Holiday English

The end of year ‘silly season’ is fast approaching.

While a lot of students of English are probably winding up their scheduled, official lessons whether they be at a physical language school or a virtual, online school like ours the good news is there’s no need to stop learning English.

Every student of a foreign language knows the number 1 enemy of making progress in learning is taking a break. Now everyone needs to take a break from time to time so how do you navigate this time of the year without slipping backwards in your learning?

So there’s a good side to this time of year which can actually give your learning a boost. There’s only one catch you actually need to go on a holiday – I hope this is not too much of problem!

So if you’re going on a holiday (outside your own country) here’s a few tips how to get the most out of the trip both to have a better time and get your language muscles working as hard as your jaw muscles are eating lots of nice food.

Learning English gives you the international keys to a better time if you know how to use them.

The 1st key is assume everyone speaks English – don’t feel nervous about engaging locals or people in the service industry surrounding the tourist areas with your questions in English, and let your curiousity go wild. Ask as many questions as you can think of.

The 2nd key is ask open ended questions ie ask questions that can’t be answered with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. To initiate a conversation you have to ask these sort of questions. For example: How do locals here celebrate New Years Eve? or What kind of food do people here like to eat? If you ask a fellow tourist where they come from you have to be ready with a follow up question or a series of follow up questions to get the conversation started.

The 3rd key have a glass of champagne. Nothing gets your fluency going like being relaxed which being on holidays should do – unless you’re like me travelling with a lot of kids!

Another thing you can do is have online lessons with us! My favourite lessons are lessons with students who are on holidays. As someone who doesn’t go on holidays very often I love having lessons with students enjoying themselves in some beautiful location. Normally, people will have more free time, feel more relaxed and talkative so please don’t hesitate in contacting us for a lesson, we’re ready to enjoy your holiday with you!