Practicing to think in English with PREP for 30 minutes every day

Have you ever found yourself unintentionally saying an English word while speaking your native language? Or perhaps you've had a dream entirely in English? If so, congratulations! This indicates that you’ve begun to “think in English” without even realizing it. Developing this habit is not only the most effective way to achieve fluency but also a crucial step toward mastering the language. Let PREP guide you on how to boost your IELTS scores by incorporating the practice of English thinking into your daily routine.

I. The truth about training to think in English

Consider this scenario: You’re at a zoo and spot a large animal with a long trunk used for grabbing food. Do you immediately think of the word “elephant,” or does the term come to mind first in your native language?

• If you think in your mother tongue and need to describe the elephant to an English speaker, you'll face the added step of translating your thoughts into English. This process depends on your mental speed and translation reflexes, which vary from person to person. For most, unless they’re professional translators, this extra step can slow down communication and lead to less fluid expression.

• To avoid this delay, you can train yourself to think directly in English, eliminating the need for translation altogether. This practice allows you to associate words like “elephant” with their meaning instantly, fostering quicker and more natural expression in English.

Consider this scenario: You’re at a zoo and spot a large animal with a long trunk used for grabbing food. Do you immediately think of the word “elephant,” or does the term come to mind first in your native language?  

If you think in your mother tongue and need to describe the elephant to an English speaker, you'll face the added step of translating your thoughts into English. This process depends on your mental speed and translation reflexes, which vary from person to person. For most, unless they’re professional translators, this extra step can slow down communication and lead to less fluid expression.  

To avoid this delay, you can train yourself to think in English directly, eliminating the need for translation altogether. This practice allows you to associate words like “elephant” with their meaning instantly, fostering quicker and more natural expression in English.

II. Effective Steps to Train Yourself to Think in English

1. Step 1: Allocate "English time" every day

Dedicate a specific time each day to thinking exclusively in English. According to PREP, early mornings are the ideal time for this practice. All it takes is 30 minutes a day to make steady progress.

2. Step 2: Accurately describe actions/objects around you

During your 30-minute English thinking practice, focus on describing what’s happening around you, either silently or aloud. For instance, if you’re about to drink water, narrate each step and your surroundings:

• I’m going to drink some water.

• I’m walking towards the cup of water.

• As I take this step, I’m getting closer to the cup.

• The cup is here on the table.

• I’m holding the cup in my right hand right now.

• I’m taking the first sip.

• I’m taking the second sip.

• I’m no longer thirsty.

Be sure to describe each action as you go. Actively translate everything around you into English. PREP believes that most of us already have enough vocabulary and grammar to describe something as simple as “drinking water.” However, because of the habit of thinking in your mother tongue, some words from your native language might still "pop up" during the process. This challenge will be addressed further in step 3.

3. Step 3: Actively block any thoughts in your mother tongue

During your 30-minute English thinking practice, make a conscious effort to block any thoughts in your mother tongue. If they arise, gently remind yourself that it’s “English time,” and only English words are appropriate. While this might feel challenging at first, it’s an excellent opportunity to build your perseverance and strengthen your ability to think in English.

4. Step 4: Expand the scope during English time

Gradually expand the range of activities you engage in during English time. At first, it might be as simple as describing actions like walking or drinking water. Over time, however, aim to incorporate more of your daily routines into this practice. If you find there are areas where your vocabulary is lacking, don’t worry! Take the time to look up the necessary words beforehand so you can include them in your English time the following day. This approach ensures your practice remains effective and helps you steadily build the habit of thinking in English.

5. Step 5. Practice regularly

With consistent repetition, the challenges you initially faced while thinking in English will gradually diminish, and the urge to revert to your mother tongue will become less frequent. After 3 to 6 months of regular practice, you’ll notice significant progress, and thinking in English will start to feel more natural and effortless. However, to achieve these results, it’s essential to stay committed and maintain this habit with perseverance.

At PREP, our teachers have successfully applied this method to achieve their target IELTS band scores. We firmly believe that anyone can achieve similar success by staying persistent and following the steps outlined above to practice to think in English. If you have any questions about this approach, feel free to leave a comment below!