4-month English enhancement plan

Month 1: Building Foundations

Listening:
 Daily Practice:
o Listen to short, simple podcasts like BBC Learning English or "ESL Pod."
o Watch beginner-friendly YouTube channels like English Addict with Mr
Steve or Learn English with Emma.
 Task: Take 5 minutes of notes on key words or phrases from what you hear.
Speaking:
 Daily Practice:
o Practice repeating phrases from your listening exercises.
o Use language exchange apps like HelloTalk or Tandem to practice
speaking for 10 minutes daily.
 Weekly Task: Record yourself speaking about your day or a specific topic,
such as hobbies, for 1 minute.
Reading:
 Weekly Goals:
o Read short articles on general topics from websites like News in Levels.
o Start with children’s books or graded readers (Level 2 or 3).
 Task: Highlight 5 new words each day and make flashcards.
Writing:
 Daily Practice:
o Write 5-7 sentences about your day.
o Practice forming questions (e.g., What did you eat? Where did you go?).
 Weekly Task: Write a short paragraph (50-80 words) on a given topic.
Month 2: Expanding Vocabulary and Fluency
Listening:
 Daily Practice:
o Switch to slightly longer videos or audios (10-15 minutes).
o Watch TV shows with English subtitles (Friends, The Crown).
 Task: Identify and learn 5 new phrases each week.
Speaking:
 Daily Practice:
o Join free speaking clubs on platforms like Meetup or local English
conversation groups.
 Weekly Task: Prepare and deliver a 1-minute talk on a simple topic like “My
favorite food” or “A place I want to visit.”
Reading:
 Weekly Goals:
o Progress to simple news articles (e.g., from The Guardian's beginner
section).
o Read a short story or graded reader every week.
 Task: Summarize each story or article in 3 sentences.
Writing:
 Daily Practice:
o Write simple emails or messages describing a situation or requesting
something.
o Use platforms like LangCorrect for feedback.
 Weekly Task: Write a 100-word opinion piece on a basic topic (e.g., “Why I
like weekends”).
Month 3: Applying Skills in Real-Life Contexts
Listening:
 Daily Practice:
 o Listen to audio books for A2 learners.
o Follow real-life conversations in podcasts like The English We Speak.
 Task: Try shadowing—a technique where you repeat what you hear in real-
time.
Speaking:
 Daily Practice:
o Role-play real-life situations (e.g., ordering food, introducing yourself).
o Increase speaking time with a partner or tutor.
 Weekly Task: Participate in a group discussion online or record a 2-minute
presentation.
Reading:
 Weekly Goals:
o Read articles about topics of personal interest (e.g., travel, technology).
o Begin reading short books in your field or profession.
 Task: Write down 10 new words/phrases weekly and use them in sentences.
Writing:
 Daily Practice:
o Start journaling daily in English (100-150 words).
o Practice writing reviews for movies, books, or restaurants.
 Weekly Task: Write a short story (150-200 words) using newly learned
vocabulary.
Month 4: Polishing and Practicing Advanced Usage
Listening:
 Daily Practice:
o Transition to native-level podcasts or documentaries with subtitles.
 Task: Try summarizing the content in your own words.
Speaking:
 Daily Practice:
o Engage in debates or structured conversations about general topics.
 Weekly Task: Deliver a 3-minute speech and seek feedback from a tutor or
peer.
Reading:
 Weekly Goals:
o Read longer and more complex texts.
o Use articles from professional websites or magazines (National
Geographic, Time).
 Task: Discuss your reading with a partner or group.
Writing:
 Daily Practice:
o Write formal emails or short essays (200-250 words).
o Share your writing on platforms like Italki or LangCorrect.
 Weekly Task: Edit a past piece of writing to improve grammar and
vocabulary.
General Tips for All Months:
1. Tools:
o Use Duolingo for gamified learning.
o Practice grammar with apps like Grammarly or English Grammar in Use.
2. Consistency:
o Dedicate at least 1 hour daily: 15 minutes each for listening, speaking,
reading, and writing.
3. Tracking Progress:
o Maintain a journal to track new vocabulary, completed tasks, and
reflections.
 4. Feedback:
o Partner with a tutor on platforms like Preply or Cambly for personalized
guidance.
Month 1: Foundations
Monday to Friday Tasks:
1. Listening (15 minutes):
o Listen to a podcast or a YouTube video for beginners (e.g., BBC Learning
English or ESL Pod).
o Write down 5 words or phrases you hear.
2. Speaking (10 minutes):
o Repeat sentences from the listening task out loud.
o Record yourself describing your day (3-5 sentences).
3. Reading (15 minutes):
o Read a short article or a story from News in Levels or a graded reader.
o Underline or note 5 new words and write simple sentences using them.
4. Writing (10 minutes):
o Write a short diary entry about your day (5-7 sentences).
o Focus on simple structures like "I went to..." or "I enjoyed..."
Saturday Task:
 Combine skills: Watch a short movie or TV show episode with subtitles
(Friends or Extra English).
 Summarize the episode in 5 sentences.
Sunday Task:
 Speaking practice: Use a language exchange app like HelloTalk or Tandem
to chat with a partner.
 Write a 50-word paragraph on a weekly topic, e.g., "My favorite hobby."
Month 2: Expanding Vocabulary and Fluency
Monday to Friday Tasks:
1. Listening (20 minutes):
o Listen to slightly longer audios (10-15 minutes).
o Focus on identifying the main idea and write a short summary (3
sentences).
2. Speaking (15 minutes):
o Practice role-playing daily scenarios (ordering food, making a phone
call).
o Record yourself speaking about a topic like "My daily routine" or "My
family."
3. Reading (20 minutes):
o Read a news article or short story.
o Write down 10 new words and review them with flashcards.
4. Writing (15 minutes):
o Write a simple email or letter (e.g., to a friend planning a visit).
o Start using connecting words like "and," "but," "so," or "because."
Saturday Task:
 Watch a documentary or TV show with subtitles.
 Write a 100-word opinion on the topic.
Sunday Task:
 Speaking practice: Join an online English-speaking club or record a 2-
minute talk.
 Write a short story using at least 10 new words learned this week.

