30-Day English Learning Challenge
A 30-day plan to make English a habit, focusing on listening, speaking, reading, writing, and grammar. This program incorporates behavioral science techniques, personalized learning paths, and social elements to enhance adherence and motivation.
Program Modules
Module 1: Assessment and Goal Setting
Take a free English test from Lancaster University to assess your current level. Define a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goal for the next 30 days. This module establishes a clear learning path and utilizes commitment devices to enhance adherence.
Take the English Assessment
OnceComplete the Lancaster University English test to understand your current proficiency level.
Set Your SMART Goal
OnceDefine a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goal for your English learning journey over the next 30 days. Write it down and commit to it.
Module 2: Immersive Listening Practice
Daily listening practice with engaging content from TED and other sources. Emphasis on active listening, vocabulary acquisition, and understanding diverse accents.
TED Talk Exploration
Daily 7xWatch a short TED video on a topic of your interest. Start without subtitles, then use them if needed. Use the 'Think' and 'Dig Deeper' tabs. Share your opinion in the 'Discuss' tab and note new words.
Music and Podcast Immersion
Daily 7xListen to a song and transcribe the lyrics, then sing along. Alternatively, listen to the BBC 6 Minute Learning podcast or The English We Speak podcast. Note new words.
Module 3: Speaking - Fluency and Confidence
Practice speaking with a partner or through the 'Speak Like a Pro 2-0' course. Focus on accent practice and building fluency. Emphasizes social proof through community engagement.
Partner Practice and Accent Training
Daily 10xWatch LinguaMarina's video about 8 ways to practice English. Ideally, sign up for the 'Speak Like a Pro 2-0' course or find a speaking partner with similar interests and English level. Watch a video on how to speak like a native speaker and practice the new accent.
Module 4: Reading - Comprehension and Vocabulary
Daily reading practice on Breaking News English and other websites. Focus on comprehension tasks and vocabulary expansion.
Breaking News English Practice
Daily 10xExplore Breaking News English. Choose a news article at your level (0-6). Complete the reading comprehension tasks and listen to the audio.
Explore New Reading Websites
Daily 10xPractice reading on rong-chang.com (for beginners) or dreamreader.net (pre-intermediate to intermediate). Complete comprehension tests if available.
Module 5: Writing - Expression and Goal Setting
Writing exercises to improve English skills and personal goal setting. Includes essay writing and action planning.
Essay on Ideal Day
Daily 10xWrite a 200-300 word essay about your ideal day in five years. This helps with English practice and goal setting.
Advanced English Action Plan
Daily 10xWrite down your action plan if your English level was advanced *today*. What would you do next? Explore specific goals and related requirements.
Module 6: Grammar - Focused Study
Focused grammar study using British Council resources and LinguaMarina workbooks.
British Council Grammar Practice
Daily 10xSelect one grammar topic you struggle with (e.g., present perfect, conditionals). Use learnenglish.britishcouncil.org or learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org to read materials on the topic.
LinguaMarina Grammar Workbook
Daily 10xDownload the LinguaMarina grammar workbook ('Grammar is all you need') and start working on the most difficult topic.
Module 7: Vocabulary - Retention and Expansion
Vocabulary exercises to improve retention and expand knowledge. Includes highlighting, sentence creation, and memorization.
Word Highlighting and Memorization
Daily 10xSelect 10 useful words from your listening exercises. Write them down, create sentences with each, and spend 10 minutes memorizing them.
Review and New Words
Daily 10xCross out words you know well. Highlight 10 new words, write sentences, and spend 5 minutes reading them.
Module 8: Active Rest - English Immersion
Active rest day with English immersion through videos, TV shows, and music. Reinforces vocabulary learned and provides relaxation.
Day Off (in English)
Daily 5xEnjoy a day off, but do it in English! Watch videos, TV shows, or listen to music. Review the words you highlighted on Day 6 for 5 minutes.
Day Off (British English)
Daily 5xWatch 'The One' on Netflix (British English). Write down new words and repeat words from yesterday for 5 minutes.
Module 9: Review and Reflection
Final assessment and reflection on the 30-day challenge. Focus on identifying difficult topics and sharing results with the community.
Review Most Difficult Topic
OnceIdentify the most difficult topic from the past 28 days and review it again.
Final Assessment and Sharing Results
OnceTake the initial English test again. Note your results and share your progress in the comments. Reflect on the experience. Leverages social sharing and community support to reinforce habit formation.
What You'll Accomplish
- Improve English listening skills
- Enhance English speaking proficiency
- Increase English reading comprehension
- Develop English writing skills
- Strengthen English grammar knowledge
- Expand English vocabulary
Full program access + updates