EngWithWen

Tag: TOEIC preparation

  • The 3 Things That Actually Matter in Language Learning

    The 3 Things That Actually Matter in Language Learning

    Everyone wants a shortcut. Most of them don’t work.

    If you’re trying to learn a language, ignore the noise. Ignore the hacks, the hundred-dollar apps, the twenty-tab YouTube rabbit holes. Learning a language is simple. Not easy, but simple.

    There are only three things that matter.

    1. Choose the Right Material

    You don’t need more resources. You need the right one.

    People drown in options. They jump from app to app, book to book, teacher to teacher. That’s a good way to stay busy. Not a good way to get fluent.

    The material is your vehicle. Choose a broken one, and you’ll crawl. Choose the right one, and you’ll glide.

    The best material is the one you’ll stick with.
    The one that feels like play, not work.
    The one you return to without discipline.

    If you love stories, read stories.
    If you love music, learn lyrics.
    If you love cooking, read recipes.

    Fit the language to your life—not the other way around.

    2. Respect the Time

    Fluency is not an event. It’s a side effect of consistency.

    Language is not knowledge. It’s skill. Skill is earned with time.

    Time is the filter. Most people quit. Not because it’s hard—because they expected it to be easy.

    There will be long stretches where nothing seems to change. You’ll feel stuck. Flat. Like you’re wasting your time.

    That’s the part where most give up.

    But that’s also the part where your brain is working in silence.
    Progress compounds invisibly—until it doesn’t.

    Be patient. Show up. Stay in the game long enough for the game to change you.

    3. Use Everything You Learn

    This is where the real learning begins.

    Language is not information you collect. It’s a tool you use.

    Most people study the language. Few actually use it.

    Don’t wait for confidence. Confidence comes after the reps, not before.

    Use the words. Say the sentence. Talk to the mirror. Send the message. Record your voice. Make mistakes—loudly.

    If you don’t use it, you lose it.
    If you use it, it becomes you.

    Every word you say moves you closer to fluency. Every sentence is a step forward.

    Waiting is just fear with good branding. Do it anyway.

    That’s it. No tricks. No hacks. No overnight success.
    Just quiet work. Clear choices. Consistent practice.

    You don’t need to be gifted. You need to be patient.
    You don’t need motivation. You need momentum.

    Keep going. One day, you’ll open your mouth—and the words will be there

    Not because you memorized them,
    but because you earned them.

  • 10 Speaking Cards to Boost Your English Conversation Skills

    10 Speaking Cards to Boost Your English Conversation Skills

    Are you looking for a fun and practical way to improve your English speaking skills? Speaking cards are a fantastic tool for building fluency, learning new vocabulary, and gaining confidence in real-life conversations.

    Below are 10 ready-to-use Speaking Cards designed especially for learners in our English community. Each card includes:

    • Useful phrases and sentence structures
    • A sample answer
    • Key vocabulary to use and remember

    Let’s dive in!

    🗣️ Card 1: A Memorable Event

    🧠 Use these sentence structures:

    • The event I remember most is…
    • It was special because…
    • I still remember how…

    🗨 Sample Answer:
    The event I remember most is my high school graduation. It was special because I achieved something important with my family watching. I still remember how proud my parents looked. We took many pictures and had a small dinner together afterward. It was one of the happiest days of my life.

    📚 Useful Vocabulary:
    ceremony, memorable, achievement, proud, celebrate


    🗣️ Card 2: A Country You Want to Visit

    🧠 Sentence structures:

    • I would love to visit…
    • The country is known for…
    • I’ve always wanted to…

    🗨 Sample Answer:
    I would love to visit Japan. The country is known for its beautiful culture and delicious food. I’ve always wanted to see cherry blossoms in spring and visit ancient temples. Japan is a fascinating place.

    📚 Vocabulary:
    traditional, destination, cuisine, landscape, culture


    🗣️ Card 3: Favorite Season

    🧠 Sentence structures:

    • My favorite season is…
    • I love it because…
    • It’s the perfect time to…

    🗨 Sample Answer:
    My favorite season is winter. I love it because I can enjoy hot drinks and cozy clothes. It’s also the perfect time to celebrate holidays with my family. Snow makes everything look beautiful.

    📚 Vocabulary:
    chilly, cozy, festive, snowfall, holiday spirit


    🗣️ Card 4: A Gift You Would Give

    🧠 Sentence structures:

    • If I could give a gift, I would give…
    • This gift is meaningful because…
    • It would help them to…

    🗨 Sample Answer:
    If I could give a gift, I would give my father a new watch. This gift is meaningful because he always arrives on time and values punctuality. It would help him remember our time together.

