English is the most widely spoken language in the US, with more than 255 million speakers across the country. Since English is the primary language used in classrooms, workplaces, and daily life, demonstrating proficiency in English is an important part of preparing to study and work in the US. As part of your US university or visa application process, you may need to take English language tests to demonstrate your proficiency and that you can effectively communicate with professors, classmates, and colleagues in academic and professional environments.
If you have ever wondered, “How can I improve my English?”, this article will go through nine quick and effective tips on how to improve your English knowledge and skills.
How to Improve Your English Skills: 9 Quick Tips
1. Set a Clear Goal and Baseline
The first step in learning how to improve your English is by assessing your current English proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. This evaluation will help you recognize your strengths, identify areas for improvement, and better understand how to improve your English skills by setting meaningful learning goals.
If you are thinking about how to improve, English language lessons are best approached with structured and achievable goals. A SMART framework may be useful here:
Specific: Define exactly what you want to improve (for example, “learn conditional sentences” or “understand past and present perfect tenses”).
Measurable: Track your progress, such as the number of new vocabulary words learned or pages read weekly.
Achievable: Ensure your goals are realistic for your current skill level and schedule.
Relevant: Align your goals with your overall reason for improving your English, such as academic success or career advancement.
Time-bound: Set a timeline to stay consistent and motivated.
Setting a SMART goal will help you gain clarity and monitor your progress towards your desired English proficiency level.
2. Use English Learning Apps
When figuring out how to improve English, technology can be your best friend. English learning apps allow you to improve your English skills through your mobile phone or computer, making it an easily accessible way to improve your English knowledge wherever you are, whether you are commuting, studying between classes, or at home.
Applications such as Babbel, Duolingo, and Rosetta Stone offer interactive lessons that integrate reading, listening, speaking, and writing exercises. Many of these platforms also use game-like features that make learning engaging and help you stay motivated. Through daily challenges and structured lessons, you can gradually build your grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary skills.
3. Practice at Your University
One of the best ways to learn how to improve English is by immersing yourself in an English-speaking environment. Your university provides many opportunities to practice English daily whether through conversations with classmates, discussions with professors, or interactions on campus.
Many Shorelight universities also offer English language programs or support services for undergraduate and graduate students who want to strengthen their communication skills. Participating in these programs can help you make significant progress in a supportive environment.
4. Watch Movies and TV Series with English Subtitles
If you are searching for a fun and engaging way to improve your English, watching movies and TV series with English subtitles can be a great way to increase comprehension and learn conversational language, as well as to learn how different slang words are used. Begin with shows that use simple language, such as cartoons, sitcoms, or comedies. As you improve your English skills, you can progress to more formal genres like documentaries, news programs, and interviews.
Pay attention to new words or expressions, look up their meanings, and practice using them in sentences. Once you feel more confident, try watching without subtitles to challenge your listening and comprehension skills.
5. Practice Shadowing for 5 Minutes a Day
Shadowing is a speaking exercise where you listen to an audio clip and repeat what you hear in real time with as little delay as possible. You essentially speak along with the audio clip to improve your comprehension and pronunciation skills by recognizing natural speech patterns and adapting your mouth muscles to new sounds.
Begin by selecting short audio clips, such as one-minute segments. These clips can be from a podcast, movie, or YouTube video that you find interesting. Once you have found a suitable audio clip, you listen to the clip once, and on the second round you try and repeat what you hear as the clip plays. Remember to focus on the pronunciation of words and how the words sound.
Consistent daily practice of shadowing, even for just five minutes, can significantly improve your fluency and accent over time.
6. Use Spaced Repetition for Vocabulary
Spaced repetition is a memory technique that helps you move new vocabulary from short-term to long-term memory. This technique involves reviewing new words at increasing time intervals. For example, you would first review a word after an hour, then after a day, and then after a week. This process will help you retain new words and increase your vocabulary over time.
A great way to practice spaced repetition is by using flashcards. You can prepare physical flashcards or try apps like Anki or Quizlet that can help you prepare digital flashcards and automatically schedule review sessions based on how well you remember the contents of each flashcard.
7. Write 100–150 Words Daily and Get Feedback
Writing regularly is an excellent way to enhance your grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. Aim to write 100–150 words each day on any topic that interests you, such as a movie review, a short story, or reflections on your day. The key is to make writing a consistent part of your routine.
Once you have written an essay or composition, ask a friend, classmate, or mentor to review your work and provide feedback on your English skills. This will help you identify areas where you need to improve and different approaches that you can try in the future. Over time, regular writing practice helps you develop confidence and fluency in academic and professional communication.
8. Use a Learner’s Dictionary and Curated Word Lists
To truly understand how to improve English comprehension, start using a learner’s dictionary. A learner’s dictionary provides definitions in simple, clear English and often includes sample sentences, common errors, and grammar notes, making it ideal for non-native speakers. Popular learner’s dictionaries include Merriam-Webster Learner’s Dictionary, Longman Dictionary of American English, and the Cambridge Essential American English Dictionary.
Curated word lists, organized by topic or skill level, are also helpful tools to improve your English knowledge. They focus on the most practical and frequently used words for specific situations, such as writing essays, preparing for English exams, or improving conversational skills. You can find curated word lists online on educational platforms, or you can create a personalized list with the help of an English tutor or professor.
9. Schedule Weekly Conversations
Regular conversation practice is one of the most effective ways to develop English fluency. Try scheduling weekly discussions with friends, classmates, or mentors. Choose topics that genuinely interest you, such as movies, cultural traditions, current events, or your field of study. You can also join student clubs, English language groups, or discussion circles that encourage open conversation in English.
Speaking allows you to apply what you have learned, improving your pronunciation, vocabulary, and sentence structure. Over time, you will begin to think more naturally in English and feel more comfortable expressing complex ideas.
Consistent practice can help you build confidence in real-world communication and prepare you for English-speaking tests, presentations, and professional interactions in university or workplace settings.
If you are looking to improve your English skills, it is important to understand that it is a gradual journey that will require you to incorporate consistent practice and study into your daily routine. If you need additional help on how to improve your English knowledge, Shorelight also provides customized English courses to help you enhance your conversational and academic proficiency.
With the right study plan, consistent practice, and determination, you can achieve your desired English proficiency level and become more confident in your English skills.
If you need help improving your English language skills, reach out to a Shorelight advisor >
