10 Daily Habits to Improve Your English
If you're trying to improve your English skills but feel overwhelmed by textbooks, lack of time or just don’t know where to start, this post is for you. Whether you're learning English for work, study, travel, or personal growth, building small, consistent habits can make a huge difference. So here are ten simple daily habits that can be included in your daily routine to can help you grow your fluency and confidence in English
1. Listen to Something in English Every Day
You don’t need to sit down with a pen and paper for an hour each day. Just listen as you go about your day. This could be during your commute, while walking the dog, cooking dinner, or tidying the kitchen.
Try multitasking with an English podcast for learning English, like:
BBC 6 Minute English – short and learner-friendly with real-life topics.
How to Fail with Elizabeth Day – insightful interviews with well-known people, full of life lessons and natural British English.
2. Speak Out Loud (Even to Yourself)
This might feel a bit silly at first, but it’s a great way to practise pronunciation and get used to the rhythm of English. Repeat sentences you hear in podcasts or YouTube videos. Try shadowing – copying someone’s speech, focusing on intonation and stress.
You can even do this while driving, walking, or doing chores. No one has to hear you!
3. Read What You Actually Enjoy
Reading is one of the best ways to expand your vocabulary – but it only works if you’re interested in what you’re reading. So ditch the boring articles and find something that grabs your attention.
Some of my favourite sites include:
Even Instagram captions, blog posts, or fanfiction count – just make sure it’s something you want to read.
4. Use New Vocabulary Straight Away
It’s so easy to collect new words but never use them. The key to making vocabulary stick is using it the same day you learn it.
Try writing a sentence, saying it out loud, using it in a message, or even teaching it to someone else (yes, even your dog). Remember: you're not just learning words — you're building your voice in English.
5. Talk to Yourself in English
If you're someone who already talks to themselves (hello fellow overthinkers!), try doing it in English. Little phrases like:
I need to reply to that email.
What should I have for dinner?
I'm so tired – I need an early night.
These small internal monologues help you build the habit of thinking in English. You could even record yourself for a few seconds a day and listen back to track your progress.
You might be interested in these posts
Atomic Habits for learning English
Collocations for talking about habits in English.
6. Follow English-Speaking Content Creators You Love
Learning English shouldn’t feel like a punishment. Follow people who speak naturally about topics you care about – whether it’s self-development, fashion, politics, or food.
When you’re genuinely interested, you’ll learn without even noticing. I’ve added a list of some of my favourite creators in the free PDF.
7. Link English to Your Daily Routine
One of the easiest ways to stay consistent is to connect English to something you already do. For example:
Listen to an English podcast for learning English while you cook.
Follow a recipe in English.
Narrate your makeup routine in English.
Think in English as you walk, clean, or journal.
The more you live in English, the more natural it becomes.
8. Write a Little Bit Each Day
And I mean a little bit. Just a sentence will do. You could:
Leave a comment on a social media post
Write a quick note in your phone
Start a daily journal in English
Writing slows your thoughts down, helping you reflect, process vocabulary, and feel calmer. Plus, it’s a perfect excuse to buy a beautiful new notebook.
9. Let Go of Perfection
You don’t need to speak perfectly to speak well. Your goal is communication, not perfection.
The learners who improve most are not the ones who know every grammar rule – they’re the ones who keep going, even when they make mistakes.
Mistakes are how we learn. So take the pressure off yourself.
10. Celebrate Every Little Win
Did you use a new phrase in conversation?
Did you understand a podcast without subtitles?
Did you write a sentence today?
These small wins matter. Don’t ignore them – smile, write them down, share them with a friend, or simply say ‘well done’ to yourself.