10 ways YOU can learn English without leaving your house
In this lesson we have many recommendations and tips about how to improve your English from the comfort of your home.
We also answer these questions:
- How can I learn English by myself?
- What free resources can I use to help me learn English?
- What are some tips to help me learn English?
- How can I learn English online?
- Can I learn English watching TV?
- Can I learn English listening to music?
Before we begin, I’d like to give you a quick tip for learning English in general!
Important tip about learning English
Focus on the vocabulary that you are likely to use immediately.
For example, why would you learn vocabulary about FARM animals if you don’t work on a farm. How often will you use the word GOAT in daily life. You are not likely to say: “Look there are three goats walking down the street!”
You don’t need those words right now. Yes, you can learn them later, but it is important to focus on words and phrases that you can use EVERY DAY! For example:
Parents can use expressions like: get up, brush your teeth, let’s have lunch, Where are your shoes? Where does it hurt?
We have a series of 14 English Speaking Lessons (videos with pronunciation) that are ideal for parents or caregivers. You can practice English conversations with your children every day using the simple sentences about common daily routines in English that appear in these lessons.
It is good to learn words associated with your job. For example:
A real estate agent (that’s a person who sells houses) might need vocabulary such as: sales, rent, mortgage, fees, contracts, etc.
In the area of health, a doctor/nurse or even a receptionist at a clinic, you would need to know vocabulary about different health issues.
BUT the BEST THING is to learn about topics YOU are interested in!
If you are interested in a specific sport like football or soccer, then learn vocabulary about that sport.
If you like cooking, then learn vocabulary about that, for example our cooking verbs lesson that will help you follow the instructions of recipes.
Now, let’s see 10 ways you can learn English WITHOUT leaving the house.
🟢 10 ways to learn English at home
1. YouTube
One of the most popular ways is to learn English on YouTube. You can learn SO MUCH on YouTube. If you ever have a problem, someone most likely posted a video to help you solve that problem.
As I mentioned before, you should learn about topics you are interested in, for example, if you like the area of beauty, you can watch makeup tutorials in English. If you have children, you can watch Parenting videos.
Of course there are thousands of YouTube channels to learn English. I do recommend Woodward English … just saying.
You may notice that our channel is mainly for teenagers and adults who are learning English.
BUT on the topic of Youtube, have you ever participated in a LIVE YouTube lesson?
I usually go LIVE once a month for the public.
Sometimes I have a conversation lesson about a specific topic, sometimes I do a grammar game or an error analysis activity … all LIVE where you, the viewer, can interact in the chat. It’s a great way to practice using your English without leaving your house.
2. Podcasts
Podcasts will help you improve your listening skills A LOT. You can listen to them while you are cooking or doing any other activity at home. There are podcasts that specifically help you learn English or more importantly you can choose a podcast about a topic YOU are interested in. If you interesting in Gardening – there are many podcasts about that.
You can listen to podcasts on Apple devices or on Spotify. Some people even upload their podcast episodes to YouTube.
3. Online 1-on-1 lessons
If you prefer to have direct interaction with a teacher, then you can take online lessons.
In ancient times, people would travel to a language school, sit in the class with many others, sometimes of different levels, then travel back home.
Now, you can learn a language AT HOME. No, the teacher doesn’t physically go to your house.
There are many online platforms where you can have 1-on-1 lessons with a teacher … much like private lessons focused on what YOU need.
Here are two places I have used where you can have 1-on-1 lessons with language teachers:
🌿 Italki *
🌿 Languatalk.com *
* These are affiliate links which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if the affiliate links are utilised to make a purchase. This helps us to continue creating more content for you.
4. Music
Listening to your favorite songs in English is a great way to improve your listening skills.
Why? It is because of repetition. Normally you need to hear or see something multiple times before it sticks in your brain. That is why they always repeat the same commercials on TV .. they want their brand to stick in your brain. The same happens with songs… you hear it so many times that you end up learning the lyrics (including the pronunciation of words in the song) as well as certain structures and phrases.
