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Schools are closed, workplaces have switched to annual leave mode, days are getting longer… We have a long and wonderful summer ahead of us! So, like every year, are you one of those who say “I will definitely master English this summer” and then get lost in those thick grammar books and lose your enthusiasm? If your answer is “yes”, you are in the right place! This summer, we are completely forgetting about those boring and depressing methods. It is possible to learn English in summer holiday!
Foreign languages are no longer just for academic success or career; they have become a part of life in many areas, from daily life to travel, from surfing the internet to social interaction. The comfortable environment offered by summer also increases motivation to start learning this language or improve your existing level. Moreover, it is no longer necessary to go to courses to learn English in summer; with mobile applications, online platforms and interactive content, every place can be turned into a classroom.
The most important element that makes learning enjoyable in the summer months is the absence of time pressure. Learning English in fun ways during this period both makes the language permanent and increases self-confidence. The learning process can be supported by natural methods such as watching English series and movies, learning words from song lyrics, and communicating with foreigners on vacation.
Our aim is to see language learning not as a lesson or an obligation, but as a fun part of the summer vacation, a hobby, an adventure. In this guide, we will explain how you can improve your English while lying on a sunbed, walking on the road, or just relaxing at home, with the most fun and practical methods.
Taking Listening Skills to the Top with Podcasts
The basis of learning a language is exposure to that language. Just like a baby learning its native language, we first need to listen a lot. Summer vacation offers a great opportunity for this “listening” training. Moreover, you don’t have to sit at your desk to do this. Even while doing housework, doing sports or sunbathing on the beach, you can put on your headphones and take a step into the world of English. Even this passive listening allows your brain to get used to the rhythm, intonation and flow of the language.
Here is the most enjoyable method for learn English in summer holiday: the “Netflix & Learn” method! How about watching your favorite series or movie in its original language this time? In the beginning, you can start with English subtitles to understand the content. This will also allow you to see the spelling of the word you hear. After a while, as you gain confidence, remove the subtitles completely. What’s even better is to watch a movie you’ve watched before and know the subject very well in its original language again. Since you already know the subject, you can focus much more easily on the dialogues and expressions used.
Podcasts are a goldmine of real, everyday English. Find a podcast that fits your interests. Are you a tech enthusiast? Are you interested in history? Are you interested in true crime stories? There are hundreds of great English podcasts on every subject. Listening to them will not only help you gain language skills, but will also help you learn something new about a subject you love. This makes studying English a hobby, not a chore.
The Power of Shadowing Technique and Music
Don’t underestimate the power of music! Instead of just humming, listen to your favorite foreign songs by finding the lyrics. Look up words you don’t understand, discover idioms and slang expressions. Lyrics are often great for learning colloquialisms. Moreover, trying to sing along with the song allows you to practice your pronunciation without realizing it. Its important to learn English in summer vacation.
Try the “shadowing” technique to take your listening skills to the next level. In this technique, you try to repeat what a speaker (a podcast host or a movie character) says just a few seconds later, with the same intonation and emphasis. It may seem difficult at first, but this exercise is one of the most effective methods known for improving your pronunciation, accent and fluency.
Read, Live: Vocabulary with Books and News
- Another skill that is as important as listening in learn English in summer vacation is reading. Reading is the most effective way to enrich your vocabulary, see grammar rules naturally in sentences, and learn different forms of expression. But when you say “reading,” don’t immediately think of boring textbooks. Just like listening, the key word here is: Enjoyment!
- Find a book that is suitable for your level and most importantly, interests you. Do you like detective stories, science fiction, or romantic stories? Regardless of the genre, reading a story that draws you in will make you forget how to turn the pages. If you are a beginner, “Graded Readers” are just for you. These books present famous classics or original stories in a simplified way according to different language levels such as A1, A2, B1. In this way, you can experience the wonderful satisfaction of finishing a book to the end.
- You may not have time to read a long book every day. But you definitely have 10-15 minutes. Use this time to read English blogs or news sites. Set your phone’s news app to English. Follow English blogs about a hobby you love (food, games, sports). These short, up-to-date texts will help you learn vocabulary and give you the opportunity to follow what’s happening in the world in the original language.
Live the Language of Context
While studying to learn English in summer vacation, do not reach for the dictionary for every new word you come across. First, try to guess the meaning from the context of the sentence. This small mental exercise makes the word more permanent. After looking up its meaning, write down that word in a notebook not only with its Turkish equivalent but also with the original sentence it appears in. Because words gain meaning not on their own but within the sentence.
Here is the simplest yet most effective immersion technique: Make the language of your phone and social media accounts English. By constantly seeing words like “Settings”, “Share”, “Like”, “Comment” in these interfaces that you use dozens of times every day, you will learn the language of daily technology without even realizing it. This small change will make a big difference by constantly pushing you to think and be exposed to English.
Gather Your Courage: Speaking and Writing Practice
Now we come to the most feared but most important part: Production! In other words, speaking and writing. No matter how much you listen to a language, no matter how much you read, you cannot be considered fully learned unless you actively use that language. The biggest obstacle for most of us is the “fear of making mistakes”. Put this fear aside right now. Making mistakes is a natural and necessary part of the learning process. Your goal should not be to be perfect, but to be able to communicate. This is important to learn English in summer holiday.
You don’t have to go abroad to practice speaking. Language exchange apps exist for this! You can find lots of native English speakers who want to learn your language through apps like Tandem or HelloTalk. You can write to these people, send voice messages, and even practice speaking by making short phone calls. While studying English during your summer vacation, you will both make a new friend and improve your language.
If you are saying “But I am afraid to talk to people”, the solution is simple: Talk to yourself! Yes, you heard right. This is the best way to practice with zero pressure and zero judgment. Describe the objects in your room in English. Describe a task you are doing out loud (“Now, I am making a cup of coffee. I am adding milk…”). Summarize a movie you are watching out loud. This exercise allows you to exercise those “speaking muscles” in your brain without anyone hearing you.
TOP 8 Tips to Learn English in Summer Vacation
Set a goal for yourself while studying English this summer. Maybe finish a season of your favorite TV series in its original language, maybe read a book that is at your level, maybe chat with a language partner for 15 minutes every week… Every small step you take will bring you closer to your goal.
Remember, by the end of this summer, you will not only have made beautiful memories, but you will also have an invaluable skill that will open new doors for you both in your social life and in your career. So what are you waiting for? A summer full of English awaits you!
- Set Daily English Time: You can create a regular habit by devoting 20–30 minutes every day to English. Even if this time is short, consistency is important.
- Benefit from Mobile Applications: You can study vocabulary and grammar wherever you want with applications such as Duolingo, Memrise, BBC Learning English.
- Listen to English Songs and Follow the Lyrics: It is both a fun and educational method. Trying to understand the lyrics improves your listening and vocabulary.
- Watch English Series and Movies (with Subtitles): You can start with Turkish subtitles at first and then switch to English subtitles over time, improving both your listening and reading skills.
- Read Easy Level English Books: Especially graded readers are ideal for beginners. Having a dictionary with you also supports learning. Its also crucial to learn English in summer holiday.
- Practice Speaking: You can practice speaking thanks to language exchange applications (Tandem, HelloTalk) where you can write or talk to foreigners.
- Keep a Journal – Write in English: Writing down what you do in English in 3–5 sentences every day will improve your writing practice and your ability to think and form sentences. It is important for practicing English during the summer vacation.
- Follow Free Lessons from YouTube: Many quality YouTube channels offer free grammar, conversation, pronunciation and exam preparation videos. Keep learning even on vacation!