    📚 Vocabulary:
    thoughtful, meaningful, symbolize, timepiece, appreciation


    🗣️ Card 5: Favorite Food

    🧠 Sentence structures:

    • My favorite food is…
    • It tastes…
    • I love eating it because…

    🗨 Sample Answer:
    My favorite food is Pad Thai. It tastes sweet, sour, and a little spicy. I love eating it because it reminds me of my hometown in Thailand.

    📚 Vocabulary:
    flavor, delicious, ingredient, dish, local cuisine


    🗣️ Card 6: How You Feel Better When Sad

    🧠 Sentence structures:

    • When I feel sad, I usually…
    • It helps me to…
    • Another thing I do is…

    🗨 Sample Answer:
    When I feel sad, I usually listen to music. It helps me to relax and forget my problems for a while. Another thing I do is talk to my best friend about how I feel.

    📚 Vocabulary:
    comfort, support, relieve stress, cheer up, emotional


    🗣️ Card 7: Best Friend

    🧠 Sentence structures:

    • My best friend is…
    • We have been friends since…
    • What I like about him/her is…

    🗨 Sample Answer:
    My best friend is Anna. We have been friends since high school. What I like about her is that she always supports me and makes me laugh even when I’m down.

    📚 Vocabulary:
    loyal, trustworthy, kind, dependable, bond


    🗣️ Card 8: A Job You Want

    🧠 Sentence structures:

    • I would like to be a…
    • This job interests me because…
    • I hope to…

    🗨 Sample Answer:
    I would like to be a doctor. This job interests me because I want to help people and improve their lives. I hope to study hard and reach my goal.

    📚 Vocabulary:
    career, ambition, responsibility, serve, achieve


    🗣️ Card 9: How to Stay Healthy

    🧠 Sentence structures:

    • To stay healthy, I…
    • I also try to…
    • It helps me to…

    🗨 Sample Answer:
    To stay healthy, I exercise every morning. I also try to eat fruits and vegetables every day. It helps me to feel energetic and avoid getting sick.

    📚 Vocabulary:
    nutritious, workout, balanced diet, fitness, immune system


    🗣️ Card 10: A Place You Like

    🧠 Sentence structures:

    • My favorite place is…
    • I love it because…
    • When I go there, I feel…

    🗨 Sample Answer:
    My favorite place is the beach near my house. I love it because it’s peaceful and beautiful. When I go there, I feel calm and relaxed.

    📚 Vocabulary:
    peaceful, scenery, atmosphere, breeze, refreshing

    📝 Final Tips

    1. Use these cards to practice with a partner or in a study group.
    2. Don’t worry about mistakes—focus on fluency and clarity.
    3. Try recording yourself to evaluate your own progress.

    Speaking confidently takes time and practice, but with tools like these speaking cards, you’re already on the right path. Try using one card each day with a friend or study group, or record yourself speaking to track your progress.

    Want more speaking cards and practical English tips?
    Follow our page and stay tuned—we’ll be sharing more themed cards, vocabulary boosters, and conversation games to make your English learning journey fun and effective.

  • How to Speak English Fluently: Practical Tips for Every English Learner

    How to Speak English Fluently: Practical Tips for Every English Learner

    Learning to speak English fluently is a common goal for millions of people around the world. Whether you’re learning English to advance your career, travel confidently, or make international friends, the journey requires more than just grammar rules and vocabulary lists. It takes mindset, practice, and smart strategies.

    Break Free from Limiting Beliefs

    Many learners are held back by common misconceptions: “I’m too old,” “I need to travel to learn,” or “I can’t speak because I make mistakes.” Janet Gerber encourages learners to challenge these ideas. Age is not a barrier, fluency doesn’t require travel, and mistakes are an essential part of learning. Fear of speaking often hinders progress more than lack of knowledge.

    Develop a Positive Mindset

    Your mindset can make or break your progress. A negative attitude breeds fear and hesitation, while a positive outlook builds resilience. Set small, achievable goals, focus on what you’ve learned rather than what you don’t know, and always do your best without comparing yourself to others.

    Set Clear, S.M.A.R.T. Goals

    Saying “I want to speak fluent English” isn’t enough. Instead, define goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example: “I will watch 10 minutes of English news daily for two months and keep a journal of new vocabulary.” These focused efforts lead to steady improvement.

