The Key to Successful English Learning is Habit! The Importance of Habit and How to Make it Work

Many people start learning English with high motivation, only to find themselves losing momentum due to the busyness of life. When you realize you’ve fallen behind on your studies, it’s tempting to just restart, but repeating this cycle might just be a waste of time.

In this article, we'll explain the importance of "habit" in successful English learning and share tips on how to establish it.

English Learning Doesn’t Happen Overnight

Learning English is not something that happens overnight. Just like with sports or playing a musical instrument, building skills takes daily practice. Understanding this is key to your success.

You Won’t Be Fluent in English in Just a Week

Language acquisition takes a long time. It’s said that even a native language takes about 12 to 15 years to fully develop, despite being used 24/7 from birth (this can vary depending on the source).

When it comes to learning English, you won’t be using it 24/7, so it will take longer to master than your native tongue. In other words, English learning is a long-term commitment. Phrases like "become fluent in a week" or "speak immediately" are unrealistic. If that were true, everyone would already be fluent!

English Rusts If Not Used

If you immerse yourself in English 24/7, your learning pace will dramatically accelerate. This is the case with studying abroad or relocating overseas, where you must speak and listen to English every day for practical reasons.

However, even after spending 1-2 years abroad, many people return home without improving their English. This is often because they surrounded themselves with other Japanese speakers, missing the opportunity to fully use the English-speaking environment.

Some also forget the English they’ve learned after returning to Japan. This is because they didn’t put in the effort to maintain their skills. The lesson here is that you must keep using English, regardless of where you are. In other words, “using English continuously = making it a habit” is essential to improving your skills.

You Can Create an English Environment on Your Own

At this point, you may be thinking, "I can't study abroad." However, that doesn’t mean you can't create an English environment. You can do it yourself, even if you’re in your own country. While it won’t be the same as living in an English-speaking country, you can still "immerse yourself in English" in your daily life.

For example, simply thinking, "How do I say this in English?" can make a huge difference.

What’s important is to create your own English environment and use it every day. And, of course, stay committed to the long-term journey!

You Don’t Need Motivation to Build a Habit!?

While habit is important for learning English, how do you sustain your learning?

Don’t Rely on Motivation

When it comes to long-term English learning, it's common to think you need to keep your motivation high. Motivation refers to the desire or drive to act, and we often rely on it as the spark that gets us started.

However, no one can maintain high motivation forever. At first, motivation might be high, but as things get harder, it tends to drop. If you rely on motivation, you'll only study when your motivation is high.

On the other hand, building a habit is about doing something continuously, without relying on motivation. Simply put, “You don’t need motivation to build a habit.”

How to Learn English Without Relying on Motivation

If you rely on motivation, you’re likely to give up on learning English. Many people who have failed in the past may relate to this. If you study hard for a week when you’re highly motivated but then don’t study the next week, you’ll quickly forget what you learned. For example, if you don’t use vocabulary, you'll forget it within three days.

So how can you learn English without relying on motivation?

The answer is simple: Integrate English learning into your daily life as a MUST. Just decide, "I will do this every day, no matter what," and follow through. If you start with just five minutes, that’s fine. Over time, extend the time gradually—three days, one week, ten days, and two weeks. Ultimately, aim for 30 minutes of learning a day.

If you learn one new word each day, you'll have learned 365 words in a year. If you learn two words a day, that’s over 700 words, and your vocabulary will grow exponentially.

Even without high motivation, just doing "what you need to do" every day will lead to progress.

Tips to Successfully Build a Habit

Now, let’s go over some tips to help you make English learning a habit.

Study Every Day, Even for a Short Time

No matter how short the time, it’s crucial to study every day. To do this, you need to set a "routine" that fits your lifestyle.

Example of time slots:

• While getting ready in the morning
• During lunch break
• While having breakfast or dinner
• After taking a bath
• Before bed, etc.

Examples of study methods:

• Apps
• Books
• Podcasts
• News
• Videos, etc.

Build Success Experiences

Start with a goal like "5 minutes every day" for the first week. Once you achieve that, increase your time to "10 minutes every day" in the second week. Accumulating small successes will build your confidence. You can also change up your study methods if needed.

Start with Things You’re Interested in

English learning can be broad, and you may not know where to start. If you’re unsure, begin with something that interests you. If it’s something you care about, you’re more likely to stick with it.

Examples:

• English vocabulary related to fishing
• English vocabulary for fashion
• English songs if you love music
• Translating books if you love reading
• Extracting lines from your favorite movies, etc.

Use Idle Time Effectively

If you have trouble finding dedicated study time, use your idle time wisely. For example, if your commute is long, you can listen to English podcasts or read English material during that time. Using apps to study is also effective. By dedicating your commute time to English, it will be easier to make learning a habit.

Always Ask "How Do You Say This in English?"

As you go about your daily life, try to constantly think, "How would I say this in English?" Whether it’s something you see or think about, this practice will help you find new vocabulary and expressions.

For example, if you think, "I need to go to the pharmacy tomorrow," you might ask, "How do I say 'pharmacy' in English?" Then, expand on that by asking, "What about the butcher? The bakery? How do you say 'to bake bread'?"

Other examples include: “Think in English about everything you do” like “taking a bath,” “eating dinner,” or even “giving a presentation” or “delivering a proposal” for work.

Write a Diary in English

Writing a diary in English is a great way to practice. You don’t have to write long entries. Just 3-5 lines about your day or what you’ll do tomorrow is enough for practice. Including your emotions will help you remember adjectives, and over time, your writing skills will improve.

If daily writing is difficult, aim for 3-4 times a week instead.

Use Audiobooks

Audiobooks are a great way to listen to native pronunciation while learning vocabulary and expressions. Unlike news or podcasts, audiobooks let you hear the same sentences repeatedly, so you can avoid leaving gaps in your understanding. Imitating audiobooks when you read along is also a great practice.

What’s important is to choose material that’s slightly above your current level. For beginners, kids' books are a great start, and for intermediate or advanced learners, young adult books like Harry Potter or The Hunger Games are good choices.

Immerse Yourself in an English-Speaking Environment

Though it’s difficult in Japan, you can still engage with English by using online lessons or attending an English conversation café. Conversation cafés often include group discussions, which are great for practicing. Also, meeting foreign friends at bars or pubs could be an opportunity to practice.

Watch or Listen to English News

Watching or listening to English news during meals is a good way to get used to listening to English. However, news can be difficult for beginners, so it’s better to start by picking up individual words. Then, try to guess the topic. Being able to guess correctly is a valuable skill. Pay attention to whether your guesses are accurate or just assumptions.

Summary

Making English learning a habit might seem like a detour, but it’s the shortcut to mastering the language. Even if it takes time and effort, you’ll make steady progress without falling into the trap of motivation-based learning. The key is to incorporate English learning into your daily routine, even without relying on motivation, and create your own English-speaking environment. Immerse yourself in English and enjoy the learning process!