Have you ever thought about different ways to study English? Sure, going to class is important; you have to hit the books to improve. But there are other methods to help develop your English skills. Here are some fun and interesting activities you can try to help you with your studies. Good luck!

Sometimes when you’re sitting on a bus or waiting for a friend you feel bored, right? Why not use this time to read some of the signs around you. Signs are everywhere, just look around. Good places to read signs are train or bus stations, large shops, advertising boards and even traffic signs on the road. Do you know what they mean? Can you translate them? Carry a pocket dictionary with you to help with difficult words.

Newspapers can be scary to read in English – so many long words and lots of difficult grammar. If you don’t have the time or energy to study a whole newspaper article, why not read the funnies? The cartoons in a newspaper are easy to read and often use common idioms and phrases that can be very useful for you. Can you get the jokes? The horoscope page in the newspaper is also good to read. It doesn’t matter if you believe it or not. They’re short, interesting and great for studying vocabulary. What’s your sign?

Try to find websites which have both an English version and a version in your own language. The BBC website is just one good place to visit. Choose something you are interested in and read in English first. After read the version in your own language.

What’s your favorite song in English? Study the words and notice how words are linked together. Singing is an excellent way to improve your pronunciation and your natural delivery of English. But if you can’t sing very well, be sure the windows are closed. You don’t want to upset the neighbors.

Finally, be a spy just like James Bond. When you are on the bus or waiting in a line, listen to the conversations around you. How much can you understand? Note down any difficult words in a pocket book and check the meaning later. If you have a record function on your cell phone, try recording small parts of conversations and then listen to them when you get home. It’s probably a good idea not to get caught doing this. Some people may not like it.

Whatever ways you choose to study, try to have fun and keep it interesting. Learning a language is more than just sitting at your desk for hours. You have to live the language!