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7 bad habits in learning English (and how to fix them)

Date

Dec 15, 2024

Author

Daily Native English

  1. eBook: 400 Daily Questions & Answers.pdf (Get it now)

40 Daily Topics 

400 Daily Questions

✅ Sample Answers

✅ 1000+ Phrases & Vocabulary

✅ 200+ Extra Speaking Tips


  1. Daily Informal English Expressions.pdf (Get it now)

30 Native Expressions 

✅ Meaning & Example Sentences


Video Summary

  1. Learning Too Many New Words at Once

    • Why it’s bad: Memorizing 20+ words a day leads to forgetting most of them.

    • Solution: Focus on 5–10 words and practice them in meaningful sentences or conversations.

  2. Learning Vocabulary Without Context

    • Why it’s bad: Memorizing words in isolation leads to misuse and poor recall.

    • Solution: Learn words in phrases or sentences. Example: Instead of just “priority,” learn phrases like “set priorities” or “a top priority.”

  3. Using Only Formal English

    • Why it’s bad: Textbook English doesn’t help with casual conversations.

    • Solution: Practice informal phrases like “What’s up?” instead of “How are you?”

    • 📘 Bonus: Download our FREE PDF for more casual English tips here.

  4. Thinking in Your Native Language First

    • Why it’s bad: Translating slows you down and creates awkward phrasing.

    • Solution: Practice thinking directly in English by describing your surroundings or narrating your day in English.

  5. Overusing the Same Sentence Structures

    • Why it’s bad: Repeating phrases like “I think…” makes you sound robotic.

    • Solution: Learn variations, like:

      • “I believe…”

      • “In my opinion…”

  6. Over-Apologizing for Mistakes

    • Why it’s bad: Constantly saying “Sorry for my bad English” lowers your confidence.

    • Solution: Say, “I’m still learning,” or skip the apology and keep speaking confidently.

  7. Overcorrecting Yourself While Speaking

    • Why it’s bad: Stopping mid-sentence to fix mistakes disrupts fluency.

    • Solution: Focus on completing your thought first and improving over time. Fluency > perfection!

Transcript

Luna “Hey everyone! Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in your English learning journey? Like, no matter how hard you try, you’re just not getting better?”

Noah “Yeah, it’s super frustrating, right? But here’s the thing—it’s often not what you’re learning, but how you’re learning that’s the problem.”

Luna “So today, we’re going to talk about the top 7 bad habits that might be slowing you down.”

Noah “And don’t worry, we’re not just pointing fingers. We’ll give you practical solutions to fix these habits.”

Luna “Yeah, because if you’re doing even one of these, it might be the reason why your progress feels, well... stuck.”

Noah “This episode is all about helping you figure out what’s holding you back and showing you how to make real progress in your English learning.”

Luna “Oh, and we’ve got a little surprise for you—a PDF full of informal English expressions. You can start practicing now by clicking on the link below the video to download it!”

Noah “And speaking of surprises, we’ve also created an 200 pages eBook packed with everything you need to level up your English.”

Luna “Yeah, it’s got 400 Daily Questions, Sample Answers, 1000+ Phrases and Vocabulary, and 200+ Extra Tips. It’s basically your ultimate English guide!”

Noah “By following this ebook, you will be able to talk about everyday topics as naturally and confidently as a native English speaker! Now let's get started on today's topic!”

Luna Bad habit 1: Learning Too Many New Words at Once

Luna “Alright, let’s jump into our first bad habit: trying to learn too many new words at once.”

Noah “Oh yeah, I’ve definitely been guilty of this one. Like, cramming 20 or 30 words a day and forgetting most of them by the next week.”

Luna “Exactly! It’s tempting to think that the more words you learn, the faster you’ll improve. But here’s the thing—your brain just can’t hold onto that many new words at once.”

Noah “Yeah, it’s like trying to carry too many groceries in one trip. You end up dropping half of them!”

Luna “Right! Instead, focus on fewer words—maybe 5 to 10 a day—and really use them. That means practicing them in sentences, conversations, or even journaling.”

Noah “For example, if you’re learning the word crave, don’t just memorize it. Practice it! Like, ‘I’m craving pizza tonight,’ or ‘She craves adventure.’ See? You’re making it stick.”

Luna “Exactly. The goal isn’t just to memorize words—it’s to use them naturally. Quality over quantity!”

Noah “So true. If you’re overloading yourself with too many words, try slowing down and focusing on fewer, but make them count!”

