Do you always translate the English words first in your mind and then respond to other’s queries? Doesn’t it delay your conversations? Want to improvise your English speaking skills? If yes, then the first thing that you ought to do is ‘stop translating every single word of English in your mind in your native language and vice-versa’ and to ‘start thinking in English itself’.

Some research and studies have revealed that thinking in English or any foreign language not only enhances your language competency but it also leads to better decision-making. You can think in a more rational way and make just decisions. Thinking in English also assists you to learn the language faster. If it is in your mind, then the language will be in your mouth like natives.

English is an omnipresent language and it is, in fact, the language that is preferred by the corporate sector. Just imagine, you are attending a meeting with foreign clients and you could not properly comprehend them or could not respond to them appropriately. Won’t it be embarrassing? However, you don’t need to worry anymore. We have brought some useful tips that can aid in thinking in English like a native.

Useful tips to start thinking in English

Just as your smartphone or laptop yield performance delay if you perform different functions simultaneously, similarly if you’ll process each and every word of English to your language and then back to English, then it is going to delay the conversation.

You may also miss out on few words. To respond in a timely manner and create an impression on others, it is essential to get fully accustomed to English as a native. For that, you should start thinking in English. Here are a few tips to get started:

1. Practice on a day-to-day basis

We are comfortable with our native language because it is a part of our daily life. So, to get fully accustomed to English, you should try to incorporate the language into your mundane chores. Like, you may use the language while conversing your family members, friends or your pets. Don’t worry about the accuracy. It’s totally fine to make mistakes but what is essential is that you should make it a habit to use English in your mundane life.

2. Go for baby steps of learning

Remember that Rome was not built in a day! It is not important that you learn everything in a single go. What is more imperative is that you totally comprehend what you learn. It is always better to move forward gradually. For instance, start with 5 minutes a day to devote to English speaking.

You can speak to yourself every day for at least 5 minutes. Now, you may be wondering “What will I speak to myself?” Well, you may make your day’s schedule or just express your feelings or any other thing that you usually think. Little steps can help you to forge forward effortlessly.

3. Listen to English songs, watch English videos

English songs are so damn fascinating and so are the movies! Isn’t it? Well, along with enjoying the great music, videos, and movies, you can actually learn some new words and get adapted to their accent. This helps you to understand the language properly. So, the next time you meet a native, you can easily comprehend what he/she is saying. Apart from this, you can memorize the lyrics and sing the songs often.

You can listen to the music while performing your household chores. You can turn on the FM radio and listen to English songs or you can even watch English news channels like BBC. It is an incredible way of learning in an intriguing style.

4. Don’t just learn through the text, go for real-life examples

It is really a bad practice to memorize vocabulary or words from lists.  Don’t ever go for direct translations as it won’t help you that much and rather go for learning via experiencing. What we perceive and experience is better retained in our mind. So, you can use the things and people around you to learn and to get used to English.

For instance, label all the things around you in English.  Use English terms for fruits, vegetables, grocery supplies and other things. In this way, you’ll make English a part of your life. The next time, you’ll see those things, you’ll no longer need to translate their name, as their English name will instantly pop up in your mind.

5. Self-practice: Speak to yourself in English

Whenever you think about anything, try to contemplate in English as much as you can. Practice speaking English and you can start with monologues. The more you speak, the better you’ll get with the language. Don’t bother about being correct with the language usage or pronunciation. Just speak naturally and make a note of those things that you’re not sure about.

Later on, you can search for their meaning on the web or ask the experts. Of course, you can’t do this practice in front of others as they might think that you have lost your mind. But yes, you can speak to yourself in your room or in privacy.

6. Stop using a bilingual dictionary

The biggest hindrance that prevents you from thinking in English is a bilingual dictionary. Never use that dictionary to find the meanings to unknown words as it will always keep you in the practice mode. The best way to expand your vocabulary exponentially is by using a monolingual dictionary. So, the next time you’ll hear that word, you’ll think about its meaning in English. This will also facilitate you to think exclusively in English.

7. Try to guess or plan what a native speaker is about to speak

This is going to help you a lot at times of professionals meetings or conversations with the native speakers or with anyone. If you know what others are going to say, then you can actually prepare your reply. This gives you the confidence to put forth your views appositely.

You’ll be well-prepared and that will surely be a plus point. You can make a script in your mind pertaining to the future. You’d be amazed to find out that generally, eight out of the ten predictions that we make from our day-to-day experiences are correct. Furthermore, predictions facilitate in making our thinking process faster during the actual conversation.

8. Keep a Motto that will motivate you continuously during your learning process

Motivation has the power to make even those things done that seem to be impossible. It is not always others who can motivate you but you can motivate yourself. So, the best way to push yourself more is by making a Mantra or Motto for your English learning.

Like, you can go with ‘I would speak English like a native’ or ‘ I will make English a part of my life’,  ‘Yes! I can do it’. Speak aloud the Motto each day before starting your practice. This will lift your spirits and enthuse you to work even harder.

Conclusion

It is not a rocket-science to think in another language other than our native language. It just needs a little bit of practice and minor changes in our day-to-day lifestyle. It usually takes time to respond in English because most of us have the habit of thinking in our native language and then translating it to English.

However, if we’ll think in English, the processing time will be less and we’ll be able to speak with enhanced fluency. The aforementioned tips are excellent to begin your quest to learn English like your native language. Follow these tips on a regular basis, stay focused and motivate yourself. I am sure that within few months you’ll start thinking in English like natives do.

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