LEARN ON YOUR OWN

English is everywhere – you just have to collect it.

You carry more learning tools than you think: your phone, your surroundings and your curiosity. Here I show you how I learn languages myself – and how you can learn a little every day, even without a course.

Your home as a classroom

Video coming soon I walk around my room and ask myself about each thing: how do I say that in English?

Start where you are every day. Look around and ask yourself about every object: what is this in English? If you don’t know, that’s fine – that is exactly the moment you learn.

  1. Name things: Say the words you know out loud – “lamp”, “window”, “bed”.
  2. Find the gaps: Which object don’t you have a word for? Look it up and write it down.
  3. Build sentences: Turn the word into a sentence: “The lamp is next to my bed.”
  4. Speak out loud: Describe your room in three sentences – nobody is listening.

💡 Tip: put sticky notes with the English word on things you use every day. Practice the words with the “At home” picture cards.

Notes: your most important tool

What you don’t write down is often gone tomorrow. A small notebook or a note on your phone is enough – as long as it’s always with you.

  • Words of the day: Three new words or sentences you came across each day.
  • Whole sentences, not single words: Not just “sign”, but “The sign says: Exit.”
  • Where did it come from? Note where you saw or heard it – that helps it stick.
  • Review: Once a week, go through your notes and read them out loud.

English in your city

Video coming soon I walk through the city – in the middle of Germany – and find signs in English: what does that mean? Where does it come from?

English is everywhere, even in Germany: “Coffee to go”, “Sale”, “Open”, “Push”, “Exit”, ads, menus, songs in shops. Get curious about it.

  1. Look: Notice English words when you’re out.
  2. Ask questions: What exactly does it mean? Why is it in English here? Is there a similar word in your language?
  3. Take a photo: Snap it – and look it up later at home.
  4. Write it down: Add the word and the place to your notes.

Your phone in English

You use your phone every day – switch it to English once you feel comfortable. Because you already know the menus, you’ll understand words from context: “Settings”, “Battery”, “Delete”, “Share”.

iPhone

Settings → General → Language & Region → iPhone Language → English

Android

Settings → System → Languages → Add a language → English (drag it to the top)

💡 If it’s too much: start with just one app in English, e.g. Netflix, YouTube or a game.

Use Google Translate wisely

A translator is a great tool – if you use it as a teacher, not as a shortcut.

  • Try first: Think of the sentence in English yourself, then compare with the translation.
  • Listen: Tap the speaker button and repeat.
  • Camera mode: Translate signs and menus straight from the camera.
  • Translate back: Translate the result back into your language – does it still mean the same?
  • Don’t copy blindly: A translator doesn’t know the context. For important texts, ask someone.

AI as a practice partner

Video coming soon I show how I practice English with an AI – writing, speaking and getting corrected.

With free AI chats like ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini you can practice any time – with your own account at that provider. The trick: tell the AI exactly how to help you. Copy one of these and try it:

Practice a conversation

Talk with me in simple English (level A2) about my day. Ask me one question at a time. After each of my answers, correct my mistakes in a friendly way and show me a better sentence.

A role-play

Let’s do a role-play. You are a waiter in a café in Chicago and I am a customer. Speak slowly and use simple English. Start by greeting me.

Improve your text

Here is my text: [your text]. Please correct it, then explain my three most important mistakes in simple English.

Understand a word

Explain the word “awkward” in simple English and give me three short example sentences.

  • Speak instead of typing: Many AI apps have a voice mode – perfect for practicing out loud.
  • AI can be wrong: Double-check important things and write new words in your notes.
  • No personal data: Don’t share names, addresses or passwords. Read the provider’s privacy information.

Use the small moments

You don’t need a whole hour. Five minutes here and there add up:

🚌 On the goListen to an English podcast or song.
⏳ While waitingFive minutes of picture cards.
🍳 While cookingDescribe out loud in English what you’re doing.
🌙 Before bedThree sentences about your day – in your head or in your notebook.

📖 An English book by your bed: keep a book in English on your nightstand and read a few sentences before you sleep. No pressure, no need to understand every word – a little more English every evening. Tip: start with an easy book, like a children’s or young adult book you may already know in your own language.

Want a plan?

On Nawee you’ll find free lessons, picture cards, reading texts and games – step by step from your first word.

Start for free