How to Learn English Without A Teacher

With over 1.5 billion students learning English, it is not a surprise to see prices for an English course or tutor spike up as demand increases. On average, students who’d like to learn English would spend at least $15 to $40 per hour. This rate changes depending on the competence of your teacher.

However, contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a teacher or spend tons of money learning English. There are countless ways in which you can master the language without hiring a dedicated English teacher.

Students worldwide who are eager to learn English think that to achieve their learning goals, they need to hire a teacher to educate them. However, with the developments in digital technology and the availability of free resources around, you can be fluent in English without the assistance of a tutor.

Is It Possible To Learn English Without A Teacher?

We get it; studying an unfamiliar language can be scary. You don’t know where to begin and what to look for to kickstart your learning. 

The easiest and most common solution that you are thinking of is hiring a teacher. We can’t deny that getting help from an English teacher is an excellent course of action. However, what if circumstances such as financial limitations and time constraints do not permit you to do so?

We are here to save your day by saying that it is possible to learn English without a teacher. You can do it on your own and by simply doing fun tasks. So, you don’t have to worry about going over your budget to pay a tutor or finding time to attend an English class. 

According to a study by Akdeniz University in Turkey that examined the failure of students to speak English, they found out that the main reason for students’ inability to speak English is the lack of exposure to the language. There are not enough resources for them to use and learn English. 

In another research, economic development is the main driving factor of people from Asian countries, specifically the Philippines, Thailand, Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam, and Indonesia, to learn English even without the presence of a teacher. The research found out that besides the help of teachers, Asians successfully learned and adapted the English language because of Western influence. It can be seen in their shows, books they read, music, methods they follow, and connection with English-speaking friends. In one interview, a famous Korean celebrity said that he learned English through watching the show ‘Friends’ as a kid.

It is highly possible to learn English with great discipline and other vital factors. Even without a teacher, diligence in studying and time commitment to your schedule will quickly help you understand the language.

Stay put and read more on the specific tips that will help you be fluent in English in no time.

20+ Tips to Learn English Without A Teacher

There are tons of ways you can learn the English language aside from formal education. You have all the free resources from the internet, your family and friends overseas, and other things that can help you learn English without a teacher. 

We want to make it easier for you, so we’ve curated these 20 tips that will quickly get you learning the English language without a tutor:

1. Create a Study Plan

Regardless of the things you want to learn or do, it would be best if you planned to ensure that things flow smoothly and avoid getting all your efforts wasted. 

Before abruptly going at the learning process, you have to establish a concrete study plan first. Your study plan will give you direction as to where you want the learning process to go and how you will achieve your goals. 

To make a plan of action, you need to take note of the five critical elements of a good study plan. Creating a study plan can help you learn English faster since you go through steps and goals. It makes the flow of learning clearer and uncomplicated.

You should easily follow your study plan and use it effectively in learning if it has the five key elements below. By incorporating these elements as you create your strategies in learning, you can work better and with a viable direction.

Simple

Make your study plan as straightforward as possible. This is to make it easy to follow through and to keep you on track. 

The availability of thousands of free resources online can be overwhelming.

Please keep it simple by getting your study materials from the best creators and sources on the web like Khan Academy, BBC Learning English, and Duolingo. These platforms are great for starters as they are easy to navigate and user-friendly.

Personalized

It would be best to tailor your study plan according to your strengths, weaknesses, goals, and learning pace. Create a study plan by taking into account factors that affect your learning process. 

Don’t just copy someone’s study plan and expect it to work for you perfectly. You can have it as a reference, but make sure to revise the parts. 

Customizable

As you go about the learning process, your capabilities also change. You become more comfortable with the language.

You can now read at least five books a week, watch documentaries with more profound context,  and speak English fluently without stuttering.

It is best to have a study plan to adapt to these changes and still help you learn efficiently. Start with a general study plan, so it is easy to customize and alter it along the way.

Substantial

Of course, it is vital to have a substantial study plan. Meaning it has information and factors that are significant to learning English. Allot effort and a time frame specifically to learning the language or finishing a material. It will keep you consistent and get you to learn English.

Relevant

Keep your study plan up to date by tracking your progress and updating your materials.

The only way to know if your study plan works is through your progress, so ensure that you record your advancements. Improve it after evaluation and ensure that it is adaptable to changes. 

2. Set Realistic Goals

Setting your goals must be SMART or specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. Reading at least three books a week or ordering in English is a perfect example of a SMART goal.

They need to be realistic to be achievable. Following the SMART format of goal setting will make it easier for you to envision where you want to go in the learning process and what steps you will take to achieve them. 

