These study tips will help you become a better English student

It can be challenging to learn a new language like English, but with regular study, it is possible. Classroom instruction is important, but so is disciplined practice. It can even be enjoyable. The following guidelines can help you improve your reading and comprehension skills and become a better English student.

Study Every Day

It takes more than 300 hours to learn a new language, according to some estimates. The most effective way to study is to schedule short, regular study sessions rather than cram a few hours of study once or twice a week. You can improve your English skills with as little as 30 minutes a day.

Keep Things Fresh

Mix things up instead of focusing on just one thing throughout the entire study session. Study a little grammar, then do a little listening, then read an article on the same topic. Do three different exercises for 20 minutes each. You'll stay engaged and have fun studying.

Read, Watch, and Listen

You can also improve your writing and verbal comprehension skills by reading English-language newspapers and books, listening to music, and watching TV. As you do this repeatedly, you will unconsciously absorb things like pronunciation, speech patterns, accents, and grammar. Write down unfamiliar words you hear or read. Do some research on the meaning of those words. Use them the next time you roleplay dialogue in class.

Learn the Sounds Separately

It is sometimes difficult for non-native English speakers to pronounce certain words because their native tongue does not have similar sounds. Two words may be spelled very similarly, but have different pronunciations (for example, "tough" and "though"), or you may come across combinations of letters in which one letter is silent (for example, the K in "knife").

Watch Out for Homophones

Homophones are words that sound the same but have different spellings and/or meanings. There are a large number of homophones in the English language, which is one of the reasons it can be difficult to learn. "Pack your clothes, then close the suitcase." The words "close" and "clothes" sound similar, but are spelled differently and have different meanings.

Practice Your Prepositions

It is difficult for even the most advanced students of English to learn prepositions that describe duration, position, direction, and relationships between objects. It is difficult to determine when to use the many prepositions in the English language (some of the most common include "of," "on," and "for"). Experts recommend memorizing prepositions and practicing using them in sentences to learn them. Start by studying lists such as this one. 

Play Vocabulary and Grammar Games

Play vocabulary games that relate to what you're studying in class to improve your English. If you are going to study English on topics about vacations, think about the last time you took a vacation and what you did. Make a list of all the words you could use to describe your activities.

Grammar review is a similar game. Consider what you did last weekend if you are studying conjugating verbs in the past tense. Review the various tenses of the verbs you use. Don't be afraid to consult reference materials if you get stuck. These two exercises will help you prepare for class by making you think critically about vocabulary and usage.

Write It Down

As you learn English, repetition is key. Writing exercises are a great way to practice. After class or studying, take 30 minutes to write down what happened that day. Using a computer or pen and paper doesn't matter. Over time, you will improve your reading and comprehension skills by writing regularly.

Try some creative writing exercises once you're comfortable writing about your day. Write a short story or poem about someone you know, or choose a photo in a magazine or book and describe it. You might also try writing a letter. This will help you learn English. Who knows, you may turn out to be a talented writer.