The search for new and engaging teaching strategies helps teachers maintain students’ interest and motivate them throughout the learning process. Traditional teaching methods offer numerous advantages, as they ensure solid knowledge of grammar and vocabulary and contribute to the development of written skills. On the other hand, modern methods are preferred due to their increased effectiveness in terms of communication, as they foster the development of oral expression skills. Interaction between teachers and students, as well as among students themselves, is significantly enhanced. Moreover, these methods are often game-based, which makes learning more enjoyable and increases students’ motivation. Consequently, new opportunities are created for language development and its use in communication. Traditional and modern methods coexist in English language teaching, each having its own advantages and elements that can be successfully applied at any time.
Despite the availability of these teaching methods and strategies, students sometimes find themselves unable to develop the targeted language skills. Therefore, the study of the English language should not be limited to classroom activities. In some cases, teaching methods, whether traditional or modern, used in the classroom, simply do not work or may not align with students’ learning styles. Since language is fundamentally a system of communication, it is useful to consider the way individuals acquire their mother tongue.
From a behaviorist perspective on foreign language learning, one of the most prominent proponents of this psychological theory was B. F. Skinner. He argued that children achieve successful communication by imitating the language produced by those around them. Through reinforcement, learners can imitate and reproduce sounds and patterns in the target language until they are able to use it correctly. Therefore, the most effective way to learn a foreign language is to be surrounded by its native speakers, as the need for communication facilitates much faster language acquisition. However, how can a foreign language be learned when this is not possible?
The learner’s journey in the educational process should not end with the conclusion of the lesson. The English language presents a certain level of complexity that requires study beyond classroom hours. Even though students continue their learning through homework assignments, there are additional ways in which they can acquire a foreign language outside the classroom. Learning English at an advanced level is a lengthy process that requires effort, practice, and time, however, daily practice outside class hours can make a significant difference and lead to satisfactory results.
Among the most effective strategies for learning English outside class hours are the following:
Reading
Students may read texts or excerpts related to topics of personal interest. This approach enables learners to expand their vocabulary and to notice and internalize language structures that they can later use in their own communication. Reading is one of the most effective ways to improve English outside the classroom. Having access to a wide range of texts, from magazine articles to novels, allows students to become familiar with different styles and registers of the English language.
Watching films in English
Watching films in English is an excellent way to practice listening skills and helps students develop their listening comprehension and concentration, as visual elements contribute to clarifying context. Learners may choose a variety of topics that align with their personal interests. It also represents an effective listening practice, and the occasional use of subtitles can help students pay closer attention to linguistic structures.
Students can learn effectively through collaborative work, however, it is equally important for them to develop the ability to work independently. Exposure to a wide range of audio and video materials can enhance communication skills, problem-solving abilities, knowledge acquisition, and critical thinking, all of which are essential for a successful academic career. Furthermore, watching films without subtitles can significantly improve English proficiency, as it represents a highly effective practice for rapid foreign language acquisition.
Listening to Songs in English
One of the most effective ways to learn a foreign language outside the classroom is by listening to and memorizing the lyrics of favorite songs. Through active listening, checking the lyrics, and reproducing them, students can develop not only their vocabulary, by acquiring new words and expressions, but also improve their pronunciation. In addition, learners may explore the meanings of lyrics they enjoy, which fosters inquiry based learning. This approach directly engages students in the learning process, enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of what they are learning.
Human beings are born with an innate instinct to ask questions. From the earliest days of life, individuals use their senses to establish connections with the surrounding environment. Inquiry based learning strategies are employed in schools to engage students by encouraging them to ask questions, investigate, explore, and report what they observe. This process leads learners to a deeper understanding of the content they study, enabling them to apply acquired concepts in new situations. The same approach can be applied outside the classroom. For students to succeed both in school and beyond, they must be able to respond to complex questions and develop solutions to challenging problems. Inquiry based learning is an effective strategy for achieving these objectives.
Practicing Conversation
Fluency in spoken expression is achieved through conversational practice. Engaging in conversations with an interlocutor represents an effective way of practicing language skills in a relaxed and supportive environment. Moreover, it is essential for students to use English on a daily basis, either by repeating specific language structures or by reading certain texts aloud, in order to develop accurate pronunciation.
Correspondence
With the support of teachers, international exchange programs can be organized, enabling students to establish pen-pal or e-pal partnerships through electronic communication. In this way, learners can interact with peers from other countries who have a similar level of language proficiency. Such exchanges motivate students to use the foreign language actively, as they incorporate various forms of technology into the learning process.
Students’ involvement in correspondence activities contributes to high quality learning outcomes. Learners may write letters and exchange personal experiences and cultural information, making the learning process highly engaging for all participants. Alternatively, they may use electronic correspondence via email to share hobbies, information about their hometowns, or their favorite celebrities. This form of communication helps students learn about the world around them by interacting with diverse and culturally relevant information.
Games in English
Technology and the internet provide a wide range of useful tools for developing language skills and represent a strong source of interest among students worldwide. Learners can practice English through online games or various applications that support the acquisition of new vocabulary and grammatical concepts.
Using Mobile Apps in English
By using mobile apps directly in English, students are exposed to the target language in an authentic context, which facilitates their understanding of instructions and procedures while fostering learner autonomy and independent discovery skills. The integration of technology both inside and outside the classroom represents an effective way to keep students engaged in the digital age. Research has shown that technology rich lessons help learners remain motivated for longer periods, and the same applies to learning activities undertaken in students’ free time. Any of these technology integration strategies can have a positive impact on students’ learning outcomes.
Using a Printed Dictionary
The use of printed dictionaries offers numerous benefits for vocabulary development and represents a reliable source of information, providing learners with accurate grammatical forms and commonly used expressions for each entry. Students are able to explore dictionary pages at their own pace, which encourages independent learning.
Exposure to authentic language contributes to the development of language awareness, linguistic competence, and passive vocabulary acquisition. It enhances both global comprehension of messages and the ability to notice various language structures that can later be applied in classroom activities. Through the use of diverse learning activities, students also develop knowledge of the target language culture, which supports the long term goal of foreign language acquisition.
As educators, we can seek ways to motivate students by fostering personal interest in independent English language study. In many classroom contexts, students are expected to learn the language regardless of their level of interest. Therefore, it is essential to consider learners’ attitudes toward the subject, the challenges they face, and the strategies they perceive as useful for language learning.
Bibliography
[1] Dornyei, Z. Motivational Strategies in the Language Classroom, CUP. 2001.
[2] Scrivener, Jim, LEARNING TEACHING, Macmillan Books for Teachers 2005
[3] Williams, M.’Motivation in language learning’, English Teaching Professional 1999
[4] https://www.oxfordinternationalenglish.com/best-ways-to-practice-english-outside-of-the-classroom/