Have you decided to learn English from scratch? Congratulations. You are braver than half of those who have been saying “I need to get started” for years. Now the main thing is not to give up after a month. Because there will be no miracles: you can’t pour a language into your head with a dropper. But there will be a system, progress, and that rush when you order coffee in English for the first time and the barista realizes you’re not using Google Translate.
1. The alphabet and sounds — you can’t get anywhere without them
No, you can’t “skip the alphabet because I already know A-B-C.” You don’t. You confuse “i” and “e,” pronounce “u” as “yu,” and turn ‘th’ into “z.” Sorry, but that’s how it is.
The good news is that it’s possible to fix this. Learn the sounds as if you were a child learning to speak for the first time. Because that’s exactly what you are.
You don’t need 5,000 words right away. You need 50. Yes, exactly 50. If you can say “eat, drink, go, work,” you can already form sentences.
The method is simple:
● Flashcards. Yes, it’s boring. Yes, it works.
● One topic per week. Today “food,” tomorrow “actions.”
● Usage. A new word without a sentence is dead.
Remember: a dictionary is not a museum. It is a tool that you need to use constantly.
You don’t need to know 12 tenses right now. You need three: Present Simple, Past Simple, and Future Simple. That’s it. The rest will come with time.
Example:
● I work.
● I worked.
● I will work.
Yes, it’s primitive. But primitivism is not a shame, it’s a stage. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Seriously, native speakers make them by the dozen too. You just don’t notice it.
Turn on children’s cartoons or simple podcasts. And listen. At first, it will seem that you only catch “hello” and “ok.” That’s normal.
The main thing is to do it regularly. The brain is like a muscle: the more you “work it out,” the better it perceives a foreign language.
You don’t have to start with Shakespeare right away. Read adapted stories or short articles. The rule is simple: if you understand at least 70% of the text, it’s for you. If less, it’s too early.
Don’t think that writing is “not that important.” It’s a way to check if you really know something. Try to write one sentence in English every day. Even if it’s just “I am tired.” It’s a step forward.
In a month, you’ll already have mini-stories. And yes, it will look naive. But that’s where real confidence comes from.
You will blush, get confused, and insert “um” and “uh.” That’s normal. That’s inevitable. It will pass.
The main rule here is to start speaking right away. Whether with a textbook, in front of a mirror, or with your cat. Ideally, find a partner or teacher, but don’t wait until you’re “ready.” You’ll never be ready if you stay silent.
Learned a new word? Repeat it the next day. Then three days later. Then a week later. Without this, it will fly out of your head as quickly as it came in.
You are an adult, you have a job, a family, a lot of things to do. Your motivation will drop. And here it is important to know: this is normal.
Tricks:
● Set minimal goals. “10 minutes a day” is realistic.
● Don’t punish yourself. Missed a day? Start again.
● Track small victories: understanding 5 words in a TV series today is already a success.
Learning English is a marathon, not a sprint. There are no magic pills. But there is you, your brain, and the right system.
In 3 months, you will be speaking simple sentences. In a year, you will be able to communicate on basic topics. In a few years, you will be able to think in English.
And most importantly, English will open doors that now seem closed. But only you can open these doors — with small steps every day.
Prepared by ENGLISH.KH.UA
