To master English, just attending classes is not enough. You also need exposure to English at least 30 minutes a day, five times a week. The best way to do this are:
- Read a book you're interested in without using a dictionary (Extensive Reading, ER)
- Use websites, watch videos or listen to podcasts about the topics you're interested in, then make sentences with the new words you learned in them in your vocabulary notebook (Self-directed study)
How to do your weekly self-directed study:
WHAT'S NEW
- Choose a website from this page. You can choose from:
- Type 1: Use English learning websites
- Type 2: Read online articles about your area of interest
- Type 3: Watch online videos or listen to podcasts
- Study/read/watch/listen to it.
- Write down any new words into your vocabulary notebook. Visit Cambridge Dictionary Online for definitions and example sentences, if necessary.
- Click the link and fill in self-directed study report form at least once a week:
WHAT'S NEW
Sounds Right App 👍
A smartphone app with an interactive phonetic symbol chart. It helps you to remember phonetic symbols for British English.
Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/learnenglish-sounds-right/id387588128
VoiceTube
Watch K-Pop star's makeup video, Hayao Miyazaki anime with subtitles and Japanese translations to learn English! 👍
English Central
Record your voice after watching a video and check your score! 👍
TYPE 1: ENGLISH LEARNING WEBSITES
Learn English Online: British Council 👍
So many free English courses! Who needs eikaiwa schools any more?
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org
LearnEnglish Kids: British Council 👍
Learn English Online: British Council 👍
So many free English courses! Who needs eikaiwa schools any more?
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org
LearnEnglish Kids: British Council 👍
For kids, but also good for young adults.
LearnEnglish Teens: British Council 👍
Even if you are above 20 years old, it's still good.
BBC Learning English 👍
You can watch the English learning programs of the British Broadcasting Corporation for free.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/
Tim's Pronunciation Workshop
Learn British pronunciation the fun way.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/pronunciation
English in One Minute 👍
You can watch the English learning programs of the British Broadcasting Corporation for free.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/
Tim's Pronunciation Workshop
Learn British pronunciation the fun way.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/pronunciation
English in One Minute 👍
Short and easy way to learn British English.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/eiam/
VOA Learning English 👍
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/eiam/
VOA Learning English 👍
Free videos and audio files in different levels from the Voice of America.
https://learningenglish.voanews.com
VOA Special English TEXT and MP3 FILES
You can download the audio files of Voice of America programs in slower speed and read the scripts.
http://www.manythings.org/voa/scripts/
Test English
https://learningenglish.voanews.com
VOA Special English TEXT and MP3 FILES
You can download the audio files of Voice of America programs in slower speed and read the scripts.
http://www.manythings.org/voa/scripts/
Test English
Good for TOEIC and/or EIKEN preparation.
Duolingo 👍
You can take a placement test for free. It has a Japanese version.
https://www.duolingo.com
https://www.duolingo.com
ELSA Speak 👍
An app that helps you improve your pronunciation. It has a Japanese version.
TYPE 2: ARTICLES ABOUT VARIOUS AREAS OF INTEREST
MLB News
Are you a baseball fan?
https://www.mlb.com/news
Anime News Network
Are you an anime fan?
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com
Allkpop
Are you a K-pop fan?
https://www.allkpop.com
Game Informer
Are you an online game fan?
https://www.gameinformer.com
News in Levels 👍
You can read the news in different levels.
https://www.newsinlevels.com/#
News Reviews
Do you want to be able to read news in English? Here's the place to be.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/newsreview
Breaking News English
News stories that are designed to help you improve your English.
https://breakingnewsenglish.com
MLB News
Are you a baseball fan?
https://www.mlb.com/news
Anime News Network
Are you an anime fan?
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com
Allkpop
Are you a K-pop fan?
https://www.allkpop.com
Game Informer
Are you an online game fan?
https://www.gameinformer.com
News in Levels 👍
You can read the news in different levels.
https://www.newsinlevels.com/#
News Reviews
Do you want to be able to read news in English? Here's the place to be.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/newsreview
Breaking News English
News stories that are designed to help you improve your English.
https://breakingnewsenglish.com
For people preparing to become flight attendants.
American Kennel Clubs
For all the dog lovers out there.
TYPE 3: VIDEOS AND PODCASTS
Six Minute English👍
Six Minute English👍
A immensely popular podcast series from BBC Learning English
Nick's English
EIKEN interview practice videos (British accent)
JForrest English
Jennifer is another popular English-teaching YouTuber.
Nas Daily
That crazy guy on YouTube who makes a one-minute video every day.
https://www.youtube.com/user/nyassin14
English with Lucy
Probably the most popular English teacher on the web.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz4tgANd4yy8Oe0iXCdSWfA
Video Zone: British Council 👍
Authentic videos with transcripts and tasks
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/general-english/video-zone
That crazy guy on YouTube who makes a one-minute video every day.
https://www.youtube.com/user/nyassin14
Probably the most popular English teacher on the web.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz4tgANd4yy8Oe0iXCdSWfA
Authentic videos with transcripts and tasks
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/general-english/video-zone
Latifs Inspired
Are you into cooking? Try some British Indian food tonight.
Cathy Cat カティー
German girl YouTuber explains Harajuku kawaii culture.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIg-kRovqtSqWC1kjfKTTZQ
Izzy Sealy
German girl YouTuber explains Harajuku kawaii culture.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIg-kRovqtSqWC1kjfKTTZQ
Sam Chui
For people who want to become pilots, flight attendants, or are just interested in airplanes.
Easy Natural English with Liam
A British online teacher based in Japan
World Friends
Young people talking about different languages
https://www.youtube.com/@worldfriends77Izzy Sealy
Want to know what it's like to be a medical student at Cambridge?
BBC 6 Minute English 👍
All you need is six minutes to learn new English vocabulary and expressions.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english
The English We Speak 👍
Want to impress your teacher? The latest words and expressions you can use in everyday conversations are here.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak
TED Talks
It is helpful for improving your presentation skills as well as English in general.
https://www.ted.com/talks
All you need is six minutes to learn new English vocabulary and expressions.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english
The English We Speak 👍
Want to impress your teacher? The latest words and expressions you can use in everyday conversations are here.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak
TED Talks
It is helpful for improving your presentation skills as well as English in general.
https://www.ted.com/talks
Learn English with Gill
The most serene English teacher ever!
