How to Stop Procrastinating: Practical Tips for English Learners
If you keep telling yourself you’ll practice English ‘tomorrow’ but somehow tomorrow never comes, you’re not alone. Procrastination is something we all struggle with, whether it’s putting off studying, avoiding conversation practice, or scrolling through social media instead of watching that English video you saved.
But here’s the thing—procrastination isn’t just about laziness. It’s often linked to fear, overwhelm, or perfectionism (I see you, overthinkers!). So, how can you stop putting things off and actually make progress in your English learning? Let’s break it down.
1. Identify Your Procrastination Triggers
Before you can fix a problem, you need to understand it. Ask yourself:
Do I avoid studying because I’m afraid of making mistakes?
Do I feel overwhelmed by too many learning resources?
Am I waiting for the ‘perfect’ time to start?
If any of these sound familiar, know that these are normal feelings—but they don’t have to control you.
2. Start Small (Really Small)
One of the biggest reasons we procrastinate is that a task feels too big. Instead of saying, ‘I need to study English for an hour,’ try:
Reading just one paragraph of an article
Learning one new word a day
Speaking for five minutes instead of waiting until you have an hour free
Once you start, you often keep going. That’s the trick.
3. Set Realistic, Achievable Goals
Instead of vague goals like ‘I want to improve my English,’ try:
I will watch one English YouTube video this week and take notes.
I will book a 30-minute English conversation class this month. (Even better if it’s with me!)
I will write three sentences every day in English.
4. Create Accountability
Tell someone your goal! This could be a friend, a tutor, or even a social media post. When we say things out loud, we’re more likely to follow through.
5. Make It Fun
Learning English shouldn’t feel like a chore. If you’re dreading your study time, shake things up:
Watch a show in English that you love
Follow Instagram accounts that post in English (hello @learnenglishwithjo )
Play word games, use apps or have a quick chat with ChatGPT
7. Be Kind to Yourself
Procrastination doesn’t mean you’re lazy—it means you’re human. The key is to notice when you’re avoiding something, take a deep breath, and do one small thing to move forward. Progress, not perfection.
Ready to Take Action?
If this post resonates with you, don’t just close the tab and forget about it! Try one tip today and see how it goes. And if you need a little extra motivation, I offer friendly, no-pressure English conversation classes to help you stay consistent. Book a session here and let’s chat!