Month 3: Real-Life Application

Monday to Friday Tasks:
 1. Listening (20-25 minutes):
o Listen to real-life conversations or interviews (BBC or podcasts like The
English We Speak).
o Write down key phrases and practice repeating them.
2. Speaking (15 minutes):
o Practice conversations or debates on topics like "My favorite food" or
"Best vacation."
o Use a language exchange partner for 10-15 minutes.
3. Reading (20 minutes):
o Read longer articles or excerpts from short books.
o Summarize each piece in 3-5 sentences.
4. Writing (20 minutes):
o Write daily journal entries focusing on structure (use paragraphs,
connectors).
o Write reviews (e.g., for a movie or restaurant).
Saturday Task:
 Watch a movie in English (with subtitles) and write a summary (100-150
words).
 Practice speaking about the movie for 2 minutes.
Sunday Task:
 Prepare and record a 2-minute presentation on a topic (e.g., "My dream
job").
 Write and edit a short story (150-200 words).

Month 4: Polishing and Practicing Advanced Usage

Monday to Friday Tasks:
1. Listening (30 minutes):
 o Listen to advanced podcasts or TED Talks (use subtitles if needed).
o Take detailed notes and summarize the main points.
2. Speaking (20 minutes):
o Practice longer speeches (2-3 minutes) on various topics (e.g., "An
inspiring person").
o Record and review your pronunciation and fluency.
3. Reading (25 minutes):
o Read articles or books on topics of personal or professional interest.
o Discuss the article with a partner or write your opinions.
4. Writing (25 minutes):
o Write essays (200-250 words) with clear structure: introduction, body,
and conclusion.
o Revise and edit for grammar, vocabulary, and coherence.
Saturday Task:
 Watch a documentary or an advanced movie. Summarize it in 150 words.
 Practice debating a related topic with a partner or tutor.
Sunday Task:
 Write a reflective piece on your progress (200 words).
 Present a 3-minute speech on a prepared topic.