    Reevaluate Your Learning Method

    Traditional grammar-heavy methods don’t work for everyone. If you’ve studied for years but can’t speak fluently, it may be time to change your approach. Learn how you learn best—through videos, conversation, reading, or interactive tools—and use English as a communication tool, not a subject to memorize.

    Improve the Four Core Skills

    • Speaking: Speak often, even if you make mistakes. Use phrases instead of isolated words, record yourself daily, and find language exchange partners online (e.g., iTalki, ConversationExchange).
    • Listening: Listen to podcasts, music, radio, and TV shows in English. Use transcripts or subtitles to reinforce understanding and focus on topics you enjoy to stay motivated.
    • Reading: Read news articles, blogs, and even children’s books. Subscribe to newsletters or Google Alerts on topics you like to keep English reading fun and engaging.
    • Writing: Keep a daily journal, write simple stories, or try writing prompts. Read your writing aloud to catch mistakes and build fluency in sentence structure and vocabulary.

    Immerse Yourself in English

    If you can’t travel, immerse yourself digitally. Switch your devices to English, join English-speaking online communities, and surround yourself with English content. Fluency comes from daily exposure and using the language naturally in your life.

    Final Thought

    Speaking English fluently is not about perfection—it’s about communication. Focus on progress, not perfection. Use the tips that work best for you, stay consistent, and remember: fluency is built step by step.

    A list of useful vocabulary from “How to Speak English Fluently”

    English Word/PhraseTranslationPart of Speech
    fluentlyอย่างคล่องแคล่วadverb
    mindsetทัศนคติ / ความคิดnoun
    goalเป้าหมายnoun
    limiting beliefความเชื่อที่จำกัดnoun
    confidenceความมั่นใจnoun
    mistakeความผิดพลาดnoun
    communicateสื่อสารverb
    improveปรับปรุง / พัฒนาverb
    practiceฝึกฝนverb / noun
    approachวิธีการ / แนวทางnoun
    attainableสามารถบรรลุได้adjective
    specificเฉพาะเจาะจงadjective
    relevantที่เกี่ยวข้อง / ที่สัมพันธ์กันadjective
    measurableวัดผลได้adjective
    immersionการจมตัว / การดื่มด่ำnoun
    exposureการเปิดรับnoun
    evaluateประเมินverb
    resourcesทรัพยากรnoun
    motivationแรงจูงใจnoun
    interactionการมีปฏิสัมพันธ์noun
    environmentสภาพแวดล้อมnoun
    achievementความสำเร็จnoun
    fearfulกลัว / หวาดกลัวadjective
    challengeความท้าทายnoun / verb
    strategiesกลยุทธ์noun (plural)
    progressความก้าวหน้าnoun
    naturalเป็นธรรมชาติ / ธรรมดาadjective
    feedbackข้อเสนอแนะnoun
    consistentlyอย่างสม่ำเสมอadverb
    phraseวลี / กลุ่มคำnoun
  • The Best Netflix Shows for Thai Learners

    The Best Netflix Shows for Thai Learners

    Learning English doesn’t have to mean studying grammar books or memorizing long vocabulary lists. If you enjoy watching TV, why not turn it into a powerful learning tool? Netflix offers many shows with Thai subtitles and clear English, making it a great place to improve your language skills while having fun.

    Here are my top Netflix recommendations for Thai learners, along with a personal favorite that helped me improve my own English.

    🎬 Top Netflix Shows to Learn English (With Thai Subtitles)

    1. Friends

    Level: Intermediate
    A must-watch! This classic American sitcom is full of everyday conversation, useful phrases, and natural slang. The characters speak clearly, and the jokes are easy to understand with Thai subtitles. It’s a great choice if you want to learn how people actually speak in real life.

    2. The Good Place

    Level: Intermediate to Advanced
    This comedy-drama mixes humor with thoughtful ideas about life and morality. It’s fun and fast-paced, with creative storytelling and modern English. Thai subtitles help you keep up with the dialogue, especially in episodes with more complex vocabulary.

    3. Brooklyn Nine-Nine

    Level: Intermediate
    Set in a police station, this sitcom is full of quick jokes, lighthearted moments, and friendly characters. The English is modern and full of useful expressions for casual conversations. Even if they speak fast, the humor and subtitles make it easier to follow.

    4. Modern Family

    Level: Intermediate
    A hilarious mockumentary-style sitcom about three families. Great for learning how people of different ages and personalities speak. You’ll pick up both formal and informal expressions. It also teaches cultural references and everyday life situations.