Setting your goals early on will also help you plan and choose the study materials that will assist you in learning English. You can start with easily attainable goals such as reading an English storybook and learning 30 words in a week. 

To aid you in this step, below are a few examples of short-term and long-term SMART goals that you can use as a reference for your English learning objectives:

Read at Least 1 English Storybook a Day

Reading promotes vocabulary development and grammar.

By ensuring to read at least one short story book a day, you condition yourself to get used to English words and also learn how it’s used in conversation or sentences. 

You can take this goal to the next level (e.g., increasing the number of books, switching to longer novels) when you get more comfortable with the language.

Learn 30 Words in A Week

This goal can go hand in hand with the first one as you read stories and list the unfamiliar words in the books.

Look these words up and observe how characters use them in the stories or sentences. 

Write Letters to Family and Friends in English

Writing letters is a sentimental way to connect with family and friends, even if they live near you. You can use this activity as your goal to facilitate learning English and practice your writing skills. 

Write five letters in English to family and friends at the end of the month to check on your progress.

Ask them to reply and give constructive criticism, so you know what to improve the next time.

Order a Meal in English

Try ordering food in straight English. It is to practice your comfortability and fluency in using the language.

You can initially incorporate English words while ordering in your first language and gradually challenge yourself until you speak the language straightly.

3. Think in English

It is a common reflex to translate words from English to your first language once presented with information. It is easier to understand the context of the terms in this case.

However, to practice your English and be comfortable using the language, you should refrain from translating words and thinking in English.

The method of thinking in English helps in the internalization of words and getting used to the language.

As you think in English, you gradually encrypt the words in your mind, and over time you get accustomed to the language. You unconsciously condition your cognitive skills to process in English.

When thinking in English becomes a habit, you will notice the increased comfortability in speaking the language, and it is effortless to get around it.

4. Watch English Channels on Youtube

You can manage to learn English without a teacher. However, some students might need some assistance from an expert. A great tip for this is learning through English channels on YouTube.

YouTube pays content creators to make entertaining and relevant videos taking on a wide array of topics.

Many teachers and students recommend them since they cover a wide range of concepts in English, short, and straightforward which makes it convenient for learners like you.

There are notable YouTube channels that specifically talk about learning the English language, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and many more. These channels specialize in educating their audience on how to ace their English tests and master the language. 

Check out a list of YouTube channels dedicated to learning to help you learn English even without a teacher.

5. Read Different Materials

Reading is always significant in learning English. You need to read as much material as possible to be better at English with or without a teacher. 

Widen your options and explore different materials around you. With online publications and free resources on the internet, you can read any material and anywhere you want.

6. Listen To English Podcasts

Before mastering a particular language like English, you have to allot time and effort to listen to native speakers’ talk.

Listening lets you familiarize the proper pronunciation and intonation of words as they speak. It also enriches your vocabulary, providing insights into how English words are used in conversations.

Podcasts provide the perfect avenue for listening.

There are hundreds of available topics to choose from and expert native speakers that can help you learn the language. Additionally, listening to podcasts is convenient because you can do it anywhere you want or while doing your chores.

So, listen up and fuel your vocabulary through podcasts.

Check out a list of English Language Podcasts that will help you enhance your vocabulary and English skills.

7. Documentaries

Documentaries are an extensive type of show.

It is excellent to start watching a documentary once you’re more comfortable with the language and you can already understand formal jargon.

You can look up high-rating documentaries on Netflix and those that tackle topics that you like.

8. Speak the Language Daily

Speaking the language daily is vital in practicing your English talking skills.

Incorporate some English terms as you converse formally and casually with your peers and family every day.

By consistently speaking English, gradually adapt the language to your system, making it easier to communicate it over time. 

9. Talk To Yourself in the Mirror

Self-talk is a proven and tested method in learning English and gaining the confidence to speak it.

If you’re not yet open to talking in English to other people, you can start by talking to yourself in the mirror. You can practice the body language and slang that native speakers use in tv shows that you’ve watched or books you read.

Allot time to practice in front of the mirror as if you’re talking to a different person.

You can also imagine that you’re delivering a report in class. Recreating these scenarios will help you blurt out words naturally and practice your cohesiveness in speaking the language.

10. Record Yourself Speaking

Recording yourself speaking is a piece of standard advice given by great English speakers. When they started to learn the language, they recorded themselves to keep track of their progress and listen to how they spoke. 

By keeping a record of clips of you speaking in English and listening to it, you will know what areas are your weaknesses and strengths.

From this, you can improve your strategy in learning to cope with your strengths and weaknesses and improve your abilities.