Noah Bad habit 2: Learning Vocabulary Without Context

Noah “Alright, let’s talk about habit number two: learning vocabulary without context. This is such a sneaky habit, and it can really hold you back.”

Luna “Yeah, because when you memorize words like ‘grasp,’ ‘shift,’ or ‘launch’ without any examples or phrases, it’s hard to understand how to actually use them.”

Noah “Exactly. Words aren’t just about definitions—they’re about how they’re used in real life. And if you only learn them in isolation, you’re likely to forget them or use them awkwardly.”

Luna “Right, and that’s why learning words with context is a game-changer. For example, instead of just memorizing grasp, learn it in phrases like ‘grasp the opportunity’ or ‘grasp the concept.’”

Noah “Oh, I love that! Or take a word like shift. You could learn phrases like ‘shift gears,’ ‘shift focus,’ or ‘night shift.’ Suddenly, the word feels way more practical.”

Luna “Exactly! And here’s another one: launch. Instead of just the basic word, try phrases like ‘launch a product,’ ‘launch into a discussion,’ or even ‘soft launch.’ These phrases show how the word is used in different scenarios.”

Noah “Yeah, and the best part is, when you hear these phrases in real life—like in a business meeting or a podcast—they’ll stick in your brain because you’ve already connected them to something meaningful.”

Luna “That’s the power of context. It’s not just about learning a word—it’s about learning its personality, how it behaves in sentences, and how it connects to real life.”

Noah “So, if you’ve been cramming single words, try learning them in phrases or even short sentences. Context makes everything easier to remember, and it makes you sound way more natural.”

Luna “Exactly. When you learn vocabulary in chunks like this, you’re not just improving your memory—you’re actually preparing yourself for real conversations.”

Luna Bad habit 3: Using Only Formal English

Luna “let’s move on to habit number three: using only formal English. Honestly, this is such a big one!”

Noah “Yeah, because, let’s face it, formal textbook English might help in exams, but it doesn’t really work in everyday conversations.”

Luna “Exactly. Like, if someone says to you, ‘What’s up?’ and you reply with ‘I am fine, thank you. And you?’... well, it just sounds a bit stiff, doesn’t it?”

Noah “Totally! Instead, you could just say, ‘Not much, how about you?’ Or even, ‘I’m good, what’s up with you?’”

Luna “Right! And it’s the same with leaving a conversation. Instead of saying, ‘I need to leave now,’ you can say, ‘Gotta go,’ or even, ‘Catch you later!’ These little changes make you sound more natural.”

Noah “Yeah, and the best part is, using informal phrases helps you connect better with people. It makes your conversations feel relaxed and friendly, just like native speakers.”

Luna “And if you’re wondering where to find more phrases like these, we’ve got you covered! We’ve created a free PDF full of informal English tips.”

Noah “It’s packed with everyday phrases, when to use them, and even examples of how to practice. Trust me, this will make a huge difference in how natural you sound.”

Luna “So go download it now and start practicing! It’s a small step, but it’ll make a big impact on your English.”

Noah Bad habit 4: Thinking in Your Native Language First

Noah “Well, This one’s a big challenge for many learners.”

Luna “Oh, for sure. When you translate everything from your native language into English, it slows you down and makes sentences sound… a little off.”

Noah “Exactly. You might end up with awkward phrases that don’t feel natural in English. Like, if you translate directly, you might say something like, ‘He makes me nervous,’ when you really mean, ‘He gets on my nerves.’”

Luna “That’s so true! Translating can also break your flow because you’re constantly switching between two languages in your head.”

Noah “Yeah, and that’s why it’s so important to train your brain to think directly in English. It might feel weird at first, but it works wonders for your fluency.”

Luna “Exactly. And it’s not as hard as it sounds. Here’s an easy exercise: narrate your daily activities in English. For example, while you’re brushing your teeth, think something like, ‘Okay, now I’m brushing my teeth. The water is cold.’”

Noah “Oh, I like that! And here’s another one: describe your surroundings in real-time. Like, if you’re walking outside, think, ‘The sky is cloudy, I see a dog running, the air feels chilly.’”

Luna “Yes, and the more you do this, the faster your brain will get used to forming thoughts in English instead of your native language.”

Noah “It’s all about building a habit. Start small, and soon you’ll notice that you don’t need to translate anymore—it’ll just flow naturally.”

Luna “Exactly! Thinking in English is a powerful step toward fluency. Give it a try—you might be surprised at how quickly you improve.”

