Still Translating Instead of Thinking in English?
In this guide, you’ll discover three easy-to-implement steps to help you think in English and gradually stop translating from your mother tongue.
For non-native speakers, “thinking in English” means forming thoughts, ideas, and sentences directly in the English language rather than translating from their native language into English.
Instead of mentally constructing a sentence in their native language and then translating it into English, a person who thinks in English creates the sentence in English from the start. This process helps in reducing the time taken to speak or write because it eliminates the translation step.
Being able to think in English matters because it will speed up your response time in English conversations and allow for more authentic and natural expression.
Many non-native speakers struggle with formulating ideas in English because they are used to thinking in their native language and then translating their thoughts into English. This habit can be hard to break and makes it difficult to think directly in English.
Another challenge for non-natives is the lack of immersion in English. If English is not spoken regularly in daily life, switching to thinking in English becomes challenging.
The key to thinking in English is to find daily opportunities to immerse yourself in the language.
So today, I’d like to share three steps you can start practising today that will help you think in English, resulting in faster responses and a more natural way of speaking. Here are the three steps:
1. Practice forming thoughts in English
2. Surround yourself with English
3. Document your day in English
Let’s dive deeper into each step.
1. Practice Forming Thoughts in English
One of the most direct ways to train your brain to think in English is to practice forming your thoughts in the language. Here’s how you can do this effectively:
Start Small
Begin by thinking simple sentences or phrases in English. For example, as you go about your daily activities, try to describe what you’re doing or planning to do in English. If you’re making breakfast, think, “I’m making a sandwich with cheese and ham,” instead of translating your thoughts from your native language.
Use Prompts
Engage with prompts or questions that require you to think and respond in English. For instance, set a timer for a few minutes and reflect on a topic in English. This could be anything from a recent experience to your thoughts on a current event.
Mental Rehearsal
Before engaging in conversations or meetings in English, mentally rehearse what you want to say in English. This practice helps in developing a more natural flow of thoughts and responses.
2. Surround Yourself with English
Immersing yourself in an English-speaking environment can significantly boost your ability to think in English. Here’s how to create an immersive experience:
Consume English Media
Make English a part of your daily life by consuming media in the language. Watch English-language movies, TV shows, and videos, or listen to English podcasts and music. Pay attention to how native speakers use language in different contexts.
Engage with English Speakers
Surround yourself with English speakers through social interactions, both online and offline. Join English-speaking groups or forums, attend events, or participate in conversation exchanges. Regular interactions will naturally encourage your brain to process information in English.
3. Document Your day in English
Keeping a journal or diary in English is an excellent way to practice thinking and writing in the language. Here’s how to effectively document your day in English:
Daily Entries
Write daily journal entries in English about your experiences, thoughts, and observations. This exercise helps you practice forming sentences and expressing ideas in English. Focus on describing your activities, reflecting on your day, and articulating your thoughts clearly.
Use Prompts
If you’re unsure what to write about, use prompts to guide your entries. Prompts can be questions like, “What were the highlights of my day?” or “What challenges did I face today and how did I handle them?”
Review and Reflect
Periodically review your journal entries to identify areas of improvement. Reflect on how your ability to think and write in English evolves over time. This reflection can be a motivating factor in your language learning journey.
Conclusion
Transitioning to thinking in English involves consistent practice and exposure. By practising forming thoughts in English, immersing yourself in the language, and documenting your day, you can gradually train your brain to operate in English more naturally.
This transition does take time, so you must believe in the process and commit to forming these new habits, otherwise you will not keep the consistency.
Achieving this is all about the law of accumulation: taking daily small actions over a period resulting in exponential returns.
Start incorporating these practices into your routine today and watch as your ability to think in English grows.