11. Get Yourself Into Writing

Writing is a great activity to retain words you read or hear from your learning materials. Writing notes or simply keeping a diary can facilitate learning a new language, for it helps you understand the proper construction and incorporation of words in sentences. 

A 2015 academic study found out that when people are skilled in writing in English, they are most likely adept at speaking the language. Writing and speaking are directly related to each other in learning, so when you practice your writing skills, you also help improve your different language abilities.  

Additionally, you can organize your thoughts better when you write them instead of just thinking them through.

12. Keep a Diary

Consistently writing entries in your diary will store your memories and improve your English for the rest of your time. Make it a habit to write in English to refine your skills.

Buy yourself a notebook and use it as your diary. Write on it every day to stay consistent in the learning process and get used to writing in English.

Start small and see significant changes as time goes by.

13. Start a Blog

Once you’re more advanced in using the language, you can upgrade your diary by starting a weekly or daily blog.

Try to write entries in full English to practice your writing skills and monitor your progress over time.

14. Join Online Forums or English Clubs

Initiate conversations in English in online forums and English clubs. Applying what you’ve learned in real-life situations like participating in discourses or talking to people online is the best way to test your capabilities. Please don’t waste weeks or months of learning English and put it to good use.

Here are some of the famous English clubs and forums you can join to practice your conversation skills:

Reddit

Reddit is an online discussion platform where users from anywhere across the globe can participate in forums.

There are no restrictions in joining discourses in Reddit. However, some threads are full of experts in a specific field, so it is best to observe and evaluate what you can impart before abruptly posting it.

Quora

Quora is famous for its question and answer feature.

One user usually asks questions, and others can join in and share their answers for that question. Some also ask for advice and tackle relevant issues, which you can also partake in.

15. Make Connections To Foreigners

Connect with Foreigners and native speakers online to facilitate learning English firsthand.

You can make friends through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Omegle, WeSpeke, and HelloTalk. These online platforms let you talk and make friends with foreigners to practice your skills in speaking the language.

If you have family and friends that reside abroad, keep in touch with them through video calls and daily chats.

16. Mimic Native English Speakers

Mimicking requires closely studying the speaker’s vocabulary, mannerisms, idioms, pronunciation, and body language.

It will help you learn English better since you observe it firsthand from a native English speaker.  

Analyzing how they speak and embody it is an effective way of understanding language usage and intonation. Through this simple activity, you gradually integrate the native way of speaking English into your system.

17. Travel to English Speaking Countries

Being surrounded by people who have English as their first language will influence you into speaking it.

Additionally, traveling to English-speaking countries will leave you no choice but to use the language to communicate. This is an excellent avenue to apply your English skills in tasks such as ordering food, asking for directions, or just simply starting a conversation with a native.

If you have the time and financial capabilities, book your travels in English-speaking countries like the US, United Kingdom, and some parts of Europe.  

18. Take Online Exams

There is no better way to test your technical knowledge in English than taking online exams.

Allot enough time in taking online exams, preferably after you complete an objective in your study plan. Please take note of your scores and where you made mistakes to improve and correct them the next time. There are many English proficiency tests to choose from.

However, we wouldn’t recommend you take these language exams until you’ve reached an intermediate level. Otherwise, it can be disheartening and discouraging if you take these tests too early.

19. Check Your Progress

Record and check your progress! The only way you’ll know if you are learning something and you’re improving is through your progress.

Note that significant improvement might take time, but it is best to commend even the smallest ones because they indicate that you are learning.

Trust in yourself and be your number one cheerleader.

20. Always Practice

Practice will make you better. Be consistent and strictly follow your study plan, which will guide you in mastering the English language.

It takes perseverance and motivation to keep going forward, so conduct a little pep talk for yourself every time you feel like slacking.

Keep practicing and see your English skills unfold as you go through the process. 

21. Be Consistent

To master English, you have to keep yourself disciplined and motivated, never stop learning.

Consistency is key to success in learning anything.

Being consistent every day in learning, reading, writing, speaking, and diligently studying English will guarantee the achievement of your language learning goals.

So don’t lose hope and keep satisfying your hunger for new knowledge.

Final Thoughts

Learning English empty-handedly and without the guidance of a teacher can be confusing. You don’t know where to start and what plan to follow. But going through these tips will head start your goal of learning English without a teacher.

Ensure to thoroughly read each tip and activity that highly appeal to you. Set realistic goals and try your best to achieve them given the time frame.

Remember, you can learn anything as long as you’re willing to put enough time and effort into studying it. Fuel your consistency to see yourself use the English language as fluent as the native speakers.

Do you have other tips or ideas for learning English without a teacher? Let us know in the comments below.