General Daily Schedule (1.5 hours per day):

1. Listening: 20-30 minutes.
2. Speaking: 10-20 minutes.
3. Reading: 15-25 minutes.
4. Writing: 10-25 minutes.
Week 1: Daily Life and Routines
1. Listening: A podcast or video about morning routines or daily schedules.
2. Speaking: Talk about your daily routine, e.g., "What do you do every
morning?"
3. Reading: Read a short article or text about time management or
productivity.
4. Writing: Write about "My Daily Routine" (5-10 sentences).

Week 2: Food and Cooking

1. Listening: A video on how to cook a simple dish or someone describing their
favorite food.
2. Speaking: Describe your favorite dish or what you usually eat for lunch.
3. Reading: Read a simple recipe or a blog post about food culture.
4. Writing: Write about "My Favorite Food" or "What I Eat in a Day."

Week 3: Hobbies and Free Time

1. Listening: A podcast episode or video about hobbies or sports.
2. Speaking: Talk about your hobbies or favorite leisure activities.
3. Reading: Read a short story or article about someone’s hobby or free time.
4. Writing: Write about "My Hobbies" or "How I Spend My Free Time."

Week 4: Family and Friends

1. Listening: A conversation about family or a podcast discussing
relationships.
2. Speaking: Describe your family or a close friend.
3. Reading: Read an article or blog post about family traditions or friendship.
4. Writing: Write about "My Family" or "My Best Friend."
Week 5: Travel and Places
1. Listening: A travel vlog or podcast about visiting a city or country.
2. Speaking: Talk about a place you visited or a place you want to visit.
3. Reading: Read a travel guide or article about a famous city or landmark.
4. Writing: Write about "My Dream Vacation" or "A Place I Visited."

Week 6: Work and Education

1. Listening: A podcast or video about work-life balance or study tips.
2. Speaking: Talk about your job, studies, or dream career.
3. Reading: Read a short article about workplace trends or school life.
4. Writing: Write about "My Job" or "My Favorite Subject in School."

Week 7: Shopping and Money

1. Listening: A podcast or video about budgeting or shopping tips.
2. Speaking: Describe a shopping experience or a favorite store.
3. Reading: Read a blog post or article about saving money or shopping
habits.
4. Writing: Write about "My Last Shopping Trip" or "How I Save Money."

Week 8: Health and Fitness

1. Listening: A video about exercise routines or healthy eating.
2. Speaking: Talk about your fitness routine or how you stay healthy.
3. Reading: Read an article about health tips or a healthy lifestyle.
4. Writing: Write about "How I Stay Healthy" or "My Favorite Exercise."
Week 9: Technology and Gadgets
1. Listening: A tech review or discussion about gadgets.
2. Speaking: Talk about your favorite gadget or how you use technology.
3. Reading: Read a tech article about a popular app or innovation.
4. Writing: Write about "My Favorite Gadget" or "How Technology Helps Me."

Week 10: Nature and Environment

1. Listening: A podcast about nature or environmental conservation.
2. Speaking: Describe a park, forest, or beach you’ve visited.
3. Reading: Read an article about environmental issues or nature.
4. Writing: Write about "Why I Love Nature" or "How to Protect the
Environment."

Week 11: Festivals and Holidays

1. Listening: A video about a cultural holiday or festival.
2. Speaking: Talk about your favorite holiday or how you celebrate festivals.
3. Reading: Read an article about global holidays or traditions.
4. Writing: Write about "My Favorite Holiday" or "How I Celebrate [X Festival]."

