Do you want to improve your English skills, but you’re not sure where to start? Maybe you’re thinking, “Ugh, I really don’t want an English textbook, that’s so boring.” Well, the good news is, you definitely don’t need a textbook to get better at English. These tips will help you get better at speaking, listening and reading, while having fun!

1. Talk to people in English! I can’t emphasize enough how important this is. The only way to get better at something is to practice it, and speaking is the best practice you can get. Ideally, you should converse with people who are fluent in English. Just by listening to the way they speak, you’ll pick up language without even needing to focus on learning it. As you practice using sentences, you’ll even reach the point where you can think completely in English, instead of having to translate each word. Don’t be shy about making mistakes, it’s part of the learning process. Even if you can only speak to other English students, using the words in conversation cements them in your memory, so you’ll be better able to recall them in the future. You could try having a specific time or even a whole day where everyone is only allowed to use English! Have a dictionary nearby, so if you don’t know a word, you can look it up and use it in a sentence.
   
2. Read books in English. Novels and fiction are usually easier to understand than non-fiction, because they use relatively simple language to tell a story. There are plenty of books that are easy without being too childish, such as the Famous Five series by Enid Blyton, the Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon, and Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. Not only will you learn new words and how to use them, but you’ll also be exposed to other people’s lives and culture. Reading is important, because it lets you experience other places and times where you could never actually go. It improves your imagination, and even helps you to better empathize with other people’s feelings.
   
3. Listen to music with English lyrics. Soundtracks from Disney movies are a great choice, because they’re simple, catchy, and fun! The tune and rhythm make songs easy to learn, and you might even find yourself singing along to them. This will go a long way toward improving your English. Did you know singing along to music will help your pronunciation even more than speaking? It helps you to use the right sounds and intonation, making your speech sound more natural. It also helps you remember the new words you learn! Hearing English songs, and even having them stuck in your head, will make thinking in English more natural.
   
4. Watch movies in English. At first, try using subtitles in your language as you watch, then when you’re more familiar with the story, switch to English subtitles or even none at all. This is another good way to learn from hearing others speak. It’s not as helpful as talking to a real person because you don’t actually say anything, just listen. However, it’s definitely still a good idea! Try a movie like National Treasure for a fun historical mystery, The Avengers for some superhero action, or Little Women for a comfortable slice-of-life story. It might also be a good idea to have a notebook with you, to write down any new words you encounter. That way, you can look them up in the dictionary later, to make sure you understand the meaning. Be careful of context though, because almost every movie has a bad guy, and you definitely shouldn’t copy him when you’re speaking to your friends!
   
5. If you like puzzles, try some simple crosswords in English. Thinking of a word based on clues will help you to remember what it means. It’ll also teach you a little about English culture, such as who the most famous actors and sports players are. If crosswords feel too difficult, try a word search instead. You won’t have to guess words, just find them in a grid of letters. Solving puzzles makes your brain stronger, meaning that learning a language will be just a bit easier! 

Doing these five things regularly will vastly improve your English skills, no boring textbook studying required!