    5. Emily in Paris

    Level: Beginner to Intermediate
    This romantic comedy follows an American woman working in Paris. The English is clear and simple, perfect for learners. It also mixes in a bit of French, making it extra fun. The story is light, fashionable, and easy to follow with Thai subtitles.

    6. The Crown

    Level: Upper Intermediate to Advanced
    If you’re interested in British English, this historical drama about the British royal family is a perfect match. It uses formal and elegant language, which is excellent for learners who want to improve listening and vocabulary. Subtitles will be very helpful here!

    7. Never Have I Ever

    Level: Intermediate
    A fun coming-of-age comedy about a teenage Indian-American girl balancing high school life and family drama. It uses current slang and teen-friendly language, making it relatable and useful for younger learners.

    🌟 My Personal Favorite: Friends

    When I was learning English, Friends helped me a lot. It’s funny, the episodes are short, and the language is natural. I used to watch with Thai subtitles first, then re-watch the same episode with English subtitles. That way, I could understand the jokes, learn new vocabulary, and even practice speaking by repeating the lines. I still remember phrases like “How you doin’?” from Joey!

    💡 Tips for Learning English on Netflix

    • Start with Thai subtitles, then switch to English as your confidence grows.
    • Use the pause and rewind buttons—there’s no rush!
    • Write down useful phrases or new words.
    • Repeat lines out loud to practice pronunciation.
    • Watch one episode multiple times to improve comprehension.

    Final Thoughts
    Netflix isn’t just for entertainment—it’s a fun, low-pressure way to improve your English every day. Choose shows you enjoy, turn on the subtitles, and relax while you learn. With time, you’ll understand more, speak better, and enjoy the language like never before!

  • 🎙️ Pronunciation Tips for Thai Learners: Learn This and Your English Will Sound Totally Different!

    🎙️ Pronunciation Tips for Thai Learners: Learn This and Your English Will Sound Totally Different!

    If you’ve been learning English for a while but still feel unsure when speaking, you’re not alone. One of the biggest problems Thai people face is pronunciation. The good news? You don’t need to fix everything — just focus on a few key things, and you’ll sound clearer fast.

    Here are 5 simple pronunciation tips made especially for Thai learners like us.

    1. Practice the “TH” Sound

    Many Thai speakers say “sank you” instead of “thank you,” or “dis” instead of “this.” That’s because Thai doesn’t have the “th” sound.

    How to fix it:

    • Put your tongue gently between your teeth. Blow out a little air.
    • Practice saying:
      think, thank, this, that, three

    It feels strange at first, but it gets easier with practice.

    2. Say the Ending Sounds

    In Thai, we often skip the final sound. But in English, it’s very important.

    For example:

    • “cap” (หมวก)
    • “cab” (แท็กซี่)
    • “cat” (แมว)
      Each one ends with a different sound — p, b, t — and that changes the meaning.

    How to fix it:
    Say each sound clearly at the end. Try these:
    walked, helped, laughed

    It helps to speak a little slower when practicing.

    3. Long and Short Vowels

    Some words sound very similar but mean different things. The only difference is vowel length.

    Examples:

    • ship (เรือ) vs sheep (แกะ)
    • bit vs beat

    How to fix it:
    Short vowels are quick. Long vowels are stretched.
    Practice slowly:

    • “I saw a ship.”
    • “I saw a sheep.”

    4. Word Stress Matters

    In English, one part of the word is usually stronger. In Thai, all syllables sound even, so this can be tricky.

    Examples:

    • comfort (not COMfort)
    • about (not About)

    How to fix it:
    Listen to how native speakers say the word and copy the rhythm. You can also look up the word on a dictionary app — they usually show which part is stressed.

    5. Record Your Voice

    This tip helped me the most. Sometimes we think we sound right — until we hear ourselves.

    Try this:

    • Record yourself saying a sentence like:
      “I think three sheep were sitting on the ship.”
    • Then listen to it. Are you saying “think” or “sink”? “Sheep” or “ship”?

    It may feel weird at first, but it really helps you hear and fix your mistakes.

    Final Thoughts

    You don’t need a perfect accent. But if you practice these small things every day, your pronunciation will get better — and you’ll feel more confident speaking English.

    Quick Practice

    Try saying these words slowly and clearly:

    • think
    • this
    • cat
    • cap
    • bit
    • beat

    Then say this sentence:
    “I think three sheep were sitting on the ship.”

    You’ve got this.
    And I’m walking this English journey with you.

    See you in the next article.