The 80-20 principle when it comes to learning English

The 80/20 principle, also known as the Pareto principle, is a concept that suggests that 80% of results come from 20% of the effort. This principle can be applied to many areas of life, including learning English. In this article, we’ll explore how the 80/20 principle can be used to make learning English more efficient and effective. First, it’s important to understand that not all English language skills are created equal. Some skills, such as reading and listening, are more important than others, such as writing and grammar. This is because reading and listening are the primary ways we consume and understand English language content.

With that in mind, the 80/20 principle can be applied to learning English by focusing on the most important skills first. This means spending 80% of your time and effort on reading and listening, which will give you the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to language acquisition.

Here are some specific ways to apply the 80/20 principle to learning English:

1. Focus on high-frequency vocabulary: When it comes to learning new words in English, it’s important to focus on high-frequency words that are commonly used in everyday speech and writing. This means learning words that are used frequently in conversation and in written material, such as newspapers, magazines, and online articles. By focusing on these words, you’ll be able to understand and communicate more effectively in a shorter amount of time.

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2. Use authentic materials: Authentic materials are materials that are produced by native English speakers for native English speakers. This includes movies, TV shows, podcasts, and online articles. By consuming authentic materials, you’ll be exposed to real-life English language use, which will help you to better understand how English is spoken and written in context.

   Check out our Englished app, that has a vast array of native English content, that can help you learn english by watching and listening to news, podcasts, videos, and songs with subtitles and translations.

   

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3. Practice active listening: Active listening means listening to English language content with a purpose. This could mean listening for specific vocabulary words or grammar structures, or trying to understand the main idea of a conversation or piece of writing. By actively listening, you’ll be able to better retain and understand what you hear.
4. Use context clues: When you come across a new word or phrase in English, try to use context clues to figure out its meaning. This means looking at the words and sentences around the unknown word to try to infer its meaning. By using context clues, you’ll be able to learn new vocabulary more quickly and effectively.
5. Practice speaking and writing: While reading and listening are the most important skills for understanding English, speaking and writing are still important for communicating effectively in the language. However, it’s important to remember that speaking and writing are secondary skills, and should only make up about 20% of your language learning effort. In conclusion, the 80/20 principle can be a powerful tool for learning English more efficiently and effectively. By focusing on the most important language skills first and using authentic materials, context clues, and active listening, you can make the most of your time and effort spent on learning English. Remember, language learning is a long-term process, so be patient and persistent in your efforts to improve.

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