Week 12: Goals and Dreams

1. Listening: A motivational speech or podcast about setting goals.
2. Speaking: Talk about your personal or career goals.
3. Reading: Read an article or blog post about achieving success.
4. Writing: Write about "My Goals for the Future" or "My Dream Job."

Tips for Using These Topics:

  Flexibility: Rotate topics if you prefer or skip weeks that feel less relevant.
 Consistency: Ensure daily practice and balance across all four skills.
 Expand as Needed: Dive deeper into a topic if it interests you by
combining tasks (e.g., listening to a podcast and writing a review about it).
Podcasts for English Practice
1. BBC Learning English - The English We Speak
o Bite-sized episodes focusing on idioms and phrases used in everyday
English.
o Ideal for understanding real-life expressions and improving listening
skills.
2. ESLPod
o Created specifically for English learners.
o Offers slow-paced, clear conversations on a variety of topics.
3. All Ears English
o Focuses on American English, idioms, and cultural tips.
o Great for developing speaking and listening skills.
4. The British Council LearnEnglish Podcasts
o Features engaging conversations with transcripts for learners.
o Covers daily life topics suitable for A2-B1 levels.
5. Speak Better English with Harry
o Short episodes focused on grammar, vocabulary, and practical usage.
o Clear and slow-paced for beginner to intermediate learners.
6. LingQ English Conversations
o Natural conversations on general topics.
o Includes transcripts for reading along.
7. Voice of America: Learning English
 o News and stories spoken slowly for learners.
o Ideal for improving comprehension and vocabulary.
8. Luke’s English Podcast
o A mix of humor, interviews, and language tips.
o Covers both British culture and practical language use.

Websites for English Learning

1. BBC Learning English
o Offers videos, quizzes, vocabulary lessons, and grammar explanations.
o Perfect for self-paced learning across all skills.
2. News in Levels
o News articles categorized by English proficiency levels.
o Great for reading practice and expanding vocabulary.
3. Duolingo
o Gamified language learning app and website.
o Ideal for quick vocabulary and grammar practice.
4. Grammarly Blog
o Offers tips on grammar, writing, and language rules.
o Use alongside Grammarly for writing feedback.
5. Quizlet
o Create or find flashcards for vocabulary practice.
o Helps with active recall and memorization.
6. Cambridge English
o Provides learning resources, tests, and activities for various levels.
o Focused on exam preparation and skill improvement.
 7. ESL Fast
o A vast collection of stories, dialogues, and exercises for learners.
o Suitable for building reading and listening skills.
8. LangCorrect
o Share your writing and get corrections from native speakers.
o Encourages improvement in writing with real feedback.
9. ConversationExchange
o Connect with language partners for speaking practice.
o Offers options for face-to-face, written, or voice-based exchanges.
10. TED-Ed
o Animated videos with subtitles, perfect for comprehension practice.
o Topics range from science to daily life, suitable for learners.

Additional Tools
1. HelloTalk
o Connect with native speakers for real-life conversations.
o A great way to improve speaking and cultural understanding.
2. FluentU
o Watch real-world videos like movie clips, music videos, and
commercials.
o Includes interactive subtitles and vocabulary tracking.
3. LingQ
o Learn through reading and listening to authentic materials.
o Tracks your progress and helps build vocabulary.
4. Simple English Wikipedia
o Articles written in simplified English for easy comprehension.
 o Useful for expanding vocabulary and understanding concepts.
5. Write & Improve by Cambridge
o Submit your writing for instant feedback and suggestions.
o Helps you identify common grammar and vocabulary issues.

Suggested Daily Routine Using These Resources

1. Listening: Use podcasts like BBC Learning English for 15 minutes.
2. Speaking: Practice with HelloTalk or ConversationExchange for 10-20
minutes.
3. Reading: Explore News in Levels or Simple English Wikipedia for 15
minutes.
4. Writing: Use LangCorrect or Write & Improve to get feedback on your daily
entries.