Learning is a process that we all undertake in different ways. Whatever the approach that you’ve followed in the past there may be some benefit in considering new ways to help ensure that you achieve the most in the shortest space of time. Psychological science can have a big role to play here, offering a number of different approaches and skills that will make it easier to learn and speak English more effectively. These are some of the key psychological principles that could make a difference.

• Growth mindset. The principle of growth mindset is that intelligence is malleable and the more effort you put in the more success you’re likely to see. This is the opposite of a fixed mindset, which focuses on intelligence being pre-established and limited with little opportunity to improve. A growth mindset has a particularly positive impact on motivation and grit, ensuring that you stick at the task of learning English until you can speak it more effectively.
• The more you practice the more long term skill you’ll acquire. Increasing knowledge, skills and confidence when it comes to speaking English is much easier to do when you view this as a long term project. Practice actually does make perfect, not only when it comes to the way you’re able to speak English now but also how much of what you learn is going to be embedded in your long term memory.
• It’s important to seek out feedback. Constructive criticism is an essential part of learning. Clear, explanatory and timely feedback can help you to see where there is room for improvement and also to make consistent progress in speaking English. It’s essential that whoever is delivering the feedback understands the need to make it motivational and not negative.
• Acquiring more self-regulation skills can improve your learning ability. Self-regulation skills include self-control, planning, memory strategies and organisational skills. A different organisational method or a new approach to processing time could make a substantial difference, as can a fresh perspective on something like self-control e.g. removing distractions such as phones and email.
• Intrinsic motivation is more powerful than extrinsic motivation. Examining your own personal motivations and how this is likely to relate to your success can have an impact on how effectively you learn to speak English. This means differentiating between the goals and targets other people have designed for you and what you really want.
• Mastery goals work more effectively than performance goals. When it comes to defining your objectives for speaking English more effectively, you’re likely to make more progress if you opt for mastery goals - achievement on the basis of intrapersonal standards of learning - rather than the comparative standards of performance goals. Mastery goals tend to be focused on acquiring new skills or improving existing ability while performance goals are just about demonstrating a certain level of achievement.

From a growth mindset to ensuring that you choose the right type of goals to keep you motivated and on track, there are lots of ways in which using different psychological principles can help you to speak English more effectively.

At TLG we give teams the practical English skills and support needed to conduct cross-border business with confidence. From teaching to translation to technology, we help you work more effectively in English – and guarantee a return on your investment. If you want a scientific blended learning process for your English training course, get in touch today.