Think Like a Native

It’s no secret that in order to be fully fluent in English, you have to think in English — you can’t operate fast enough while still translating in your head. The best way to get good at that? Well… think in English more. When? How? Where? This is the key…

Any time you are doing an idle task — washing dishes, walking your dog, waiting in an elevator — observe your surroundings and try to comment (in your head) on everything you see, feel, smell, and hear. Everything. Go slow, pronounce things well to yourself, and continue until…you can’t say something. Think around it. If you don’t know how to say that there are lawnmower marks in the grass, for instance, keep thinking through the situation.

“…there were wheels here…”

“…the grass is pushed down…stomped on? Rolled over?…”

“…a machine was used…”

By thinking around a word, you are expanding your vocabulary and building a skill. You will be able to do this more quickly if it happens while speaking.

Then, when you have a moment, look up the word — lawnmower — now you know! You’ll never forget that word again, because you spent dedicated time thinking about it.

So, the next time you are doing an idle task, just try narrating everything in your head…in English, of course.

— Ben