.

This is how the illusion of progress arises. You think you know English, but when you need to speak, your brain produces white noise.

How to solve a problem

• Record voice notes in English. Tell us how your day went, comment on the news and express your opinion out loud.
• Write short texts. Record your thoughts and make plans for the day.
• Read aloud. This improves pronunciation and helps the brain get used to the sound of words and phrases, as well as to correlate their written and spoken forms. Reading silently does not have this effect.
• Make paraphrases. Watch a video or read an article — tell us in your own words what you remembered. This will help activate your knowledge. It’s okay if you don’t have someone to talk to — a mirror or even a pet will do. The main thing is to speak.

Problem #2: Reluctance to speak due to fear of mistakes

Many people find it easy to formulate thoughts in English, but as soon as it comes to real communication, fear appears: what if I make a mistake, mispronounce a word, or say something ridiculous? As a result, instead of answering the interlocutor, you find a reason to avoid the conversation.

Over time, this habit turns into a language barrier: you understand speech, but you cannot express your thoughts. However, the longer you put off speaking practice, the more difficult it will be to overcome your insecurity and speak fluently.

How to solve a problem

• Allow yourself to speak badly. Mistakes are normal. No one expects you to speak perfect English, no one will laugh at you. If communication is successful and you are understood, that is already a success.
• Don't worry about the accent. No one pays attention to it except you. If you are understood, then you speak well enough. If not, then you should work on your pronunciation a little. It doesn't matter what your accent is. The main thing is that communication took place.
• Chat online — send voice messages and participate in video calls. You can use Slowly, Tandem and other language exchange platforms for this.
• Practice shadowing - "shadow repetition". When watching movies and TV series in the original or videos on YouTube, repeat the lines after the characters. Copy their intonation, pronunciation and rhythm of speech. This way you will get used to the sound of the language and improve your pronunciation.

Problem #3: Irregular classes

When you study in fits and starts, your brain simply forgets what you've learned. And instead of moving forward, you have to re-remember the material you've covered. The result is a "one step forward, two steps back" effect. Time and effort are wasted, and there's no progress.

How to solve a problem

• Use spaced repetition. This method helps you remember information better and not forget it. The idea is that you repeat the material at increasing intervals: first after a few minutes or hours, then after a day, a week, and so on. This is how the brain strengthens neural connections and retains knowledge in long-term memory.
• Exercise regularly, even if only for 15–30 minutes a day. Small but constant steps will give more results than chaotic five-hour marathons once a month.
• Study with a teacher. Regular classes with an experienced teacher will help maintain discipline. The teacher will explain difficult moments, give feedback, correct mistakes that you might not notice when working independently. He will make the training structured and effective.

Problem #4: Split attention

You've downloaded a few apps, subscribed to dozens of YouTube channels, bought a few textbooks, and started using them all at once. But the more resources you have, the harder it is to focus.

Excess materials create chaos. You jump from method to method, do not feel the system, and therefore do not see real progress. As a result, instead of structured language learning, you get a disorderly absorption of information - without a clear goal and conscious consolidation of knowledge.

How to solve a problem

• Choose one primary source of knowledge and stick to it. This could be a textbook or course with a clear structure, or an interactive platform with assignments and feedback. The format should depend on the purpose of the study.
• Choose 1-2 additional resources for variety. This could be a podcast, articles from a favorite blogger, or a fiction book — either adapted or in the original. It’s important that these materials complement your main program, not replace it. Stick to a limited number of sources to maintain your focus.
• Focus on learning the language rather than spreading your attention too thin. It is better to learn 100 words and be able to use them correctly in speech than to learn 500, but not know how to use them. Deep study of the material - using words in sentences, composing dialogues, repeating with intervals - is much more effective than simply "accumulating" information without practice.
• Stick to a system and you'll make progress faster. Plan your lessons in advance: for example, 3 days to study a new topic, 2 days to practice, 1 day to review. This approach will prevent you from drowning in the flow of information and will ensure stable growth in learning the language.

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Problem #5: Ignoring your weaknesses

Let's say that the words you've learned and the topics you're familiar with are easy, but complex grammar structures, native speakers' fluency, or pronunciation are difficult. But instead of trying to figure this out, you intuitively avoid problematic questions and focus on what you already know.

But by ignoring weak points, you limit your progress. For example, if you don’t practice listening, you will continue to have difficulty understanding speech. If you avoid complex grammar, your language will remain simple and limited.

As a result, knowledge becomes fragmented. The more gaps there are, the more difficult it is to use the language freely.

How to solve a problem

• Take the weaknesses test. It will help you identify which skills need to be worked on first.
• Work precisely. Work on the aspects that are weak for you. If you have problems with listening, don’t just listen to more podcasts or watch more movies, but actively work with the material. Retell what you hear, write down key phrases, slow down difficult fragments, and pronounce them out loud. If you have problems with grammar, do exercises and study the rules. Correcting at least one weak link will significantly improve your overall level of language proficiency.

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