BUT, be careful! Songs are not always grammatically correct in English. Also, that just repeat the same thing all the time, like “oh baby baby yeah, oh baby baby yeah”, won’t help you much.
Create a playlist with your favourites songs.
5. TV Series / movies
I recommend watching TV series or movies in English WITH English subtitles.
If you like horror movies … watch those. If you like rom-coms which is a short way of saying romantic comedies, watch those. You will hear what they say AND you can follow along with what they say in the subtitles. Don’t use subtitles in your own language.
Again, if there is a movie or series you have watched a million times, those are great since you already know what is going to happen and you can focus more on the language and how they say things.
Here is a lesson about different types of movies / film genres in English.
6. Read in English
Reading will help you improve all areas of English from learning new vocabulary to grammar and spelling.
You can have real books or use a reading device like a kindle. My favorite is to read in bed at night as it helps you to wind down or relax after a busy day.
You don’t only need to read novels. You could read magazines about your area of interest. I wouldn’t recommend Shakespeare. Even native speakers have problems reading his works.
I find reading children books in your target language as ideal since you are learning the vocabulary and structures are appropriate for your level. Even better are graded readers, book focused on certain levels of English.
Another alternative to reading are Audiobooks. These are books that are read to you… great for improving your listening skills.
See this lesson (with a video) about how to improve your English by reading.
7. Keep a diary
A diary is something where you write about the events in your life or sometimes just your thoughts and feelings that day.
A diary can be an old school pen and paper diary (that I like) or via an online blog like wordpress.
Why do I recommend it? It is a great way to learn vocabulary and structures you need in your daily life.
For example: Today I went to the … um … what is the name of that place where you buy food … you can look it up in a dictionary … ah… supermarket.
Today I went to the supermarket and bought some … those white things that come from a chicken… (dictionary again) … ah … eggs. I bought some eggs.
The next day or week you go to write that you went to the supermarket …. You may or may not remember … but after repeating it a number of times, the vocabulary is sure to stick in the brain.
BONUS: Another bonus tip is to write your shopping list in the language you are learning.
8. PLAY in English
When you are having fun, you tend to learn more.
There are many online games and apps to help you learn or practice English. You could also try crosswords or a word search where you need to find the hidden words. We have some on our website (SHOW).
Online video games (via Playstation, Xbox or PC) can also be great. I have met people from all of the world who are interested in the same type of games. If other members in your house are learning English, play a board game like monopoly but try to only use English.
We also have English grammar games and English vocabulary games on our websites.
There is a long list of grammar and vocabulary games in alphabetical order.
You can see we have some grammar games about: Adjectives, Adverbs, Comparatives and Superlatives, Do vs Does, Few vs. Little, Passive Voice, Past tense Irregular verbs … this list goes on. There are games for basic English and for students at an advanced level.
There are also vocabulary games about the bathroom, beauty salons, colors in English, daily routines, a game about the difference between do vs. make, a vocabulary game about Fruit, the kitchen, numbers … again, the list goes on.
There are vocabulary games for students at a lower level up to an advanced level of English.
Check them out!
9. Teachers Pay Teachers – Self Study.
There are also many websites you can use to learn English. But something that teachers and parents often use is a site called Teachers Pay Teachers. These are downloadable resources created by teachers.
This is not only for teachers, but MANY parents use the resources here to help their children learn, not only English but math and science and basically anything you want from kindergarten to university level resources.
A brilliant thing TpT has is EASEL … where you can use digital versions of resources. Great if you are a teacher!
For example: Here is our free English Error Analysis Game. You have the printable PDF version, but also the online version.
10. Woodward English website + grammar + vocabulary
I have kept the best for last … you can learn English at home with the Woodward English websites.
There are articles in English and hundreds of free lessons and videos with pronunciation.
We also have specific websites for English grammar and English vocabulary with more articles and interactive games.
Remember that some people learn much more easily with certain methods. Some prefer listening and others writing.
Use what works best for you.
I hope you found these 10 tips and recommendations useful.
Have an awesome day!
Rob Woodward