Luna Bad habit 5: Overusing the Same Sentence Structures

Luna “Now, here is the thing. If you always say the same things like, ‘I think…’ or ‘I want…,’ your speech starts to sound pretty robotic.”

Noah “Yeah, exactly! It’s like you’re on autopilot, and your conversations lose that natural flow. Instead, you want to mix things up to sound more like a native speaker.”

Luna “Totally. For example, instead of always saying ‘I think it’s good,’ try something like, ‘In my opinion, it’s great.’ It’s more interesting and shows a bit more personality.”

Noah “Or instead of ‘I want to eat pizza,’ you could say, ‘I’m craving pizza,’ which sounds more natural and casual.”

Luna “Yes! Little changes like this can make a huge difference in how you come across. And if you’re looking for more variations and examples, we’ve got something special for you.”

Noah “That’s right! We’ve created an eBook that’s different from our other PDFs. This one’s packed with 200 pages full of detailed phrases, sample answers, and vocabulary for every daily topic you can imagine.”

Luna “It’s got everything you need to sound like a native speaker—whether you’re talking about food, work, or even social situations. You don’t need to buy it right now, though.”

Noah “Exactly. You can get a sample version for free by clicking the link below. It’s a great way to get started and see how it’ll help you improve your everyday English.”

Luna “So, make sure to grab your free sample now and start practicing those real-life phrases!”

Noah Bad habit 6: Over-Apologizing for Mistakes

Noah “Alright, habit number six: over-apologizing for mistakes. This is something a lot of learners struggle with.”

Luna “Yeah, I see it all the time. People constantly say, ‘Sorry for my bad English,’ even when they’re just making small mistakes. But honestly, that doesn’t help at all.”

Noah “Exactly. When you keep apologizing, it lowers your confidence and makes you sound less sure of yourself. It’s like you’re putting your mistakes in the spotlight.”

Luna “And, honestly, it’s okay to make mistakes! It’s part of the learning process. Instead of apologizing, just keep going. If you do want to acknowledge it, say something like, ‘I’m still learning.’”

Noah “That’s a great alternative! It’s honest and shows you’re trying, but without drawing attention to the mistake.”

Luna “Or even better, just skip the apology and keep speaking. The more you speak without hesitation, the more fluent and confident you’ll sound.”

Noah “Yep! And remember, everyone makes mistakes, even native speakers. The key is to not let it stop you from expressing yourself.”

Luna “So, next time you make a mistake, don’t say ‘sorry.’ Just keep the conversation going and focus on building that confidence!”

Luna Bad habit 7: Overcorrecting Yourself While Speaking

Luna “And finally, habit number seven: overcorrecting yourself while speaking.”

Noah “Guys, remember this, Every time you stop mid-sentence to fix a mistake, it interrupts your flow, and that can make you sound unsure or hesitant.”

Luna “Exactly. It’s like you’re constantly pausing and second-guessing yourself, which can really mess up the conversation.”

Noah “Instead of stopping to correct every little thing, try to complete your thought first. It’s more important to keep speaking and keep the flow going.”

Luna “Right! Fluency should always come before perfection. You can always go back and fix things later, but in the moment, it’s about getting your message across.”

Noah “Exactly. So if you make a mistake, don’t worry about it too much—just keep going. Focus on expressing your ideas clearly, even if your grammar’s not perfect.”

Luna “And the more you practice this, the more natural and confident you’ll sound. Over time, you’ll automatically correct yourself less and focus more on speaking smoothly.”

Noah “It’s all about building momentum. The more you speak, the easier it gets, and your fluency will improve without you even thinking about it!”

Luna “So remember: don’t overcorrect yourself. Just finish your thoughts and focus on fluency. You’ll get there!”

Luna “Well, These are the 7 bad habits in English learning that we are talking about today. We really hope these tips help you avoid some common bad habits and boost your English learning.”

Noah “Yeah, if you want to keep improving your skills, don’t forget to visit our website. We’ve got tons of great content to help you along the way.”

Luna “And make sure to grab our free sample e-book. It’s packed with useful phrases, sample answers, and tips that will really help you sound more like a native speaker.”

Noah “Trust us, it’s definitely worth checking out. So, don’t miss it—click the link below and start practicing!”

Luna “Thanks for listening, and we’ll see you in the next episode. Keep learning and stay confident!”

Copyright © Daily Native English

Copyright © Daily Native English