Table of Contents
Want to speak English fluently but feel like you’re not making progress?
If you’re studying hard but still feel stuck, the problem may not be your motivation — it might be your study technique.
I’m Keith from the Keith Speaking Academy, here to help you become a confident speaker of English. In this post, I’ll show you three simple study mistakes that are costing many learners hundreds of hours — and what to do instead so you can study smarter, not harder.
Let’s jump in.
Mistake #1: Studying Without a Plan
A lot of students say, “Yes, I’m ready to study English” — but that’s as far as the plan goes. Then life gets in the way. You’re busy, and when you finally have time, you end up wasting 20 minutes just trying to decide what to study.
Sound familiar?
Well, here’s how to fix it:
Mid-Term Planning (1–2 months ahead)
Weekly Planning (before the week begins)
- Choose the content in advance: a chapter in a course book, a YouTube video, or a grammar exercise.
- Have your materials ready so you can start immediately — no endless scrolling or last-minute searching.
Studying English effectively starts with getting organised. A little planning can save you hours each week and make your study time much more productive.
Mistake #2: Only Studying with Social Media
Now don’t get me wrong — I recognise that social media can be a useful tool for learning. But if it’s the only way you’re studying English, it’s holding you back.
Here’s why:
- Social media is designed for scrolling, not studying. It’s easy to get distracted — one minute you’re watching English phrases, the next you’re looking at holiday photos or funny cats.
- Scrolling mode puts your brain in a blurred, unfocused state. Real learning needs focus.
A better approach:
- Use social media for studying English in moderation — maybe 10 minutes a day.
- Combine it with structured learning: an online course, a book, or a guided program.
- Study in a closed environment, where you’re less likely to get distracted.
Courses give you structure. You know what to do next. You’re surrounded by other learners with the same goals. That’s powerful.
Tip: Try graded readers or join an online speaking course for a more focused, step-by-step learning experience.
Mistake #3: Using Materials Above Your Level
Many learners think that if they want to improve quickly, they should study advanced English materials — even if they’re only intermediate.
Here’s the truth: this approach slows you down.
Why?
- You spend more time looking up words than actually reading or listening.
- It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged.
- It often leads to stress, frustration, and giving up.
Do this instead:
Use materials at your level — or just slightly above. What linguist Stephen Krashen calls “i+1” — content that’s mostly understandable but has a little challenge.
That might be:
- A B1-level podcast if you’re at B1
- A graded reader that matches your level
- A course designed specifically for your ability
When you understand most of the content, you’ll be more relaxed and open to learning. You’ll also remember new words faster and build confidence along the way.
If you’re not sure of your level, there are lots of free online tests.
Bonus Tip: Accept the Cycles of Learning
Studying English isn’t a straight line.
Some months, you’ll feel motivated and learn fast. Other times, you’ll feel stuck or bored. That’s okay. It’s normal.
Think of it like the seasons, each one will bring a change of feeling and motivation. It’s fine if you skip studying for a few weeks or even months. In fact, it’s normal.
Just like in nature, these cycles come and go. So when you’re in a “winter,” don’t panic. Rest, take a break, and trust that motivation will come back.
The key is: don’t quit. Pause if you need to. Then get back to it.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, if you want to study English effectively and become fluent faster:
- 📅 Plan ahead — your time, topics, and materials
- 📕 Balance social media with structured learning
- ✅ Study at your level — not way above it
These changes might seem small, but over time they’ll save you hundreds of hours and help you get better results with less effort.
Want more tips like this?
Join my free course Crack IELTS Speaking Part 1 or explore my complete course for fluency and IELTS preparation; IELTS Speaking Success – GOLD.
And remember — you’re probably closer to fluency than you think.
Let me know in the comments: which of these mistakes have you made? What will you try next?
Frequently Asked Questions
Studying without a plan leads to wasted time and lack of focus. Without a clear roadmap, you may end up spending valuable time deciding what to study instead of actually studying. Keith O'Hare emphasizes the importance of having a structured study plan to maximize efficiency and progress.
To create an effective study plan:
- Set clear goals: Define what you want to achieve and by when.
- Prioritize tasks: Identify the most important areas to focus on.
- Allocate time: Dedicate specific time slots for each task.
- Review and adjust: Regularly assess your progress and make necessary adjustments.
This approach helps in staying organized and ensures consistent progress.
Practicing without a purpose means repeating tasks without clear objectives, leading to stagnation. Keith suggests that purposeful practice, where each session has a specific goal, is more effective in improving skills and achieving desired outcomes.
To practice with a purpose:
- Set specific objectives: Determine what you aim to achieve in each practice session.
- Focus on weaknesses: Identify areas where you need improvement and concentrate on them.
- Seek feedback: Get input from teachers or peers to understand areas of improvement.
- Track progress: Keep a record of your performance to monitor improvement over time.
Purposeful practice leads to more efficient learning and better results.
Improve your Speaking Skills with this Free Course
Crack IELTS Speaking Part 1
Learn to Speak with Confidence in Part 1 of Your IELTS Test!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘It’s such a great course. I’ve learned so many usages for speaking part 1.’
Zu Htet
