If you want to think in English, you need to make English a part of your daily life.
This is what you need. If you use English a lot on a daily basis, you will automatically think in English. It happens naturally.
How do I know this?
I know this because I have been using English for a long time. And when I think in words, instead of thinking in my mother tongue, I automatically think in English.
I deliberately do not try to think in English. It just happens automatically.
Because I have made English an important part of my daily life.
- I listen to English podcasts and audiobooks almost every day.
- I study English almost every day.
- I often read something in English.
- I am writing this article in English.
If you use English every day, you can think in English.
How to make English a part of your everyday life
It’s simple. Choose to do everything in English if possible.
Here are some examples:
- If you want to know something, read English books and articles on the subject.
- If you have hobbies or interests, browse English sites related to those interests.
- Change the language of your phone, computer and TV to English.
- Watch Hollywood movies with their original soundtracks (English).
Did you get my point? Always if something can be done in English or native language choose to make it in English.
Some people prefer to do everything in their native language because it is more convenient. But if you want to think in English, you must develop the habit of using English as much as possible.
When you make English a part of your life, it becomes easier to think in English.
Improve your listening and speaking skills (so you can think in English)
You should spend some time every day to improve your English, especially your listening and speaking skills. These skills are very important (and hard to improve).
People don’t want to use English because their English is terrible. That is why they rely a lot on their mother tongue.
If your English is good, of course you want to use English. The more you use English, the more you start thinking in English.
Do you want to start improving your English? Read these two articles:
- How to improve your English listening skills (even if you don’t have time)
- How to improve your English (the right way)
Translation is the reason you can’t think in English
Some English students have a habit of translating between English and their mother tongue when using English.
This usually happens when writing and reading English.
If you have this habit, DO NOT make English a part of your life; This bad habit should be avoided.
How to do it:
1. Use English to English dictionaries
Do not use dictionaries (bilingual dictionaries) that explain the meaning of words in your mother tongue. Use English to English dictionaries instead. These are dictionaries that explain the meanings of English words.
When you start using an English to English dictionary, you may encounter the following problems:
- You’re looking for a word you don’t know.
- There is another word in the definition of word A that you don’t know.
- You have to keep looking for the meaning of new words.
The reason for this problem is that the dictionary you are using is not good; does not explain difficult words in simple words. If you encounter this problem often, find another dictionary.
I once used a dictionary program called WordWeb. It was terrifying. Every time I use it, I often encounter the problem described above. So I switched to another dictionary and I’ve never had this problem since. (Now I’m looking for words Lexico.com.)
Another advantage of using English to English dictionaries is that it improves your English reading skills. When you study English word definitions, you practice your English reading skills.
2. Force yourself to write in English without translating
Some students, if they want to write something in English, first write in their native language and then translate what they wrote into English.
This is what they do when they need to write a long email, paragraph or article in English.
This is not the correct way to write in English. If you do this often, you should stop. If you have to write something in English, force yourself to write in English from the beginning.
Resume
Here’s how you can think in English:
- Choose to do everything in English if possible.
- Spend some time every day improving your English (focus on your listening and speaking skills).
- Stop translating between English and your native language.
We don’t think much in language (we usually think in abstract terms). But if you follow these suggestions, you may find that you sometimes think in English.