Learn English Daily with This Powerful 35-Minute Study Routine

7 Minute Vocabulary Word Exercise:

1. Get a blank piece of paper (or an index card).

2. Choose a vocabulary word to learn.

3. Divide the paper into four parts.

4. Write the vocabulary word in the center.

5. In the top left, write the definition and the part of speech (e.g. noun, adjective, verb, etc.) of the word.

6. In the top right, write a sentence using the word.

7. In the bottom left, write synonyms for the word. Synonyms are different words that mean the same thing.

8. In the bottom right, write the different forms of the word. For example, for “swim” you would also write “swims,” “swimming,” “swam” and “swum.” Try to understand when you would use each form.

5 Minute Phrase Learning Exercise:

1. Choose a phrase from any of the sources above.

2. Read the phrase and the sentence that the phrase is in.

3. Answer these questions: Does your native language use a similar phrase? When might you use the phrase?

4. Come up with your own sentence using the idiom in a way that you would in your everyday life.

5 Minute Grammar Building Exercise:

1. Read a short grammar lesson from any of the websites mentioned above (or your own source!).

2. Visit any website you love that has at least a little writing. For this example, you can find an article in Elle.

3. Look for examples of the grammar rule being used on the website. For example, if you’re learning about conditionals, you can search the page for the word “if” (just press Ctrl+F and enter the words you’re looking for).

Can you think of your own examples of English grammar usage?

13 Minute News Reading (and Speaking) Exercise:

1. Find a news article that interests you.

2. Scan the article for words you don’t know and find their definition. That means you should look through the article without actually reading every word.

3. Read the article.

4. Did you understand at least the basic idea of the article? Explain out loud what the article was about, as if you’re talking to someone about it.

5 Minute Review Exercise:

1. When you do this exercise, do everything out loud to practice speaking. Write everything down on paper to practice writing. You can also quietly review it all in your head.

2. Use your new vocabulary word in a sentence.

3. Use your new phrase in a sentence.

4. Use the grammar rule you learned in a sentence.

5. Summarize the article you read in a sentence or two.