Speaking & Presenting with Confidence: How to communicate clearly in English at work
"If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough." – Albert Einstein Learn how to speak...
English
A new year is a chance to start fresh, with new plans, new opportunities, and new confidence. You might be thinking about learning English abroad, or you may be planning to study on your own.
If learning English is one of your goals for 2026, January is a great time to start. Focus on simple habits that work, not on pressure or big promises. To get started, try establishing an English-related habit, like learning three new words each morning with your breakfast. This small daily effort can quickly become a rewarding routine.
At EC English, we believe learning English should be practical, motivating, and fun. Building your vocabulary is one of the quickest ways to feel more confident, whether you’re studying, working, traveling, or meeting new people.
So instead of big resolutions that are hard to keep, try these simple and effective English vocabulary resolutions for the year ahead.
Many English learners start the year with big goals like learning 20 new words a day. That sounds great, but it can be tiring and discouraging if you can’t keep up.
A better way is to learn a few useful words regularly.
Even learning just 3 to 5 new words a day can make a big difference if they are words you really need. Pay attention to the vocabulary you hear in class, at work, on social media, or in daily conversations. Focus on words that you encounter frequently or words related to your specific goals, such as vocabulary needed for a job or a hobby. By selecting words that are most relevant to your daily life, you will find it easier to remember and use them.
When you take your time to learn a word (how it sounds, how to use it, and what it means), it will stay with you.
Vocabulary is most useful when it relates to your own life.
Read articles you enjoy. Watch movies and TV shows in English. Listen to music, podcasts, or short videos. When you find a new word, try to guess its meaning from the sentence. Then look it up, write it in your notebook, and use it in a sentence.
This simple habit helps you turn passive vocabulary into active English you can use in real life.
It’s easier to remember words when they are connected.
Instead of learning single words, try learning vocabulary by theme, like travel, food, work, emotions, or social English. You can also learn useful phrases, such as:
Learning this way helps you speak more naturally and fluently.
Learning is most effective when it’s fun. Try online word games like Wordle. Keep a vocabulary notebook and make it personal. Write example sentences about your life, note where you first heard a word, and add expressions or slang you like from movies. To keep your notebook organised, use a simple structure with columns for the word, its meaning, an example sentence, and the source where you found it. This organisation can make it easier to review and use your new vocabulary.
When learning feels personal, it’s easier to stay motivated.
Being consistent is key when learning something new. Try to make learning English a habit that fits into your daily life.
You don’t need to study for hours every day. Just add small moments of English to your routine. Read something in English with your morning coffee, watch a short video at lunch, or learn a few new words before bed. Track your progress by marking your calendar with the new words you learn each day, or by setting aside time each week to review your notebook. These small actions can help you stay motivated and see your improvement. Just ten minutes a day can lead to real progress over a year.
You will forget words (everyone does).
You will make mistakes (that’s how learning happens).
You might miss a day (start again).
At EC, we know that confidence comes from practice, not perfection.
Don’t rush to reach your goals. Setting goals isn’t about doing everything at once or feeling bad if you don’t. It’s about building habits that last.
Pick one or two simple goals. Keep them realistic and keep going, even after days when you don’t study. The most important thing is not to give up.
By the end of 2026, you’ll know more English words and how to use them correctly and confidently.
New year. New words. New confidence in your English.
Live online English classes for continuous learning.
Did you like this article? Share it!
