Learning a language is often a difficult process. Language learning is not just sitting down at your table, memorizing words and then magically speaking them back in grammatically correct sentences. To become truly proficient in a language, you must devote a significant amount of time, motivation and hard work. There are thousands of books and websites available on the best ways to learn English, but if you want to read, speak and write better in a English, then you need to make a Language Learning Plan and follow through with it day after day.

Dictionary
According to betterenglish.org, "words are the building blocks of any language," and the best way to learn new words is to look them up and use them. A good bilingual (your native language and English) dictionary is your best friend. You should have a small, pocket-sized dictionary to carry with you everywhere you go and a larger, more extensive dictionary to keep at home for looking up more difficult words. Use the dictionary at the store, while watching television, when reading a book and any other time when you are certain the word is important, but you cannot remember its definition.

Notebook
Always carry a small, daily learning notebook with you. Write down new words to look up in your dictionary and write down new phrases to practice on your own. A Learning Notebook will help you recall and put into practice your daily language learning information. You should also keep a larger notebook at home. Separate the notebook into grammar, vocabulary, phrases and interesting information. This will help you keep all the language material you learn every day in an easy-to-access place. You can also use the notebook to make up your own quizzes and as a reflective tool so you can look back later and remember how much you've learned.

Read Daily
There are four main language learning skills: listening, writing, speaking and reading. All of them are important, and you should work on all of them as often as possible. But reading is a skill you can practice all day every day. Use the Internet. There are thousands of ESL (English as a Second Language) websites on the Internet that are free, have online reading practice with quizzes and downloadable practice files. Go to newspaper sites and read the headlines. Newspapers write in common language that is accessible to all general readers. Buy a local newspaper and read it for vocabulary practice. Time yourself as you read to increase reading speed. Have a friend write some questions from a magazine or newspaper article that covers the main idea, some specific facts and vocabulary. Grade yourself on each quiz and read as often as possible. You will quickly see positive results.

Speak Often
Speaking a new language often makes people nervous or embarrassed. It is difficult to speak fluently to another person in your non-native language. But to get better, you must speak every day. To practice, you can speak in front of a mirror to yourself. Create your own conversations and then repeat them over and over. Recording your voice helps you listen for grammar and pronunciation mistakes. Download mp3 conversation examples, listen to them, read the transcripts and then record and listen to your own speech. Work with a friend. Practice speaking with someone you trust and are not uncomfortable speaking to. This will help you gain confidence for your out-in-public speaking practice. Once you have more confidence, go to the store and practice some simple phrases. As you gain more and more self-assurance, attempt harder situations with other people.

Motivation
To get better at any skill, it takes practice and hard work, no matter if it's cooking, skiing, driving or learning English. Create daily, weekly and monthly goals; follow those goals and give yourself a reward when you reach them. Reflect back on your progress. This will help you see how far you've come and give you more confidence. Work with others who are also learning English so that you can all motivate one another, help one another and provide support during difficult times.