Hey everyone, welcome back to the channel.
I know I already made a video on this, but this question constantly reappears in the comments.
How to learn to think in English?
So I thought I'd revisit it and give you some new suggestions you can use today.
Plus, I made that video a couple of years ago.
Learning to think in English is one of the biggest turning points in fluency, and here's why it's so beneficial and helpful, both scientifically and practically.
It stops the need for translation.
When you think directly in English.
You no longer need to go through this slow translation process in your head.
You speak more fluently and naturally.
When you think in English sentences flow like a river and not like separate pieces that you need to put together.
You stop hesitating or searching for words mid-sentence because your brain already has them ready.
You build real automatic grammar.
Thinking in English trains your brain to feel grammar instead of memorizing it.
You start knowing what sounds right without analyzing rules.
That's how native speakers operate.
They don't think present perfect.
They just say it.
Your listening and speaking skills improve together and it transforms English from a subject into part of your identity.
Okay, so let's start with the first thing you can try today.
First of all, start small.
Think in words first.
Begin simply by naming things around you in English.
A couch.
A table, a mirror, a light, a chair. etc.
Do this several times a day.
This will train your brain to recognize and label your world in English.
When you start naming things around you in English, your brain begins to associate objects directly with English words.
Skipping translation.
You're building direct mental links between ideas and English vocabulary.
Then, You can move on to simple phrases.
Once you're comfortable with words, start forming short, everyday thoughts.
For example, I'm hungry.
Or it's cold today.
Or where's my phone?
Or let's go for a walk.
You can even narrate what you're doing.
For example, I'm making coffee.
I'm adding milk, checking my messages, etc.
Simple sentences like these, like I'm hungry or it's cold today, help you connect words into real thoughts, not just vocabulary.
This step makes your brain practice English grammar automatically, because you're forming complete thoughts and not memorizing rules.
On to the next step speak your thoughts out loud or whisper them.
Saying things aloud helps your brain connect ideas faster.
If you're alone, talk to yourself.
It's not weird.
Or if you prefer, do it quietly or in your mind while you're doing your chores or walking.
Saying things out loud forces your brain to think faster and choose English words in real time.
It also helps connect your inner voice with your speaking voice.
So what you think and what you say become one flow.
Step number four.
Stop translating.
Use English to English definitions.
If you don't know a word, check it in English instead of your native language.
So, for example, instead of translating the word Happy, read its definition, and it means feeling good, pleased or glad.
This builds English inside English and this is what fluent thinkers do.
When you learn words in English, for example, happy means feeling good or glad.
Your brain builds an English network of meaning.
And that's what fluent speakers have.
Words connected to other English words, not to their native language.
Next step. surround yourself with English.
The more English you hear, the more your brain adapts.
For example, watch YouTube videos in English or listen to podcasts, or at least use English subtitles when you're watching shows.
Also, Try to guess meanings from context instead of pausing to translate every word.
Watching shows, listening to podcasts, or reading makes your brain hear English patterns repeatedly.
It starts predicting what comes next, and that's when you stop translating and start understanding, naturally.
Try to journal your thoughts daily.
Write only three to five sentences each day about how you feel or what happened.
For example, today my kittens woke me up very, very early and I was really mad.
But then I decided to use this opportunity to get some work done.
Yes, that's true.
That was literally my morning today.
One of my kittens goes completely insane in the morning and scratches on our door until I open it and it's just
I love him so much.
I love him so much, but it just drives me crazy in the morning.
Anyway, this trains your inner monologue, your thinking voice to stay in English.
Also, writing your thoughts in English strengthens your inner monologue.
You're basically telling your story in English, not just copying phrases.
So your mind practices expressing feelings and ideas in the language.
Next one, try to use thinking triggers.
Pick small moments where you'll think in English.
For example, brushing your teeth, making coffee, waiting in line, et cetera.
For example, I'm brushing my teeth.
My toothpaste tastes minty.
I better hurry.
These moments add up and make English your default thought language.
When you choose certain moments, like brushing your teeth or walking for English thinking, your brain learns to switch languages automatically.
Over time, it needs no reminder.
It just thinks in English by default.
Now, this step is probably the most important one.
Be patient. consistent.
Fluency in thinking doesn't come overnight, but every small step counts.
The more you live in English, even in your thoughts, the more natural it becomes.
This one matters most.
Your brain rewires slowly through repetition.
Every small English thought adds up, until English becomes your first reaction instead of translation.
You could also try to use inner dialogues like imagine small conversations in your head like mini role plays.
For example, should I go outside?
Nah, it's too cold.
Maybe later.
Fine, but I really need some coffee.
Something like that.
Doing this in English strengthens your spontaneous thinking.
Now, this one is an easy one, but a very effective one.
Change your phone and app settings to English.
You'll be surrounded by English all day without effort.
Seeing notifications, battery settings, et cetera, builds automatic vocabulary recall.
You could also label objects around your home, meaning sticking small notes on everyday items with their English names.
For example, chair, mirror, door. curtain light picture frame.
You'll start seeing them and naming them automatically in English.
No translation needed.
Now, this step might be very useful and practical for some, so you could use english-based games or activities.
Obviously, you could play video games in english, or any kinds of games, on your phone, or also you could play scrabble, or you could play crosswords on your phone, or you could use simple vocabulary apps.
These will make your brain associate english words with fun and quick thinking.
This step would be very useful, but maybe not the easiest one.
So you could read simple stories and summarize them mentally in your mind.
After finishing, let's say a paragraph, pause to think, like what just happened?
Summarize it in English in your mind.
Even a few words help like, for example, the boy found the treasure.
Things like games, videos or even journaling connect english with positive feelings like laughter um curiosity, satisfaction.
The happier and more engaged your brain feels, the faster it builds automatic thinking pathways.
Now this is the last step on my list.
You could try, and this will cost you nothing to try it, but it will be effective, believe me, fall asleep to english so you could listen to some calm english podcasts, for example.
So The thing is that your brain absorbs rhythm and sentence structure even while relaxing.
When you're relaxed and half asleep, your brain is still processing sounds and patterns, even if you're not actively focused.
The repetition of English rhythm, tone and sentence structure gets stored in your implicit memory, the part of your brain responsible for automatic habits.
Over time your brain gets used to hearing English as a background sound just like your native language, so it feels natural instead of foreign.
So why does it help to think in English?
Because it makes English part of your subconscious sound environment.
So when you're awake, your brain starts recalling those same rhythms and structures automatically.
Okay, there you have it.
I hope these help and if you tried or will try any of these, please let me know if they helped.
Thank you, guys for watching.
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Anyways, thank you for watching and I'll see you in the next one.
Bye.
